A Headstrong Woman(80)

“Mrs. Cannon, a pleasure. You must be Alexandria. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Mrs. Morris; I’m Mrs. Louis. Now if you’ll just go on back and change, there isn’t much time,” the elegant lady ushered her through a curtain and into a generous dressing room before disappearing.

Alexandria frowned at the curtain a moment before looking in front of her. She gasped when she did. In front of her hung the most beautiful outfit she’d ever seen. Along with it were all the under clothes she would need. She really should go back and demand to know what was going on but moved forward to change with the help of a young woman waiting nearby. Alexandria’s fingers itched to feel the beautiful fabric as she waited patiently for her corset to be tied. She emerged from the changing room and moved to stand in front of three mirrors that were arranged to show one a view of themselves from all angles.

“Oooh, Mommy’s a princess,” Lilly commented around a bite of sugar cookie.

Alexandria felt like a princess. The skirt was light green, fitted tight at the hips and flaring only moderately at the hem, perfect for Alexandria’s height. The jacket was the same light green and cut to fit closely. The lapel cut in a V and the cuffs turned up and were decorated with embroidery. Small ornate buttons closed the jacket, which dipped to a point over the close fitting front. Beneath the jacket she wore a white vertically pleated shirt waist that buttoned high up the neck in back and around her waist a wide belt that dipped into a V and accentuated her small waist. A straw hat, died green and piped with velvet ribbon and an attached veil, hung from her hand. Mrs. Lois stepped forward to place it over her upswept hair. White kid gloves hugged her hands, low pumps encased her feet; and a white lace parasol was leaned against the settee waiting for her.

“Do you like it?” her mother asked.

“It’s beautiful!” Alexandria exclaimed.

“I’m glad you like it, it and two others are your birthday present.”

“Mom, I’m in mourning.”

“It’s time to come out of mourning, Alexandria,” her mother informed her.

Alexandria, ready to argue, frowned at her mother.

“No arguments, your mourning things are wrapped to go home as well as your other two dresses, now let’s go before we’re late for the festivities,” her mother stood and handed her the parasol.

Alexandria was too stunned to argue. She walked out of the store and blinked in the bright afternoon sunlight. She was greeted warmly by several acquaintances and felt herself relax. Maybe her mother was right.

***





Jonathon scanned the crowd for Alexandria. Where was the woman? Any woman as tall as she was, dressed in all black should be easy to find. His eyes passed over a tall beauty in green and he did a double take. It was Alexandria and she was headed straight for him. Breathtaking was the first word that came to mind and he was a little breathless. Gracious, what was the woman trying to do to him? He watched every male in the vicinity track her progress and yet he knew she was completely unaware of their admiring stares. Instead she was smiling brightly and was headed straight for him. He was thankful for the time it took her to reach him; it allowed him to recover enough to speak.

“What do you think?” Alexandria’s eyes were seeking his approval. He took her hand, and kissed the bare skin between her sleeve and glove. He heard her small intake of breath and smiled.

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting,” he teased. “You look great,” his eyes locked with hers.

Alexandria, her thoughts trailing to their kiss the night before, swallowed hard.

“Oh, by the way, I put your basket in the box auction,” her mother announced and continued toward the gathering crowd.

“What?” Alexandria face went red with anger. “You had no right to do that!” Alexandria trailed her mother.

“I’ve already told you, it’s time to come out of mourning,” her mother threw over her shoulder.

Jonathon was smiling, he was glad he had brought his money after all. Alexandria stopped in her tracks so abruptly that Jonathon plowed into her and reached out to steady her.

“Sorry,” he apologized.

“I wish she would stop meddling,” Alexandria complained.

“She meddles because she cares,” Jonathon informed her.

“Because she wants more grandkids close by you mean,” she grumbled. Alexandria’s eyes widened when she realized what she’s said; her hand came to her mouth as her eyes lit with amusement. “That was a highly improper thing to say to you,” she giggled.