I will confess: In three months of writing, this was the most difficult chapter for me to write. Simply because I had no idea what happens at a seamstress.

It also turned out to be a very long chapter. Funny, huh?


It was a lazy summer afternoon. Tony was sitting in the Workshop, leaning back on his favorite chair, legs propped up on the table in front of him.

He was about to doze off, his heavy lunch and the hot weather making him very sleepy. He closed his eyes, mentally making a note to go see Pepper in the evening.

Then he heard the door slowly open. He suppressed his smile because he instinctively knew it was Pepper. He feigned sleep because he loved the way she would try to wake him up.

Sure enough, Pepper came closer, softly saying his name. He did not respond, did not move a muscle but just sat there still, eyes closed lightly. He controlled the urge to inhale deeply as her fragrant scent of lilies assailed his senses. He felt her petal-soft fingers brush the hair off his forehead gently.

Please don't stroke my jaw, please don't stroke my jaw... you know I can't control myself when you do that...

The aroma of lilies grew stronger as she bent over him and he felt her soft breath on his face. Then Pepper kissed the bridge of his nose, his cheek and finally, kissed his lips so so softly, gently nibbling on them.

"Tony... Tony", she whispered. "Wake up, handsome... wake up my lord."

Tony still pretended to be asleep and she kept kissing him softly. Then she went for his weak spot: she nipped the hair lightly between his lip and his chin.

He couldn't help but moan and opened his eyes to see Pepper's beautiful blue ones, smiling down at him.

"Tony, you big pretender, you were awake all this time!"

He laughed and pulled her onto his knee. She primly arranged herself over his leg, one slender arm around his shoulder to keep her balance.

Pepper looked sweetly innocent, with her hair pulled back lightly and her flushed cheeks. Tony pulled her closer and kissed her, feeling her press herself into him.

He stopped kissing her to say softly, "Good afternoon, Pepper my sweet."

She shyly said the same to him and he couldn't resist kissing her again, this time teasing her tongue with his.

For some moments, the Workshop was quiet except for the soft movement of clothes as they kept kissing each other tenderly.

Then their sweet interlude was interrupted by the door clanging open. Tony did not see who it was but he tucked Pepper's face into his neck quickly, so she wouldn't be seen.

He relaxed when he saw it was Magdalene, standing there, holding something behind her back. Tony gently rubbed Pepper's back and whispered, "It is okay sweetheart... it is just Maggie."

"So this is why you are always running away to your workshop, Lord Stark... nice place to hide away in."

Tony felt himself flush at Magdalene's snarky jesting tone. He was going to stand up but Pepper held him firmly in place and said sternly, "Magdalene, please don't tease Lord Stark."

Maggie cleared her throat and said, "I would just like to tell his lordship that I caught this huge fish for dinner."

She revealed what she was holding behind her back, a long slimy eel.

Tony wanted to gag very badly. Eel was delicious when prepared by an expert but Magdalene was definitely no expert.

Okay now how do I get out of this without hurting Magdalene's feelings? And avoid personal injury, when I do hurt her feelings?

He was mulling over this concept when Pepper, his guardian angel, saved him. She smiled at Magdalene and said, "But Maggie, Tony is coming to my house for dinner."

He stared at her and Pepper smiled at him pointedly. "Don't you remember, Tony? We are having dinner together today night." He took the hint and nodded his head eagerly.

Magdalene huffed loudly. "Well, your lordship, why didn't you tell me?" Then she stared at the eel thoughtfully. "I think this can keep for an one day..."

"No!" He and Pepper exclaimed together. Pepper explained gently, "It is a freshwater fish, Maggie, it needs to be cooked immediately or dried and preserved."

Magdalene shrugged. "Well I can't do that. I do not know how..."

Tony suggested very very casually, "Then I think you and Jarvis should enjoy it. I will have to miss out."

She glared at him and he raised his hands helplessly. "I can't help it, Maggie, I accepted Pepper's invitation in advance!"

She left in a huff then, closing the door. Pepper looked at him for a second and burst out laughing at his look of relief. She nearly fell off his leg with laughter but Tony caught her just in time.

"Tony! That was so hilarious! Oh my god, Maggie had to catch an eel! You looked so disgusted!"

There were tears of laughter in her eyes as she stood up and sat on the edge of the table. He pouted at her for leaving his lap and she smiled at him serenely. "Tony, I want to talk to you about something. I know and you know, that if I sit in your lap, we aren't going to do much talking."

Tony grinned at that and she ruffled his hair. "You mentioned you knew a seamstress in Dale... someone who could design and stitch beautiful clothing for women."

He nodded and she continued quietly, "Well, I wanted to ... I wanted to get a few dresses made... just a few... to wear you know... I mean I'm tired of what I already have, I want some nice ones ..."

She looked at him and smiled softly. "Could you take me to Dale please and introduce me to her? I know that master seamstresses don't just accept new clients, they want references and if you could help me..."

She bit her lip and looked at him nervously. "Only if you aren't too busy, Tony... if you are, then if you give me her name, I could go there myself and..."

He stood up slowly and caught her hand in his, smoothing his thumb over her soft skin. Tony said, "Of course I'll help you, Pep... I would love to take you to Dale and introduce you to Madame Luna Lestronia"

She smiled at him happily. "Thank you, Tony..."

"So when do you want to leave? We can't go today, it will be dark soon and besides," he pulled his shirt collar up, "I have a dinner invitation."

Pepper said softly, "It is a simple dinner Tony, mostly just vegetables and a small chicken... I hope that's okay, my lord."

He stepped between her legs and held her chin in his hand, rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip. As she looked at him with shimmering blue eyes, he rubbed the soft lip and then bent his head to rub his beard along her jaw. She shuddered beautifully in his arms and he whispered against her satiny skin, "My lady, I would eat even sawdust at your dinner table. Thank you for inviting me..."

She whimpered as he kissed her jaw, then her chin and kissed his way down her slender neck,. He nipped her shoulder and pulled the flesh lightly between his teeth. She gasped and he licked the bite to soothe it.

"Pepper ... for the love of God... I just can't stop kissing you... your skin, your scent, your intoxicating lips... God woman, I find you irresistible."

He whispered this to her ear and her answer was to press herself against him urgently.

He growled at that and asked raggedly, "Sweetheart, what are you doing for the next hour?" He began to torture her ear lobe with his teeth and she clutched at his shoulders and said equally breathless, "Nothing, Tony, absolutely nothing at all."

He smiled against her skin. "Then we have some time."

"Some time?"

"For us to keep kissing." He kissed her deeply, just before she whispered slowly, "Like we need time."


The City of Dale was just an hour's ride away from Stark Keep. It was a small city, enclosed by thick stone walls, as it had a history of being attacked by marauders. The heart and riches of the City came from its people, who were strictly traders and merchants. They had a rich network of resources all across the land, enabling them to sell popular and rare goods. Some were land-based sellers who simply brought goods from other towns and sold them in Dale. Some had their own small cottage industries and sold their own goods. Then there were the sea-based traders, who bought and sold goods from across the sea.

Tony explained Dale's industry-based details to Pepper as they rode there together. "So you see, Pep, that is why Madame Luna simply is the best. She has the best materials at her disposal and she is very skilled herself. Her gowns are simply masterpieces."

"Does she make them all on her own?"

"Not anymore, she now has her own boutique, complete with apprentices and a hand-selected group of tailors. She has come a long way." He said thoughtfully.

"How did you meet her, Tony?"

Tony looked nervous and Pepper hide her smile by turning her head away.

"Well," he swallowed hard, "one of my ... mistresses at the time, was very..." he paused here and Pepper couldn't resist teasing him.

"Temperamental?" she offered casually.

"High strung is better. She and me had a very public, very loud fight, over how I had ruined one of her favorite gowns with my clumsiness."

Pepper asked curiously, "How did you ruin the gown, Tony?"

He grimaced. "I came to her, wearing my hauberk and as we kissed, the gown got snagged on the armor and tore when I tried to unsnag it." He grimaced again. "Oh, wasn't Urmi angry... like a storm at sea... and I was desperate to correct my mistake. Especially since it seemed that the gown was irreplaceable because it was from a far away land."

"So I ran to the main town center of Dale, where all the merchants would congregate. I pleaded with every tailor I could find, to fix the gown. I was so desperate. No one wanted to do it because they said it couldn't be done. The damage was too much. I was at my wit's end when this little lady, sitting under a bridge, told me to give her a chance. I had nothing to lose, so I did so. And she fixed the gown perfectly. Urmi was happy, so I was very happy."

He shrugged. "I was so grateful for her help and her obvious skill, that I used word of mouth in King Leoric's court, to help Luna drum up some business. Of course, her great craftsmanship was the real reason she became famous. That was six years ago and now she is so popular, you need to make an appointment a month in advance, just to get a consultation!"

Pepper asked slowly, "So she's really selective about who she designs for?" She suddenly felt very conscious.

Tony snorted. "More like annoyingly picky. She can be a real pain in the..." he trailed off, looking at Pepper's downcast face.

He stopped his horse and reached out to cup her cheek. "Pepper, sweetheart, what's the matter?"

She felt very embarrassed to voice her insecurities and so she tried to fob him off and ride ahead but he held her still and she looked into Tony's soft brown eyes. He dismounted and urged her to do the same.

"Pepper, are you feeling conscious about yourself because of Madame Luna's high standards for choosing her clients? Tell me the truth."

She stared at him in wonder. "Tony, how did you know that?"

He chucked at her. "My lady, there are some days when you are a closed book and some days, when your feelings are very clear on your face. Right now, I can easily see what you are feeling." He sobered and caught her chin in his warm hand, his eyes gazing deeply into hers.

"Pepper, why are you feeling insecure?"

"I am just a simple country lady, Tony, I do not want to seem uncouth or ..." she swallowed, "I am not smart or a diamond of the social circle or amazingly beautiful and you said she is an expert in her trade and... if she has high standards for her clients.. I do not want to embarrass you, my lord, especially since I am getting this appointment on your recommendation."

Tony gave her a very patient look. He tucked back a stray strand of her hair that had fallen by her cheek. Then he said slowly, "You may not be a diamond of a social circle or a fancy noble lady and for that I'm very grateful. But Pepper Potts, you are something completely else, something that exceeds Luna's high standards. And as for your beauty," he laughed. "My wild rose, you are an incomparable. Let us go to her shop, my queen, and you will see for yourself, just how you stand out in a crowd."

"My lord, you are biased towards me and you know that." She said primly.

He leaned closer to kiss her cheek and whispered softly to her. "My love, you cannot see your own beauty... trust me... I am the envy of every man, when I walk into a room with you on my arm. Come on Pepper, don't you remember the engagement ball at Patait? The count, the captain, the sailor, the former knight... all begging for a chance to dance with you."

She flushed at the memory.

He continued softly. "I had to resort to sneaky tactics, just to get a chance to dance with you. You can't doubt your infinite appeal." He nuzzled her gently and she smiled against his face.

"I guess I had forgotten about the dancing and the suitors. Do you know what I remember the most about that night?"

He looked at her quietly.

"You dancing with me and telling me that you would dance with no other women. And then you climbing up to my room and kissing me in the moonlight. Our first real kiss. All other events of that night fade into the background. When I think of that kiss."

His eyes had darkened and she whispered, "Let me refresh my memory."

She suited word to action and kissed him thoroughly, nearly pulling him off his feet. Tony was so dazed with passion, that when she stopped kissing him, she rubbed her thumb slowly along his slightly swollen lips and all he could do was swallow hard.

She smiled at him from under her lashes and said slowly, "Just as wonderful as the first time. In fact," she licked her lips slowly, enjoying the way Tony looked at them hungrily, "I think you taste... even better."

Then she giggled, her confidence restored. "Come on, my lord." she mounted Aurora and nudged her horse forward, "Let us ride on. I am eager to see Madame Luna." He followed her, still in a daze.


The shop Lestronia's was situated just where he remembered. On the corner of a busy street, two shops merged into one and the first floor as well.

They left their horses at an ostler and he took Pepper's hand to cross the bustling street. They entered the busy crowded reception of the shop or as it was theatrically named in big bold letters, The Salon.

The reception was filled with ladies, waiting for their appointments, waiting to pay or pick up their purchases. In any case, they turned to stare because he was a man leading a woman into a predominantly women's shop.

A few of them tittered, some of them called out to him but he ignored them all and took Pepper to the main desk. The clerk saw him, recognized him and lifted the grail. Tony turned to let Pepper pass through. She was busy staring at the fancily-dressed ladies and they in turn, were busy staring at her.

He said softly, "Pepper, Pepper..." and she turned to look at him, wide eyed. "Time for us to go in." She nodded and tucked her hand in his.

The clerk pushed open the big red door and Tony gently pushed Pepper in. He smiled when he heard her gasp of wonder. She stared around her in awe at the wonder that was Luna's Boutique.

Instead of rooms, there was a large open area, like a factory floor. Except this factory had large rectangular windows, letting in beams of sunshine. The first floor was a large ledge, suspended above the ground with two ornate circular staircases. The room or rather arena, was agog with activity. Women and men of all shapes and sizes, walked up and down, calling out or talking loudly. There was a hexagonal arrangement of mirrors, where a model clad in a beautiful gown, posed silently as a customer and an assistant discussed her outfit.

A number of mannequins were scattered around the place, some bare, some wearing beautiful clothing. Three large silk banners, ornately decorated in an oriental design hung from the ceiling, nearly touching the floor. There was a long dining table in the center, laden with rolls of cloth and fabrics and sewing materials. Another similar table was covered with pencils and scales and each seat had a square board to draw on.

In the center of the room, were a number of flat cushions and pillows for customers to lounge on. "Luna calls this something... a Divan?" he said to Pepper, then chuckled as Pepper clearly wasn't paying any attention to him.

She slowly rotated on one foot in wonder, eyes wide and blue, drinking in everything. "Tony! This is!"

She stopped and looked at him excitedly. "I've never seen anything like this before!"

"Anthony Stark! As I live and breathe!"

He grinned and turned to see Luna descend regally from the curved staircase, a giant tabby cat in her arms. He bowed and took her hand and she said, "You dark charmer, you! How long has it been?"

"Two years, ma'am."

"You devil ... ever since you left Leoric's stuffy court huh? And today you come back to Luna..." she swatted Tony lightly. "What's the matter, handsome? Do you tire of your armor and desire a change? Perhaps something in silk...it would go great with your beard."

He heard Pepper giggle and Tony said wryly, "It is not for me, ma'am, I have come to you for my lady." He placed his arm around Pepper. "May I present Lady Virginia Potts."

Luna stared at Pepper and then stared at Tony, wide eyed. When he raised his eyebrows at her, she regained her senses. "Where are my manners, pleased to meet you, my lady, I am Luna."

She smiled beatifically at Pepper and then looked at Tony. He started, "I want to commission a-"

Luna cut him off. "My lord, I thank you for the introduction but me and Virginia will take it from here." She beamed at Pepper and took her hand gently.

"Come my dear, let us talk. Lord Stark, please see yourself out. You can come back in an hour..." she looked at Pepper appreciatively, "alright two hours. I and Lady Potts have much to discuss."

He watched them walk away, Pepper turning back slightly to smile at him.


Pepper gazed wondrously around at the magical realm that was Luna's workshop. The lady herself, a buxom chubby brunette with big green eyes, was gently leading Pepper to one of the curved staircases.

"First, let us get you measured, my dear, so we can decide on styles. Come to my measuring parlor."

Pepper climbed up the spindly wooden staircase to reach the ledge above.

Luna extended a hand vaguely. "This floor is all about analytics. Measurements, colors, sizes, fabrics etc." She balanced the cat on one arm and snapped her fingers. "Rolfe!"

A thin young man with his hair tied back in a queue, came out of nowhere, bowing deeply.

Luna said imperiously, "Rolfe, follow us, we need to get Lady Virginia's measurements."

She led them to a section of the ledge, cornered off with room dividers. Luna lowered herself onto a large curved cradle chair and Rolfe made Pepper stand in the center of the section, moving around her, muttering incessantly under his breath.

"Slender waist, ample bosom, delicate coloring... hair... that color, need to be careful about the way the fabric offsets the color... long long legs..."

Pepper was trying to listen to this running evaluation of her body, when she noticed four heads that had popped around the divider. They were staring at her curiously, looking at her from head to toe. One of them whistled appreciatively and she stared at the girl askance. Then Luna clapped her hands loudly and the heads disappeared.

"Pay them no attention, my dear, my models are a curious bunch and always anxious to scope out the competition."

"Competition?"

Luna looked at her deeply, a mysterious smile playing about her lips. "Yes, my dear, in the battle of the sexes, the fairest of them all, wins and so far, you are the most fair I have seen in a long long time. Rolfe!" she snapped at the hapless tailor rotating around Pepper, "Are you done with your assessment? Your continuous muttering is getting on my nerves!"

"Nearly done, madame. Just the final physical measurements."

He pulled out a tape from his pocket and began to take Pepper's measurements. She held out her arms and legs as needed.

Luna casually asked, "So my dear Virginia, how long have you known Lord Stark? And how did you meet?"

Trying to focus on Luna instead of the distracting Rolfe, Pepper answered, "I am an orphan. I was separated from the group I was travelling with and enslaved. Lord Stark rescued me and he trained me to become his squire."

She lowered her gaze at that, remembering Tony's passionate insistence that she was more than his squire, she was his partner. Pepper smiled slowly at the memory. "But we went on adventures together and he made me his partner."

Luna widened her eyes comically. "So the infamous Iron Knight, a reclusive loner, now has a partner?" She whispered in hushed tones.

Pepper nodded and said, "We have known each other for a year, nearabout."

Has it really been such a short period of time? I feel as if I've known Tony forever. He is such a part of my life.

Both Luna and Rolfe were staring at her thoughtfully and Pepper flushed under their gaze.

"Come on!" she said "Surely Tony has had partners before..."

"As a knight, yes, but after he left Leoric, he became a complete recluse." Said Rolfe.

Luna muttered, "A female partner longer than 2 weeks never..."

She continued. "There was no sight or sound of him. I am seeing him in town after two whole years. People thought he was dead. And now he comes back, looking better than ever and with a partner in tow. He has changed. And mayhap I am looking at the reason for the change."

Pepper was so glad that an assistant burst into the room, to ask Luna something, because the woman's perceptive questioning was getting to her.

Rolfe was done with his measuring and had noted down everything on a piece of paper. He handed the paper to Luna who stood up. "Come, my dear, let us go downstairs to the Boutique for fabrics and designs."

As they walked to the stairs, the giant tabby cat followed them, meowing for attention. Pepper picked up the cat, who purred in her arms. She cradled it as they went down the stairs and then let it loose, once they reached the bottom. It wound itself around her legs, pressing into her and she rubbed its head.

Luna took her to the long wide table with fabrics and once again, clapped her hands. This time a young scruffy girl, black hair falling messily around her face, came.

"Yes, Madame?"

"Rania, we need to decide fabrics for this beautiful young lady here. Lend us your matching eye."

Pepper watched with awe as the young lady quickly and effectively pulled out a number of fabrics from the huge pile and laid them out for approval.

The next hour passed in a blur as Pepper was pulled into a massive discussion between Rolfe, Rania, Luna and two other assistants, on what would the best outfit for her. Materials were appraised and discarded. Rania nimbly made quick sketches and the group would analyse them. In the middle, Pepper was asked to stand up and twirl as Rolfe placed some tulle on her. Luna had loudly exclaimed that Pepper's figure and coloring was too unique to be represented by a model. The skulking models had scowled at that.

At around 5, tea was brought in and the atmosphere relaxed. All the assistants and models came together at the large sketching table to drink and eat. Pepper sat the table with a cup of tea in her hands and the giant tabby in her lap. She stroked it as she sipped and its purr vibrated around them like music.

As she reached for the last piece of seed cake, a model, one of the curious heads who had observed her upstairs, reached for the cake as well. She backed off nervously when she saw Pepper, who then very graciously, pushed the last piece to her. The model nodded gratefully and devoured the piece in one bite.

Pepper listened with a smile to Rolfe argue with Rania on how women hated the truth about their own measurements. She kept petting the plump cat in her lap and noticed Luna staring thoughtfully at her.

Pepper leaned towards and said in a low tone, "What is the matter, Madam? You are staring at me."

Luna just looked at her quietly and said slowly, "You know my dear, with your face, wit, intelligence and beauty, you can do much better than Lord Stark."

This made Pepper narrow her eyes at Luna.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Why are you restricting yourself to one man, that too a former knight? There are wealthier, much more attractive men in Dale who would be pleased to court you and who would suit you better."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Lord Stark is just a simple Lord and a penniless one at that."

Pepper saw red. "Firstly he is not just a lord. He is a good man who helps whomsoever comes to him. He puts his own life at risk for others repeatedly, something no nobleman would do, especially for ordinary folk. He never asks for money or reward. If Lord Stark had, he would have been a rich man because he has helped that many people."

"Secondly I ... I am not courting Lord Stark for his money or his stature. He is courting me. And he is my friend and I wouldn't leave him for anyone. He means a lot to me. I'm not looking for a rich man who can take care of me materialistically. Lord Stark has helped me and continues to help me everyday. My relationship with him is like no other."

Luna tilted her head at Pepper.

"This is all very noble but... a girl has got to eat. What future do you see with Lord Stark?"

"What do you mean?"

'What if he never marries you?"

Pepper swallowed hard at that. A painful vision filled her mind, one of Tony arm in arm with a rich beautiful noblewoman, his wife, someone he had finally chosen to be his mate, two beautiful children, their children and they all lived happily together in Stark Manor,

Then she remembered Tony's impassioned declaration of his love for her, the way he suggested courtship, so that she could know him better and the way he continued to devote himself to her.

Pepper lifted her chin. "I am not looking for marriage. The relationship that I and Lord Stark have, is precious and if it doesn't end in marriage, it is okay."

I will always love him. Even if he stops loving me.

Luna smiled at Pepper, this time a genuine smile of gladness that made her green eyes sparkle. "You know, when Lord Stark first wrote to me, asking that I should accept your appointment, I was very skeptical."

Pepper raised an eyebrow at her.

"I was skeptical of you, I'm sorry to admit. I had thought the worst of you, that you were a gold digger. who had managed to bully the poor man into spending money on her. But now..."

Pepper looked at her with amusement, the woman''s frankness charming her.

"I can see why he is madly in love with you and why he calls you the queen of his heart."

Pepper flushed wildly at Tony's favorite nickname for her. In their moments of passion, he had often exclaimed she was his queen but she had never taken him seriously because she felt he was just getting carried away by the moment. Hearing it in broad daylight, spoken matter-a-factly by the seamstress, was a different matter.

Then the little voice in her head spoke its evil little thought to her and she voiced it out loud.

"He is a good man but he has been in love with many women before. I've accepted the fact but some days I feel..."

She trailed off because Luna snorted incredulously and loudly.

"My dear Virginia, Tony Stark has been in lust many a time but never in love. I do hope you can see that." She gasped when Pepper shook her head in denial.

Pepper spoke then. "He must have brought many women here, for wardrobe fittings, for commissioning a season's clothing..."

Luna was adamantly shaking her own head. "No, no, no... You are the only woman to come here, with Lord Stark giving you his recommendation."

"But, Madame, I've seen beautiful clothing clearly made for women, in Lord Stark's home."

"Virginia, were those gowns or... undergarments?"

Pepper shut her mouth hard as suddenly her own argument seemed to make no sense. They were clearly undergarments, chemises and lingerie... oh my... none of them were gowns or dresses...have I made a mistake?

Luna continued slowly, "Lord Stark has a well-deserved reputation as a ladies man. And yes, he has been with a lot of women..." she rolled her eyes, "a lot... slutty court hanger-ons who just wanted to be with a soldier, fancy court madams, sultry exotic mistresses..."

Pepper gulped as her mind filled with visions of each type of woman Luna was naming, all mouthing Tony's name seductively.

"But he has never brought them to my salon and he has most certainly never offered to pay for their wardrobe. Never ever. He loves you, that I am sure of. And he desperately wants you to love him back."

The women vanished from her mind with a poof, replaced by Tony himself, sitting back on the grass, smiling at her with that one-sided smile of his, dark brown eyes sparkling at her. The vision of Tony was looking at her with such love in her eyes, that she wanted nothing more, than to fall into his arms and lie down on the soft grass with him.

She shook her head to clear the grinning Tony and then bit her lip as she realized what was Luna's last statement. "I do have feelings for Lord Stark..."

"Yes, my friend, but you have been holding them back, haven't you?"

Pepper lowered her head and Luna continued mercilessly, "You know he loves you but all the ghosts of his countless bedroom partners before you, make you insecure. What if he hasn't changed? What if he will get bored of you?"

"Luna please stop! I ... I know I'm doing wrong by Tony but what if... what if he does get bored of me?"

Luna tsked at her. "Is this the first time you are falling in love?"

"Yes."

"Well, believe me my dear, it is Lord Stark's first time in love as well. He has never behaved with a woman, the way he has with you... he has never spent so much time with a woman as much as he has with you. His limit was two weeks and most of it was in the bedroom."

Rania had been eavesdropping and snickered loudly at this comment. Luna huffed at her and said slowly, "Lord Stark may have his faults, Virginia but he is a gem of a man and you shouldn't let him go."

Pepper said firmly, "For all my insecurities, I have no intention of letting Lord Stark go."

"Good,: said Luna with a smile. "I always wanted to help Lord Stark in the way he helped me. And I hope I've done that today by talking to you."

Pepper asked, "By help, you mean how he would speak about you in court? Drumming up business?"

Luna said softly, "That and the 200 gold coins, he gave me as a down payment for a shop and materials. I had no money to start my own business. Lord Stark loaned me the money but never took it back, even when I could afford to pay him."

Pepper was stunned into silence. Once again Tony's generosity is evident. No wonder she is looking out for him.

Luna clasped her hand warmly and said, "Do not speak of it to him please. He gets easily embarrassed."

They smiled at each other, finally reaching an understanding.


Tony sighed deeply as he exited the shop, holding Pepper's hand in his. Pepper had refused to accept his offer of payment for the wardrobe and he was rather miffed about it.

She tugged him back as he was going to step on the street. He looked back at her and she smiled sweetly at him.

"Do you want to leave so soon? Or... we could take a look around?" She said softly.

He looked at her thoughtfully.

"We could go look at the shields they have... or even the daggers... I might let you buy me a dagger."

He asked snarkily, "My lady, you won't accept a gown from me but you would like a dagger?"

He huffed and Pepper laughed with mirth, clutching his arm tightly. "Tony, you are hilarious!"

She leaned into him and whispered, "I would like a small knife very much, my lord. And you could engrave your initials on it."

He was persuaded and she continued, "Besides Tony, I cannot accept a whole season's worth of clothing from you. It is just not right."

An idea hit him like a bolt of lightning. A season's worth of clothing. But what about a single gown?

Pepper tugged on his hand again and said, "Tony, let us go."

He kissed her hand and said, "One minute, sweetheart, I forgot something in there."

He ran back into the Salon and asked the clerk to give Luna his note. Then Tony hastily scribbled on a piece of stray paper, he found in his pocket. It read:

Dear Luna

A humble request: please make a beautiful gown for Virginia. Something different, something unexpected. I will pay for it, it will be a surprise. Send me a message when I should come pick it up.

P.S. Thank you, old friend, I know you will do your best.

He handed it to the clerk and walked back out into the busy street, smiling widely at Pepper, waiting for him in the sunshine.