Page 49 of Beauty and the Rake
“You’re going to be a bride? How wonderful! Who is the lucky man? And when is the wedding?” Mrs. Levi said in a rapid-fire response.
“The groom is the Earl of Otley, and no date has been set until he obtains a special license, which he is off doing as we speak.”
“You snagged one of the most sought-after rakes in London?”
“I don’t know if snagged is the proper term to use. I’ve known the earl since we were children. I have never known the rakish side of him. Not really, but I will say he’s settled as he’s gotten older.”
Mrs. Levi cocked her head. “Let me check in the back. There is a dress that was canceled by the lady, and I think it would be perfect.”
“What about making one?”
“I’m short staffed and I doubt I could have it ready in time.”
“Very well. Bring it on,” Roxanne replied. She watched as the proprietress hurried out of the room. This wasn’t what she planned but understood the woman’s dilemma. Roxanne knew Graham wouldn’t accept putting off their wedding because of a dress. That would be selfish on her part. She would see if what the dressmaker had might suffice.
She gazed up to where Mrs. Levi had disappeared and saw her with a dress in one hand, the other hand beckoning her. Roxanne walked across the shop. The dress in Mrs. Levi’s arm was a deep mauve color with black piping. Mrs. Levi placed the gown on a table as she tried to sell it to Roxanne.
She had to admit, it was a beautiful dress and worth her further attention. “I like it, though I’m not sold on the color.”
“Come with me,” she said as she began walking in the direction of her workroom.
Undressing and redressing was a ritual women had to endure. She peered at the woman staring back at her in the mirror. The dress would need a few alterations. Mrs. Levi clapped her hands as she admired the transformation. “I have to admit I love the design.”
“It looks as though it was made for you. Stunning.”
“You really think so?” she asked as she turned around in front of the mirror.
“Yes.”
The woman seemed to recognize her hesitation. “What’s wrong?”
Roxanne stood in front of the glass. “You know what? I believe you’re right. This dress was meant for me. Though I had something else in mind, this one is simply perfection.”
“Wonderful. Is there anything else?”
“Yes, I need everything. I want all my undergarments new. I’m starting a new chapter of my life, and I deserve new.”
“Agreed,” she said. “Let’s take care of what will need to be altered and then we can look through the undergarments I keep readymade.”
After finding everything she needed or wanted, Roxanne settled up with Mrs. Levi, with the dress being delivered the following afternoon for a last fitting. Roxanne felt like a great weight had been taken off her shoulders and there was one less item on her list.
Before she went home, she made the rounds of some other shops. One was a bookshop she remembered Arthur and Graham frequented since their time at university. She needed a wedding present for Graham and since he loved books,especially old ones, she decided to see if the shop might have something.
Entering the shop, she found it quiet.
“May I help you, milady?” The man was the son of the proprietor and knew books even better than his father. He was of average height, with glasses and balding hair. He fit his shop perfectly.
“I’m looking for a gift. A wedding gift for my betrothed.”
“Do you know what he likes to read?”
She smiled. “Yes, but you may know his tastes better than I. He and my brother have been coming here for years. The Earl of Otley?”
“Oh yes. The earl is quite the rare book collector. Shakespeare is the top of his list,” he replied. “I do have a first edition ofThe Tempest.”
“That would be a wise choice because I know he has one shelf in his library dedicated to Shakespeare.”
“This is one he’s been searching for, and this particular one is in excellent condition. Let me go in the back and get it. I’ve been keeping it there in case he came by.”
