Chapter 22 - Twenty Two
"Doris," Suzy said, her voice laced with excitement, "could you get me something to write on?"
Doris, who had been observing the tense exchange between Suzy and Madame Helena, raised an eyebrow but quickly scurried to a nearby table and returned with a quill and parchment. "Here you go, milady," she said, handing them over.
Suzy wasted no time, she sketched a design on the blank page. The dress she envisioned was a beautiful blend of modern and classic. It had a flowing skirt that cascaded down to the floor, but with a daring high slit for a touch of leg. The bodice hugged her figure comfortably, but the neckline was a simple scoop, a welcome departure from the high-collared gowns that dominated the shop.
Once finished, Suzy held up the drawing for Madame Helena’s inspection. "What do you think?" she asked, a hopeful smile gracing her lips.
A hush fell over the room. Even Madame Helena, who had previously scoffed at the idea of "modern," couldn’t help but be intrigued by Suzy’s confident display.
"This is..." Madame Helena began, her voice hesitant, "unconventional, to say the least."
Suzy, her heart pounding with anticipation, met Madame Helena’s gaze. "I know," she admitted, "but I was hoping you could, perhaps, create something inspired by this design? Something that combines the elegance of your gowns with a touch of... something new?"
Madame Helena studied the sketch for a long moment, her brow furrowed in concentration. Then, a slow smile spread across her face. "Intriguing," she finally declared. "The challenge is certainly... stimulating. Very well, milady. I believe I can work with this."
Relief washed over Suzy. She hadn’t known how Madame Helena would react, but a spark of creativity seemed to have ignited in the modiste’s eyes.
"Thank you, Madame Helena," Suzy said, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "I truly appreciate your willingness to try something new."
Doris, who had been holding her breath throughout the exchange, finally let out a relieved sigh. She knew Suzy wouldn’t be happy with anything less than something that reflected her own unique style.