“You were?” Theodosia said with a surprised look on her face. “Another date?” It would appear the two of them were getting very close indeed.
“Just one of our romantic little dinners,” confided Delaine. “We drove over to Summerville. There’s a lovely little bistro there called the Bluebird Grill, located just on the edge of Old Town. The herb-crusted sea scallops are to die for.”
“That’s your second date this week,” remarked Theodosia.
“Third,” corrected Delaine. She whirled about, suddenly shouted, “Janine,” at the top of her lungs.
Janine popped her head up from behind a display of long evening gowns.
“The dress,” Delaine hissed. “Bring out Theodosia’s dress.”
“It’s not my dress yet,” said Theodosia. She browsed through a rack of silk tops, found two or three that were really adorable.
“Ta-da!” said Delaine, as a green froth of ruffles and frills suddenly materialized.
For some reason, the dress reminded Theodosia of the wall of green in her old nemesis, the hedge maze. “Good heavens,” she exclaimed. “That really is apple green.”
“Like it?” asked Delaine. Her head nodded in the affirmative, willing Theodosia to say yes.
“And it certainly is . . . ruffled,” said Theodosia, neatly dodging the question.
“Ruffles connote romance,” said Delaine, holding the dress up against Theodosia. “And, lord knows, you could certainly use a little romance in your life.”
“Does she like it?” Janine called from the back counter.
“She adores it!” yelled back Delaine.
“Actually,” said Theodosia, turning to finger one of the fluttery silk tops that had caught her eye. “Something like this would probably be more practical.”
Delaine’s nostrils flared. “Might be apropos for a garden party,” she sniffed. “But it certainly won’t make a strong statement like this dress.”
“No, it won’t,” admitted Theodosia. “But to tell you the truth, with all I have to do tonight, pouring tea, handing out tea sandwiches, helping Drayton serve his ice angels, this dress might not really get showcased properly.”
Delaine paused, trying to mentally assess just how serious Theodosia was.
“This dress is beautiful,” continued Theodosia, “but I worry about the ruffles on the sleeves. I’d hate to drag them through the lobster salad and lemon gelato.
“That would be a disaster,” allowed Delaine.
“I’d be heartsick if it was ruined with just one wearing,” said Theodosia.
Reluctantly, Delaine pulled the dress back toward her. “You make a good point,” she said slowly. “Hmm. The fluttery tops, huh? You think one of those would work?”
“I think so,” said Theodosia. “And you do have some really cute ones.” She sorted through the rack. “In your expert opinion which one do you think might work best? Color-wise, I mean.”
Delaine debated for a couple seconds, then reached forward and snatched up two of the tops. “I like the copper-colored one and the sea-green one. But I’d wear
“Not silver?” asked Theodosia.
“No,” said Delaine. “Gold is dressier and will give it more of an edge.”
“So let’s try them on,” said Theodosia.
“Okaaay,” said Delaine, still finding it difficult to give up on the green dress. “I suppose.”
“Oh, now that’s awfully cute,” said Janine when Theodosia emerged from the fitting room a few minutes later.
“Not bad,” said Delaine. “I
“I love it,” said Theodosia, posing in front of the three-way mirror. “Do you think I should try the green top, too?”
Delaine studied her carefully, then shook her head. “No, that top’s really perfect. Do you have a stash of turquoise beads to put with it?”
“Maybe one strand.”
“Janine!” screamed Delaine at full volume. “Turquoise beads!”
Janine came panting up, carrying multiple strands of turquoise beads.
Delaine stepped back while Janine proceeded to decorate Theodosia like a Christmas tree.
“Enough?” asked Janine.
“One more strand,” declared Delaine. “Now take a look, Theo. Tell me what you think.”
Theodosia turned back toward the mirror to study her image and decided she was delighted with the look Delaine had grudgingly helped orchestrate. The silk top and beads managed to convey dressy, comfortable, and bohemian chic all at the same time.
But Delaine wasn’t quite finished. “Earrings,” she declared. “Those coin-shaped pearl earrings we got in last week.”
The pearl earrings were the finishing touch. Just a final dash of shimmer to polish the look.
“And you’re to wear this with flowing cream slacks,” admonished Delaine. “And cream or bronze sandals. Remember, the higher the heel the better. Let’s get you up there with the really tall girls.”
“Will do,” promised Theodosia, delighted to have escaped the snares of the frilly green dress.
“Look who’s here!” called out an exuberant voice. “Two of my favorite female entrepreneurs!”
Both Theodosia and Delaine turned toward the front of the shop where Leah Shalimar was speeding toward them. Wearing one of her trademark elegant suits, she clutched a large, leather portfolio. A giant grin animated Leah’s face.
“Leah!” shrilled Delaine. “Lovely to see you!” She scampered to meet her and they exchanged air kisses, missing each other by a mile.
“Hi, Leah,” called Theodosia, still posing in front of the three-way mirror.
“Aren’t you the adorable one,” said Leah, favoring Theodosia with a wide smile. “New outfit? Must mean you have a hot date.”
“No, no,” Delaine explained hastily. “That’s her
“Haven’t even thought about it,” said Leah. “I’ve been busy, busy, busy, and never quite got around to buying a ticket.”
“There are still tickets left,” said Theodosia. “If you’re interested.”
“It’s a benefit for the Heritage Society?” Leah asked politely. “What’s the program exactly?”
“An orchid show, refreshments on the patio, and a silent auction,” piped up Delaine. “With most of the proceeds benefiting the Heritage Society.”
“That’s right,” said Leah. “Drayton did mention he was planning to exhibit some orchids. He’s still doing that?”
“As far as I know,” said Theodosia.
“Maybe I’ll show up after all,” said Leah. She glanced pointedly at Delaine. “Is now good for you? There’s a small amount of paperwork you need to fill out, so maybe we should go in your office. It’s probably the easiest.”
“Good idea,” said Delaine. Her head spun around. “Janine? Can you finish up here with Theodosia?”
“Of course,” said Janine, who always seemed to be juggling six things at once.
“I take it you’re going to be doing some investing,” Theodosia said to Delaine.
“Thanks to Leah’s good advice,” said Delaine. She giggled. “And a few choice words from Bobby Wayne.”
“He’s a charmer,” said Leah. “And so darned smart.”
“This is the FOREX product you mentioned to me?” Theodosia asked as Leah unzipped her portfolio and leafed through a sheaf of papers.
Leah nodded happily. “The one administered by Sun Commonwealth Trust,” she said.
