Marlene felt a rush of empathy for the girl, who was clearly out of her league in this very high class environment. “Not to worry, my dear. We’re just going into a private dressing room so you can try on the dress he selected for you. If it’s not to your taste, there are plenty of others to choose from. Do you like to shop, Tessa?”

Tessa nodded. “I do. I, um, used to work in clothing stores during high school. Nothing like this, of course.”

Marlene began to guide her toward the dressing room. “Where did you work?”

Tessa looked embarrassed to admit she’d worked at both Forever 21 and Old Navy in the past.

“Well, nothing wrong with that, dear. I started off my retail career selling shoes at Sears,” confided Marlene. “And here I am today. We all have to begin somewhere.”

She unlocked the door to the spacious dressing room and ushered Tessa inside. As the girl removed her raincoat, Marlene’s eyes widened as she quickly inspected Tessa’s tall, shapely figure. It was small wonder that Ian Gregson seemed so infatuated with her, given the full, rounded bosom, slender waist and hips, and long legs. The fact that her black sweater and checkered skirt had seen better days didn’t matter in the least. Tessa had a body built to entice men, and it made little difference what she wore.

“Let me show you the dress Mr. Gregson was especially taken with. He said he liked you in this particular color.”

Tessa’s eyes widened as Marlene brought over the elegant dress of electric blue gabardine. It was sleeveless, with a scooped neck and scalloped hem. The garment would fit Tessa’s slim but curvy body lovingly while still shrieking class and elegance.

“It’s Lanvin, dear,” explained Marlene. “From the oldest couture house in France. This is one of my favorite pieces in their current collection. And Mr. Gregson has excellent taste, the color and style will look marvelous on you. Would you like to try it on?”

Tessa touched the fabric almost reverently. “It’s lovely. Is it very expensive? I really don’t want him spending a lot of money on me.”

“He can afford it, dear,” assured Marlene. “And I know he very much wants you to have it. Why don’t we see how it fits, hmm? Mr. Gregson was guessing at your size, so this is a six we have here, but I can always get a different size if necessary.”

Tessa shook her head and slowly began to pull the sweater over her head. “I think a six will be fine.”

Marlene frowned as Tessa stripped to her underwear. The black lace bra and panties were mismatched and a bit shabby, and it was obvious from the way her full breasts almost spilled out of the cups that the bra wasn’t sized properly. The thigh high black stockings were also starting to pill in several places.

“When was the last time you were fitted for bras, Tessa?” she inquired casually.

Tessa looked ill at ease with the question. “Um, I don’t recall. I’m not exactly sure I ever have been.”

“No problem. After we try the dress and shoes on I’ll fit you. Mr. Gregson also selected some, ah, lingerie for you.”

Predictably, the girl’s already rosy cheeks flushed a deeper shade and she merely nodded. But then, as Marlene zipped her into the classic blue Lanvin, Tessa’s eyes grew big as saucers as she gazed upon her reflection in the mirror.

“Oh. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve never had anything this nice before.” Tessa skimmed her hands a little uncertainly over the fine fabric.

The girl’s heartfelt reaction touched Marlene, and she felt a sudden tenderness towards her. Marlene didn’t have children of her own, but she was certainly more than old enough to be Tessa’s mother. And after so many years of catering to vain, demanding patrons, it was a refreshing change to be able to really help someone as sweet and innocent as this lovely girl. She could certainly understand Ian’s infatuation with her.

“It looks wonderful on you,” confirmed Marlene as she straightened the skirt just a bit. “I can see now why he favored this color - it’s perfect for your eyes and skin tone. Now, let’s try the shoes, hmm? I have three different sizes here to choose from.”

Tessa wore an eight and a half, and the nude Christian Louboutin pumps fit her to perfection. Marlene showed her the other items Ian had selected for her to wear this evening - a butter-soft leather handbag in a coordinating shade to the shoes, and a luxurious camel-colored cashmere coat lined in a satiny fabric.

Tessa was seemingly fascinated by the coat, touching the soft fabric. “It looks so warm,” she marveled. “The weather has been so cold these past few weeks.”

Marlene wondered if the thin raincoat could possibly be the girl’s only coat. There was no other reasonable explanation why she would have worn it on a bitingly cold but otherwise clear day. “Its pure cashmere, dear, and a Burberry. One of the finest coats we sell here. He wanted only the best for you.”

Tessa smiled. “He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”

“I think he feels the same way about you, Tessa,” replied Marlene gently. “Now, why don’t we get you out of that dress so I can measure your bra size. Then Mr. Gregson has arranged some other, ah, services for you.”

A quick check with the tape measure confirmed that Tessa’s bra was indeed a full cup size too small, which clearly explained why she’d almost been falling out of the black lace garment. While she slipped back into her own black pumps, Marlene handed her a belted smock, the kind used in hair salons and spas.

“You can leave your things here, Tessa. I’ll lock the room while you’re gone and you can come back and change afterwards,” assured Marlene. “Follow me now, we’re just going up one floor.”

Marlene left her charge off at the in-store salon, where she was to have a blow-out, a mani-pedi, and a makeup application. When Tessa returned to the dressing room nearly two hours later, she looked a bit dazed but even more beautiful - her skin glowing, her blonde hair smooth and shiny, her nails buffed and covered in pale pink polish.

She helped Tessa dress, satisfied with the fit of the pale blue lace bra and panties, and with the new pair of sheer nude thigh-highs. After Tessa was zipped up into the dress and wearing her new shoes, Marlene added the finishing touches - a sapphire pendant suspended from a dainty gold chain, and a matching pair of drop earrings.

“These aren’t real sapphires, are they?” asked Tessa with what sounded like panic.