Chapter 211 - Two Hundred And Eleven
The afternoon sunlight streamed into Suzy’s spacious room, illuminating the organized clutter of dressmaking. Suzy stood patiently on a low wooden platform, holding a letter written on thick cream paper in Ryan’s familiar handwriting. She was meant to be focusing on the final fitting for her gown for the upcoming orphanage jubilee, but her husband’s words captivated her.
Madame Helena knelt at Suzy’s feet, carefully pinning the hem of the gown. The dress itself was a lovely creation of soft, pastel colored silk, designed to be elegant yet appropriately modest for the occasion. Pins were held firmly between Madame Helena’s lips as she worked with quiet concentration.
Suzy reread a line from Ryan’s letter, something tender and unexpectedly witty he’d written about how he would love to be by her side, kissing her neck and whispering sweet things into her ear, and she couldn’t suppress a soft giggle that escaped before she could stop it. A warm blush crept up her neck, betraying her thoughts. She quickly tried to regain her composure, hoping Madame Helena hadn’t noticed.
But it was too late. Madame Helena paused, needle poised in mid-air. She didn’t look up, but cleared her throat pointedly. "Ahem."
Suzy’s blush deepened. "Oh! Goodness, I do apologize, Madame Helena," she stammered, lowering the letter slightly. "My mind wandered. I wasn’t paying attention to standing still, was I?" She straightened her posture, trying to look suitably serious.
Madame Helena finally looked up, a faint, knowing twinkle in her eyes, though her expression remained professional. "A drifting Duchess is easily pricked by a stray pin or needle, Your Grace," she said, her tone dry but not unkind. "And I should very much dislike facing the Duke’s displeasure should I accidentally mar his wife’s lovely skin before such an important event."
"Oh no, of course! I’m terribly sorry," Suzy apologized again, feeling rather foolish.
Madame Helena allowed herself a small smile, returning to her pinning and stitching . "It seems the Duke’s letters bring you some cheer. You miss him, then?" she asked, her voice softening slightly.
Suzy let out a soft sigh, the longing clear in her voice. "Dearly," she admitted simply. "More than I thought possible."