Before she could respond, the modiste, Mrs. Dumont, came out to the front room and greeted them. “Miss Weston, Mrs. Kennedy, how are two of my favorite customers today?” she said in her lilting French accent.
“Mrs. Dumont, a pleasure to see you again,” Agnes said. “My niece would like to commission a new dress.”
“Of course. Do you have a design picked out?”
Before Lydia could show the modiste the fashion plate she’d selected, Miss Darvey interrupted. “Mrs. Dumont.”
The modiste turned toward her. “Miss Darvey, do you require something?”
“May I have a word?” the young woman asked.
Mrs. Dumont nodded. “Ladies, please excuse me a moment.”
Miss Darvey followed the modiste to the other side of the room. “Mrs. Dumont, I can’t believe you’re catering to that young woman. She’s in trade and not of quality to be here,” she said, not bothering to lower her voice. It appeared she didn’t care who heard her conversation.
“Miss Weston has been a customer of mine for a long time, and Mr. Weston always pays bills on delivery, which is more than I can say for yours. Speaking of which, my last two invoices are still outstanding. I’m afraid I will not be able to take any more commissions from you until those bills are paid.”
“Well, I never…”
“If you’ll excuse me, I have paying customers to attend to,” Mrs. Dumont said, walking back to Agnes and Lydia.
Lydia watched Miss Darvey stomp back to her friends, her face flushed with anger.
“We’re leaving. I’ve no need for a place that caters to her kind,” Miss Darvey said before storming out of the shop. Miss Adams and Miss Burke look confused, but hurried after her.
“I wonder what that was about,” Lydia whispered.
“I have no idea, but I don’t think Miss Darvey liked whatever Mrs. Dumont had to say.”
“I do apologize for the delay,” Mrs. Dumont said. “Have you chosen a design?”
Lydia nodded and handed her the plate. “This one is quite becoming.”
“Ah, yes. That’s one of the latest designs. Let me show you some fabrics that would suit this design perfectly.”
“Thank you,” Lydia said.
Mrs. Dumont showed her several bolts of beautiful fabrics, and Lydia was drawn to the lavender silk. “I love this one.”
“Perfect choice. It will be two weeks before the dress will be ready.”
“That’s fine. Thank you, Mrs. Dumont.”
After the modiste’s shop, the two women went to various other shops on Bond Street to outfit Lydia in grand style for her upcoming wedding.
“Papa isn’t going to be happy when he receives these bills,” Lydia said.
“Oh, posh. Your father is beyond wealthy. He can easily afford ten times what we’ve spent today.”
“Do you think he’s calmed down yet?”
“I have no idea, but you mustn’t worry about that. Soon you’ll marry the man you adore, and that’s all that matters.”
“Aunt, if Papa is horrid to you, you must tell me. I’m sure Lord Hutchinson wouldn’t mind if you came to live with us.”
“Thank you, my darling girl. Your father and I have had arguments in the past, and always make up so don’t worry. I shall be fine; besides, newlyweds need their privacy,” she said with a wink.
“I must admit, I’m nervous about the wedding night. What if I don’t please him?”
