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The chill of a London morning hung heavy in the air as Lady Bridgerton and Eloise stepped into Madame Dubois' modiste. The scent of fabrics and perfume was a welcome reprieve from the crisp air. Eloise, her eyes bright with curiosity, scanned the shop, a haven of colors and textures.
"Miss Lilith! Your gown has arrived!" Madame Dubois, a woman perpetually in a flurry of activity, emerged from the back, a dark red velvet gown draped over her arm. Her eyes, however, widened in surprise upon seeing Eloise and her mother. "Oh, my apologies, ladies. I seem to have mistaken you for someone else"
"It's quite alright, Madame Dubois," Lady Bridgerton said with a polite smile, her own eyes drawn to the velvet gown.
Eloise, however, found her heart skipping a beat. "Lilith" she whispered, the name echoing in her mind. She began examining the gowns, the whisper of silk against her fingertips a welcome distraction.
The bell above the door chimed, announcing a new arrival. Eloise's gaze darted to the entrance. Entering the shop was a woman in a dark cloak, her skin pale as moonlight, her eyes brighter than a star.
Madame Dubois beamed at her. "Miss Lilith! Your gown is here. Just a moment"
Lilith's gaze swept across the shop, taking in the vibrant array of silks and satins. A slight wrinkle appeared on her brow, as if she found the colors offensive. Eloise, captivated by her, couldn't help but approach her.
"Hello" Eloise said, her voice a little shaky. "It's nice to meet you again"
Lilith turned her head, a slow, almost predatory smile curling her lips. "Stalking me, are you, Miss Bridgerton?"
Eloise's cheeks flushed crimson. "I- I wouldn't... I'm just... " Her voice trailed off.
Lilith's smile widened. "Just what, Miss Bridgerton? You seem quite fascinated by my... company." She leaned closer, her voice a low, melodious whisper. "Is it the pallor, the eyes? Perhaps the faint hint of frost?"
Eloise, finding herself tongue-tied, could only stammer, "No... just..."
Lilith's laughter was almost a sigh, a sound that sent shivers down Eloise's spine. "I was merely jesting, Miss Bridgerton"
Just then, Madame Dubois returned with the gown. "Miss Lilith, your dress. Exquisite, isn't it?"
Lilith took the gown, her fingers brushing the velvet with a delicate touch. "Perfection" she murmured, her eyes gleaming with an almost predatory satisfaction.
Her mother, a woman as pale as she, paid for the gown without a word, her eyes fixed on a point beyond the shop.
As Lilith turned to leave, a sudden burst of courage propelled Eloise forward. "Miss Lilith" she said, her voice stronger now. "Would you and your family care to join us for dinner... at our home?"
Lilith's gaze met Eloise's, a sliver of surprise in her dark eyes, before a slow smile curved her lips. "We would be delighted, Miss Bridgerton" she said, her voice a velvet caress. "Do tell your mother not to prepare too much food, my family hardly eats"
With a final, lingering look, Lilith slipped on her hood and walked out of the shop, her mother trailing behind. Eloise stood watching them leave, her heart pounding, a mixture of fear and fascination coursing through her veins. She knew she had just invited a mystery into her life, and she couldn't wait to unravel it.
