After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1)(32)
“Why not?”
“Because . . . I’m embarrassed—which is one of several reasons why I pretended not to hear you when you first called out to me. I knew it was you, but . . .” She dropped her head and began scuffing her foot against the sidewalk.
She looked so dejected yet oddly adorable at the same time that Oliver suddenly found himself standing right before her, lifting her chin up with his finger. “What happened, Harriet?”
Her eyes turned a deep shade of violet. “Oh, very well, I’ll tell you. But I’m afraid you’re going to be very disappointed to learn how greatly I failed at the first task you gave me.” She released a huff. “I decided to go to Madame Simone’s shop, since Miss Birmingham had spoken so enthusiastically about the place. I will admit I wasn’t exactly certain I’d be able to buy much there, given the very dear prices Madame Simone charges for her designs. But it was a place to start, and I never dreamed everything would go so horribly wrong.”
“And . . . ?” Oliver prompted when Harriet stopped speaking and didn’t look like she particularly wanted to continue with her tale.
“Madame Simone took issue with my gown.”
Oliver looked her up and down. “Your gown is delightful, and you look no different from any of the other ladies strolling around the shops today. Quite honestly, I think you put most of them to shame.”
A lovely shade of pink stole across Harriet’s face. “Thank you, Oliver. That’s very kind of you to say, and I do think this gown is delightful, but . . .” She bit her lip. “It turns out that this particular gown was once owned by one of Madame Simone’s best customers, the Mrs. Astor. One of the snotty ladies working the front room of the salon recognized it straight away and called for Madame Simone. She breezed into the room, gave me a single glance, and then announced to everyone milling about that they were in the company of a thief. She immediately came to the conclusion that I was nothing more than a maid for the Astor family, and a maid who apparently had a propensity for being a bit light-fingered with her employer’s belongings.” Harriet shuddered. “I tried to protest, but she wouldn’t listen to a word I said and instead summoned the authorities.”
“Dare I ask what happened next?”
“Well, obviously I got away, but only because the doorman Madame Simone ordered to hold me clearly wasn’t expecting me to stomp on his foot and dash out the door.” She looked over her shoulder. “For all I know, there could be policemen searching the street for me as we speak.”
“You have nothing to be worried about, Harriet. You’re with me now.”
Harriet turned skeptical eyes on him. “Madame Simone was really upset. She seems to be incredibly protective of her designs, even though the gown I’m wearing bears no resemblance whatsoever to the one she made. It was just poor luck that this material came from a single bolt of fabric, that fabric destined for Mrs. Astor and Mrs. Astor only.”
“How did you come into possession of a gown that originally belonged to Caroline Astor?”
Frost clouded Harriet’s eyes. “I didn’t steal it.”
“I never said you did.”
“Your tone implies otherwise.”
A sliver of chagrin took him by surprise. “I apologize, and you’re right. I did consider the idea that you might have obtained the gown through dishonest means, but tell me, how did it come about that you’re wearing a gown that once belonged to the leader of society?”
“Mrs. Astor abandoned this gown when she donated it to the castoff bin at my church. Reverend Gilmore has given me leave to take some of those castoffs because I have a need for them, whereas most of the poor don’t have a use for such fancy pieces.” She wrinkled her nose. “Speaking of Reverend Gilmore, I do feel I should warn you that he’s intent on seeking you out in the not-so-distant future.”
“While the idea that a reverend wants to seek me out is a little unsettling, I find I’m more curious about the castoff clothing. Why do you take it?”
Harriet shrugged. “I salvage the material and remake the gowns into different styles.”
“You do this for your personal use?”
“Well, no, except for this gown I’m wearing today and a few others I’ve been experimenting with.” She lowered her voice. “I’m hoping to open up my own shop, you see. There are hundreds of working ladies who occasionally need a special dress but can’t afford to visit the department stores or fancy designer shops. I can provide them with what they need at a reasonable cost.”
“That’s the real reason behind your agreement to our deal, isn’t it.”
“I must admit that it is. Your money will allow me to proceed with my plan without starving to death in the process.”
Oliver’s thoughts immediately turned to business. “What a fascinating idea, and . . . completely brilliant, I might add.”
Harriet blinked. “Do you really think so?”
“Of course. Your costs are almost nonexistent, since you get your material for free. The most expensive part of your idea would be labor, which you do yourself. The money I’ve given you can be used to rent a storefront and . . . Yes, it’s brilliant.”
“You won’t steal my idea, will you?”
“No, of course not, but I wouldn’t be opposed to discussing it with you further at a later date. I know many gentlemen who own buildings in the city, and I’m sure I’d be able to help you negotiate a fair deal on rent.”