Maybe it was because my mother’s thanks had made me feel guilty, but the word ‘deliberate’ returned to mind as I saw the man with the orange feather at Viola’s stand. If I was a dog, my hackles would have stood up. The village was smaller but it wasn’t that small. More than that, he didn’t seem at all surprised as he turned and met my eye. If I was the suspicious sort, I might have thought that he was waiting for me. But that would be crazy. 

“Oh.” Again, the only word that suited the sound he made was ‘deliberate’. “Hello again, miss.” 

“Hullo,” I mumbled as I avoided his smile and looked at Viola. But she was smiling shyly in the direction of the man. I’d never seen her make that sort of expression before. It made me a little nauseous. Though I understood why she might be making that honey-sweet face. That could also be why I felt exposed under his stare. It was easy to say he wasn’t unpleasant to look at. But honestly, he was handsome. Something about a handsome well-dressed trader with a bright feather in his hat felt inauspicious. Like he was about to cheat me out of a cow or ask me to steal radishes for him. He looked a tad older than my mother’s age, so he was likely not inexperienced in his trade. And he’d said something about if Ella was interested in who knows what. 

I didn’t like him. 

So I just briskly pulled bolts aside with two quests in mind. One eye stayed reserved for that perfect color for Ella; all else was for whatever would sell. No one could claim I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to be doing. Viola had certainly pulled out her special stock, and the ones she couldn’t unload for the life of her. There was a dark orange bolt she’d been trying to pawn off for three seasons. I bet I could get her to sell it to me for ten copper if it wasn’t absolutely hideous. I flicked my gaze towards the trader who was pursuing a staunch gray patterned linen; the orange of his feather was a much more becoming shade than Viola’s leftovers. 

There was a tiretaine fabric with a similar orange and brown patterning weaved into it. But that wasn’t the color everyone wanted now. Viola didn’t even bother paying attention as I picked out the proper green shades. A couple of reds were necessary too, as there were always a few girls who wanted the color to declare themselves bold. As I stacked the bolts in a pile for myself, Viola was trying to convince the trader of how noble the grey would make him look. 

What did I think of when I thought of Ella at a ball? What would make it like a fairy tale come to life? At the edge of my imagination, I saw her with light behind her shoulders. Her hair would be pulled up and braided behind her ears. If she wore ruby earrings, a scarlet shade would make her stand out like a queen. But I don’t think we’d be able to steal any of her stepfamily’s jewelry. I could tie her hair up with white lace and complement it with a pure white dress. Then she’d look positively heavenly. Like a bride.

My fingers meandered over the different fabrics as I tried to find the right image in my head. White was just too much like a wedding. When I pictured her eyes looking back at me I saw–

Delicate blue-silver tulle sat along with the upscale bolts. 

Yes, I thought as I pulled my hand back as though the manifestation of my daydream might burn me. I saw something blue like her eyes. Something that would match anything reflected in her eyes. 

“The velvet is five silvers,” Viola stated evenly. I looked at her and then at the table to see what she was talking about. There was a green velvet, perfectly emerald, there too. 

“Five?” I laughed at the number to cover my sudden discomfort. 

Viola shrugged as though to say what is popular is costly. Velvet was only popular in the winter, really. Up until snow was on the ground, nobles and the would-be’s clung desperately to thinner garments. But so close to winter now, it would likely be snatched up in an instant. 

“That’s a lovely color.” The man’s voice rumbled closer than I’d like, thick like he was swallowing a laugh. I turned as I wasn’t sure if he was actually speaking to me or Viola. His gloved fingers rested on the silver-blue tulle. The gloves were real leather, though worn. Expensive.

His eyes, I realized, were anything but nondescript. I’d likened them to bark but they were somehow darker than that. I flushed but not because of his gaze. 

“You have wonderful taste,” Viola remarked. She never said things like that to me. “The way the light catches it is magnificent.” 

It really did catch the light, so much so that it seemed like moonlight under the morning sun. She’d probably charge eight silver for this one. I wouldn’t be able to buy even a small bolt, if she had one, with my own money if I was going to need a linen bolt too. 

“It would really match,” The man began with a lilt, “this.” I wasn’t sure where he’d found the bolt of linen, or how he’d spotted it before me, but it paralleled the speckled stone in my hidden pouch. A robin’s egg blue would suit Ella’s complexion perfectly. I had to fight to keep from snatching it from him. 

He was looking at me expectedly, as though I was supposed to say something. I turned my head to look between him and the fabric. 

“You’re right?” I certainly didn’t know what kind of answer he wanted from me. 

“You’ve convinced me, madame,” He declared and my heart dropped. I’d at least have been able to buy the robin’s blue one. But he just turned back to the grey. “I believe it is the perfect color for me.” The blues were seemingly forgotten as he picked up the smaller skein of grey jacquard. 

Viola’s attention went to him and I was able to pull out the two money purses.

I didn’t have enough for both. But would Mother really notice if I just added the tulle to the pile? There would be so much fabric and we’d be so busy that one skein couldn’t garner that much attention. Blue wasn’t even in season so there might not want to be anyone who wanted a dress that color. I wouldn’t need to use the whole skein either. 

Besides, how would she know I was using it for a personal project before the night of the ball? Then there wouldn’t be anything she could do about it anyway. I picked up the two skeins and set them with my orders.

 

“I’ve finished, Viola,” I stated. She sighed but didn’t look entirely unpleased as she started counting the skeins I’d set aside. We were her primary business, after all. She ought to be cordial. 

“I’m surprised you didn’t want the emerald,” Viola stated and she motioned towards it with a quill. “It’s in season, from what I hear.” If I had someone tell me that one more time I was going to–

“You said it was five,” I snapped. A new rush of panic as I thought about her trying to make conversation with my mother and gossiping about my lack of foresight.

 

“You’re a seamstress, then?” The man asked. 

The fact he hadn’t left yet made me frown more so than the question. “No,” I said. “My mother is. I just help her.” The seamstress’ daughter. 

“Well, if your mother needs any unique ornaments. I have some odds and ends myself,” The man stated. I shrugged and handed Viola the money. My three silver coins mixed in with my mother’s budget. I could consider that part of my money was paying for parts of the skeins. So both were partially mine then. I was just paying for the parts I needed, and Mother could have the rest. 

“I’ll carry what I can for now,” I said to Viola. “Then fetch the rest later.” There was no real need to consider the man’s sales pitch but he seemed keen to continue regardless. 

“I don’t carry fabrics like this but jewels and that sort of thing.” I only spared him half a glance. So he peddled in wares that were easier to transport over long distances. “They’re quite popular. If you–” Then he grinned as he corrected himself. “I mean your mother ever finds the need for them, I’m sure I could make a satisfactory deal with such keen eyes.” 

“If it pleases you,” I answered noncommittally. Then, with all the bolts I could carry stacked in my arms, I hurried away. I knew those bottomless eyes were nailed to the back of my head as I tried to duck out of sight.