“Thank you, Miss… May I ask your name?” Harriet asked.
“I’m Miss Colleen Martinson, my lady.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Colleen. I’m Lady Harriet, and this is my mother, Lady Collin.”
Miss Colleen curtseyed. “Pleased to meet you both. If you’d like to come with me, Lady Harriet, I’d be happy to show you the selection of gloves we have in stock.”
Harriet followed the shop girl to the other side of the shop while her mother browsed through the newest fabrics laid out on the table.
“Mama, look at these. They’re so darling,” Harriet said, holding up a pair of pale pink kid gloves.
Eleanor walked over to her and inspected the quality of the gloves. “They’re perfect. Do you have them in tan as well?” she asked Miss Colleen.
“I believe I have a pair in the back. Please excuse me a moment,” Colleen said.
“Mama, are you looking to have a new dress made? Perhaps something for the next Assembly Room dance?”
“Not for me, my darling, but I did find a stunning pale pink silk that would look beautiful on you.”
“I’m getting a new dress for the dance?”
Eleanor nodded. “Absolutely. You deserve a pretty new dress, but we’ll save the major wardrobe selections for when we’re back in London. You must have the latest fashions for your debut.”
Harriet didn’t want to press the point with her mother that she didn’t want a debut, so she hugged her instead. “Thank you, Mama.”
“Come over here. I’ll show you the silk.”
By the time Miss Colleen returned, Harriet still hadn’t been able to decide between the pale pink and cream-colored silk. “These fabrics are exquisite, Miss Colleen,” she said.
“They are indeed. Are you looking for something besides the gloves, Lady Harriet?”
“Yes, but I can’t decide between the two colors.”
Miss Colleen walked over to the table, picked up the bolt of pale pink, and draped the fabric across her shoulders. “This color looks quite stunning with your skin’s color.” She then picked up the cream fabric and repeated her actions. “I don’t think this shows off your beauty as well as the pink.”
“I agree,” Eleanor said.
“Why don’t you look at the fashion plates while I summon Mrs. Davis? You’ll not find a more talented modiste,” Miss Colleen said before disappearing into the back room once again.
“Which style do you like?” Eleanor asked.
Harriet looked at the different styles and pointed to a high-waisted one. “This one. Perhaps a dark pink sash under my bosom would complement the style.”
“That will be stunning.”
Mrs. Davis walked out of the back room with Miss Colleen in tow. “Good day, Lady Collin. I understand you’d like a new dress made for Lady Harriet. Have you chosen the style you prefer yet?”
Eleanor nodded. “Yes. The pale pink in this style,” she said, pointing to the fashion plate.
“Excellent choice, my lady. The color suits your daughter quite well.”
“There’s a dance in three days we’d like to attend,” Eleanor said. “Will the dress be finished by then?”
Mrs. Davis nodded. “Absolutely, Lady Collin. I’ll put my best girls on the job, but it will cost more. I assume that is acceptable?”
“Yes, that is fine. Thank you. She’ll also need a new chemise and silk stockings.”
“Of course. That won’t be a problem. Lady Harriet, would you follow me to the back room so I may get your measurements?”
