Kitty closed the lid of a trunk. “Yes.”
The woman shook her head. “I am sad to hear it. This is some of the finest work I’ve seen. Cordon was right about you.”
Kitty straightened. “How do you know Cor—Lord Grayson?”
The woman lifted her veil. “I am Seraphina Lysander, Dowager Countess of Kilkenny. We have met once before. Cordon suggested you might suit as my new dressmaker.”
A dowager countess. In Kitty’s shop.
The saliva evaporated from her mouth. It was a dream come true. This was the chance she’d been waiting for, and of course it was because of Cordon. She would have to thank him the next chance she had.
She dipped into a deep courtesy. “You honor me, my lady.”
Lady Kilkenny uttered a most unladylike snort. “If you werehonored, you would show me more of your lovely wares.”
Kitty sidled over to her workbench and leaned her hip against it. “I am terribly sorry, my lady.” It pained her to say the words. “My business has been sold. I have no claim to anything here.”
“That is a shame.” The countess narrowed her eyes. “I was hoping you would make me a gown befitting the Sultan’s Ball.”
All the air vanished from Kitty’s lungs. Adowager countesswas asking her to make a gown for one of the largest events of the season.
But she’d already signed the paperwork. She couldn’t commit to a client without a workshop, an assistant, or materials other than the scraps of fabric she’d salvaged.
“Cordon said you might react thus,” the countess said. Her lips quirked. “I am to present you with this.” She reached into her pocket, removed a letter, and held it out.
Kitty stared at the envelope with its red wax seal as if it were a viper about to strike. The day had started with absolute miseryand now was turning into something out of one of her vivid dreams.
“Well, open it,” Lady Kilkenny said.
Kitty flushed. It was not polite to open correspondence in the company of another, but she also felt obliged to do whatever the countess asked. Thus, she accepted the letter, cracked the seal and unfolded the paper from inside onto her workbench.
Dearest Kitty,
I apologize for intruding in your life, but I had Seraphina check on you and when I learned of the sale, I instructed my solicitor to buy your wares and the building your shop is in. My dearest regret is that I was never able to say goodbye. You deserved so much better than what I gave you. I love you, and I hope that after I die, you have the passion and creativity to return to your craft.
Cordon
P.S.: Please charge anything Seraphina orders to my account, and my solicitor will ensure you are paid.
Her eyes burned, and her fingers trembled as she smoothed them across the slanted, messy writing. He was the anonymous buyer. Had he penned instructions and this letter from his sickbed?
“I take it this changes matters?” Lady Kilkenny asked.
Kitty closed her eyes. Having a dowager countess wear one of her designs in public was the chance of a lifetime, one she would likely never have again. She would be guaranteed dozens of new customers. She could buy anewshop in a more fashionable district. Her entire life, everything she had worked for, had culminated in this moment.
But she couldn’t sayyes.
That was what pained her the most. She had a perfect opportunity sitting before her. It would be no different from any of the other customers she’d taken, although the stakes were monumentally higher.
But there wasn’t enough time.
Yes, she could complete an order quickly enough, even with her shop in such disarray, but only if she rehired Alyssa, started working immediately, and devoted all of her time to the creation of a dress that would be grand enough for Lady Kilkenny. It would take every minute of the time she had left to finish it before the ball.
Meanwhile, Cordon was dying.
Cordon, who had bought her shop. Cordon, who had taught her the joy of self-indulgence.
Cordon, who loved her.
