Chain of Lust by Lizzie Lynn Lee

Ronnauds, one of our biggest clients. She heard from Margaret Duke about your excellent service.”
    “Oh.” Margaret Duke had been one of her big sales yesterday. A lot of compliments and a bit of brown-nosing and the lady had spent her bottomless wallet like a crazed shopping addict. “I should attend to her now.”
    Genevieve beamed.
    After Maddie put away her coat and purse, she went to the waiting room of her new client. Genevieve told her she was the wife of a prominent man in First Realm. A socialite. Terry Ronnauds was a big woman. She was wrapped in a periwinkle two-piece suit and a peacock-feather hat. It looked so ridiculous on her, making her look like an overgrown bird.
    “Madame Ronnauds,” Maddie greeted her. “Hello. How are you? I’m Madeline Cartwright.”
    “Madeline, darling,” Terry replied with her deep, bassy voice.
    Her accent was so thick that when she pronounced an ‘R’, she sounded like she was purring. Her face was painted white, with blue eye shadow that matched the colour of her clothes. Either that or somebody had punched both her eyes.
    “Delightful to meet you. I had dinner with Margaret last night, and she looked absolutely fabulous. I adored the evening dress she wore, and the necklace was just stunningly beautiful. Who would think a carved jade pendant would go well together with black silk?” Terry drawled. Her hands animated each sentence as she spoke.
    “I’m honoured. Mrs Duke was fun to dress up.”
    “You should do me, as well. Can you not tell I’m excited?”
    “It’s my pleasure. Shall we go to a fitting room?”
    “Oh, do let’s.”
    “Great. Would you like a cup of tea? How do you take it?”
    “With milk and one sugar.”
    “I’ll be with you in a moment.” Maddie strode to the kitchen to get Terry Ronnauds some tea. Genevieve had prepared it in advance and Maddie went to the dressing room with the tray.
    Terry lounged on a chair lazily with a pipe in her mouth. The smell of burnt tobacco and expensive perfume assaulted Maddie’s nostrils as she poured Terry the tea. She didn’t know why Genevieve allowed her clients to smoke in the shop. The smell could ruin the merchandise.
    “Here you go.”
    “Thank you, darling.” Terry put her pipe in an ashtray and took a sip of the tea. She clicked her tongue. “Hmm. Excellent tea.”
    “Genevieve made it just the way you like it.”
    “Bless her heart. She’s the best tea-maker I’ve known.”
    Terry sipped it some more, then abandoned the tea for her pipe. Big plumes of smoke drifted to the ceiling. The acrid smell made Maddie’s eyes water.
    “How can I help you?” Maddie asked. “Do you have anything specific in mind?”
    “I did, but then I didn’t. I am clueless, you have to forgive me. Mayor Sclize’s charity event is next month and I don’t know what I’m going to wear. Countess Morriad will attend the gala. Lady Constantine and Dowager Lysse will too. Naturally, I want to look my best.”
    “Of course. So we would be looking for a full-length gown?”
    “What do you think, dear?”
    “It’s a gala, isn’t it? A girl needs a pretty dress.”
    Terry’s laughter filled the room. She batted her heavily mascaraed lashes. “You’re right. A girl does need a pretty dress. Oh, it’s been forever since I felt like a little girl.”
    Maddie grinned. Terry looked fiftyish, in human years. She couldn’t really guess. Nor could she guess what type of Unseen she really was. Her boss, Genevieve, was a fae. Maddie saw her transparent wings sparkling each time Genevieve walked under a bright light.
    “What’s your favourite colour?” Maddie asked Terry.
    “Can you not tell? It’s blue.”
    Why of course . Maddie nodded. “Give me a few minutes. Genevieve just received some beautiful new gowns yesterday. I think you’ll love them.”
    “Marvellous. Just marvellous.”
    Maddie went to the storage room and consulted with Genevieve about Terry’s size. She picked up several gowns from