A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano Read Free Book Online

honestly and quietly help the less fortunate—not in a manner that would draw attention to her actions and have everyone exclaiming how wonderful and selfless she was.
    That made what Agatha was suggesting a bit of a problem.
    â€œFelicia?”
    Felicia blinked. “Good heavens, I do beg your pardon, Agatha. I fear I was lost in thought. What were we talking about?”
    â€œA career for you, but maybe we should change the subject, considering the very suggestion sent you into a trance.”
    Worry was clearly evident on Agatha’s face.
    Maybe it was time to change the subject. She looked down and then back to Agatha. “What do you think about the color of this gown?”
    For a moment, Agatha said nothing as she considered Felicia, but then she shook her head ever so slightly and smiled. “Fine, we’ll talk fashion, although I already mentioned I thought the color was lovely.” She tilted her head. “Moss green does wonders for bringing out the blue of your eyes, and I find the richness of the shade much preferable to the pastels you normally favor.” She bit her lip. “Oh dear, that was hardly amusing for me to say.”
    Felicia laughed. “It was honest, and honesty is something of which I’ve heard relatively little the past few years.” She grinned. “You’ll be happy to learn that I haven’t purchased a single pastel gown today, nor have I requested any frills or ribbons.”
    Agatha’s eyes grew round. “You’re worse off than anyone imagined.”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    â€œYou keep saying that, but you just admitted you ordered gowns without frills. You’re far from fine.”
    â€œAgatha, you and I both know a lady of my advanced years should never wear frills in the first place. Instead of being concerned with my selections, you should be relieved. At least now no one will have to avoid eye contact with me when I arrive at a society event dressed in revolting styles.” She glanced down when Mrs. Brown paused in her work. “No offense, Mrs. Brown. It wasn’t your fault I demanded you attach bows and ribbons to all my purchases.” She blew out a breath.
    â€œTruth be told, I dressed that way because I believed—wrongly, of course—that a gentleman who shall remain nameless thought I looked delightful drowned in ribbons and bows.”
    â€œThat explains a lot,” Mrs. Brown said before she stuck one last pin in the hem and straightened. “There, all done. I’ll have this altered within the week, and then I’ll send it to your house along with the other garments you’ve chosen.”
    Felicia smiled her thanks and stepped off the raised platform, turning to allow Mrs. Brown access to the buttons running down her back. When Mrs. Brown finished, Felicia held the bodice of the gown in place with one hand as she moved over to a rack of clothing that held many of the garments she’d purchased. Pulling out a darling navy-and-white-striped walking dress that had already been altered for her while she shopped, she folded it over her arm and stepped behind the privacy screen. It took her only a moment to shrug out of the pin-ridden gown and slip into the new dress. Mrs. Brown joined her behind the screen, making short shrift of fastening her up. She moved out into the main room and winced when she heard Agatha release what sounded like a snort.
    â€œYou don’t like it?”
    Agatha rose from the chair, walked up to Felicia, looked herup and down, and then wrinkled her brow. “It’s lovely to be sure, but you look . . . different.”
    Different was rapidly becoming one of Felicia’s favorite words.
    â€œWonderful. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” She smiled at Agatha, who was once again watching her in concern, and then strode across the room, plucking the hideous confection of palest orange she’d worn to the department store