Although ‘to go’ wasn’t the Italian way, he’d relent and order one in. There must be a good coffee shop near enough that would deliver.
Joseph made the cup of tea for Rose, milk in first the way she had always drank it. But he deviated and put two sugars in…for that perk.
Soon as he returned to her office, Joseph determined to sit down beside Rose and insist she tell him about her time at Arabella’s—up until she left Italy. Much as he’d thought last night he should take it slow, charm the truth from her, he couldn’t see any more how he could do it. Now that he’d seen her again, his own truth weighed too heavily on him. And she deserved to know.
Chapter Five
“HEY THERE, are you all right?”
Maggie’s voice jerked Rose upright in her chair. She gripped her chest. “You startled me. How did you get in?”
“I heard the music then tried the door. It was unlocked.”
Of course. Joseph had said the same.
Speaking of… Where was he? And where was Davis? She’d understood they were all meeting here this morning.
“Where’s your fiancé?” Rose pushed up from her chair, slowly this time, and then leaned against her desk, just to be safe.
“Davis is parking the car. He dropped me off in front of your door—said it was pointless both of us trying to take shelter under one umbrella. He’ll be here shortly.” Maggie cupped her hand to Rose’s cheek. “You’re so pale. Do you still not feel well?”
“I’m okay. Think I need to get something to eat, though. I haven’t had breakfast yet. Have you eaten?”
Maggie smiled and rubbed her stomach. “The hotel serves a huge, scrumptious breakfast. When Davis fetched me from my room earlier, he insisted we first indulge in the fare. One of the reasons for us being a little late.” Her mouth turned down. “I wish we could reschedule this—you really don’t look well—but we return home tomorrow, and I think when you see and hear what we have in mind, you’re going to want as much time as you possibly can get to work on these wedding outfits. Especially with the wedding little over seven months away.”
As long as Maggie didn’t pull a Melody Hamilton, she and Joseph should be fine with timing. Annoyance fought for space. Melody’s dress would have been cleaned and delivered already had she not gone and changed her mind last minute about what she wanted. At least, Maggie and Davis had given fair warning. On the other hand, that’s what she’d thought with Melody, too.
“I wonder when Joseph will arrive. He’s a little late.” Maggie giggled. “As are we.”
“Only by a few minutes, and Joseph’s already here.” And the sooner they could get this initial design session started, the sooner he could leave.
“Really? Where?” Maggie glanced toward the office door.
Rose lifted her shoulders. “I–I think he went to the kitchen.” But surely he should’ve returned by now? How long did it take to put a salt pot back?
Maggie tip-toed to the door and leaned against the doorjamb. She stuck her head around the opening before hurrying back to Rose. “He’s in the kitchen,” she whispered. “I heard the sound of a teaspoon stirring against a cup.”
She’d die for a cup of tea right now.
Leaning against the edge of the desk, Maggie took Rose’s hand and looked up at her. “Are you uncomfortable working with Joseph? I can’t help feeling you are. Not that I blame you—he is incredibly good looking, and charming. And that accent…”
“I’m okay. Really.” What else could she be? Davis and Maggie both had their preferences in designers. And neither she nor Joseph would want to walk away from this job…though likely for different reasons. They would need to learn to be comfortable with each other when they were required to work together.
“Ciao, Maggie.”
Joseph strolled into the room, bearing a teacup on a saucer.
Rose withdrew her hand from Maggie’s. Hope that’s for me.
“Joseph. Morning.” Maggie smiled then glanced back at Rose, waggling her brows.
Seriously?
Joseph’s eyes flicked to Rose before he walked behind her and set the cup down on the credenza. “For you.” His smooth, deep voice drifted to her ears, causing her heart to thud. “I think it’s safer here, away from that dress.”
She really should wipe off the salt, and pray the blood had lifted. Then hang Melody’s gown out of the way before anything else happened to it.
“Thank you,” Rose responded over her shoulder.
“Prego. I mean, you’re welcome. I put two sugars in. Hopefully it will make you feel better. Do you still feel faint?”
“You were faint? Why didn’t you say so?” Concern etched Maggie’s face.
“Faint? Fainted, actually.” Joseph strolled to the opposite side of the desk. He stretched for the water bottle at the side of the white surface and pulled out his handkerchief again. He uncapped the bottle then wet the corner of the fabric. His hand moved toward the stain.
“I can do that.” Rose reached out, her hand stopping his. Tingles travelled up her arm from her fingertips, headed straight for her heart.
“Rosa, let me help you. It’s the least I can do after creating the problem in the first place.”
“Oh…” Maggie grinned. “Sounds like I should have arrived earlier.”
Maggie, stop it.
“You didn’t miss anything. I was startled when Joseph walked up behind me, unnoticed—much like you had done. The needle slipped and jabbed my finger. Then I got up too fast—”
“And went down like a bag of beans.”
A laugh erupted from Maggie. “I think you mean a sack of potatoes.”
Joseph’s chuckles joined her sister’s as he began to wipe the stain on the bodice.
“And what’s the joke?”
All heads turned to the door as Davis entered.
“Your friend,” Maggie said, rushing to wrap her arms around Davis.
The ring on her finger sparkled with the movement. How lucky she was. Rose breathed in deep. She’d probably never see that twinkle on her hand.
“We’ll have to teach him a little English, I think. Maybe you could help him over the next few months, Rose.” Maggie turned back to look at Joseph. “But you know, the more time I spend with you, the more I like you, Joseph, or JoDi.”
“Joseph is good. And I’m glad to hear that because I intend selling your husband a lot of women’s clothing in the future. I do hope you like our designs, Maggie.” He whipped the wedding gown from the desk and held it up. “Ta-da.”
“See, he does speak the Queen’s English,” Davis said with his upper crust speech as he struggled to hide a smile.
Maggie wagged her finger and shook her head. “I don’t believe it’s your style, Joseph. Maybe it’s the color. I think you look far better in that multi-colored jacket of yours.”
They all burst out laughing.
Except Rose.
Oh, good grief. Did anyone remember they’d been speaking about her fainting?
“Thank you for getting that stain out.” Rose moved around the desk to stand beside Joseph, grabbing the hanger from the rail on her way. “I’ll take it from here.” She slid the ribbon loops over the hanger and twirled them around the hooks on each end. Pivoting around, she hung the dress on the rail.
Silence descended for a moment.
Joseph broke it. “Anyone else for tea?”
Maggie and Davis both raised their hands in protest, citing their breakfast as an excuse not to fit another drop into their stomachs. At least not for a while.
“Coffee?” he asked, the look on his face hopeful.
Three heads shook. Why was she telling him no? She had her tea, which was going to get cold if she didn’t drink it now.
“I’m ordering in. And paying…”
“Maggie and I will pass.” Davis slid his arm around Maggie’s waist and pulled her closer.
“Rose, you should get something to eat,” Maggie said.
Rose nodded. “I wi
ll.”
Dipping her head, she eased between Joseph and Maggie to retrieve her cup of tea. She twirled her Rolodex to C then moved it around to face Joseph.
He glanced down and stepped closer. “Caffè Cappuccino.” His eyes met Rose’s. “Do they make a good espresso?”
Her lips pursed. “No idea. I’ve never ordered. But they are close by and make a mean mixed berry smoothie.”
“Rose, that’s not sufficient for you,” Maggie scolded. “You need something more substantial, seeing as you skipped breakfast.”
She narrowed her eyes at Maggie before looking back to Joseph. “All right. You can add a slice of whole-wheat toast with butter to the order. Thanks.”
“Order her an English muffin, with the works. Bacon. Fried egg. Grilled tomato.”
“Maggie, I’m not going to eat all that food. I–I can’t.” Her stomach was already in such a knot. Never mind her fainting—they’d have her throwing up all over, too. The smoothie would have been sufficient. Now she had to try and swallow toast, as well. She’d do it to satisfy Maggie. But a full breakfast? She couldn’t.
“It’s okay, Rosa, I’ll get you your toast and berry smoothie.” Joseph leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “As second youngest in my family, I know what older siblings can be like.”
“I heard that.” Maggie laughed. “Just don’t go and pass out again, all right?”
“Yes, Mother Maggie.” Rose flashed her a grin then turned to Davis. “While Joseph’s placing our order, would you mind getting a chair from one of the dressing rooms? We’re one short.” She’d get it herself, but didn’t want to risk passing out again. She’d take care not to exert herself until she had that smoothie and toast. Besides, the dressing room chairs were big and heavy, not exactly made to be moved. Not by her, anyway.
Soon they were seated around her table—Davis and Maggie in the soft minty green tub chairs opposite her, Joseph in the additional wingback chair on her left.
Rose leaned over to the side and opened the top drawer of the pedestal beside her desk. After retrieving several items, she straightened in her chair again and began arranging the sketchbook, set of Faber Castell pencils, and fine black pens on her desk. She pulled the white container of sixty twin-brush markers from the right corner of the desk and opened it to reveal the pens, their tips heralding the colors they bore. She folded her arms. “So, Maggie, briefly, what do you have in mind for this ‘Spring in Winter’ wedding?”
A squeal escaped Maggie’s mouth. “I’ve been so excited to show you this. Of course, I’m hoping you’ll help me make up my mind on the design, but this is the fabric I want. Throughout. I hope you’re able to lay your hands on it. Looks very exclusive, although I’m certain you both have connections.” She opened her handbag and pulled out the same bridal magazine that had Melody changing her mind.
Oh no. What would Maggie find in there to challenge her with?
Her grin stretching across her face, Maggie opened the magazine and laid it on the center of the desk. “Isn’t that without a doubt the most exquisite bodice you’ve ever seen?”
Rose recognized the handiwork even before looking at the designer’s name. Only one person in the industry she knew of who did ribbon work bodices like that.
Nausea rose in her throat. She swallowed hard against it. If this was really what her sister wanted, she’d have to take a trip back to Italy. Whether she liked the idea or not.
Arabella’s work. How ironic that Maggie would want something that possibly only Arabella could help with.
Joseph leaned forward and reached for the glossy pages. “May I?”
Maggie nodded. “Of course. Do you think it possible to incorporate something like that into the men’s shirts, or cravats, or handkerchiefs? Somewhere. Just to tie in the theme with the women’s dresses?”
“Anything is possible.” Joseph examined the design, his mind conjuring up ideas and mentally sketching images. He released a chuckle. “So long as your groom is willing to wear it.”
Davis cast Maggie a loving gaze. “If that’s what my bride wants, that’s what my bride gets.” He turned to Joseph. “I’ve no doubt you’ll work your magic with the utmost taste.”
“As always,” Joseph said.
Beside him, Rose flipped open the A4 sketchbook to the next empty page with its template of three female figures outlined in a light orange—so light the page almost looked blank. But Joseph knew it wasn’t. He used the same make of sketchbook to design, only he had two—one for women’s designs, the other for men. Which he’d left at home. He’d be the first to admit that was totally unprofessional, but, in his defense, his mind had been on things other than this meeting when he’d stepped out his front door. Like a certain young woman whom he’d been in love with for years, who had bo—
“Right,” Rose announced, interrupting his thought. Pencil in hand, she looked up at Maggie. “Tell me what you have in mind for your wedding dress, besides the embroidered bodice. I’ll factor that all in once I know what style, fabric, etcetera, etcetera, you desire.”
“Scusi… I’m sorry, Rosa, but would you have a sketchpad for me to use?” Joseph felt the fool for being unprepared.
She set the pencil and sketchbook down, leaned over again, and pulled a pad of A5 paper out of the same drawer. Handing it to Joseph, she turned her mouth down on one side. “It’s the best I can do.” She pushed the tin of pencils toward him.
“It’ll work. Grazie.” He selected an HB. He preferred sketching with the softer lead.
Rose nodded, and then shifted her gaze back to her sister. “Talk to me.”
As Maggie burbled on about her desires, Rose leaned back in her chair. Joseph watched her intently as she concentrated on that sketchbook, the look on her face ethereal. She was in heaven. He thrived on the design process, too. The pencil swayed back and forth like a pendulum as Rose brought Maggie’s dream dress to life.
When Maggie had finished talking, Rose glanced up at Davis. “Your turn.” She leaned forward and chose four markers from the container—a pale pink, one a few shades darker, an olive green, and a cream one. She flicked her gaze to Joseph, avoiding eye contact. “And yours.”
While Davis spoke about his likes and dislikes, Joseph made notes.
The nibs of the markers scratched against the paper as Rose colored her designs. She swapped pens again. If he could only see what she was doing, but he had to concentrate on what his client was telling him. And besides, she’d turned her chair sideways to the desk, facing him directly. The spiral bound book clutched in her left hand was flipped open so the covers touched. All he could see was the page that neighbored the one she designed on with its blank templates.
Both Davis and Maggie nodded their agreement with smiles at his suggestion to bring the same ribbon embroidery into the cuffs of the shirts, as well as two thin strips of the same down both front sides of the groom and groomsmen’s shirts. Subtle, but there.
“I like that idea, too,” Rose said as she placed her sketchbook face down beside her. She set all the markers back in the container, taking care to place the colors where she’d taken them from.
When she turned over her sketchbook, the three of them rose from their seats and leaned across the table.
Mamma mia! But she was good.
Maggie gasped and placed her hand to her lips. Her eyes moistened as she gazed at the colored sketches. “Oh, Rose. It’s perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted, for myself and the bridesmaids.”
Rose leaned forward and pointed at the main sketch in the center of the page with the back of her pencil. “This trumpet design has a strapless sweetheart bodice made with white embroidered and beaded lace. Ribbon embroidered magnolia buds weave their way up from the dropped waistline in varying shades of pink and green flowers and leaves, fading to a lighter shade and sparse near the neckline. The white tulle and organza over memory taffeta skirt that flares from your thighs will end with a chapel-length train. The hemline is scalloped right through the f
ront and around the train.
“On the left side of the skirt, beaded lace magnolia bloom appliqués sweep down toward the back from your left thigh, and the blooms get smaller and return to buds as they edge that side of the train. These will be in the palest pink. More of these elegant appliques will be placed over the rest of the dress, but they’ll be smaller and even paler, barely noticeable.”
How clever to bring the flower Maggie was named after into the design. Joseph’s heart swelled. He’d known she was talented when he’d seen the designs she’d done at Polimoda. She’d been shy to show him at first, but finally relented. He never realized that she would rise to this potential, though.
A knock at the front door interrupted Rose’s interpretation of her sketches.
“Must be our order.” Joseph didn’t want to miss what Rose had to say, but he’d offered to pay, so he should be the one to go to the door.
He pushed to his feet then turned to Rose. “Would you mind waiting until I get back?”
She nodded.
Joseph hurried to the door to take delivery. Back in the office within a minute, he set Rose’s smoothie and toast down on the credenza beside her.
She looked up at him. “Thank you. What do I owe you?”
He shook his head and smiled. “I told you, my treat.”
Opening the coffee, Joseph took a deep whiff of the aroma. Just what he needed. He motioned for Rose to continue then took a sip of the dark steaming liquid.
Rose bit into her toast. Once she’d swallowed the crisp bread, she took a long drink of the smoothie then lifted her pointing pencil again. “The bridesmaids’ dresses are in the same strapless sweetheart bodice with dropped waist in a pleated Bella chiffon for the bodice and unpleated for the skirt. To create that vibrant spring look you desire, each dress is a different color with a specific flower ribbon-embroidered over the top left of the bodice. For example, Poppy’s dress would be a light red with bright red poppies. Holly’s perhaps a deep green with red holly. Clover’s green. Lily’s yellow. Heather’s purple. And mine? We could go for any color. Unlike these other flowers, roses aren’t confined to a handful of colors, although I’d like to suggest perhaps a soft pink.”
Those Blue Tuscan Skies Page 6