But Mrs. Lawrence’s expression quickly brightened as if nothing had happened. The change was so natural that no one noticed—except Eloise.

“While the bride’s preference is important for lace, the mother should certainly be consulted. After all, the person who has watched the bride most closely for the longest time knows her best. Now, would you like to take a look?”

At Mrs. Lawrence’s words, Mrs. Surberton couldn’t hide her excitement and began selecting laces. Taking advantage of this moment, Eloise naturally led Mrs. Lawrence toward the mannequin and whispered very softly:

“…a habit that’s hard to break.”

“I understand completely. So what flowers will you use?”

“I’ll use real ones. Deep pink roses will probably be the main flowers.”

Mrs. Lawrence nodded. Eloise appreciated her matter-of-fact attitude, offering neither consolation nor pity. After all, her hair color was simply a natural characteristic of her body, not something that required comfort.

“It would feel strange to use orange blossoms that symbolize fertility.”

She chose roses instead. It wasn’t a bad choice. Before orange blossoms became fashionable, everyone made flower crowns with roses. Besides, the season was perfect as roses were just beginning to bloom. By the wedding day, Blissbury would likely be filled with fully bloomed roses everywhere.

“Eloise, look at this. What do you think of this?”

Mrs. Surberton called Eloise with a voice that couldn’t hide her excitement. She placed everything that looked precious into her daughter’s hands.

While Mrs. Surberton was usually frugal in household matters without being stingy, she spared no expense for this upcoming wedding. Eloise couldn’t say anything to her mother, who was determined to have everything of the highest quality. She understood how much her mother was preparing all this from her heart.

As a child, she had been told she would die young. Even after moving to Feltham, she fell seriously ill every winter. Her parents had prayed to God countless times, shedding tears where Eloise couldn’t see them.

After her condition became known to others due to a careless doctor’s gossip, she received unnecessary pity, and some even looked down on her, saying they would find her a suitable position.

Eloise would just shrug with an expression that said “Is that dog barking?” and walk away, but Mrs. Surberton would tear up each time. She felt hurt and wronged that her only daughter received such treatment.

Now that daughter was marrying a respectable gentleman by anyone’s standards. Moreover, they shared a deep affection for each other, loving each other desperately.

She was simply happy and moved that her daughter, who would have had to endure humiliation alone after her parents passed away, now had a husband with whom she could spend her days laughing. Honestly, she also felt pleased to have the opportunity to openly laugh at those who had mocked Eloise.

Understanding her mother’s feelings, Eloise obediently followed her mother’s wishes despite being tired. After all, she also enjoyed looking at beautiful treasures.

While Mrs. Surberton was examining accessories, Mrs. Lawrence discreetly handed Eloise a catalog. It was a list of items typically ordered together with wedding dresses.

“Though many use ready-made products these days, nothing compares to the quality of custom-ordered items. If you look through, we can alter all undergarments or nightwear to fit you perfectly.”

The catalog Mrs. Lawrence handed over contained illustrations of items like nightgowns, slips, and shoes. As Eloise turned a few pages, her hand stopped. Then she closed the catalog with an audible “Gasp!”

As if expecting this reaction, Mrs. Lawrence guided Eloise gently and said:

“Take your time looking. These are things that need to be chosen carefully.”

Mrs. Lawrence then returned to Mrs. Surberton’s side and began selecting fabrics with her. Since Mrs. Lawrence was occupied with Mrs. Surberton, Eloise could look through the catalog more comfortably on her own.

‘Oh, Lord! Are all these really necessary?’

Eloise sought divine guidance for the first time in a long while. Naturally, no answer came. Of course not. Even if God existed, He would surely pretend not to hear in such an embarrassing moment.

At first, there were nightgowns, but turning a few more pages revealed various types of undergarments.

It was common to order other essential clothes and undergarments to be used for years while having a wedding dress made. It was something naturally done by relatively wealthy families. The problem was that some of the undergarments were too revealing.

Of course, Mrs. Lawrence was not ashamed of selling items bearing her name. She was someone who embraced a certain degree of boldness, believing that couples in love could enjoy slightly different stimulation.

That’s why Eloise was now looking at undergarments that were very daring by her standards.

While worried that her mother might turn around and see, Eloise couldn’t take her eyes off the catalog.

‘How on earth does one wear this? Can it even be worn? My goodness, what is this?’

Though magazines and books arrived by special delivery from the capital to Blissbury in piles, and she thought she was somewhat aware of the latest trends, she had no idea such secret fashions existed.

Initially shocked, Eloise’s eyes were soon carefully examining the items in the catalog.

‘I like this one. And this, and this too.’

Eloise had always been a straightforward character. Wasn’t curiosity a pleasure?

‘I won’t get married twice, so I should enjoy everything this time!’

Thinking that Ryan would certainly nod vigorously in agreement if he heard this, Eloise quickly wrote down the catalog item numbers on the order form placed on the table. Then suddenly she realized she wouldn’t be the only one seeing these.

‘Would Ryan even like seeing such things…?’

Ryan loved everything about Eloise. Emily had even said with an exasperated face, “It seems Mr. Thornton treasures even the path Miss has walked on.”

But for someone like that, he was surprisingly plain in that area. In serialized novels she had read related to this topic, men did quite peculiar things! Yet he behaved with surprising simplicity in such matters.

‘Not in Bringport, though.’

Recalling that night made Eloise’s cheeks burn hot. Honestly, the nights spent there were so extraordinary that just remembering them was enough to make one blush.

‘But that was all for the painting!’

It’s true. She had seen and even touched! But that was merely curiosity about the unknown and passion for art and learning! Of course, they had been quite close in the carriage, but they absolutely never crossed the line.

‘Besides, he’s been behaving quite properly since we returned!’

In Bringport, Ryan had been quite fierce. He had been furious, as if the fact that Eloise had tried to see another man’s body was an enormous shock, an insult, and a humiliation to him.

Yet after returning to Blissbury, he was keeping his distance like an obedient lamb. Of course, even with distance, he would steal kisses when no one was looking, but that was as far as it went. For Eloise, who had expected a deeper relationship after returning from Bringport, it was quite disappointing.

She also felt anxious.

‘Could this be what they call pre-wedding blues? No, isn’t that something brides experience?’

Eloise shook her head at the gloomy thoughts that arose. But being so busy, all the thoughts she had set aside came rushing back at once, overwhelming her. Pushing away these distractions, Eloise focused on the catalog again.

‘Since I need new undergarments anyway… I should order various things?’

Mrs. Lawrence’s employees stayed at Blissbury for several days. There was so much to check, from measurements to dress fabrics, because Mrs. Surberton had ordered so many items.

“Everything will be completed without any problems before the wedding.”

After confirming the essential details, they would take samples back to work in a rented workshop in town. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lawrence whispered softly:

“The other orders will be delivered separately, so don’t worry.”

Then she winked once and entered her room. Mrs. Lawrence’s retreating figure looked remarkably light. She had come to the countryside for rest but ended up working instead, which should have been annoying. Yet she had found a customer who didn’t skimp on money and placed such bold orders.

‘More straightforward than the young ladies in the capital!’

While she didn’t dislike her customers, she was tired of those who compared and demanded better items. Moreover, she was completely fed up with those who focused only on comparison and showing off, demanding merely more splendor and volume rather than appreciating the inherent beauty of the clothes.

Mrs. Lawrence hummed lightly as she walked. Miss Surberton honestly expressed what she wanted while accepting advice without stubbornness when needed.

‘And when she needed to make decisions, there was no hesitation. No shrinking back either.’

Mrs. Lawrence liked that fact the most.

She didn’t try to hide what others might call a flaw—being well past marriageable age. She was confident in who she was. And judging by her orders, she was even bold.

Already, various ideas were floating in Mrs. Lawrence’s mind. She made a promise to herself: she would make Miss Surberton the most beautiful bride in Albion this summer.