It seemed like forever from the time Jill walked into the dress shop to the time she finally put Anna-Maria's borrowed clothing back on, a handful of dresses being wrapped and packed into boxes.
"Anything else today?" Nicole asked brightly.
"Yes. We are looking for something suitable for a summer event, preferably in light blue with some of Nicole's lace trim," Elizabeth said.
"Corseted?"
"Oh heavens no."
"Alright. It will have to be custom made you know."
"Of course but we can make it worth your while to have it finished in three days."
"Hoop skirts and pantaloons?"
"Yes, please. The whole dress in three days."
"Of course. And delivery?"
"Jill will be staying with me. You can also send the bill there when it's ready."
Nicole and her mother bowed as Elizabeth turned to leave, the coachman following behind, arms loaded with dress boxes. Jill followed Elizabeth back into the carriage taking a seat opposite Elizabeth again.
"I think that went well. Jack will be happy. Do you need anything else?"
"Maybe a nice pair of shoes/"
Elizabeth stood and leaned out the open window near where the coachman was placing the boxes in a compartment for the ride home.
"We also need to stop by Diville's shoe shop, Mr. Litehorn."
Elizabeth say back down again, smoothing her own dress out.
"So you're going to live on the Pearl with Jack?"
"Yes, I wouldn't want to tie him down to a home or something."
"What about kids?"
"That's too far in advance. Really, we're just good friends."
"Sure you are."
"What does that mean?" Jill asked as the carriage jerked to a start.
"I've seen the way he looks at you. 'Good friends' is no the way I'd describe it. He's madly in love with you."
"If you say so."
A smirk fell across Elizabeth's face as a gentle silence settled in the carriage.