The Dressmaker's Christmas

by Eliza Lawley

  Edie directed Holly to sit in one of the cushioned chairs while she fetched her kettle from its hook over the fire. She made a cup of tea for the girl and offered her a bowl of stew that was simmering in a pot. Holly accepted both gratefully.

  As she tucked into her meal, Edie gathered blankets.

  “I don’t have a spare bed, and I won’t be giving up mine,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone. “I have too much work to do and need my rest.”

  “Of course,” Holly murmured between slurps of stew.

  “That chair is comfortable enough. With these warm blankets, you should sleep well there.” As she spoke, she draped the blankets she had gathered over the back of the chair.

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Swiping her hands together, Edie gazed down at her houseguest. “Is there anything else you need?”

  Fed and warm, Holly was feeling calmer and more grounded than she had in hours. She was able to think more rationally, and one thought kept buzzing in her mind.

  A question she might grow obsessed with.

  “Who was that man who saved me?”

  Edie blinked, and appeared hesitant to answer. At length, she said, “It’s not for me to say.”

  “But…”

  “Just be grateful he was there to save you, you stupid, lucky girl, and leave it at that.”

  Holly wanted to press, to insist on an answer, but she didn’t want to offend the woman after she had opened her home so graciously. Dropping her gaze back to her food, she tried to force her thoughts of her mysterious rescuer aside. Edie was right. She should just be grateful he was there when she needed him.

  However, even as she reasoned with herself, her imagination ran wild with ideas of who he was, and where he might be now.

  And just how they might meet again.

  Chapter 8

  Fresh flurries of snow and the sound of children’s laughter filled the air as they ran their sleds up and down the street, without a care in the world. Holly stood in front of one of the shop’s large front windows, her hand wrapped around a teacup, watching the idyllic scene play out. The scent of roasting chestnuts wafted through the drafty gaps in the doorframe and squeals of joy rang in her ears. It was as picture perfect as a Christmas card. Even though her bones ached, and her mind was weary, she couldn’t help but allow a brief smile to curl on her lips.

  Edie had loaned her a beautiful knitted shawl, which she now pulled tighter around her shoulders. But while it protected her body from the late morning chill, it couldn’t banish the cold that had settled on her soul.

  Christmas day; the most joyous day of the year. Yet she felt no merriment.

  She should be with her family, gathered around their beautifully decorated tree, opening the presents that rested beneath it. They’d enjoy a feast with roast goose and mince pies, then play out in the garden in the snow until the sun disappeared into the trees.

  Holly tugged the shawl closer. No. She knew none of these things would really happen, even if she was with her family.

  There would be no presents for her beneath the tree. She would be relegated to the servant’s dining room for Christmas dinner. Instead of playing in the garden in the snow, she would be clearing the family’s table and scrubbing down the kitchen.

  She’d stopped being a member of the Clements family years ago and had barricaded herself behind a wall of denial to avoid the heartbreak. Holly hadn’t experienced a decent Christmas since she was a small child. Since before Daisy was born.

  This year would be no oddity after all.

  Sighing, Holly turned from the window, wishing the day was already over.

  “Oh, there you are, my dear.” Edie stepped out from the back of the shop. “I hope you haven’t been too bored.”

  Holly forced a small smile. “No, ma’am.”

  Tilting her head and narrowing her eyes, Edie studied her. “Well, I have finished my work for the day. No rest for the wicked, even at Christmas.” Edie gave a small laugh. “Would you like to eat? It will be no grand Christmas feast, but we’ll make do.”

  “That sounds lovely. Thank you.” Holly’s stomach rumbled. She was indeed hungry.

  She followed the dressmaker back upstairs, where a meal of roasted chicken and vegetables awaited them.

  They ate in silence for some time. Holly felt as though a cloud of despair hung over her, and she couldn’t shake it.

  “So, what do you plan to do next, Holly?” Edie broke the silence, and Holly wasn’t sure that she was happy about it. She had explained her situation earlier in the day, telling Edie about her family and of being banished from her home. She had hoped to avoid further conversation on the subject, but she should have known that would be impossible.

  Looking up at the dressmaker, she answered, “I don’t know.”

  What options did she really have? She had relied on her family her whole life, even when they tore their love from her. Her home had been the centre of her world, even when she was no better than a maid within it.

  It was all gone. She had nothing. Not even a true name. She was not a Clements anymore. She didn’t even know who her real mother was. What her real name was… or if she even had one.

  Her entire identity had been stripped from her. She was no-one.

  Tears gathered in her eyes. Oh, how she was sick of crying! Her eyes had been swollen and itchy for hours, and she wished she could go numb inside so she wouldn’t feel this pain.

  Edie chewed her food slowly, her expression contemplative.

  Swallowing, she laid her utensils down next to her plate and touched her fingers together at her chin. “I may have a solution for your dilemma, if you’d like to hear me out?”

  Curiosity piqued, Holly laid her own silverware and nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I would very much like to hear your idea.”

  Edie sat back in her chair. “I do not have much to offer you. I am not wealthy. My home is small, and my shop is still relatively unknown in London. My life is a humble one, very different from the life of privilege you have enjoyed.”

  For a very short while, Holly wanted to add, but she kept her lips sealed.

  “What I can offer you, however, is an honest way to make a living.”

  Holly’s breath caught in her throat. She dared not to hope, but when Edie did not immediately continue, she whispered, “How so, ma’am?”

  The woman’s smile was soft. “I would let you stay here with me, my dear. You can live in my home and apprentice in my shop. Learn dressmaking. I’m in need of another pair of hands to help satisfy my growing order book. I will teach you.”

  Edie had barely finished her sentence before Holly said, “Yes!” She didn’t have to think. It was an offer she dared not refuse, and one more generous than she could have hoped for. “Yes, I would love to stay here and learn from you. I would like to earn my own way.”

  Edie raised her brows at Holly’s quick response. “Very well. Then we have an agreement.”

  Pushing to her feet, she disappeared into her bedroom for several minutes before returning with a glass bottle and two glasses. Setting them down in front of Holly, she poured an amber liquid for both of them. Passing one glass to the girl, she raised the other.

  “What better way to celebrate our new arrangement than with a nip of Christmas brandy?”

  Relief flooded Holly, stealing her breath as she raised her glass to tap it against Edie’s.

  “You are far too kind. I could not have hoped for such a miracle.”

  Edie drank the liquor in easy gulps and poured herself another. “I suppose we should find you a bed now.”

  Holly laughed in agreement.

  Chapter 9

  As the winter months melted into spring, so too did the terror that had frozen the whole of London melt into cautious calm. There had not been a murder in Whitechapel for some time, and the residents were easing back into wary routines. More and more women and girls were venturing back onto the streets, finally able to work and earn a living to ease the
burdens of their families without fear of being hunted down.

  People were hopeful that at last things could return to normal. Holly shared this hope but was also filled with gratitude for her new life. Her new normal.

  She had been Edie’s apprentice for several months, and after taking a little time to adjust, was settling into her new life with relative ease. It was a change going from the privileged life of the Clements household to a poor dressmaker’s apprentice, but she didn’t mind living with less. She’d found more freedom and more love with Edie in just a few short months than she’d had for years with the Clements. And she found, what Edie lacked in income and possessions, she made up for in kindness and care. She was strict with Holly’s education as a dressmaker, and did not tolerate lacklustre work, but she treated the girl with respect and cared about her wellbeing. She was also quick to offer praise as Holly’s skills improved.

  “What fine stitching, my dear.”

  “Why Holly, that pattern is flawless.”

  “You are a natural. With your talent, you could one day dress the Queen herself.”

  It was more affection than Holly had ever received from the people that were supposed to have been her family.

  So, with a grateful heart, she threw herself into her new life and her new work with a vigour she had only ever felt when attending school.

  As she grew in skill and ability, Edie began trusting her to assist with more and more lavish dresses. Holly quickly realised Edie had a more impressive customer-base than she’d initially been led to believe. Edie was modest and humble, but her talent was unsurpassed by many and the dresses she created were truly exquisite. Edie’s name was quickly spreading among the high society of London as her creative flair was put on display. More and more fine ladies ventured into the shop or sent their footmen or lady’s maids to order dresses from the rising star. And Holly was excited to be part of her growing fame. They grew busier, and Holly had less time to think about her heart-breaking past and her family’s betrayal.

  The only thing that could distract her from her work was the memory of Thomas; the young man who had saved her from her old life and gifted her a new one on Christmas Eve. She thought about him often and wondered at his identity. It had been obvious that night that Edie knew him, but she refused to speak of him, no matter how much Holly begged. The woman was tight-lipped on the matter, which only stoked the flames of Holly’s curiosity.

  Who could he be? Why had he saved her? Would she ever see him again?

  God only knew, but she often prayed that her mysterious rescuer would one day return to her, as enamoured of her as she had become of him.

  ~~~

  One day, in early October, as the summer months gave way to the rustic colours of autumn, the sound of the shop door’s bell rang loudly and broke Holly’s focus on her stitches. She was assisting Edie in her workshop in the back of the shop, putting the finishing touches on a gold satin day dress that was due to be boxed up and delivered first thing tomorrow morning.

  “Go see who it is, dear,” the dressmaker ordered without looking up from her work.

  Standing from her work bench, Holly smoothed her hands down her skirt to dispel any wrinkles before moving out to the front of the shop.

  A beautiful young woman stood in the middle of the display area, gazing around at the finely dressed mannequins. She wore a grey dress and hat, simple in design, but Holly’s trained eye could see that it was finely made.

  “May I help you?” Holly asked, stepping into the woman’s eye-line.

  The woman was momentarily startled, but quickly regained herself and smiled politely.

  “Yes, I am here to see Miss Parker on behalf of my mistress, Lady Chesterford. She wishes to commission a gown.”

  Holly blinked in shock. While they had so far created dresses for many wealthy ladies, they had not had much by way of nobility cross their threshold. For a countess to seek them out, let alone the Countess of Chesterford!

  “Excuse me one moment while I fetch Miss Parker,” Holly said, picking up her skirts to hurry to the back of the shop.

  Edie glanced up when Holly came dashing into the room.

  “What’s got you in such a hurry?”

  “Edie, you must come with me. A lady’s maid is here to commission a gown for Lady Chesterford!” Holly squealed in delight, “And she has asked for you by name!”

  Edie’s brows shot up. “Truly? That’s splendid news!”

  The lady’s maid was waiting in the exact spot Holly had left her. “Are you Miss Parker?” she asked as Edie came to a stop in front of her.

  “Yes, I am, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance… miss…?”

  “Camberwell,” the lady’s maid replied. “I’m here on behalf of Lady Chesterford.”

  “Indeed. So my apprentice has informed me.” There was a note of excitement in Edie’s voice that she couldn’t quite contain, but no sense of surprise. It was as if Edie had expected her. Holly doubted the lady’s maid noticed, but she found it curious.

  “Lady Chesterford is in need of a gown for a ball on December twenty-eighth, to celebrate the wedding of her eldest son. The word around town is that you are the best designer currently at work, and she is insistent that you be the one to make her dress.”

  “I am most honoured her Ladyship holds my work in such high regard.” Her tone was calm, and her back was straight, but Holly knew her well enough to see that her words were an understatement. This could prove their most lucrative commission so far, and firmly establish Edie as a highly sought-after designer to the wealthy and the nobility of London. It was everything Edie had been working towards, and her calm demeanour no doubt hid a wild exuberance. “I would be delighted to create a dress for such an occasion.”

  The young lady’s maid nodded. “Her Ladyship will be most pleased. Of course, you understand that Lady Chesterford requires you to attend to her at her home? She has no wish to travel to this part of London.”

  Edie smiled. Holly knew her well enough by now to know that she would never be offended by such as remark. Whitechapel played host to some of the worst slums in London, but to Edie Parker, it was home.

  “Whatever Lady Chesterford wishes, I am happy to oblige.”

  “Very good. We will schedule a time for you to come to Hamilrow. Until then, I bid you both farewell.”

  Edie and Holly waited until the lady’s maid had left the shop and walked out of sight from the windows before they turned to each other to squeal in excitement. They hugged and bounced up and down in joy.

  “Oh, Edie! What luck! This commission will make you a household name! All the nobility of London will be knocking on your door, begging you to dress them!”

  The dressmaker’s grin was wide. “Oh, I’ve been praying for this day for years! Lady Chesterford is so gracious to give us this opportunity. We must gather our finest designs and materials to present to her.”

  Patting Holly’s hands, Edie rushed towards the back of the shop. Holly watched her go with a small frown. It was obvious she was ecstatic, but she still didn’t seem…surprised. It was a strange thing for Holly to notice, and she knew it shouldn’t matter, but it nagged at her all the same.

  Suddenly, Edie returned with a flourish, her bottle of brandy clutched in her hand.

  “My dear! I realised we should toast to our good fortune!”

  Pushing a glass into Holly’s hand, the dressmaker poured her a generous serving before pouring herself one as well.

  Holly’s confusion was pushed aside in light of Edie’s joy. They clinked their glasses together in celebration, and soon, she forgot all about Edie’s odd reaction as they planned and plotted for Lady Chesterford’s new dress.

  ~~~

  As the weather grew colder and once again the winter’s bite grasped London in its chilling grip, Edie was spending more and more time with Lady Chesterford. With each passing day, the excitement of the commission shifted into anxiety, and Edie struggled to focus on anything else. Holly
stepped in to pick up the slack and take care of the business in her absence. She was happy to do so, as it was the least she could do to even begin to repay Edie for the life she had provided.

  Holly maintained their appointments, worked by herself on the other dresses that had been commissioned, and kept the shop well stocked with supplies. It wasn’t easy to take on everything herself, and she missed Edie’s presence when she was away tending to Lady Chesterford. But Holly enjoyed the challenges of the shop and knew she was easing the dressmaker’s mind by handling things so competently.

  One day, as Holly was tidying the front of the shop, Edie returned from her most recent appointment at Hamilrow Estate.

  “How was Lady Chesterford today?” Holly asked with a smile.

  Edie didn’t respond right away but stared at her apprentice with a curious gleam in her eyes.

  Holly frowned, confused by the woman’s scrutiny. “Edie? Is everything all right?”

  The older woman blinked, then appeared startled, as if she hadn’t realised she’d been staring. “Oh, my dear, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought.”

  “About what, may I ask? The dress?”

  Edie shook her head. “No, no, not the dress. I ran into an old friend today… It’s nothing to fret over, truly.”

  Holly’s curiosity was piqued, but she didn’t pry. Edie’s old friends and acquaintances weren’t her business unless the dressmaker chose to make them so.

  “Well, would you like to look over the dresses I finished today?”

  Edie was grateful for the change in topic. “Yes, I would. Lead the way, my dear.”

  Chapter 10

  The Previous Day

  The house was quiet as Thomas strolled the hall towards the dining room. He welcomed the silence, but knew it was an odd occurrence. Everyone was so busy preparing for his brother’s upcoming nuptials, the demands the celebration was putting on the staff meant fewer of them were around to attend to the family. They were sparse in the house as they focused on preparing for the wedding.