Page 14

“You see, that is part of the problem,” Penelope grinned. “Young Odette here does not see herself as much of a young lady. She fits in better with… well, the boys, shall we say.”

“Is that so?”

Without waiting for permission, she reached into the folds of her apron and produced a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. In a dramatic fashion, she perched them on the bridge of her nose, and approached Odette, who was still attempting to use a velvet curtain as a shield.

“Come now, my dear,” she said with a playful click of her tongue. “Step into the light. I must examine my subject if I am to do her justice.”

Odette reluctantly peeled herself away from the curtain, arms folded across her chest like armor.

The modiste lowered her head slightly, peering through her spectacles as she assessed the young lady.

“Hmm,” she murmured. “Indeed. A tragic injustice, if what you are saying is true, Your Grace.”

Odette wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”

Madame Bellamy tilted Odette’s chin gently with her finger, inspecting her face with a seasoned eye.

“Soft jawline. High cheekbones. A very graceful neck. And gorgeous eyes. Very, very striking.”

Eyes just like her father. Penelope found herself thinking, but chose instead to say, “I agree with you completely.”

Odette blinked, looking awkwardly between the two ladies.

“She’s quite the picture of a young lady, whether she wishes to admit it or not,” the modiste concluded with authority. “She has no place amongst the boys. If anything, they ought to count themselves lucky if she so much as glances their way.”

Odette made a strangled sort of noise in the back of her throat. “T hat is not true.”

“She is modest, too,” Madame Bellamy shot Penelope a knowing look.

“Truly a rare feat, especially considering what I see in young women these days. Your Grace, I can already predict that she is going to be Diamond of the Season when she finally debuts. And when the time arrives, you must come to me for her dress,” She took Penelope’s hand in hers, as if to secure the promise.

“Let us not get ahead of ourselves now,” Penelope laughed, sensing how awkward Odette was getting at the whole thing. “One day at a time. Today, we are only here for her first proper fitting.”

“Oh, my apologies,” Madame Bellamy took a hurried step backwards, “Truly. It was just hard not to think of the future when there is just so much potential. But not to worry.I adore first fittings. And with a figure like yours, my dear, we shall have no trouble at all.”

Odette blinked, clearly overwhelmed, but Madame Bellamy was already bustling toward the nearest rack, pulling fabrics and muttering under her breath.

Penelope leaned closer to Odette and murmured, “Now’s the time to run, if you’re going to.”

“I’d never make it past Fergus,” Odette grumbled.

Penelope gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. “Don’t worry. First fittings can feel daunting, but I’m here, should you need anything.”

Odette nodded, and Penelope realized that it was a small sign that she was beginning to trust her more.

Madame Bellamy returned with her helper in tow , bringing with her a large stack of clothes.

“Well, the first thing is to decide on the color,” she started.

She laid out several swatches across the table without fuss. Lavender, cream, soft blue, pale green, and a few deeper tones like plum and navy. Odette scanned them with a neutral expression, but when Madame Bellamy held up the plum swatch, she frowned.

“Not that one.”

“Good. She’s decisive,” the modiste said, not missing a beat. “An important trait to have for a young lady.”

“I’m not wearing something that makes me look like a bruised grape,” Odette muttered. “Please, show me another color.”

Madame Bellamy chuckled and reached for the lavender. “You looked at this one earlier. It's a strong choice, and I think it will complement your skin tone nicely.”

Penelope could see Odette hesitate. It was obvious that she liked it, but did not want to admit it outright .

“We’ll set it aside,” Madame Bellamy said, catching on quickly. “Now, what about the shape? Do you like something more fitted or something easier to move around in? Sleeves?”

“No ribbons,” Odette said flatly. “That is my only request.”

“Dear lady, what is wrong with ribbons?” The modiste looked at her incredulously.

“Too girly,” Odette said, rolling her eyes. It prompted a chuckle out of Penelope.

“My dear, do you forget that you are a girl?” Penelope said. “I think a ribbon would look lovely.”

“No,” Odette asserted immediately, “no ribbons, and that is my final decision.”

“Well,” Madame Bellamy said, not offended in the slightest, “there are plenty of lovely gowns without them. We'll manage.”

They moved on from the table to the rows of gowns on display. Penelope followed at a slight distance, careful not to hover. Odette needed space, and Penelope had learned better than to crowd her when she was trying to make up her mind.

They walked in silence for a while. Odette seemed unimpressed by most of the dresses on display. She wrinkled her nose at a butter yellow. “Who would wear this?”

But then she came to a stop in front of a soft lavender dress hung quietly at the end of the rack.

“You know,” Penelope said, stepping closer, “if one were to pick a dress simply by accident… this one would be a very fine mistake.”

“I’m just looking,” Odette was immediately defensive.

“Of course.” Penelope carefully took the hanger, lifting the gown from the rack. “But sometimes we look because we’re curious. Why don’t you try it on?”

“I didn’t say I wanted it,” Odette said, stubbornly as usual.

“I won’t tell your father,” Penelope added with a small smile. “If that’s what you’re worried about.”

“It’s not that,” Odette shook her head. “I was just… I do not know how he will react to seeing me in this.”

Penelope didn’t rush to respond. Instead, she waited for Odette to continue.

“He’s used to me looking a certain way,” Odette went on. “And doing certain things. This”—she held up the dress a little—“this doesn’t feel like something he’d expect.”

“Do you want to surprise him?” Penelope asked.

“Oh, I am not sure,” Odette shook her head. “It is not as though Father has forbidden me from wearing these things…”

“He was the one who suggested we make the trip,” Penelope added .

“Yes, but perhaps he does not know what he is asking,” Odette replied. “We have never really spoken about these things before.”

Penelope could imagine Alexander and Odette awkwardly skirting about topics that concerned girlhood.

“Well, you know, Odette,” she said with conviction, “just because you wear a dress does not mean you change who you are.”

“Does it not?” Odette barely sounded convinced. “I do not wish to change my entire identity.”

“Oh, no, darling,” Penelope shook her head. “You are not changing anything, only adding to what is already there. You can still keep the same hobbies, and be the same person.”

“Just in a dress?”

“Yes, and look fabulous while doing it,” Penelope chuckled.

Odette’s lips curved upwards in amusement. “Well, you seem to make it quite simple. But I have a hard time adapting to change like this.”

“So you can take it at your own pace,” Penelope assured. “One dress at a time, one little change, as long as you are comfortable with it.”

“And what if Father stops recognizing me?”

The statement came from a place of innocence, but it shocked Penelope to hear it. She put a hand on Odette’s shoulder, “That is something that will never happen.”

“You say that,” Odette sighed. “But who is to know for sure?”

“You can find out,” Penelope suggested softly. “If anything, it might be fun to see his surprise. Change is not as scary as you are making it out to be.”

“It is when you are young,” Odette replied. “I just wish that I could stay little forever, and not have to deal with all of this .”

“You must think of it as growth,” Penelope said . “A step forward, but in the right direction for the woman you are growing up to become.”

“I don’t want to stop being close to him,” Odette admitted abruptly. “He doesn’t know anything about… this stuff.”

“You think if you start liking these things,” Penelope said carefully, “he won’t understand you anymore.”

Odette’s shy silence was enough of a confirmation.

“I get it,” Penelope said after a moment. “I do.”

“ How? ” Odette said, surprised. “You seem as though you were born all perfect and lady-like.”

“Perhaps not in the same way,” Penelope laughed. “But I know all too well how daunting change can be. I was very close to my sister growing up. And when she got older, when she married and her life started shifting… I thought I’d lost her somehow.”

Odette was really listening closely now.

“But I didn’t lose her,” Penelope continued. “And neither will you. Your father knows you’re growing up.”

Odette was silent again. Penelope realized that it was something she did whenever she retreated into herself.

“Why don’t you try it on?” Penelope said gently. “Just to see.”

“What if I hate it?”

“Then we pick another one.”

Odette sighed begrudgingly, but she took the dress into the changing room without another word.

Penelope waited outside, glancing occasionally at Madame Bellamy who was already preparing her next round of suggestions. The curtain opened, and Odette stepped out.

“Lovely! That’s the one,” Madame Bellamy clapped her hands together, beaming.

“You think?” Odette said, awkwardly rubbing the sides of her arms.

“Oh, I know, ” the modiste said, walking around her slowly. “This looks perfect.”

Penelope smiled, but her attention was only on Odette. “What do you think?” she asked.

“I think…” She frowned, glancing down at the bodice. “Maybe the fit is a bit loose around here…”

“No,” Penelope laughed, cutting her off. “Not like that. I mean… how do you feel ? Inside. Do you feel like someone else?”

Odette turned toward the mirror. She stared at herself for a long moment. “I suppose.. I still feel like myself.”

Penelope grinned , having felt that she proved her point. “Then that settles it, we are getting it.”

“I would say that this was a successful trip,” Penelope said to Odette. They had just wrapped up the final selection of the dress, and Odette was all smiles.

She had shown hesitance at first, but Penelope could tell that she enjoyed it.

“I think this has been my favorite trip to the town so far,” Odette nodded, surprising Penelope with the high praise. “I suppose I have you to thank for that.”

“One of many,” Penelope replied. “I have an inkling that we will be making a repeat visit here very soon.”

“Only if you come along with me.”

“Always,” Penelope promised. She loved the little bond that was forming with Odette. It was slow blooming, but that made it all the more worthwhile in her eyes.

As they stepped out into the street, Penelope noticed Odette looking over at the park across the shop. Children close to Odette’s age were playing there.

“Do you wish to go?” Penelope asked, reading Odette’s mind.

“Oh, no,” Odette shrugged. “It’s not important.”

“Nonsense,” Penelope said, looping her arm through hers. “We’ve earned a bit of a walk. Come on, let’s take the long way home.”

She’d only taken one step forward when Lewis cleared his throat behind them.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Your Grace.”

“And why not?” Penelope turned to face him, her brow rising.

“The Duke gave instructions. Any change in plans has to be cleared with him first,” Lewis cleared his throat, averting his gaze.

“We’re not changing plans,” Penelope said, confused. “It’s a walk in a public park.”

Fergus, standing beside him, offered an apologetic shrug. “We just follow what we’re told. His Grace was very clear.”

Penelope glanced at Odette, expecting her to share in her surprise, but the girl didn’t look bothered. If anything, she looked resigned.

“This is normal?” Penelope asked.

“He’s always like this. Doesn’t want me going anywhere without telling him first,” Odette shrugged.

“But you are with me now,” Penelope tried to argue but Fergus stepped in again.

“His Grace’s orders were clear, Your Grace,” Fergus stepped in again, “It would be in your best interest to move back now.”

Penelope fell silent, biting back her irritation. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of Odette.

“Fine,” she said tightly. “Let’s go.”