“Measurements are complete,” Jeanette announced a few minutes later, jotting the last number down in her notebook. “Let us move on to do design and colors, yes?”
“Blues and greens to compliment the dark shade of blue of her eyes,” Algernon answered just as Beatrice parted her lips to speak.
Her head snapped toward his direction, and she glowered at him.
“I believe she was askingme,Your Grace,” she said pointedly.
“You know what you would like,” Algernon replied in an equally sharp tone. He stood, standing up as he added, “But you do not yet know what you wearwell—what draws the eye of a suitor— andthatis what we need to accomplish.”
He waited for her another sharp retort, but although she glowered at him once more, she did not negate him this time. Knowing he won, he began to walk a slow circle around her as he tapped a finger to his lips.
“Yes,” he said after his inspection. “As I said, blues and greens to compliment her eyes. Nothing too bright. Stay away from pastels and pinks. The shade she wears now does her no justice.”
“Your Grace!” Beatrice hissed.
“Respectfully, my lady,” Jeanette intervened, “His Grace is correct. This shade of pink does your complexion and natural beauty a disservice. Cooler colors will bring out your features better, I assure you.”
Algernon smirked at Beatrice as she silently fumed then nearly laughed aloud as she rolled her eyes.
“Very well,” she gritted out, crossing her arms across her chest, “No pinks then. What about purple?”
“A heather purple would do very well on her, Your Grace,” Jeanette declared.
“Very well,” Algernon agreed. “But it must be silk. Actually, one in silk, one in linen, for each color.”
“Ah, I see. One for the day and one for the evening,” Jeanette said, nodding her head as she jotted down the note.
“Capped sleeves,” Algernon instructed further, resuming his walk around Beatrice’s person. “A low bodice. but not too low. Just enough to reveal the swell of her bosom but no more. No ruffles, no frills. Simple and elegant only. I want no gaudiness.”
“Well, at least that we can agree on,” Beatrice murmured.
Algernon smirked then carried on, “A few cloaks to match. Some gloves as well. Matching ribbons for her wrists and throat. And a few white night shifts for comfort. A robe as well. Now, I shall leave the two of you alone for approximately ten minutes so that you may take her measurements for undergarments.”
“Is that truly necessary?” Beatrice asked in an exasperated tone.
He raised a brow as he stopped walking toward the door and turned to look back at her.
“Do I appear a jesting man, Beatrice?” he asked.
She looked him and down, almost as if she was debating challenging him.
Do it,he thought at her.Goad me. I dare you.
Algernon’s lips nearly twitched toward a smile at the thought. There was no use denying it. He was starting to enjoy bickering with this woman.
“No, Your Grace,” Beatrice answered, bringing him out of thoughts. “You certainly are not that.”
Algernon held up his pocket watch.
“Ten minutes. Then I shall re-enter.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Your companion has a very commanding presence, Mademoiselle,” Jeanette murmured as she quickly began to measure Beatrice’s bare chest.
Beatrice let out a bitter laugh as she kept her arms out and her head tilted upward.
“You have no idea,” she said dryly. “He has a penchant for controlling everything.”