Page 50 of A Rogue to Reform

It was late morning by the time they left. Evan insisted they wash up the dishes and pans so that the servants would not come back to a complete mess. Grant went along, although it was entertaining when neither were quite sure how to go about it. In the end, they managed and gained respect for what the women accomplished daily.

“I am not sure Madam LaGrange will want to take on such a small job,” Grant said as they climbed out of the carriage at the elite designer’s shop.

Although the woman who let them in seemed surprised, she quickly offered them tea, which they declined, and she hurried to inform her mistress of their presence.

Madame LaGrange emerged from the back room, a furrow between her brows instantly disappearing at seeing them. “It is rare for a handsome, much less two handsome men to visit my humble shop.”

The designer’s shop was anything but humble. Plush drapes on every window, thick rugs on the floor, and ornate chairs that she motioned to. “Please sit. Eliza, bring tea and shortbread.”

This time, they were not given the option of declining. The woman lowered to a chair and they followed suit.

After discussing what exactly Evan wished and informing her that this was to be a gift and only one room, Madame LaGrange became animated.

“Am I to understand that you will finally marry?” Her face brightened with excitement. “The infamous Evan Macleod is to be wed.” Her voice held a tone of awe.

Evan nodded. “I beg you to keep the secret until the engagement is announced next week.”

“Of course. Of course.” Madam LaGrange all but clapped. “I feel so very privileged to be one of the first to know. I will take the job. Once the new lady of the house sees it, she will demand the entirety be done. I am confident.”

Exchanging looks with Grant, he hoped it would not be so as the woman was very expensive. She agreed to come to the house once she came up with a design.

“The price was not as high as I expected,” Evan admitted.

Grant shrugged. “Perhaps because of the fact that she is ahead of the gossips with the news of your marriage.”

“I should consider how else the announcement could benefit me financially,” Evan said with a chuckle. “Unfortunately, nothing comes to mind.”

“I wonder,” Grant said, “if my sister will manage to keep the secret. She is most ill-disciplined and oftentimes slips at keeping secrets. I am willing to bet she is at the modiste attempting to figure out how to order a dress for the engagement party without saying exactly what it’s for.”

Chapter Thirteen

The modiste held up a mauve-colored fabric to Felicity’s face. “I think this shade suits you,” she said with a bright smile.

Already exhausted by the fact her mother kept finding fault in every choice, Felicity nodded. “Let’s use this one.”

Her mother’s brow pinched. “How about a bright shade of pink?”

“Pink?” Felicity turned to her mother. “That color is too childish.”

Thankfully, the modiste was trained and understood that her mother needed soothing for whatever bothered her. “Let us go to the back room. I have some new fabrics that just came in. Why don’t I pour you another cup of tea…”

Felicity remained in the front room. She walked to where a newly created dress was hung. It was quite bright, bordering on garish.

“That is mine.” Sorcha had entered while she studied the dress.

Her stomach flipped. The only person who could dampen her mood was this horrid woman. Felicity forced a neutral expression. “The color is too bright for my taste.”

“Of course. You probably prefer something more virginal.” Sorcha ran her hand along the bolts of fabric on the shelves. “I suppose I should warn you of why Evan and I went our separate ways.”

“I do not care to hear it.” Felicity looked toward the back room, willing her mother and the seamstress to return.

“I will tell you anyway,” Sorcha said, closing the distance between them. “I would not give him the money he wants for that venture he and his friends are about to embark upon. They will lose all of it, of course.”

The fact Felicity suspected her brother, Evan, and the other two were indeed planning something made her listen.

“That is why,” Sorcha continued, “he decided it would be easier to marry and therefore have access to a dowry for the capital. I suppose it’s an easy way to come about the money. Any young wit will throw money at Evan in an attempt to tame the handsome rogue.”

Despite herself, Felicity’s stomach sank. Surely if that was the case, Grant would not agree to it.