Eb hadn’t had time to find a new classroom, so he was excited to hear about Val’s school. His daughter was still searching for a position, so to Val’s delight, he promised to bring her with him on Monday so they could discuss her becoming the assistant teacher.
Next stop was the first shop on Julianna’s list. The little bell above the door announced their arrival with a bright tinkle. The air inside was scented with a beautiful perfume. Mannequins dressed in the latest fashion were tastefully stationed in various spots to showcase the shop’s offerings. On the counters and in glass display cases were stockings made of everything from silk and lisle to common black cotton. She viewed precisely folded stacks of expensive shifts sporting delicately embroidered necklines and hems, next to gossamer-thin nightgowns. One case was lined with lovely sensual corsets in a variety of style and colors. She gave them only a cursory glance because she’d never worn the uncomfortable, binding garments and had no intention of doing so. There was a small number of women dressed in well-made gowns, pert hats, and expensive-lookingtignonsperusing the merchandise. They discreetly eyed her in her serviceable skirt, blouse, and worn-thin black leather slippers—some disapprovingly, but their smiles showed unfettered approval of the well-attired Drake in his white shirt and pressed trousers.
A beautiful dark-skinned woman crowned by an elegantly tied redtignonthat matched her red, loose-fitting gown approached them with a smile. “Drake LeVeq. How are you? And this lovely lady is?”
“Hello, Oya. This is my intended, Valinda Lacy. Val, Oya Marie. She’s the owner here.”
Val saw more than one of the eavesdropping shoppers freeze and stare their way in response to the introduction.Let the gossip begin, Val sarcastically announced inwardly.
Oya showed a hint of surprise as well, but the smile remained warm. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Lacy.”
“Pleased to meet you as well.”
One of the women, whose light skin could’ve passed for White, walked up and interrupted the conversation, saying, “Drake, I thought that was you. How’s your lovely mother?”
He eyed her coolly and in a matching tone, replied, “She’s fine. How are you, Mrs. Renay?”
Val noted all the other women watching and listening. Oya shot Val a slightly raised eyebrow.
Mrs. Renay, hair hidden beneath a well-tied blue silktignon, was Amazon-tall and big-boned. Her blue silk gown screamed wealth. She turned to Val. “I’m Blanche Renay, and you are?”
“Valinda Lacy.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Valinda,” she said in a voice that lacked pleasure but held lots of haughty disapproval. “So, you’re marrying our Drake.”
“I’m marrying my Drake, yes.”
Blanche drew back. A small smile crossed Oya’s lips before quickly disappearing.
Blanche looked Val up and down critically. “I must say, Julianna’s sons seem determined to disappoint the well-raised marriageable young women of New Orleans. First Raimond graces us with a slave and now—”
Val asked quietly, “Are you always this rude?”
Oya coughed. Someone in the store cackled wildly.
Blanche Renay’s blue eyes were saucer-wide.
Val’s eyes grazed Drake’s before she turned to Oya and said, politely, “Miss Marie, would you show me some blouses, please?”
Blanche Renay stood, beet red.
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Lacy,” Oya replied. “This way, please.”
Blanche stormed out.
In the end, Val’s first foray into shopping was a good one. Oya had only a few ready-made selections in her size but invited Val into her back room, where she quickly took some measurements and promised to have the additional blouses and skirts made and ready in a week to ten days. Next came the choosing of fabrics and Val impressed the shop owner with her knowledge and sensible choices.
The purchases were summed up. Val tried not to show her embarrassment when Drake added a large assortment of stockings, shifts, and nightgowns he’d picked out to the list.
Oya said to him, “You’ve chosen well.”
He smiled at Val.
An elderly woman leaning on a cane walked over and said, “Miss Lacy, I’m Millicent Candy.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Candy.”
Drake said, “Hello, Aunt Millie.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on her pale papery cheek.