I turned away.
“Just then,” he said. “Something made the fire in your eyes go out.”
“I just . . .” I huffed a defeated sigh. “I just want you to go so I can try this on.”
He stood stiffly. The air cleared, and by the time he pushed through the curtains, he was back to being Lady Marissa.
The dress fit like it had been made for me. I’d never found one that fit so well without adding or removing stitches.
But I didn’t need a new dress.
I needed funds for a new life.
I found Rían with an elbow propped against the counter, chatting with Meranda. “It fits perfectly, doesn’t it?” he said with a smirk.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not looking to purchase anything today.”
“Lucky for you, I am.” He took the dress and tossed it onto the counter next to a pair of lace undergarments. I shot him a glare.
“What?” He was all false innocence and smiles. “They’re for me.” He winked, handing over a purse of coins from heaven knows where.
Meranda looked between us, brow furrowing. Instead of saying whatever was on her mind, she took the money, slipped it beneath the counter, and began packaging the dress. I knew better than to protest. What good would it do? He was clearly used to getting his way.
“You didn’t have to buy me a dress,” I said under my breath.
He knocked his hip against mine. “Consider it a replacement for the one I ruined yesterday.”
When she finished, Meranda handed me a large box along with an envelope. “This is what we were discussing earlier.”
“Thank you, Meranda.” I set the box on the counter to stuff the envelope into my purse. “I truly appreciate it.”
“Don’t you want to check what’s inside?”
“There’s no need. I trust you.” Most of the shops in Graystones wouldn’t even consider taking used dresses.“And I appreciate it more than you will ever know.”
This money would set me on the path to independence.
Now to find someone to purchase the random bits I’d collected from around the house. Three candlesticks, a clock from the spare room I was sure no one would miss, some mismatched cutlery, and a silver flagon from a box I’d found in the attic.
The bell over the door rang. Rían glanced over my shoulder, then stiffened. Robert watched us from between two dress forms.
“Ah, Aveen, my love. I heard you were in town,” Robert said, navigating around a table of ribbons and buttons.
My love? Where had that come from?
My fiancé turned toward Rían, and his lips lifted. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
Instead of waiting for me, Rían offered his hand. “Lady Marissa DeWarn. And you are?”
“Robert Trench.” Robert planted a kiss on Rían’s knuckles. “Aveen’s betrothed.”
If only Robert knew whose hand he had actually kissed.
“Oh, Aveen,” Rían gasped, pulling free of Robert’s grasp to press a hand to his chest. “You never told me he was so dashingly handsome.”
Robert preened.
Rían’s smile vanished. “Although he is quite short, isn’t he? Is his father overweight, by chance? Men that short often go quite”—he puffed out his cheeks—“roundonce they hit forty.”