Anyplace where Amelia can relax is a place Verity's likely to trust. Same with people. Verity may not end up liking them, but Amelia is so cautious, she wouldn't behave this way without a good reason.

"If he didn't get new things, people wouldn't come back to see what's new," she points out. "It drives foot traffic, which increases sales. Which I'm sure you know, sorry." Seeing the marketing tactics isn't quite the same thing as not falling for them. The bird ribbon is set aside while they continue looking; it'd make a cute headband.

When Alex returns Verity greets him with a smile before taking the sketchbook. She's also examining it carefully, particularly for the sorts of artistic "improvements" fashion designers like to make to figures. When she's content that the figure in the sketch is reasonably true-to-life she turns her attention to the dress. Her lips press together in a thin line for a moment and her eyes are glassy when she admits, "I think it's the prettiest dress I've ever seen."

But no pressure or anything.