The Duke and the Dressmaker (The St. James Series) Read Free Page B

you too busy?” Her hands fisted on her hips.
    “Of course not, Mother. I will be glad to accompany you and Emma this week. Monday would be fine.” His mother could bend him to her will so easily.
    Why had his life taken such an unusual turn this week?
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    Sara straightened up her living area. It was small, but enough for her. She enjoyed decorating, even though it was a limited space. The curtains were her own design and she had upholstered a small couch to match. A table and chairs sat alongside her bed. It had been her idea to clean up the attic in this small building so she could live here. As her funds were limited, she didn’t need much, and living above stairs allowed her more time to craft her designs. She didn’t understand why society frowned so on matrons residing alone. In deference to society, she purposefully stepped out her front door every night, locked it and turned the corner before slipping inside her back door, attempting to create the illusion of going to the boardinghouse. Her father had raised her to be her own person and to make her own decisions so she had decided to go ahead with her plan. If she was successful, she would be able to move to a safer place soon enough.
    She shuffled down the stairs carefully since it was such a steep staircase. The base of the staircase opened into the back room of the shop where she kept bolts of beautiful fabrics. Purchasing only the best was an expensive investment, but her gowns were made from the highest quality she could afford. Skimping on fabric was not the way to run a business. As she passed through her back room, she ran her hand across the large flat table she used for cutting and developing her patterns. Every item in her shop had been purchased with love.
    The next room was her favorite. She stole a moment to stand on the platform that sat in the middle for her customers. Viewing herself in the looking glasses helped her position them just right to allow her clients to see the front and back of their gowns. A desk sat in the corner unobtrusively. The walls were lined with readymade gowns for those that needed something in a hurry, taking advantage of the wooden pieces nailed into the shape of a “T” crafted by her father to hang her best creations. She labored furiously to build her inventory of these, but she was only one person, and sewing one gown took so much time and effort, especially the beadwork. A screen sat in the corner for changing.
    The front room was her display room. A customer counter ran along the back of the room and a table and two chairs were on the side for husbands who awaited their wives. The front window was used as a display. She loved to change the whole look of the room, often through color schemes or certain materials. She hoped to have enough for a bridal display soon. She also had two glass cases for accessories items. There was always much for her to do.
    Returning to her middle room, she straightened everything and dusted as she moved. Her expectations were for a productive week. She was pleased with the publicity she had received with her bridal gown design Saturday. Her pulse sped at just the thought of new clients arriving at her shop this week, placing orders for the next ball. As she turned back to the front, she heard the tinkle of her bell. She stepped into the front room as a disheveled, dirty man closed the door and locked it.
    “I am sorry, sir, but I am not open for business yet. Please take your leave and return in an hour and I would be happy...” her words caught in her throat at the menacing look in the man’s eyes.
    She stepped back and moved to turn , but he grabbed her arm and twisted it viciously.
    Snatching her tight to his body, he sneered. “No, I will not be returning. We will finish our business now.”
    Her stomach churned as she noticed the spit on his chin. Wrinkling her nose at the foul odor of his breath, she brought her gaze up to his. Cruel