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“I have not heard of him before.” Chloe wrinkled her nose, in clear wariness at first, before it softened.
“That is because the lacework is not quite as fine as what you currently stock, but it is hardly something you could disparage. The supplier may not be fashionable, but I think he will be skilled enough.”
“I’m sure it will be perfect.” Chloe sighed in contentment and sat back, returning to her gown once again. “Thank you, Leo. For all of this.”
“We have been over this. You do not need to keep thanking me.” His dark eyes flicked to hers. They were extremely intense for a second before he returned them to the papers.
“Oh! I can give you your gift now.” Chloe jumped to her feet, having quite forgotten all about it. She hurried to the side of the room and reached into a wardrobe, where the gift had been hidden away, then she returned to his side, proffering the tissue-wrapped parcel to him.
“Chloe . . .” Leo began slowly.
“Leo.” She matched his tone before he could refuse the gift. “I wanted to give you this.”
“If I accept it, will you stop saying the words ‘thank you’?”
“Yes. So, you might as well accept the gift, or I’ll be saying ’thank you’ a hundred times a day!” Chloe declared in emphasis, returning to her chair and picking up the gown to work on it once again. Leo chuckled and brought the parcel forward, carefully unwrapping it, so that the tissue crinkled in the air.
Chloe watched him, pricking her fingers on her needle in her distraction. The moment Leo opened the tissue, his expression changed to one of wonder.
“Do you like it?” Chloe said, hearing the anxiousness coming through in her own voice.
“Who could not?” Leo lifted the pocket watch out of the parcel and turned it over. Silver, it was an exquisite piece, with the clock face bearing roman numerals and engravings resembling the different stages of the moon. “Chloe, this is too much.”
“Nonsense, it is just perfect and shows the extent of my gratitude.” Chloe spoke with determination. “Besides, someone may have told me that you lost your last one by falling and dropping it down a grate.”
“My sister is fond of retelling my clumsiest moments, is she not?”
“Now you can look your sister’s penchant for gossiping about you as a good thing, for you have a new watch out of the deal.” Chloe gestured to the gift, loving the way that Leo gazed upon the pocket watch. He ran his fingers over the cover, emblazoned with a hammered pattern, then returned his focus to the clock face.
“It is beautiful, Chloe. Thank you.”
“Oh no! No more saying ‘thank you,’ that was the deal.” She warned him, waving her needle and thread in the air.
“Out of fear of that needle coming my way, I will agree.” He pretended to cower away from her, prompting her to laugh another time. “So, how goes the gown?”
“It is still something of an experiment, but I like the way it is coming together.” Chloe held the gown up a little, checking that the hem was in place. “I have used the cheaper material and some spare beading, so the cost is really very little.”
It was a test, to see if her new line of affordable gowns really could work. So far, it was a promising start. The gown was a simple but very elegant thing.
The ivory white material was of the traditional column style, but with a twist. Under the bust where the material gathered together, the rouching extended a touch lower, accenting the slim waistline of the wearer. The beading to the neck was of a French style, creating the allusion of a multitude of daisies on the hem.
“What do you think?” Chloe asked, standing to her feet and holding the gown up. It was too long for her, but she held it to her body anyway, to get a measure of the gown’s fit.
“Quite stunning.” Leo’s words distracted her. She liked to think that maybe he was describing something other than the gown, but she didn’t meet his gaze, fearful that she was placing her hope on nothing.
Am I setting myself up for heartbreak with Leo?
She turned to the nearest mirror and looked at herself in the reflection, holding up the gown.
“What do you intend to do with it? Will it be your first piece to sell?”
“Oh, no, this gown has another purpose,” Chloe declared and turned back to face Leo. “I intend to give it as a gift to Rosaline.”
“Miss Baker?” Leo said in surprise, then his eyes began to soften. “Ah, would this have anything to do with the attention she has been receiving from Lord Gloucester as of late?”
“Oh, Leo, you should have seen her the other day when Lord Gloucester returned to the shop for a second time, claiming he had to make some purchase for his sister, a purchase that never took place, might I add.” Chloe laughed at the thought. “His excuses to see Rosaline are growing thin. Anyway, the entire time he was here, Rosaline was fidgeting with her gown, trying to flatten out creases. She looked beautiful to my eyes, but that is not the point. The point is thatshedid not feel comfortable.” Chloe held the gown higher. “Perhaps wearing would help her feel more at ease?”
“You have a habit for giving good gifts I see,” Leo said with a soft chuckle.
