An Officer but No Gentleman(59)
The bell over the door jangled as they burst into the cramped shop.
“We’re closing,” called a woman from behind a curtain.
“This order will be worth staying open late.”
“Mr. Bloodworthy?” the woman questioned. She pushed through the curtain, smiling. The smile became fixed when she spotted Jaxon. Her eyes only darted to Jaxon’s momentarily. “Oh, Captain Bloodworthy. I thought you were your brother.”
“Grayson comes in here, Mrs. Jenkins?” Jaxon cast a knowing look at Charlie making her laugh.
“Mr. Bloodworthy comes in sometimes to pay your mother’s bill.”
“Of course.”
Charlie noticed immediately the woman looked everywhere, but at Jaxon’s face. She was obviously uncomfortable around him although she was making an effort to be friendly.
“This is my fiancée, Miss Sinclair.” The women smiled politely and nodded. “Miss Sinclair’s trunks were lost when she transferred to my ship and needs a complete wardrobe.”
“Oh, I was wondering why she was wearing Miss Imelia’s dress.”
“It’s so beautiful, I cried when I saw it.”
“You did?”
“She did. You see she’s been wearing—” He lowered his voice. “—Breeches since she came aboard my ship. When I say Miss Sinclair needs everything, I mean everything from the skin out, an entire week’s worth. If it’s something my sisters have, then Miss Sinclair must have it as well. Then we’re going to need things for special occasions. We have to have a black mourning dress by Friday.”
“Did someone die?” Mrs. Jenkins interrupted.
“My cousin, Jimmy.”
“Miss Pru’s Jimmy? Oh, I’m sorry. He was so young. How did your aunt take the news?”
“As you would expect, Mrs. Jenkins. The service is Saturday, so we need the dress no later than Friday evening. Do you want to write this down and have your assistant begin her measurements?”
“Of course, of course. I just didn’t realize this order would be so extensive. Come, my dear.”
She ushered Charlie into the back and introduced to the assistant, Mabel and returned to the front of the store closing the curtain behind her.
“Shall we choose fabrics?”
Jaxon was out of his element and he was certain that Charlie knew less of fashion than he did. “Uh, I know she likes silk,” he said hesitantly. This was why he wanted Imelia to accompany Charlie. “You’ve seen her coloring and you know what’s fashionable, so until I can get Imelia in here, I’m going to trust your judgment.”
“Surely, Miss Sinclair would like to have some input if you don’t.”
“Actually,” Charlie said from behind the curtain. “I’ve spent much of my time in the Far East of late where they wear saris and kimonos. I haven’t an inkling what’s in fashion.”
It wasn’t entirely untrue. She had been to India, China and Japan, but not recently.
“Also, she’s going to need some special occasion clothes. I’m sure Mother will want to throw us a small engagement party. It won’t be too fancy; the family is in mourning after all, probably something along the lines of a small dinner party, mostly family and a few of our closest friends. It should be the first thing you work on after the daily wardrobe. Then of course the wedding gown and veil.”
“There’s time for that.”
“We plan to marry in a month’s time.”
“Oh my. All this in a month?”
“Hire more girls if that’s what it takes, because I’m not finished. She’s going with me on the ship and I want her to have a uniform of sorts: navy blue wool skirts, not too full or too long, white high neck blouses and a navel style suit coat, double breasted with brass buttons, but short, cut off at the waist, and flannel night gowns. A week’s worth of each. And make sure the wool is fully lined.”
“Epaulets?”
Jaxon looked at her like she had lost her mind. “No,” he said. “As a matter of fact, I just changed my mind about the blouses. Make one white and the rest different colors with short sleeves.”
“Short sleeves? But surely Miss Sinclair would prefer a long sleeve,” she said lowering her voice. “One that would cover her arm.” She made a gesture towards her own arm showing where Charlie’s scar was. The woman didn’t miss much.
“Charlie, how long do you want the sleeves on your uniform blouses?” Jaxon called out.
“If I’m still to be your surgeon’s mate, no longer than my elbow. Jaxon, I’m not sure about skirts for all my uniforms. There may be times when they’re going to be impractical. Do you think I might have maybe two or three pairs of breeches?”