by Linda Finlay
Rowan looked down at her work dress and frowned. ‘Well, my uniform dress, of course,’ she answered.
‘And what do you propose to wear over it?’ her employer said sternly.
‘Oh, don’t worry, Madame Louisa, it is lovely and warm so I won’t need anything,’ she said.
There was a long-drawn-out sigh. ‘Miss Rowena, I would remind you that when you call upon clients, you are representing my establishment. As such, it would be mal à propos to visit without an outer garment covering your day dress. Use this to make yourself a cape this evening,’ she ordered, putting the material down on the work table with unnecessary force. ‘If you have time, you may use some of the lower-grade silk material to line it. Oh, don’t worry,’ she said, seeing Rowan’s surprised look. ‘I will deduct the cost from your wage.’
As she disappeared through the curtain once more, Rowan breathed a sigh of relief. It was obvious her employer wasn’t pleased Miss Richmond had insisted Rowan call upon her. Well, she’d been told to keep the client happy and that’s what she’d tried to do. Then, as the image of the dark-haired Jack and his cheeky grin swam before her, she couldn’t help wondering if he’d be there when she called.
She looked at the material Louisa had left on the work table. It was of good quality and Rowan could easily turn it into a stylish cape, though she still didn’t understand why one was necessary when the weather was so clement.
As soon as Rowan had completed her early morning duties, she straightened her bonnet, and donned the cape she’d spent half the night sewing. Then checking her bag had everything she needed, she picked up the hatbox containing the coal scuttle bonnet and, with the shop bell tinkling in her wake, went outside.
It was a beautiful morning, with the sun shimmering on the sea and the gulls wheeling on the thermals. How she’d love to linger and promenade along the Mall, but Louisa had instructed her to go directly to Miss Richmond’s. As her destination lay just off the main Saltmouth Road, she left the seafront behind and hurried through the bustling little town. She went back over the bridge they’d crossed in the coach, and turned into the lane where grand houses lay secluded amongst open fields. It didn’t take her long to find Poppy Cottage, a mellow red-brick building with tall chimneys, which had a veranda running all the way around it. Obeying Louisa’s other instruction, she went round to the back entrance. The door was opened by a tiny young maid, who scarcely reached even to Rowan’s shoulders.
‘Let me take your cape, miss, then I’ll show you through to the drawing room,’ she lisped.
‘Thank you,’ Rowan said, putting down her things and handing her cape to the maid. Following her along the carpeted hallway with its impressive sweeping staircase, and into a high-ceilinged room, she couldn’t help marvelling at the cottage’s stylishness, although anything less like a cottage she’d yet to see. To her surprise it was Jack who greeted her. Jumping to his feet, his grin warm and welcoming, he took her bag and the hatbox from her.
‘Miss Rowena, how lovely to see you again. Please sit yourself down,’ he said, his velvety voice sending shivers down her spine. ‘Forgive my aunt’s tardiness. She is running a little behind this morning, and has asked me to entertain you in her absence.’ He turned and pulled on the tapestry bell rope.
‘Sarah, please could you bring a pot of coffee and some of Cook’s excellent lady’s finger biscuits?’ he said as the little maid appeared. ‘Our cook makes the best ones I’ve ever had,’ he said, turning back to Rowan.
She smiled politely, wondering if she would dare share this later with Louisa, who enjoyed Lady Beliver’s lady finger biscuits so much. Jack sat looking at her quizzically, and she smiled politely.
‘This is a lovely room,’ she said.
‘It is, and it seems even lovelier now that you are sitting in it,’ he quipped with his cheeky grin.
Her heart lurched. Careful, Rowan, she cautioned.
‘Tell me, have you been working for Madame Louisa long? I’m sure I wouldn’t have forgotten if our paths had crossed before. Not that I make a habit of visiting milliners’ shops, of course,’ he added.
‘I’ve only recently become apprenticed to Madame Louisa, sir,’ she answered.
He roared with laughter. ‘Sir? Oh, please, Miss Rowena, you will give me ideas above my station,’ he exclaimed.
‘And that would never do, nephew,’ Camilla Richmond said, coming into the room. ‘Miss Rowena, it is lovely to see you again. Do forgive my reprobate of a nephew, and for heaven’s sake take everything he says with a pinch of salt,’ she warned, giving him a fond look.
‘Ha-ha, very funny, Auntie. Miss Rowena and I have merely been getting acquainted. I, too, have started a new position, Miss Rowena, mine as a Preventative, stationed on the sea front. Hence my lodging with good old Auntie here,’ he quipped.
‘A situation that can soon be remedied if I have any more of your cheek, young man,’ Camilla chided. ‘Ah, coffee, lovely,’ she added as the little maid struggled in under the weight of a laden tray.
As Jack jumped to his feet and took it from her, Rowan thought that underneath his jesting exterior he was obviously a considerate man.
Camilla poured coffee and, having carefully placed a biscuit in the saucer, handed it to Rowan.
‘You can take yours in the other room, Jack,’ she said. ‘I mustn’t keep Miss Rowena too long or madam will be gunning for her.’ As Rowan stared at her in surprise, she gave a loud laugh. She waited whilst Jack picked up his cup, placed two finger biscuits in the saucer, and with a resigned sigh left the room. ‘Oh, yes, I saw the look on your employer’s face when I insisted you call instead of her,’ she continued, then, leaning closer, added in a whisper, ‘Jack would have killed me if I’d done otherwise.’ Rowan’s eyes widened. ‘Now, let’s enjoy our coffee and then I will show you my outfit. You can tell me if you think it will be suitable.’
Rowan’s eyes widened even further. The woman wanted her advice on her ensemble? She crossed her fingers and hoped she had enough of that savoir faire Louisa had mentioned.
CHAPTER 31
As Rowan followed Camilla up the stairs and into her elegantly furnished dressing room, she was convinced all the butterflies of Saltmouth were having their annual ball in her stomach. She stood watching nervously as the woman pulled a beautiful pale-blue day dress from her closet and held it up against her.
‘Well, what do you think, Miss Rowena? Will this pass muster?’ she asked.
‘It’s an exquisite gown, Miss … sorry, Camilla,’ she amended as the woman gave her a look. Rowan’s mind was buzzing like a bee around a rosebud. Dare she say that she felt the colour was too pale and would make the woman look washed out?
‘But … ?’ Camilla persisted, giving Rowan the same penetrating stare her nephew had earlier.
‘I think perhaps it would suit you better if a stronger coloured trim were added around your neck and down the front.’ To her surprise the woman clapped her hands delightedly.
‘Jack said you wouldn’t be afraid to speak your mind. I’m quite hopeless at knowing what looks good on me, and tend to wear safer colours, like this,’ she said, pointing to her grey dress. ‘Jack says I need to brighten myself up.’ Privately Rowan agreed with him.
Camilla continued, ‘To be honest, I feel more comfortable in less formal clothes these days. I find solace in my garden, you see. It drives old Simms wild when I mess with his shrubs but …’ Her voice trailed off and she shrugged. ‘Now, let’s see what you have come up with for the bonnet, and this idea for trimming my dress.’
Carefully, Rowan took the bonnet from its box, along with the samples of materials and ribbons she’d brought with her.
‘You see, I thought if we added a frill in a stronger iris blue around the outer brim, lined the inner brim in a softer bluebell material and added brighter ribbons, say, in speedwell, it would all tone beautifully,’ Rowan explained. ‘It needs a stronger colour than this ribbon I have here, but I could dye some for you.’
‘With respect, I feel too much contrast would detract from your natural colouring. And with that in mind, we could trim the front of your dress in the stronger iris blue as well,’ she couldn’t resist adding.
Camilla stood in front of the long mirror reflecting. When she didn’t say anything, Rowan’s heart began beating as strongly as the clock on the dressing table. Had she been too outspoken, she wondered. Anxiously, she moved over to the window and stared down at the sweeping lawns, bordered by brightly coloured rhododendrons and camellias. A movement on the grass below caught her eye and she saw Jack throwing a ball for a lively young Labrador. As she stood watching, Camilla came up behind her and chuckled.
‘Good looking, isn’t he?’ Rowan spun round and caught Camilla looking at her speculatively. ‘I think you’d make just as good a match as those trimmings you’ve recommended for my bonnet and dress. The question now is, whether your employer will allow you, as her apprentice, to have a follower.’
Rowan stared at Camilla in astonishment. ‘But …’
‘Oh, I know he hasn’t asked you yet, but he will. He offered to work the late shift in order to be here this morning.’ She smiled warmly. Then seeing Rowan’s embarrassment, asked, ‘Do you have family in Saltmouth?’
Rowan shook her head. ‘We lived on our farm in Sudbury, but my mother died and then Father remarried …’ she replied, hastily gathering up the ribbons and trimmings.
Sensing she’d touched on a sore subject, Camilla held out her dress.
‘I can see what you mean about this material being too pale, Miss Rowena. Oh, I know you didn’t say it outright but that’s what you meant. However, if you are to dye my trimmings you’d better take this with you to get the right match. Please tell Madame Louisa I concur wholeheartedly with all the recommendations you have made, and wish for you to call and fit the finished ensemble. Now, I really mustn’t keep you, or I shall have your employer after me. You have been most helpful, Miss Rowena, and I look forward to seeing you again soon,’ she said, pulling the bell rope. ‘And be prepared, for I’m sure my nephew will just happen to appear as you leave,’ she chuckled.
‘Oh, I’m sure he won’t be interested in someone with a past like mine,’ Rowan said, then, remembering Mrs Acland’s words, could have bitten her tongue.
Camilla stared at her in surprise. ‘Living on a farm is nothing for you to be ashamed of, my dear.’
Rowan smiled and quickly bade the woman goodbye before she could put her foot in it even further.
She was making her way down the path when she heard footsteps hurrying after her.
‘Would you do me the honour of permitting me to walk you back to your shop, Miss Rowena?’ Jack asked, beaming at her.
Her heart was thumping so loudly, she could only nod as he reached out and took her bag and hatbox from her.
‘It is a beautiful bright morning, isn’t it?’ he declared. Trying to stop her voice from trembling, she nodded and then cast around for something to say before he thought her as wooden as one of Louisa’s bonnet blocks.
‘I couldn’t help admiring the wonderful shrubs and flowers in your garden. Those poppies make a vivid splash against the green grass, don’t they? Do you know, I was looking out at the rhododendrons and camellias earlier, and couldn’t help thinking how beautiful your aunt would look in those colours. She would suit a bonnet trimmed with bright poppy, too. It would quite match her bright nature.’ Realizing she was rambling, she stumbled to a halt but Jack chuckled.
‘Do you always think in colour, Miss Rowena?’
She reflected for a moment, and then nodded. ‘Yes, I believe I do. Forgive me if I have been outspoken. The trouble is I always tend to say what I think.’
‘And an admirable quality that is, too. One knows where one stands with candid people. I remember my aunt was always attired in vibrant clothes, until her betrothed was killed near Shanghai during the Opium Wars with the Chinese. After that she retreated into herself. Now she spends most of her time in her beloved garden, saying she finds it comforting.’
‘That’s sad. That she lost her betrothed, I mean. I can understand her finding comfort in shrubs and flowers, though. Do you know the word “garden” comes from the Hebrew and means a pleasant place?’ Rowan asked, reminded of her conversation with the superintendent.
‘No, I didn’t, but that is most appropriate, isn’t it?’ Jack replied. ‘And Auntie is truly pleasant herself.’
What a lovely thing to say, thought Rowan, thinking again how close they were.
They continued their way through the town and along the Mall. Rowan found Jack easy to talk to and conversation flowed, so that before she knew it, they were standing outside Madame Louisa’s.
‘Miss Rowena, if you are new to Saltmouth, I dare say you haven’t had time to explore the area yet?’
‘No, indeed. I must confess I can’t wait to walk all along the Mall and see what’s around,’ she answered.
Jack cleared his throat. ‘I was wondering if you would care to walk out with me on your half-day? I could show you all the best sights.’ He turned and stared at her with those piercing eyes that seemed to see right into her soul.
‘Oh, but I don’t know when that is yet,’ she said, realizing how foolish she must sound.
‘Well, in that case, would you permit me to check with Madame Louisa? It would be courteous to ask your employer’s permission, provided you are agreeable? Perhaps I should ask Madame Louisa if I may step out with Mademoiselle Rowena,’ he quipped.
‘Oh, heaven forbid,’ she shuddered. ‘Louisa has enough fancy ideas as it is. My name is really just Rowan, you know.’
He turned and smiled at her. ‘And a very beautiful name it is, too. It suits you with all those copper curls.’ She grimaced, pushing an escaping tendril back under her bonnet. ‘Well, come along, Mademoiselle, let us see if we can gain permission from the formidable Madame,’ he said, giving a low bow as he pushed open the door.
‘Is everything all right?’ Louisa asked, looking up in surprise as they entered the shop together.
‘Good morning, Madame Louisa, Jack Carslake at your service,’ Jack said, removing his hat politely. ‘My aunt sends her regards and wishes me to convey to you that Miss Rowena has been most helpful,’ he continued.
‘I am very pleased to hear it,’ Louisa said.
‘Madame Louisa, I am a respectable man, working at the Preventative Station here and would like to walk out with Miss Rowena. I have offered my services in showing her around the area but as you are her employer, I feel it important to seek your permission.’
Louisa turned to Rowan and studied her for a long moment. Rowan felt her heart jump into her mouth. Please say yes, she wanted to shout.
‘If that is Miss Rowena’s wish, Mr Carslake, then permission is granted,’ Louisa said.
‘Thank you, madam. May I enquire as to when her half-day will be?’ Jack continued.
Louisa raised one perfectly arched eyebrow and there was a moment’s silence. Rowan lowered her eyes in embarrassment.
‘Sunday afternoon, Mr Carslake, and if it is what Miss Rowena wishes you may call for her at two o’clock,’ she finally announced.
‘Thank you, madam. I will see you then, Miss Rowena, and rest assured, I shall be counting the hours,’ he added cheekily. Then he stepped briskly out of the shop, raising his hat in his hand in farewell. As Rowan watched him go, her employer cleared her throat.
‘I can see you have had a very productive morning indeed, Miss Rowena,’ Louisa quipped, and Rowan was pleased to see the woman was back to her usual pleasant self.
Picking up her things, Rowan was about to make her way through to the workroom, when Louisa said, ‘I, too, have had a busy morning and the fitting room requires refreshing. I trust you will take care to use my signature fragrance sparingly; it is still disappearing at an alarming ra
te,’ she added with a frown.
Not wishing to have her happy mood spoiled, Rowan quickly placed her things in the workroom and set about freshening the fitting room. She’d just finished when the little bell tinkled and Mrs Parker bustled into the shop.
‘You are a dark horse, Miss Rowena. There I was, walking through the town earlier, minding my own business, you understand, when I saw you being escorted by the new Preventative. Naturally, I had to come and make sure you were delivered safely back,’ she said, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Staring at the woman, Rowan thought if she were to have a signature fragrance named for her, it would surely have to be called Eau de Gossip.
‘As you can see, Mrs Parker, Miss Rowena’s follower did, indeed, deliver her safely. Now how may I be of help today?’ Louisa asked.
The woman’s eyes widened. ‘Her follower, did you say? Oh, I never realized. In that case, I shall bid you good morning,’ she said, bustling from the shop as quickly as her little legs would carry her.
Louisa laughed. ‘By this afternoon the whole of Saltmouth will know you are walking out with the new Preventative.’
‘But I haven’t even been out with him yet,’ Rowan chuckled, shaking her head.
‘Never mind that, you will be the talk of the town. Consider it your good deed for the day, for you have just given a lonely old woman a good excuse to speak to people,’ Louisa said. ‘Now, come through and show me what it is Miss Richmond requires.’
As Rowan shook out Camilla’s dress and sat the bonnet beside it on the work table, she saw Louisa frown. Quickly, she went through the recommendations she’d made, adding that she was happy to dye the ribbons in her own time.
‘Let me get this straight, Miss Rowena. You not only brought a client’s dress here to make adaptations,’ she asked, ‘you also offered to dye some of my ribbons?’
‘The ones we have aren’t quite the right colour for what I had in mind …’ she stuttered to a halt as her employer clicked her tongue.