Page 14 of Wedded to the Deviant Duke (Duke Wars #2)
CHAPTER 14
I t had been quite some time since Thalia had properly been inside a modiste’s. Indeed, it had been some time since she’d had a moment to leave their home in Whitechapel at all, given how devious some individuals could be. Simply holding the deed to a place did not outright make it yours on those streets, and there was many a weekend Thalia spent ensuring their property remained unstolen.
But to walk the downtown marketplace, to simply allow herself the pleasure of window shopping and idle conversation when one found a particularly lovely gown; Thalia had forgotten how it felt to let her guard down. More than that, she had forgotten how wonderful it felt to be among genuine friends.
“Ooh, let’s check this one, next!” Charlotte squealed, pointing to one of the smaller shops set just across the street from them. Thalia followed her gaze, observing a number of riding breeches and some equestrian gear hanging on display.
“Charlotte Harding, you promised your brother you’d find a Season’s dress,” Louise reminded her.
“The day is still young,” Charlotte insisted. “Besides, I could use a new pair of riding boots.”
Thalia chuckled lightly, checking the time from a large clock’s tower. To call the day “young” was a touch of an over-exaggeration, as it had been a handful of hours since their shopping excursion had begun.
The sun had long since begun its descent, a few lamp posts being lit to guide whatever shoppers remained in the streets, and Thalia took note of how full the hands of the servants had become, how many trips each had to take back to each woman’s carriage.
“It’s… actually getting quite late, Charlotte,” Madeline’s gentle voice piped in. “We should try and limit our time to one more boutique.”
“A proper boutique,” Louise chided. “One specializing in ballgowns.”
Charlotte’s lips formed a pout as she looked to Thalia for aid. She could only chuckle in reply and offer a reassuring pat on the little Harding’s head. “You did promise your brother, my Lady. But, I’ll tell you what; if you visit this last boutique without too much fuss, I’ll happily accompany you tomorrow on whatever outing you desire.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened at the prospect. She held out her hand, eyes narrowed and expression quite serious. “Do you promise?”
Louise and Madeline gave a cautionary look, but Thalia shook her friend’s hand eagerly. “I solemnly swear, Lady Charlotte.”
Charlotte let out a squeal, glancing around the streets before pointing out a large, more ostentatious boutique. As she skipped ahead, Madeline offered a look of condolence as she hurried after her friend. “Gracious—you would think I agreed to walk into an early grave,” Thalia said.
Louise smiled lightly, setting a hand against Thalia’s shoulder. “You might as well have; giving Charlotte that kind of power is rather unwise.”
Thalia’s laughter built in her chest. “You make it sound like I cannot keep up with the young woman! I’m certainly not that old yet, Your Grace.”
“Charlotte will certainly make you feel that way,” Louise chuckled lightly. “I’m not sure where she finds so much energy in a day. Come on, then; we better catch up.”
Arm in arm, Thalia followed beside Louise into the shop, enchanted by its springtime decor. The whole of the boutique smelled heavily of flowers and perfume, likely from the dozens of filled vases and the ladies of the Ton still shopping within. Rows of gowns hung delicately on display, a mixture of tulle skirts and sleeveless bodices to fully embrace the up-and-coming warm weather.
And, of course, many of the designs took inspiration from the flowers yet to come, with many having similar beading to Madeline’s own gown. Thalia found herself particularly drawn to a beautiful lilac gown, its rectangular cut and flowing skirt paired nicely with the floral lacework across the bodice.
“Oh, that one’s gorgeous!” Charlotte beamed, having seemingly appeared behind the older women out of thin air. Another Harding family trait, Thalia mused.
“Would you like to try this one on as well, my Lady?” the modiste asked, already holding a number of pastel gowns in her arms. The sight was something of a relief, as at least Charlotte was eagerly keeping her end of their bargain.
“Hmm…” Charlotte inspected the fabric closely, gently brushing the skirt against her fingers. “It’s not really a color I would often go for… but I bet it would look lovely on my friend, Thalia!”
Thalia blinked, immediately trying to think of any excuse not to agree to such a fitting. “Oh, Lady Charlotte, that’s very sweet, but–”
“It would bring out your eyes quite nicely,” Madeline added.
“I daresay it would,” Louise beamed.
Thalia shot her a somewhat sour look, looking back to Charlotte with a strained smile. “Charlotte, it really is a lovely dress. But, unfortunately, it’s just not within my budget to purchase it right now.”
Anything her brother made toshing went directly into their emergency funds, though more often than not, it had to be spent on the absolute essentials. Many times, she had to argue with Robin not to waste his money on dresses or accessories for her; it simply wasn’t wise spending.
“But, you wouldn’t have to buy it,” Charlotte insisted. “We still owe you a dress, remember?” She gestured to the dirt and grime smeared along the bottom of Thalia’s dress, her brow raised slightly.
“I’ll accept a dress of equal value,” Thalia said. “But this appears to be one of the boutique’s top pieces.” And not that she would ever say such a thing out loud, but based on the modiste’s cold reception towards her, Thalia doubted she would even be allowed to leave with said dress. Not with the reputation she now carried on her shoulders.
“Oh, fine,” Charlotte eventually conceded, looping her arm around Thalia’s as she pulled her free from Louise. “Then, come with me and show me where my budget lies.”
“I’m going to take a sit for a moment,” Louise called after the pair. “Madeline, would you mind joining me?”
Madeline quickly nodded, accompanying the duchess on one of the plush chairs as Thalia was led towards the opposite side of the shop. Even now, she could feel the number of eyes against her growing, the quick turns of ladies’ backs and their faint whispering. Charlotte seemed utterly immune by the growing gossip, pausing at a rack of gowns decorated in fake florals.
“How about these, Thalia? We could probably find a dress fairly close to the one you have on.”
She hadn’t meant to wrinkle her nose. Thalia realized it a touch too late, however, and Charlotte’s curious expression made her blush. “It’s…not my favorite look.”
“Really?” Charlotte gave her a once-over, clearly surprised. “But green is such a lovely color on you! And the briar roses are a nice touch; it makes you seem approachable, but dangerously so.” She giggled, catching a strand of Thalia’s hair. “A bit like a briar bush—pretty to look at, but lethal if you’re not careful.”
Thalia’s stomach swam, and she quickly grabbed for a rich blue dress decorated in bluebells. “Wh-what about something like this?”
Charlotte scoffed, pulling out a bedgown style dress hemmed in intricate lace and patterned with a light iris design. “I still think something purple suits you far better. Besides, bluebells hardly fit your personality—you are bold, and daring, and almost as wise as Louise is! Bluebells are far too… humble for your personality.”
Again, Thalia felt her skin growing clammy, and quickly pushed the dress away. “I… I don’t know, Charlotte.”
“Thalia, whatever is the matter?” Charlotte guided her friend towards a nearby settee, a note of concern tinging her voice. “You’re trembling like the last leaf in autumn.” She removed her gloved hand, gently pressing the back against Thalia’s forehead. “You don’t feel too terribly flushed, but you look awful. I’m sorry—was I too persistent?”
Thalia removed Charlotte’s hand from her forehead, grasping it gently before settling it into her lap. “You’ve been wonderful to me. I’m afraid it’s… my fault. It’s…” she swallowed nervously, realizing how ridiculous she was about to sound. “I’m afraid I’m simply out of practice, being out in public.” Her gaze flickered to a group of whispering women, and her stomach pitted when Charlotte’s gaze followed after hers.
“Absolute children, the lot of them,” she hissed between her teeth. “Should I go tell them off?”
Thalia chuckled nervously, giving her new friend’s hand a squeeze. “I’d rather you didn’t. But, I appreciate you wanting to stand by me.” She sighed heavily, glancing at a nearby clock once more. “If it’s all right, I think I’ll make my way back to Stonewell. Maybe I am coming down with something…?”
“Oh, goodness, of course!” Charlotte stammered. “I’m sorry if I made you feel like a prisoner—let me call the carriage for you. I’ll ride home with Madeline, perhaps make a night out of it.”
Louise wasn’t kidding; Thalia did feel old in comparison. “Are you sure? I would hate to come off as ungrateful.”
Charlotte shook her head, squeezing Thalia’s hand this time. “Nonsense; you know yourself better than I do. Besides,” she added with a cheeky wink. “I think Gabriel will appreciate having a companion for dinner.”
“I’m sure he would,” Thalia chuckled lightly. She went to stand, but was surprised as Charlotte tightened her grasp, forcing her back to sit for a moment more.
“Thalia…” Charlotte sighed, clearly looking uncomfortable. “I—I can’t say I fully know what you’ve gone through, what with Oslay Hall and moving to Whitechapel. I’m afraid I’ve been rather blessed, in my lifetime.”
Her expression hardened, and her eyes rose to meet Thalia’s. “But, I want you to know that you deserve good things in your life, even if people say otherwise. And—and if things don’t end up working with my brother, you’ll always have my friendship.”
Thalia blinked, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. “Charlotte… you’ve barely known me for a day.”
“And I can already tell you’re a lovely woman,” Charlotte insisted. “Someone I would very much like to help, in any way I can.”
Thalia sighed herself, offering a weak smile. “Then…I suppose I’ll accept that purple dress. The one with the iris design,” she added in a warning tone. “If I find out you purchased that beaded lilac one, I will be terribly cross with you. And you hardly want me cross when I join you tomorrow for your morning activities.”
Charlotte laughed, pulling Thalia in for a tight hug. “I certainly don’t, Thalia. You’ve got yourself a deal.”