Time to see if the trunk was worth the price. She quickly slides the panels up revealing the hidden storage inside and tucks her envelopes inside after taking out the cash she will need for clothes. Then she returns it to her closet. “Perfect.”
Now to find the shop. This hotel is massive, she'll be lost if she doesn't find help. As soon as she opens her door, she notices a young serving girl.
“Excuse me please, could you direct me to the dress shop?” she asks.
“Yes, miss. Follow me.” She replies in a French accent and leads the way to the rising room and smiles shyly at Cassie. “It's on the second floor. You are in luck, Mr. Emile Pingat is here from Paris, France!”
Cassie opens her mind and sees the girl in a sexual tryst with a tall skinny man with dark hair and mustache. She immediately slams the barrier down. Some matters are better left unseen.
“What is your name?” She inquires as they wait for the elevator to come back.
“Aimee Lancour, Miss.”
“Well, Aimee, should I know who this Emile Pingat is?” Cassie responds following the young lady into the lift.
“He is simply the finest couturier in all of Europe. I could only hope to someday be as good and talented as he,” she gushes.
“You hope to be a dress designer?” Cassie asks with a new interest. People are always surprising her because they are never what they seem.
Aimee nods excitedly. “Mr. Pingat says if I continue my studies, I will be a famous designer someday.” They enter the shop, and Cassie watches as Mr. Pingat and another young woman leap apart. The girl blushes and pushes past Cassie as she adjusts her clothing. Aimee sighs.
Mr. Pingat looks more angry than embarrassed as he looks over Aimee as if she were invisible. He then looks Cassie up and down with a sneer of distaste upon his thin face.
“What is it?” he snarls.
“Pardon me, sir. I was looking for the famous Emile Pingat that Miss Lancour has bragged about. I'm in desperate need of a full Trousseau for my travels. I had to leave home under duress, and my bags were left behind.” Cassandra glances around as though looking for someone else.
“If he isn't available, I'm sure I can arrange for someone else to design my ball gown for The Palace Ball tomorrow night.” Cassie turns as though leaving and snaps, “Come, Aimee, Mr. Wells will not be happy if I'm not in attendance tomorrow evening.”
Aimee's face has lost all color, and she looks from Emile to Cassie in shock. Emile is quick to recover, and he leaps into action at the mention of Mr. Wells name.
“ACH! You have found Emile! You must let me dress you, Miss?” he asks with a lecherous smile. Cassie is careful to block his innuendo.
“Mrs. Rivers. I am on my honeymoon as Mr. Wells guest. My husband and I will be attending the ball at his request, and as I have stated, I am… lacking. Aimee insisted that you were the finest couturier in all of Europe, so here I am.” He looks to Aimee with a small smile and snaps something in French.
“Then Aimee will help me. Get my tape and let us take some measurements.” Aimee smiles at Cassandra, and she hears the whispered thank you in her mind. “Emile will not let you leave his shop in that frock. Today I will create a new you!” he says eyeing her up and down.
Cassandra smiles, “Perfect! Let’s get started,” she replies. Two hours later, Cassandra leaves dressed in a purple silk tea dress, customized to fit her voluptuous figure. Her small waist and lush breasts are simply covered in a one of a kind embroidered dress. Emile and Aimee rave, and at Aimee’s insistence she allows the girl to dress her hair as well.
Two morning dresses, three silk tea dresses, a wrap, three dinner dresses, two travel dresses are on order plus all the undergarments and shoes to match. “I have an odd request Mr. Pingat. I need pockets sewn into my corset for my valuables. I will be traveling a great distance, and I want to keep them close. Can you do it?”
“Of course, but you will need this in more than one item. It would be best to break it up between items, not keep everything together, in one place, No?”.
“Precisely. I will defer to your judgment on that. One more thing.” Turning, she picks up the bolt of material she had wrapped in brown paper and walks to a table.
“Mr. Pingat, I bought a special material I would like to show you, for my ball gown.” Cassie unrolls the blue silk she purchased at Mr. Chou’s store and Emile gasps and starts speaking in rapid French.
Aimee laughs at the expression on Cassie's face. “That is his specialty. He is always inspired by the many cultures of the world.” Once more he snaps something at Aimee, and she turns to Cassie.
“He must know where you bought this?” Cassie responds by telling them of the stunning selection Mr. Chou carries.
Emile begins to sketch out a ball gown on a piece of paper, unlike anything Cassie has ever imagined. A gorgeous black lace embroidered gown with beading and trim over the oriental pattern. A matching cape soon follows, and he waves Cassie away. “We go.”
“Okay, I will bring your dress tomorrow, Mrs. Rivers,” Aimee promises and hurries to follow Mr. Pingat.
“Aimee will you help me dress tomorrow. I will pay you for your time,” she adds quickly.
“Of course, Mrs. Rivers. It would be my pleasure.” They agree on a time, and Cassie hugs her before leaving.
Cassie laughs, and when she steps outside the shop,
