As always, my thanks to chelsie fan. Here marks the appearance of (another) brief original character in Mrs. Mode. I hope you find as fun to read as she was to write.

By the time their lunch was nearing a close, Anna and Elsie had grown rather giddy.

"What about Thomas?"

Anna burst out laughing. "No," she shuddered. "NOT Thomas."

"Why ever not?" said Elsie, smirking. "It's a strong name."

"You know perfectly well," intoned Anna, dropping her empty glass to the table with a dull thud to emphasize her point.

"Not to mention it would make for some rather unfortunate initials," conceded Elsie.

"That too!" exclaimed Anna, half wincing, half laughing.

This had all started with Anna explaining that John had liked the name "Joss," which she personally loathed, and the conversation devolved from there.

"Not Joss, not Winston, not Thomas. I'm out of ideas," said Elsie with mockingly defeated look.

"All out of the question, I'm afraid," grinned Anna. "I'll have to keep looking."

Elsie swallowed the last of her tea. "Truly though, Anna... you wouldn't name the child 'John' if it were a boy?"

"I'd like to," admitted Anna. "But John despises the idea of naming the baby after him."

"Well, you've some time, at any rate," said Elsie, placing her napkin on the table to indicate that she was finished. "There's no rush."

Agnes appeared almost immediately to clear their empty plates. "How was it?" the girl asked.

"Lovely," answered Elsie. "The blueberry scones especially."

Agnes was clearly very pleased. "I'm glad to hear it," she said. "And Ma will be too." The girl whisked their plates off the table with practiced ease. "I'll just get your bill. Back in half a moment."

Elsie fished out her pocketbook and slid it across the table to Anna. Anna made a dismissive sound in the back of her throat. "My treat," the younger woman insisted.

"Nonsense," said Elsie firmly. Anna knew that tone and decided not to argue.

"Thank you, Mrs. Carson," Anna said. Both women pulled on their coats, for there was still enough of a chill outside to need them. When they turned to leave, Agnes's footsteps reappeared to see them out.

"Your parcel, Mrs. Bates!" called Agnes, bending to retrieve it from under their table. "Wouldn't want you to forget."

"No, indeed!" agreed Anna. "Thank you, Agnes."

"Ripon Haberdashery?" said Agnes inspecting the box. "Have you heard of the new clothing shop that's just opened on Market Street? They have some of the most marvelous things, all ready-made from London."

Anna grinned. "I had heard. I was hoping to stop by, actually - Mrs. Carson, if you're not wanting to head home right away."

"I'd be happy to join you, Anna," said Elsie. "Though I can't say I've ever heart of this place. When did you say it opened?"

"Not two months ago," chimed in Agnes. "The ladies in the quilting circle have made a bit of a fuss about it, but I think it's marvelous to see all the new fashions."

"What could there be to fuss about?" wondered Elsie aloud. "It's a clothing shop."

Anna blushed, but Elsie was oblivious to it. "You know how folks are," Anna explained. "Not everyone appreciates the new styles."

"I suppose," said Elsie, shrugging on her coat. "Some of them can be rather too risqué for people's tastes."

"Me Ma'm's taste, for one," confided Agnes in a low voice.

"Well, that doesn't come as a surprise," said Elsie. "Do tell her again how much we appreciated the scones."

"I will," promised Agnes. "Enjoy the rest of your day, ladies."

The wind was starting to pick up some as Anna and Elsie trudged down Market Street. Full and happy from their tea, neither minded the weather very much. Elsie did feel as though some of her hair was slipping out from under her hat… That would have to be fixed as soon as they were indoors.

"Here we are: Mrs. Mode's Clothing Emporium" said Anna, slowing down as they approached the door. "She's taken over the old place - Marion Tailors, I believe it was?"

Elsie nodded. She did remember Marion's, though she hadn't exactly been in need of a men's tailor ever before. Absently she wondered if Charles had ever visited. She'd have to ask him later.

"They've painted the exterior. It was rather dreary before," said Anna. "Three steps up."

Elsie nodded again, knocking her cane gently against each of the stone steps to the front door. Inside the shop the air was perfumed, but not unpleasantly so. Two young girls chatted enthusiastically beside the counter; both completely ignored Anna and Elsie. The shopkeeper wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Seems fairly empty," murmured Anna. "Surprising, seeing as it's apparently all anyone is talking about. Even the scullery maids at the Abbey were on about it this week."

"Perhaps it's all just talk," suggest Elsie, removing her gloves and reaching up to check her hair. As she had suspected, there was a loose pin, which she hastily pressed back into place.

"Perhaps," said Anna, taking a few steps farther in. It was a fascinating place, racks upon racks of clothing on hangers, arranged in a rather haphazard fashion. Rows of mirrors ran across an entire wall. Perhaps most peculiar was the fact that the space was lit with no fewer than six different chandeliers, which hung from the ceiling on various lengths of gleaming metal chain.

Before Anna could relay any of this to Elsie however, there was a flurry of noise behind them, and the door they'd just come through banged open. "Good afternoon, ladies!" An exuberant voice bellowed, and both Anna and Elsie jumped. "Excuse me, dears!"

A woman with a large box in her hands emerged through the door, which she set down with a loud ker-thunk. She regarded the two young ladies at the counter with an exasperated look. "If you're just going to natter, girls, for goodness' sake, go natter somewhere else! We're a shop, not a public park!"

Both girls straightened up. "Yes, Mum. Sorry, Mum." And both made a beeline for the back door.

"AND GET SUPPER STARTED WHILE YOU'RE AT IT," Mrs. Mode hollered after them. She rounded on Elsie and Anna and dropped back into a gentler tone. "My apologizes about that. They're good girls, really, but their endless chatter does grate on one's nerves."

Anna regarded the shopkeeper with surprise. She opened her mouth to make the introductions, but then closed it again as she took in the woman's appearance. Mrs. Mode stood close to six feet tall and wore a vibrant lime green and navy striped dress in a pattern that could only be described incredibly busy. She was adorned in three loud metallic necklaces and about twice as many rings (though, notably, not one on her left ring finger, making the root of the quilting group's gossip somewhat clearer). A kerchief knotted around her head in lieu of a hat made of the same lime and navy material held back a mass of curly auburn hair streaked with silver.

"Well don't just stand there," she said with an knowing smirk. "Come in, come in."

Mrs. Mode moved like lightning around the shop, straightening and rearranging things on the displays as she flew by.

"They're your children, then?" asked Anna, removing her gloves and tucking them away.

"So they tell me," said Mrs. Mode with a cheeky grin, until she caught a look at Anna's confused expression.

"They were my sister's, if you must know," said Mrs. Mode, primly. She glanced to see if the girls were out of earshot. "Though if you've come because of the gossip, I'm sure you already have been told that I'm a liar and a harlot and heavens knows what else, and while I can assure you that's not remotely true, well, people believe what they want to believe."

This brash honesty was not something that Anna or Elsie was accustomed to hearing from a perfect stranger, and there was a moment of pure awkwardness while both searched for something to say. In the end, it was Elsie who piped up in what was her practiced housekeeper voice.

"I like to form my own opinions of people, if you don't mind," she declared firmly. She stretched out her hand. "Elsie Carson. How do you do?"

Mrs. Mode's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Mrs. Ida Mode. And it's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Carson. Forgive my hostility; it's been a rather trying few weeks."

"So it would seem," said Elsie. "This is Mrs. Bates," she continued, "and we were hoping you might show us around."

Mrs. Mode took a shine to Elsie immediately. "I'd be delighted," she replied. "Right this way."

Despite their rather bizarre and personal introduction, Mrs. Mode turned out to be tremendously kind, and she patiently guided Anna and Elsie through the store, describing various fashion trends and garment constructions in detail. Mrs. Mode was a talented seamstress in her own right, and many pieces were of her own creation, with others having been brought in from London or even overseas. After nearly half an hour of chatting, she was called away by one of her daughters, leaving Anna and Elsie a few moments to themselves.

"She's quite nice, isn't she?" asked Elsie in a hushed tone.

"Agnes was right. I think she's marvelous," gushed Anna. "And I think I will take that hat after all."

"Certainly," said Elsie. The older woman furrowed her brow. "Erm, Anna?"

"Yes?"

"I... Never mind." It was far too uncomfortable to ask Even thinking about it made Elsie cringe. It didn't matter. She hadn't been planning on buying anything, anyway. A faint pink tinge appeared on Elsie's cheeks, and she fumbled around for a new subject without success.

Anna looked at her curiously. All of the classic signs of embarrassment were there. Elsie had grown out of practice at schooling her emotions recently, and Anna knew her mentor well.

"What is it?" Anna pushed. "Is something the matter?"

"No, it's not important," reiterated Elsie. She turned, but her hip caught a wooden table displaying a collection of silk scarves and knocking a small sign to the shop floor. As Elsie rubbed her hip bone, Anna bent to recover the wayward sign, and a thought occurred to her.

"Oh," she said simply, her eyes skimming the price list. "Mrs. Carson, I…" the maid trailed off awkwardly. Money was not something they'd ever spoken of in specific terms, and she didn't know how to broach it now. On the other hand, they'd just spent nearly three quarters of an hour browsing through things whose prices Elsie had no way of knowing.

"What is it?" Elsie fretted. "I haven't gone and broken something, have I?"

"No, no, you haven't. I was just wondering if you were...interested in...the cost of anything in particular?" Anna cringed at her own inelegance. It should be easier to speak so plainly, given the necessity, but it wasn't.

Elsie, on the other hand, looked mildly guilty. "I don't give you enough credit," she said drily.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend, but-"

"No, no," said Elsie lightly, shaking her head. "You've hit the nail on the head. I didn't want to embarrass us both."

"Well," said Anna, straightening her spine. "I think we're both sufficiently embarrassed at this point. If you'd like to know the price of anything, I don't mind saying, if you don't. Truly, Mrs. Carson. Besides, most of them are fairly reasonable."

"You're very sensible, as usual, my dear," Elsie said gratefully.

Anna smiled. "I do try. Is there anything you wanted to take a better look at?"

Elsie thought for a moment. "Perhaps. A few things are wearing a little thin these days."

Anna decided to test the waters. "She has an extensive selection of nightwear over on the far side," she said, watching Elsie carefully for her reaction. She wouldn't dream of making her former superior uncomfortable on purpose, but she had a sneaking suspicion…

Elsie blushed only slightly. "You know, I am greatly in need of a new nightgown. Perhaps they would have something suitable?"

"Let's see."

The sound of heeled shoes tapping on the wooden floor announced Mrs. Mode's return from the back of the shop.

"Mrs. Hughes was interested in your nightgowns," Anna explained.

Mrs. Mode nodded enthusiastically. "Sleeves are out entirely, I assure you," she professed, "Far too hot in the summer months, anyway."

"I can't say I disagree," said Elsie, running her fingers over the various fabrics. "And there's always a housecoat if the need arises."

"Precisely."

Anna had taken the back seat as Mrs. Mode pulled various nightgowns from the shelves and placed them in Elsie's hands.

"Nothing fussy," Elsie insisted, recoiling at the texture of a ruffly lace neckline. "And nothing with such low necklines. It's one thing to not have sleeves-"

"And another thing to have no covering at all," said Mrs. Mode bluntly. "Yes, I quite understand." The shopkeeper took the garment from Elsie's outstretched hands. "Let me see… what else…"

Elsie reached out and plucked one from the shelving unit herself, transfixed by how light and airy it was. She held it up. "What's this?"

"Ah-ha! Very new, that one. From France, actually. Very popular over there."

"It cannot be cotton," said Elsie. "It's too light."

"One of the newer synthetic blends," Mrs. Mode explained.

Elsie inspected the garment thoroughly, pleased with the simplicity of the design. "I like it," she said, turning to Anna. "Do you reckon it would fit?"

"Here, I'll just hold it up if you don't mind," offered Mrs. Mode. "Turn for me?"

Elsie obliged and waited expectantly as Mrs. Mode pressed the shoulders of the nightgown against her back.

"Hmmm, falls right about the knee," Mrs. Mode declared.

Elsie shook her head. "You haven't a longer one, have you, that might be similar?"

"I might. I might…" muttered Mrs. Mode. "Let me just check."

"What about this one?" Anna interjected, pulling out another option.

"It's a bit heavier," Elsie noted, taking it from her.

"Yes, but-"

"Here we are!" interrupted Mrs. Mode. "Precisely the same fabric, slightly longer hemline." She held it up against Elsie's back. "Perfect fit if I do say so - don't you think, Mrs. Bates?"

Anna stared at the nightdress, utterly speechless. The garment was quite sheer and sure to leave little to the imagination.

"Well, Anna?" asked Elsie expectantly.

"I mean, it certainly fits," said Anna hesitantly. "It's a little bit...erm, light?"

"That is the idea," said Mrs. Mode. "Something for those frightfully warm summer nights."

This thought appealed to Elsie, who had found herself thoroughly uncomfortable at night through the summer months for the last two years. It was nothing so bad as when she'd gone through her change, but she wasn't keen on the idea of sharing a bed with Charles while being miserably warm.

"I do like the idea," she said, wondering at Anna's hesitancy. "Does it look all right?"

"It's fine," said Anna, more evenly.

"And more than likely far out of my price range, I'm afraid, Mrs. Mode," said Elsie.

"This one is twelve and six, though for your kindness I might be persuaded down to ten bob. That really is the best I can do."

It was actually well within her budget, Elsie having not spent money on clothing in several years. A treat, certainly, but manageable. "That's kind of you. Thank you, Mrs. Mode."

"I'll leave you to make a decision. Mrs. Bates, did you wish that hat to be boxed up?"

"Yes please, Mrs. Mode," said Anna. "With the green ribbon I think."

"An excellent choice."

Elsie held up the nightgown, her decision made. "And this, please."

Mrs. Mode beamed. "Fantastic. You'll look marvelous. Your husband is very a lucky man, Mrs. Carson."

What an odd thing to say, Elsie thought. But Mrs. Mode was an odd woman after all.

"You should surprise him with it on your honeymoon, Mrs. Carson," said Anna, seeing that Elsie was resolved on the matter.

"Anna!"

"Ah, we're all women of the world here, are we not?" said Mrs. Mode cheerfully. "Congratulations, Mrs. Carson, I had no idea."

"Well, yes, we've been putting off our trip for some time," explained Elsie. "Just a few more weeks."

"I agree with Mrs. Bates," said Mrs. Mode. "A pleasant surprise is just the thing."

"I've never bought anything like this before, so I'm sure he will be surprised," said Elsie happily.

That's … an understatement, thought Anna to herself.

TBC