Chapter Ten
The way a young woman dresses tells a lot about her personality.
It also helps with the way she presents herself when she walks into a room filled with people.
As long as one keeps her head held high and presents herself in a clean manner,
she can make any man turn his head.
-from Ladies of Manhattan, Tuesday, January, 8th, 1902
Penelope graced her fingers across the delegate gold necklace that was on display. Beneath her fingers she could feel the band's intricate design that was imprinted within its colored prison. She couldn't help but smile at its beauty and wondered who would be the lucky girl to wear this divine piece of jewelry. Deep within her own selfless thoughts, she was hardly in tune with the gossiping ladies that stood behind her. But she really didn't care what they were talking about. It was all old news to her. Besides, she had no desire to be at Tiffany & Co. for one more minute that she had too. It was one thing if she was being tailored for a dress which Penelope adored a great deal, but to sit around and wait for Scarlet to be fitted was a different account all on its own. The girls had been here for hours, taking up most of Penelope's time to do other things on her Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't like she had anything planned for today but it was nice once and a while to have the option.
"Penelope!" Scarlet beamed from behind her. Penelope turned around just in time to watch her cousin twirl around in her newly designed gown.
"How does it look?" she asked almost a bit too excited. This wasn't her first dress that she was ever fitted for but it was her first done by the seamstresses at Tiffany & Co.
"I think that my opinion shouldn't be heard till after the dress is done. Right now it's all pins and fabric," Penelope said flatly. The pink stained gown draped over Scarlet's feet, leaving behind almost enough fabric to have a small train. The straps fell off her shoulders and over all, the dress was plain. Pins poked out of many places around the gown to keep it together which made Penelope hope something else was going onto the dress.
"Well your opinion doesn't really matter to me. It's my dress and I like it. The only reason I asked is so you would come out of your little day dream you are having over there." Scarlet turned her back to Penelope to examine herself in the mirror.
"I am not day dreaming; besides that dress is very plain and boring." Penelope said walking towards her young cousin.
"Of course it's plain and boring, it's not done yet."
"That's comforting." Penelope sat down on the couch just as the seamstress added another pin to the material.
As Penelope watched Scarlet as she was being fitted into a dress, it made her remember back to when she used to do this with Elizabeth. It was one of the many things they had in common. But this shop was also the place where she threatened to ruin her life if she didn't give up Henry. Penelope laughed quietly to herself. There were only a few times when she missed her past friendship with Elizabeth, but looking over what they went through together, she didn't mind losing her friend. In the end, she got what she wanted. Even though it was for a short time she realized she could get whatever would please her at the time.
"Ouch!" Scarlet squealed, "be careful with that pin or I will…"
"Hush Scar, you don't have to be so harsh," Penelope soothed her cousin. Scarlet then glared down at the seamstress who was only trying to do her job.
"Where are you going to wear this anyway?" Penelope decided to ask. And with the question, Scarlet smiled as though she had the whole thing planned out. It was too casual to wear to any of the upcoming parties and seemed to fancy to visit people in.
"It's really none of your business but sense you are my cousin I will tell you one thing. I am saving this dress for someone very special," Scarlet explained with a grin.
"It sounds as though you will be saving it for your first wedding," Penelope added in. But Scarlet ignored her cousin's comment and instead started to give instructions to the elderly worker. It was then the sound of a chiming bell broke between the young girls' feud. It was the sound came from the front door and it only sounded when either one entered or left the store. Penelope heard faint whispers a room away telling her someone had just entered rather then left. It was then a small woman appeared in the arched doorway. Her grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun and her eyes with a pale blue. Wrinkles appeared on her face and steady hands but over all, she looked quite well.
"Miss Penelope Hayes?" she asked looking around the room. Penelope waved at her as if saying I am she.
"There is a young man looking for you, may I send him in?" she asked politely.
"And does this man have a name?" Penelope asked instead of answering the shop keep's question.
"He did not mention it but he did say you would be expecting him and what he has to say is very important." Penelope then gave a cruel laugh of disapproval.
"I am not expecting anyone but please, send this stranger in." The old lady bowed her head and walked off murmuring to herself. Scarlet gave her cousin a quick look before the two girls started to laugh. It was a knock this time to make both girls turn their heads back towards the door. A young man stood tall and proud next to it but he was no stranger.
"And you couldn't have just walked back here to save us all a bit more time," Penelope asked her visitor.
"Ah but Miss Hayes, I believe you know me far too well enough as to walk in on a woman's fitting," Isaac Buck said as he slowly entered the room.
"Well how do you do?" Scarlet added flirtatiously winking in his direction.
"Miss Scarlet, always a pleasure to lay eyes on such a treasure," he said before walking over to her. Penelope could only roll her eyes as her friend took Scarlet's hand and kissed it softly making, her cheeks turn the same color as her unfinished gown.
"When you're done trying to impress my senseless cousin, you can come talk to me."
"Now, now, don't act too jealous, you know there is always some love left for you," Isaac said as he dropped Scarlet's hand.
"Oh please, don't flatter yourself." He only laughed while he walked up to Penelope. He was her best friend, the one she trusted with and secret or task she bestowed upon him. The two of them were inseparable at times, always each other's company when it came to balls or celebrations. Even when she was married to Henry, Isaac was never too far away.
"Are you going to tell me why you are here or are you going to keep me guessing?" she soon asked. It was then he took Penelope's hand and led her into the main room, excusing themselves from Scarlet's earshot. When they got there, the short seamstress was gone leaving the two of them alone.
"What is so important that you had to tell me alone?"
"You will never guess what pest I saw yesterday walking the streets attempting to hide her face?" he asked her in his sly way.
"I don't like to be questioned you know so why don't you save us all some trouble and just tell me?"
"Fine, it was our lovely friend Miss Diana Holland. She must have decided to now come out of hiding." Penelope's mouth dropped in her lady like way. She couldn't believe it; she thought she had gotten rid of that girl several months ago.
"Where on earth to you see her?" she asked crossing her expose arms.
"She was just walking out of a one of the shops close the pier. And I must say, time as done well to her."
"Are you sure we are talking about the same girl?" Isaac nodded his head before walking back into the other room. Penelope followed him in disbelief. How can a girl walk away from a society without anyone knowing or caring where she went and then all of a sudden come back and try to be unnoticed? It was a mystery to her.
"Well it is obvious she wants to remain a secret," Isaac filled in the words Penelope failed to find. They were back in the same room as Scarlet who was now looking at the two of them with confusion written all over her face.
"Who are you talking about?" Scarlet chimed in but she was ignored.
"I would have to agree, but that certainly won't do now will it?" she asked with a smile forming between her full and luscious lips.
"I have always liked the way you think," Isaac grinned back.
"Well if you aren't going to tell me who you are talking about then will you at least pick me out a necklace that will go with my gown?" Scarlet complained from where she stood. The seamstress was just placing the last of the pins into the fabric so Scarlet had to be completely still. Both Isaac and Penelope turned their heads towards the displeased girl while she pushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"I have the perfect one for you," Penelope said happily. It is always funny how a little bit of news could turn one's mood around. She walked back over to the golden band she examined earlier and took it from its display. She raised it to eye level to watch it reflect the light coming in from outside. Scarlet said something behind her but she wasn't listening. She was too busy thinking about Diana Holland and all the ways she could crush her heart. Besides she deserved it for she was the reason that Penelope was single again and without the husband she rightfully disserved.