Read Online A Season Beyond a Kiss by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Ads: Link
scoundrel.”
“A devious reprobate if ever I saw one,” Raelynn agreed and then heaved a sigh, feeling immensely sorry for the pair who had lost their livelihood. “I sympathize with the young lady and feel a measure of remorse for having benefited from her ill fortune, but I’ve been enjoying the clothes so much, Elizabeth, that it’s hard for me to feel too regretful. Not only are the garments beautiful beyond description, but I was greatly impressed by the great care and attention that went into making them. I’ve never seen finer needlework anywhere, even in England.”
Jeff laid an arm about his wife’s shoulders and grinned down at her. “Farrell’s talent for designing ladies’ finery cannot be denied, my dear, but Elizabeth is primarily the one responsible for the care that goes into every stitch. She was once a respected seamstress in her own right before she lost her husband. Now she imparts much of her talent and expertise to the other women who work here.”
Laughter spilled from Elizabeth’s soft, pink lips. “Oh, dear, I’m afraid all this flattery is going to go to my head, and Mr. Ives won’t like that at all. I’d better go upstairs and inform him that you’re here.” She swept a hand to indicate the chairs and settee that provided a cozy sitting area in the hall. “Please, make yourselves comfortable while I’m gone. I’ll be back shortly.”
Raelynn hastened to plead, “If you wouldn’t mind, Elizabeth, I’d really enjoy taking a closer look at all the lovely fabrics I’ve been eyeing since I came in. Is it permissible?”
“Oh, absolutely, Mrs. Birmingham,” the woman eagerly encouraged. “You may find something you can’t do without.” She cast a mischievous glance toward Jeff before advising his wife, “Keep in mind that it’s an appropriate time for ladies to plan their wardrobes for the fall season. We have some wonderful velvets in deep, rich hues that would be positively stunning with your auburn hair. We also have a dark turquoise that would be especially gorgeous on you, and though most women shun black until they become widows, with your fair skin and hair, it would be divine.”
Jeff rolled his eyes heavenward and moaned in feigned distress. “I can see it now, stricken by poverty in the prime of my life.”
Elizabeth’s eyes danced impishly. “Oh, but, Mr. Birmingham, just think how grateful Mr. Ives would be if you made him a wealthy man.”
Jeff scoffed lightheartedly. “As if he weren’t already.”
In the woman’s absence, Raelynn strolled to the far side of the hall to examine several silk brocades that had drawn her attention. Everywhere she looked, she found herself in awe of the materials on hand. There were fabrics of such exquisite texture, beauty and quality that she could only imagine the cost of having just one gown made from any of the bolts of cloth.
Displayed on top of an ornate bookcase was a collection of small mannequin dolls garbed in miniature versions of fashionable costumes that could be ordered. Residing behind the lead-partitioned glass doors of the cabinet were countless leather-bound volumes of fashion plates, drawings and detailed sketches of patterns. If a patron couldn’t find anything pleasing in these books, as outlandish as the notion seemed to her, Raelynn had no doubt that the gifted couturier would prove amenable to designing something especially elegant, no doubt at a more extravagant cost.
Smiling up at her husband as he drew near, Raelynn swept a hand about to indicate the many tables laden with velvets, silks, woolens and heavy satins. “I must say, Jeffrey, I never expected such an abundance of imported fabrics here in Charleston. Your friend must have invested a fortune in the materials he has available here.”
“Farrell prides himself in offering his clientele not only the latest fashion but the finest cloth from which to make them. He’s quite a dapper fellow himself.”
Raelynn remembered Farrell
“A devious reprobate if ever I saw one,” Raelynn agreed and then heaved a sigh, feeling immensely sorry for the pair who had lost their livelihood. “I sympathize with the young lady and feel a measure of remorse for having benefited from her ill fortune, but I’ve been enjoying the clothes so much, Elizabeth, that it’s hard for me to feel too regretful. Not only are the garments beautiful beyond description, but I was greatly impressed by the great care and attention that went into making them. I’ve never seen finer needlework anywhere, even in England.”
Jeff laid an arm about his wife’s shoulders and grinned down at her. “Farrell’s talent for designing ladies’ finery cannot be denied, my dear, but Elizabeth is primarily the one responsible for the care that goes into every stitch. She was once a respected seamstress in her own right before she lost her husband. Now she imparts much of her talent and expertise to the other women who work here.”
Laughter spilled from Elizabeth’s soft, pink lips. “Oh, dear, I’m afraid all this flattery is going to go to my head, and Mr. Ives won’t like that at all. I’d better go upstairs and inform him that you’re here.” She swept a hand to indicate the chairs and settee that provided a cozy sitting area in the hall. “Please, make yourselves comfortable while I’m gone. I’ll be back shortly.”
Raelynn hastened to plead, “If you wouldn’t mind, Elizabeth, I’d really enjoy taking a closer look at all the lovely fabrics I’ve been eyeing since I came in. Is it permissible?”
“Oh, absolutely, Mrs. Birmingham,” the woman eagerly encouraged. “You may find something you can’t do without.” She cast a mischievous glance toward Jeff before advising his wife, “Keep in mind that it’s an appropriate time for ladies to plan their wardrobes for the fall season. We have some wonderful velvets in deep, rich hues that would be positively stunning with your auburn hair. We also have a dark turquoise that would be especially gorgeous on you, and though most women shun black until they become widows, with your fair skin and hair, it would be divine.”
Jeff rolled his eyes heavenward and moaned in feigned distress. “I can see it now, stricken by poverty in the prime of my life.”
Elizabeth’s eyes danced impishly. “Oh, but, Mr. Birmingham, just think how grateful Mr. Ives would be if you made him a wealthy man.”
Jeff scoffed lightheartedly. “As if he weren’t already.”
In the woman’s absence, Raelynn strolled to the far side of the hall to examine several silk brocades that had drawn her attention. Everywhere she looked, she found herself in awe of the materials on hand. There were fabrics of such exquisite texture, beauty and quality that she could only imagine the cost of having just one gown made from any of the bolts of cloth.
Displayed on top of an ornate bookcase was a collection of small mannequin dolls garbed in miniature versions of fashionable costumes that could be ordered. Residing behind the lead-partitioned glass doors of the cabinet were countless leather-bound volumes of fashion plates, drawings and detailed sketches of patterns. If a patron couldn’t find anything pleasing in these books, as outlandish as the notion seemed to her, Raelynn had no doubt that the gifted couturier would prove amenable to designing something especially elegant, no doubt at a more extravagant cost.
Smiling up at her husband as he drew near, Raelynn swept a hand about to indicate the many tables laden with velvets, silks, woolens and heavy satins. “I must say, Jeffrey, I never expected such an abundance of imported fabrics here in Charleston. Your friend must have invested a fortune in the materials he has available here.”
“Farrell prides himself in offering his clientele not only the latest fashion but the finest cloth from which to make them. He’s quite a dapper fellow himself.”
Raelynn remembered Farrell
Similar Books
