The admirer's pursuit
"This is made of silk, milady. The fabric was imported from the north. It is the only piece of its kind in our store," the male assistant informed Mallory, holding up a navy blue gown with a white collar and lapel. He took a quick look at her hands, which were absent of any sign of a ring.
Mallory, exhausted from her dip in the water, barely noticed the assistant's fond expression as he looked at her.
"It is a lovely colour," Mallory replied.
The man nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, and with your skin tone, you would radiate like a star."
Mallory remained indifferent to his flattery, aware that tailors often used such tactics to sell their most expensive clothes. Even though she wasn't the one paying for it, she didn't want to misuse the generosity. She picked up the dress to place it before her while standing before the mirror.