“Could I take a look in your closet?”

“Of course. Step right in.” She gestured at the open double doors.

It was large—not as large as Princess Elizabeth’s wardrobe, but still the size of a small den.

“OMG,” Rose whispered. It wasn’t the most well organized closet, but there had to be at least thirty evening gowns. And mixed in between the other dresses and coats, there was a pair of riding pants, jodhpurs, and a gorgeous jacket that hung next to them.

“What’s this? This is the most beautifully tailored jacket I’ve ever seen.”

“Hermès.”

“Hermès the Paris designer?”

“Yes, Hermès equestrian wear—their hunting habits are the best. You know, I used to belong to the hunt club here in Indianapolis. Hard to believe that I used to ride to the hounds on fox hunts.”

“It’s the most beautiful jacket I’ve ever seen.” It was a tobacco color, and the collar a contrasting navy blue.

“Try it on,” Gran said.

Rose slipped into it.

“A tad too big. I could have my tailor take it in.”

“Oh, I can do it.”

“You’re that good?”

“Yep,” Rose replied confidently. “But would it be okay with you if I wore it just as a fall coat? It’s roomy enough, so I could wear a sweater under it.”

“Certainly. You’re welcome to it. My riding days are definitely over.”

“Thanks!”

Rose ducked into the closet again and came back in half a minute with a gorgeous and quite voluminous ball gown.

“Oh yes, I wore that to some charity ball back in the eighties, I guess.”

“You know what I love the most about the dress?” Rose was burbling with excitement. Her gran seemed to be enjoying this immensely.

“What, dear child?” This caught Rose up short. Her grandmother had often called her “dearie,” but never until this moment “dear child.” It touched her deeply. She felt truly loved in that moment.

“Well, Gran, I’m really crazy for the sleeves. Would you mind if I . . . er . . . separated them from the rest of the dress?”

“You mean cut them off,” Gran said mildly.

“Yes, and I would sew them onto something else.”

“Fine with me. Just recycling, and I’m a great believer in false sleeves.”

False sleeves. The words seemed to resonate in her head. The last time she had heard those words, she was standing with Sara in Princess Elizabeth’s wardrobe.

“Thanks, Gran, this will really help with my Halloween costume.”