Page 27 of To Catch a Prince

Had he descended from the skies with a rainbow coming out of his derriere and presents for all in his arms, the two shop ladies couldn’t have seemed anyhappier.

“And they came tous?”

“My cousin shops here. That’s recommendation enough. Do for them what you will and charge it on my account,” he said, taking one of the few seats already close to the doors; there were books on a coffee table and a servant appeared to bring him tea as soon as he’d taken hisplace.

“The husbands’ seat, no doubt,” Taliajested.

His eyes shot up from the book he’d just opened, blue now, yet brighter than when they’d been full of dragonfire. A slow smile spread across hisfeatures.

“And who do you propose to be my wife in thisscenario?”

She blushed. Hadn’t she just walked into thatone.

“Come on, tell me. Then, perhaps I ought to take her home and enjoy my husbandlydues.”

“You’re impossible,” said she - no news to him, she wassure.

The rake had the gall to wink. “You started it,witch.”

And she had. Why couldn’t she help pushinghim?

“My lady, this way, if youplease.”

“Talia will do,” she assured the woman who ushered her through the colorful, silk, velvet, and taffeta heaven. “And youare?”

The woman seemed surprised she’dasked.

“Raquiel, my la- Talia,” she correctedherself.

Talia followed her to the back of the store, where adorable small rooms had been set up. As most doors were open, Talia saw that each room had a different hue, although they all seemed extremely feminine. Small round seats, plush carpets, long wall mirrors, dimmer lights. She loved theatmosphere.

“We generally work by appointment, but with the royal wedding celebrations still underway, it’s very quiet. You may pick your changing room.” Talia chose the red and gold, Aleria, the royal blue room. Raquiel added in a hushed tone, “We considered not opening at all this week, really. But the wedding night was days ago – we were hoping that most of the hangover would be gone bynow.”

Talia smiled. “I danced all night - barely had the time to drink athing.”

“Hence why you’re here today, and before noon, too. Well, we’re glad to have you. Now get undressed down to your underthings and we’ll take some measurements. What would you need - dresses, casual wear,lingerie?”

She blushed. “Perhaps not on Vincent’saccount.”

Raquiel downright laughed at that. “You know, all dragons love treasures, but the Vasili? Even before the old king Ryker took the throne, they were known as the richest family in the land. We learn of their lineage at school, of course. When their ancestors saw gold? They conqueredit.”

Talia recalled Vincent saying something of the sort just recently, infact.

I’m no man, ma’am. And dragons take theirtreasures.

What an arrogant sod. She lifted her chin. “Then perhaps I should get some underthings with mydresses.”

The goddess knew those she’d brought with her were very worn. “Very well, LadyTalia.”

Half blushing, half smirking, Talia knew she’d somehow won this round, although he may perhaps never know it. The man was going to purchase bras, corsets, and panties for her. Looks like the joke was on him and she was the one getting her wifely dues, afterall.

Raquiel measured her and let her roam around the shop for a time - Talia and Aleria pointed out designs they wished to try. When they came back to their respective changing rooms, those clothes hung next to her attendee’s selections. Although no underwear had been on display in the store, there also was a selection of silk and lace lingerie that made her blush absolutely everywhere at aglance.

The experience was delightful, and stressful all the same, for once she had tried on everything, came the time to make a selection. Truth was, most of the clothes she’d picked could go, but it was impossible to resist anything Raquiel’s expertise had chosen for her. Talia was determined to only let Vincent buy her what she needed now: one simple everydaydress.

She sighed out loud when a knock made her turn andfrown.

“I come in peace,” Vincent teased, walking in with his hand held up insurrender.

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