An Evening In

[Valentina Audley]

The shop has started to grow less busy as the night wears on, but work is still being undertaken. In the shop area, Miss Wilkins is busy sorting the new ribbon supplies into their drawers. In the work room, Jacob is busy cutting and basting toiles, ready for fittings to try and keep up with demand after the fashion show. And because she wanted a few minutes alone, Valentina, still attired in white, with her sash of black, has grabbed a bodice that needs embroidering and made herself comfortable in the parlour.

She's working on an intricate design of bluebells and daffodils, whilst idly keeping an ear out, incase something needed her attention. She assumes Hamlyn is somewhere outside, keeping watch.

[Lady Grace]

Grace smiles to Hamlyn as she passes The Silver Thimble, then pauses for a moment.

There looks to be activity within, if Ancillia Audley is mid creation then she can always retreat back to her walk it would be awful to disturb her but Valentina had sewn and talked before.
Perhaps she might even get a glimpse of her dress.

Grace looks at Hamlyn who would surely say if guest were not welcome. Grace takes the lack of a no, as a definite yes and enters the shop.

[Valentina Audley]

Miss Wilkins looks up as Grace enters and smiles. "Good evening Miss" she says politely. "How may I be of service?"

As she's talking, she's helping Grace out of her cloak and hanging it neatly on a peg near the door if Grace will let her.

[Lady Grace]

"Good evening," Grace hands over the well worn cloak.
"Yes, umm, is Miss Audley available?
"If she is busy I can call properly another time,"

[Valentina Audley]

"I can see if she's available Miss. May I ask who to say is calling?" Anna smiles at Grace politely, but firmly. What with the success of the fashion show, they'd had to stop showing everyone in, which was an annoyance to them all, but did at least mean some work got done.

[Lady Grace]

"Of course,"
That was only proper considering how busy Valentina must be at present.

In reaction to her tone Grace smiles a apology to Anna
"You may say it is Miss Granville,"

Grace waits patiently, hoping for a rest and a talk with someone who understands.

[Valentina Audley]

Anna nods, smiles, bobs a curtsey and is gone in a flurry of skirts. There's a murmur of conversation in the next room and she's back, all smiles.

"Miss Audley would be delighted if you would join her in the parlour for tea." She says, gesturing into the room beyond her.

Inside, it's just possible to catch a glimpse of Valentina, curled up on the sofa, busily stitching away but smiling in Grace's direction throw the open door.

[Lady Grace]

Grace relaxes a little at the news and smiles to see Valentina so at home. How wonderful it must be to have a craft which is so part of your nature that this place, these beautiful things, all the various preparation threads that her people are so dilligently commited to are so perfectly, well, 'Valentina'

Grace follows Anna's direction into the Parlour to join Miss Audley.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina waves Grace into the chair next to her cheerfully.

"Darling! How lovely to see you!" She smiles at Grace then turns her attention briefly to Anna,

"Tea for two please Anna." Miss Wilkins bobs her curtsey and disappears in the direction of the kitchen. When she's safely out of the room Valentina relaxes a little.

"Good evening Primogen " she greets Grace politely. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Her eyes sparkle at the prospect of gossip. "And I'm afraid you'll have to excuse Anna, she's only kine..." she adds belatedly, realizing Grace might wonder at the lack of proper greeting.

[Manacledairman]

Aldrich approaches the shop, looking at a slip of paper with a scribbled address on it. He notes the movement inside despite the time of night. Must be the right place

He opens the door and walks in, removing his hat as he does. He waits for someone to greet him or tell him to leave, expecting either response.