“What are they doing?” Nadine asked in what Kayleen guessed was supposed to be a whisper.
“They’re kissin’,” Pepper told her.
As’ad straightened. “There are issues with children I would not have guessed,” he told her. “Such as privacy.”
She smiled. “It’s because they’re excited about the surprise. You never said what it was.”
“You’re right. I did not.” He led her back into the living room and faced the girls. “We are going shopping. All three of you need new wardrobes, now that you are to be my daughters.”
Nadine spun in place. “Pretty dresses and party shoes?”
“Of course. Riding clothes, as well. Play clothes and whatever else Kayleen thinks you require.”
“I want a crown,” Pepper announced.
As’ad laughed. “I am not sure the store carries crowns, but we will ask.”
Kayleen laughed. “Maybe we can make one here.” She turned to him. “Thank you. The girls will love getting new things. They’re all growing so quickly.”
“You will be shopping, as well,” he told her.
“What? I’m fine.”
“You need a wardrobe that befits your new position.” He shook his head. “What you have will not do.”
She felt herself flush and tried to tell herself that it made sense a prince wouldn’t be impressed by her plain, inexpensive wardrobe.
“I’ve never been much of a shopper,” she admitted. Growing up, she’d made do with hand-me-downs and donations. When she started working, she’d never made a lot of money and her clothing budget had been modest at best.
“You will have to learn,” he told her. “You are a beautiful woman and you deserve to wear beautiful things. Silks and lace with jewels that glitter. You will sparkle like the stars in the sky.”
She’d never heard him talk like this before, she thought happily. She liked it.
The store was like nothing she’d ever seen before. It was on a quiet street with pale buildings that had striped awnings at all the windows. There was no sign overhead. Just discreet gold lettering on the door.
“I have called ahead,” As’ad told her as they got out of the limo. “Wardrobes have been collected for each of the girls.”
“How did you know the sizes?” she asked, wishing she’d had something nicer to wear into the store. She felt frumpy.
“Neil phoned the laundry and asked them to check. A selection has been made for each of them but the final decision is yours. If something has been forgotten, it will be ordered.”
Kayleen had a feeling this was going to be a different experience than the sixty-percent-off sales at the discount stores she usually frequented.
A tall, slender woman greeted them graciously. She was beautifully dressed and smiled as she bowed to Prince As’ad.
“Sir, you are always welcome here. How delighted we are to be of service.”
“Glenda, this is Kayleen James, my fiancée. These three young ladies are my daughters. Dana, Nadine and Pepper, this is Miss Glenda.”
The girls smiled shyly and stayed close to him.
“A perfect family,” Glenda told him. “Although a son would be a lovely addition.”
“You speak as my father does,” As’ad told her. “You are prepared?”
“We have dozens of things to show everyone. I think you will be pleased.” She turned to the girls. “Come on. I’ll show you.” Glenda took Dana’s hand and introduced her to the clerks who were hovering. Each gathered a girl and led her off. Then Glenda turned to Kayleen.
“Such beautiful hair,” she said with a sigh. “And a natural color.” She slowly walked around Kayleen. “Good structure, excellent posture, clear skin. Prince As’ad, you’re a fortunate man.”
“I think so.”
“All right. Let the fun begin. The dressing rooms are this way.” She glanced back at As’ad. “You will find magazines, drinks and a television waiting for you.”
“Thanks.” He smiled at Kayleen. “Enjoy yourself.”
Kayleen nodded because she couldn’t speak. Nothing about this experience was real to her. None of it had any basis in reality. In her world, boutique owners didn’t act this way. They weren’t so accommodating or friendly. At least, Kayleen thought the woman was being friendly. She could have just been acting nice because of the money that would be spent, but Kayleen hoped not.
She followed Glenda to the dressing room where the girls were giddily trying on clothes.
“I have socks with kittens!” Pepper yelled. “Can I have socks with puppies?”
“Yes,” the woman helping her said with a laugh. “We even have giraffes.”
“I love giraffes.”
For Nadine there were dance clothes and frilly dresses, for Dana, clothes that were slightly less girly, but still pretty. Pepper ran to Kayleen and thrust kitten socks in her hand.
“Aren’t they the best?” she asked breathlessly.
“They are.”
“I love shopping!”
“So you’re starting them young,” Glenda murmured.
“Apparently.”
She was taken into her own dressing room where dozens of items hung. There were dresses and jeans and blouses and skirts and suits. In the corner, three towers of shoe boxes stood nearly four feet high.