"Be an angel, would you kindly?" She's looking over her shoulder, great swaths of red locks in her hands as she scoops them away from her neck. A heavy gown of cardinal red velvet and delicate black lace drapes from her frame.

"Of course." He obliges, standing behind her so he can begin the intricate process of looping the fifty tiny black pearl buttons into place. They run along her spine from nape to tailbone, standing in a neat dotted line. William admires their precision tailoring, tracing the long slope that dips and curves down her back.

When she turns to him, she returns the favour, buttoning his crisp white shirt. Reaching out to snatch the silk from her dresser, she loops a tie around his neck and pulls the Windsor knot to sit in the hollow of his throat, before folding down his collar.

"There." Her voice carries a giggle and her eyes admire him with something akin to pride and endearment all at once. He hopes he's mirroring her expression to convey his admiration, but he isn't sure. Emotions have never been his strong point.

He cups her face and kisses her, just in case.