Elsie

Chapter 11: A Secret

A/N: Hannah pictured above.

"Elsie!"

Elsie jumped and nearly dropped the broom she was using, whirling around quickly. "Goodness, Nora, you frightened me."

"I've just heard the news," Nora beamed, taking the broom out of Elsie's hand and setting it aside. "Why didn't you tell me that you are going to the Copperfield Ball?"

"Oh, I–"

"Come, come!" Nora tugged her along towards the door. "We have to visit the tailor immediately! We have less than two weeks to have the perfect gown made, and I certainly can't make it myself."

Before she realized it, Elsie was riding in the carriage with Nora, who had not stopped talking for even a second. Mr. Lane drove them to the tailor's shop, and Nora practically pushed Elsie through the door.

"Good day, Nora," the young woman behind the counter greeted.

"Good morning, Doris," Nora chirped happily. "Elsie, this is Doris Wagner. She assists Mr. Schneider in his shop. Doris, this is Elsie Thomson."

Elsie thought that Doris was the smallest person that she had ever seen. She was short, with a tiny waist and strawberry blonde hair. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Wagner," Elsie smiled shyly.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Thomson. Please, call me Doris. How can I help you today, ladies?"

"Elsie needs an evening gown!" Nora exclaimed happily. "She will be attending the Copperfield Ball with Mr. Jones within the fortnight, so we haven't much time!"

"Preparing an evening gown in a fortnight will be a trick," Doris replied, "but Mr. Jones is one of our best customers, and I am certain that Mr. Schneider can do the job. Come with me and we will pull a few options."

For the next hour, Mrs. Jacobs and Miss Wagner fussed over which color and pattern would do best to bring out Elsie's eyes and accentuate her figure.

"We should avoid dark colors," Nora said. "Her black hair would contrast best with light shades, as would her brown eyes."

"Hmm..." Doris hummed, as she held a blush pink swatch up to Elsie's form. "The pearl pink washes out her complexion... and so does this lilac," she decided, putting both swatches to the side.

"Well, there must be something else," Nora was saying, sifting through other options.

"What about this one?" Doris held up another swatch. "It is called 'robin egg' blue."

"Ah!" Nora nearly squealed, taking the swatch from Doris and holding it up near Elsie's face. "Just look at her eyes! This color is stunning! What do you think, Elsie?"

Elsie turned toward the mirror and took the swatch between her fingers. "I like this one," she said genuinely. It was a soft, greenish-blue shade that looked lovely with her hair.

"Wonderful!" Doris said. "Now, let's take her measurements."

"Ah, that's taken care of," Nora sighed in relief a while later. "Mr. Schneider is the best there is, Elsie. He wants you to return in ten days for a fitting."

Elsie followed Nora out to the street where Mr. Lane was waiting by the carriage.

"Goodbye, Doris," she heard Nora say, "and thank you for your help."

"Goodbye," Doris waved.

Back at Elmsdale, Elsie wandered about looking for something to do. She had completed her work for the week, and tomorrow was Sunday. Glancing out the window, she noticed the leaves piling up near the walkway and decided to rake them herself. She knew that Adam had his hands full with his chores. There was no reason that she couldn't help.