“Welcome to Vacante, how may I assist you?” A young dark-haired woman asked. Her name tag said, Carmen.
Bronnah wanders around the shop, slowly removing her hat, she holds it out, and the woman immediately takes it from her. "I've heard so much about Monsieur Vacante, is he available?" She asked as she trails her fingers over a bolt of pink silk.
“He’s in the middle of a fitting, Miss?”
"Miss O'Dalaigh." Bronnah pouts as she moves to the desk and sets her small bag down. She glanced at a display of jewelry and picked up a gold choker with a cross. "It's lovely." Turning to face the young woman she holds it up to her throat. "What do you think?"
The young woman’s smile fades as she spots the tattoo on Bronnah’s wrist. “What are you doing here?” She hisses and stomps towards her.
Bronnah feigns insult, “Ouch, that’s no way to greet your best customer, now is it?”
Carmen shoves her hat at her and reaches for Bronnah’s arm to guide her from the shop only to stop, when Bronnah, snaps, “Mr. Chen doesn’t like for anyone to touch his property.”
The girl loses all her color, “Where’s Rose?” The clerk asked quietly.
Returning the necklace to the table, she answers, “Carmen, Rose got careless and met with an unfortunate accident.” Bronnah reaches into her carpet bag and draws out the bustier and shoves it at the girl. “This is too garish, Mr. Chen wants elegance, not trash.”
“The last shipment was not satisfactory?” She gasps taking the corset from her.
“No.” She picks up her small purse, “I’m afraid there is talk of trying a new designer on Fourth Street. I imagine you’d hate to lose the business. Bring Vacante out here, I need to talk to him about the next shipment and inspect it.”
“Please, you can’t do that!” She hisses and pulls Bronnah to the corner away from the windows. “Rose understood that this was just between us.”
“I see. Carmen, how would you like to handle this?” Bronnah asked as she picks up a silver cuff bracelet from the shelf and slips it on.
"Take the next order. It is ready, and I'm sure he will be satisfied," stammering now, "and the bracelet if you like."
Bronnah smiles at her. “Very well, he can be so tiresome with his demands. If you’d like I would be happy to deliver them for you. Load them in the carriage out front and give the driver directions. I should like to look around.”
Hope blossoms in her eyes, “Perfecto, I shall do it right away.” She rushes to the back room while Bronnah sighs. The girl returns with five boxes and carries them out front while Bronnah rubs a sheer pink silk material to her face.
“Exquisite,” she said. Moving to a dress on the wall, Bronnah is captivated. It is a peacock blue with intricate embroidery. “Gorgeous,” she said and wonders what size it is.
"Mr. Chen would love you in that. It would really set off your eyes," the girl hints when she sees Bronnah touching it.
"I'm sure he would." Turning to the girl, she pins her hat back on and moves to the door. "Have a good day."
Bronnah hurries to the carriage and nods to the driver. He pulls away, and she can't help but wonder where they're headed. Her heart is pounding with terror. "Holy hell, that was close!" She slaps a hand over her mouth and blushes three shades of red as her Irish accent returns with a vengeance. The driver laughs out loud.
“So, that’s the way of it, then?”
Bronnah grins, “Aye. Tell me the address she gave you.”
"The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Miss."
Bronnah frowns and sits back.
The carriage drives five blocks away towards the Hudson River, and soon they across railroad tracks. Bronnah's heart sinks. "Of course, it's near the railroad," she gasps. When the driver stops and opens a door, she steps down and looks around. They are standing in front of The Cosmopolitan Hotel. It's a four-story red brick building. A beautiful lacy balcony and gothic trim on the corners captivates her. She jumps when the whistle blows on a train, warning them of the impending arrival.
“It’s lovely. Thank you. I know it’s a lot to ask but could ya wait for me?” He grins when her accent flares again and she stammers. “I mean could you wait?”
“Of course, the lady paid me earlier, Luv.” His own Irish accent has her grinning in response. “You should know, that St. Paul’s Church on Fifth Street, is open to the public. By that, I mean they help those who can’t always help themselves.” Bronnah is surprised by his generosity.
“Thank you, I shall take that into consideration.”
Bronnah takes a deep breath and walks inside, stopping to glance around the lobby in amazement. It's lit with a large chandelier and massive fireplace, gorgeous indigo blue carpet and matching velvet wallpaper. What to do now?
“May I help you?” A man with a pinched expression and a handlebar mustache asked.
“Oui, merci. I have a delivery from Vacante’s Dress shop,” she speaks in French and switches to English.
“I see, let me check my schedule.” He flips through the ledger and smiles, “Yes, here we are. Suite, 104. All deliveries are made at the back of the hotel.”
Bronnah smiles at him, “I’m sure we could make an exception just this once.”
“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to…”
“Parfait, you are too kind. I could use help carrying them?” She asked softly. “You can’t imagine that I could carry five dress boxes all by myself.”
"Of course not," he pulls a chord, and a bellhop comes out. Straight
