Mrs. Katherine Saunders and clan visit The Silver Thimble

[Jacob Swainswick]

Swainswick poked his head through the doorway to the small kitchen as he returned. Anna was within, still dabbing at her eyes.

"Come, come, Miss Wilkins," he said, not unkindly, "our guests are invited to the parlour. Let us not cause them embarrassment, eh?"

"N-no, sir," the girl sniffed, bobbing a small curtsey.

"That's the ticket. Splash a little cold water on your face. You'll be right as sevenpence in no time."

"Ninepence, surely, Mr. Swainswick."

"Steady on," he said, mock-serious, "I wouldn't go that far." His good humour seemed a little infectious; the girl half-smiled, despite herself.

"The ladies may need your attention," he added. "Look alive with that tea."



"Do you see anything that you like?" the tailor asked, as he strode through the door into the shop front. "As good fortune would have it, Miss Audley is in to visitors this night; as busy as she is, she asks if you'd care to join her in the parlour."

He placed the wrapped box down upon the counter. "Your glove, Miss Daye. And we have a small selection of those in a deep lincoln, also, although I'm uncertain of the colour."

[Christine Daye]

Christine has been looking adoringly at the range of beautiful things laid out in front of the ladies, occasionally reaching out to pick up an item to view it more closely.

At Katherine's embrace and whisper, she giggles and whispers back.

"Oh, no need to worry. If Miss Audley is in, then she will assist with those... and we shall evict the men for a little while.... she has such delicious things... such beautiful lace! And if Miss Audley is not able to attend, well, there is the shop girl... whose name I still cannot recall... Miss Wilkins? Oh, anyway, she has been sent to make tea. We can request her assistance. I shall speak to Mr Swainswick to request her, if you would like?"

At first, when Katherine offers to buy her something, Christine waves a hand, as if to demur. But on seeing the green silk scarf proffered to her, she cannot help but to reach out for it.

"Oh, my dear Mrs Saunders, you are too, too kind. I could not possibly impinge on your generosity in such a manner! All I have done has been for the pleasure of your company, you know that!"

She takes the scarf carefully, as if the fineness of the fabric is like a butterfly, too fragile to handle roughly. She hums happily as she holds it up to the light. Then, carefully, because she cannot feel the fabric with her gloved fingers, she raises the scarf and brushes it lightly against her cheek. Her eyes close for a moment in pure pleasure.

".... so beautiful...."

She opens her eyes again, looks at Katherine with suppressed hope.

"Are you sure? I... I... would... hate to... oh... it is too much! But thank you for your most generous offer. You are too, too kind!"

Her eyes flick over to Jacob as he arrives, and she puts the scarf down carefully, almost embarrassed to have been caught caressing the silk in such a manner.

"Oh! ... oh... thank you Mr Swainswick! And how lovely! We... I... would be honoured to join Miss Audley in the parlour, for a short visit... I would not want to take up too much of her valuable time... deep lincoln, did you say? Might I have a look?"

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine starts and almost drops the glove that she had been staring at intently. Slightly embarassed she asks

"I'm sorry Mr Swainswick, did you say that Miss Audley was available to see us? I would very much like to met the seamstress of all these fine things."

She looks towards Christine and seems how enamoured she is of the silk green scarf.

"Please could you put this scarf aside for Miss Daye? it will be a gift from me. Please show us through to meet the artist."

[Jacob Swainswick]

"I'll do so immediately, madam.

"If you'll follow me? Doctor Taylor - will you be joining us? You are most welcome."

With a minimum of further ado - although a certain degree of ceremony is obviously required in these circumstances - the young man leads their esteemed clientele into the parlour.

[Samuel Taylor]

Taylor's eyes follow Christine as she chatters, picking up and conversing with Katherine about the items. A small smile is on his face as he watches her, watching quietly from the back of the group.

"I will be joining you I believe Mr Swainswick."

His eyes travel to take in Swainswick.

"I must enquire, do you have any waistcoats in stock?"

[Jacob Swainswick]

Swainswick beamed. "We have a small selection for display purposes, sir - however, for such a cornerpiece of a gentleman's attire, you understand that each waistc't we sell is bespoke. With your permission, Doctor Taylor, I'll bring through a few designs and a selection of fabrics into the parlour. Perhaps we might impose upon Miss Daye and Mrs. Saunders for their opinions?"

(It was, perhaps, a slightly forward suggestion, but delivered with the casual panache that patrons of the Thimble had come to expect.)

"If we arrive at a decision I can take a few measurements - we'll withdraw for the purposes - and I can have something ready in a couple of days. For delivery to the usual address?

"Please, follow me." He picked up the indicated scarf, folding it neatly and placing it upon the counter. "I'll take care of this for you, Mrs. Saunders, and, ah, I'll have those designs for you in a moment, Doctor. This way - come, come!"

Swainswich pushed the door, which opened onto a short, cheerfully-lit hallway, the first door of which lead into the parlour - which also doubled as a fitting-room for guests. They met a somewhat less tearful Miss Wilkins approaching from the other direction, bearing a tray upon which sat a set of fine china cups and a large pot - from which emanated a warm, slightly astringent aroma. She bobbed a curtsey and let the party precede her into the parlour.

"Set that down, Anna," Swainswick directed, "- thank-you. And then have an eye on the shop, would you?"

[CFlaubert]

Constance looks a little bewildered, turning to Katherine and Christine, within earshot of Valentina she says

"How does one decide what to purchase in this regard? I am normally concerned with functionality, but everything here is so different from what I normally wear, that I've no idea how to begin!"

[Valentina Audley]

"Well darling, it could be argued that clothing without elegance lacks a part of it's function. However, everything I sell has a practical use. I suspect that might depend on your definition of functional though..." Valentina looks up from her embroidery and smiles. "If I can cater to Lady Valeria I'm sure I can work with you to suit your tastes."

The shop girl sets the tea tray down, bobs a quick curtsey to Valentina and heads out of the room in the direction of the main shop.

Valentina puts the embroidery aside and stands, holding her hand to Constance, though her sweet smile is shared with all of them.

"Good evening darlings. A group outing is it? To what do I owe the pleasure of the company of so many of Clan Malkavian?"

[CFlaubert]

Constance clears her throat, sounding a little embarrassed.

" Well, Ms Daye and Mrs Saunders suggested something called a "girls shopping trip". Not having experienced such before, I felt it might...broaden my horizons...somewhat."

"You say that you're able to accommodate most needs, and it is true that if you can accommodate our Lady, then I am sure you can accommodate us. Tell me, what might you have in the line of blindfolds? In particular, ones which the user can see through whilst wearing it? ((said without the slightest hint of irony, and with no idea this might not be considered a proper topic))

[Christine Daye]

Christine blinks in surprise for a moment, then giggles.

"Oh, Miss Flaubert! Are you planning for the next masked ball already?"

She smiles at Valentina.

"Miss Audley, a pleasure as always! I am so looking forward to our trip! I need to ask your advice though.... I would so like to wear the beautiful gowns you have made me for our visit to Bristol Society... do you think that would be appropriate? I of course will bow to your sartorial wisdom."