From the Ashes

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The three gentlemen walked and talked amicably about everything from politics to the weather and before long they were standing in front of Cyril's townhouse. Cyril let the doctor in and was about to enter when he noticed Richard did not follow.

"Are you coming?" he asked.

Richard just smiled and shook his head no. "I know he will find her in good health and if I am about to go courting I have some shopping to do. Best to do so now while she is distracted by Thomas' visit. Let her know I will be back soon when she asks."

"I do not envy you! Although you already have her favor so perhaps the anxiety of your task will be lessened," Cyril said thinking how he stressed over every trinket and bauble he got for Annabelle when they were courting, wanting everything to be perfect and desperate to assure her of his love, but she deserved it all and so much more.

Richard felt the excitement of the task before him. He made his way to Cheapside first to visit one of the choice linen-drapers, they fussed over him as he chose several fabrics for Juliana's new dresses and then off to the haberdashers for the trim. He weighed heavily on the advice of the shop assistants of what would work best.

When he needed a dressmaker he knew he wanted no one other than Madame Beauchene, a French dressmaker and designer in Mayfair. Her dresses were much sought after and he knew only she would do his Juliana justice.

"Ah, Lord Bentley," Madame said coming up to him and kissing both of his cheeks, "you have grown into a true gentleman since I had seen you last."

"Bonjour Madame. It has been some time," Richard said slightly discomforted by the fact that she made mention of the time he spent at school here in London. He had dresses made before for others who he had wanted the pleasure of and who had pleasured him in return.

"I have missed you," Madame chuckled seeing his discomfort, "few have had your eye for detail. You bring me a new challenge no?"

"Oui, but she is no mere conquest. She is the love of my life, so nothing but perfection will do, which is why I had to come and see you."

Madame Beauchene blushed at his flattering words. "Come let us look at the new sketches. I am certain there will be something to catch your fancy."

She led him to the backroom and inspected the wool, cotton, silk, and satin fabrics that Richard had purchased for flaws and found none. She positively itched to work with such beautiful textures. She nearly squealed in delight having such exquisite trimmings and gushed over Richard's selections of what dress style he wanted each fabric used for.

There was a special golden colored satin that shimmered like fire and flame, or the sunrise over ocean waters, he chose this for her wedding dress, and spent hours going over a new design. Madame Beauchene was nearly in tears when they were done. "She must indeed be an exceptional woman," she said looking over her sketches for the dress, "this will be my masterpiece."

Richard leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I would trust no one but you."

He traveled throughout Cheapside, Fleet Street, and Mayfair. He was so loaded down with purchases of hats, bonnets, and caps, fans, silk stockings, chemises, and corsets, he had to hire a hackney to carry them all.

Then it was off to the more important purchases, the trinkets, and tokens of his love. First, stop the book shop. Most men think first of jewels but not for his Juliana he had purchased an Austen novel, penned under the pseudonym A Lady, 'Sense and Sensibility'. This would show his acknowledgment of Juliana's love of stories, to show his support of women in the arts, and he thought she as the new keeper of his Father's library would wish to expand it.