Victoria was left waiting. When Ahmed headed out with his garment bag, he said he wouldn't be back that night. It was almost evening by the time Orchid called.

Victoria let him into the parlour. She said they were alone with the servants. He was a very handsome man, over six foot tall, pale as most Vampyres were, blond, blue-eyed. Even if he weren't a vampire people around here might suspect he was. He had two sharp fangs and he wore lightly tinted gold framed glasses that he sometimes referred to as sewing glasses, but besides that, he looked very human.

He'd brought only her dress today. He pulled it out from its plastic covering and held it up. "Isn't it gorgeous?" he said, "I mean, I hope you like it."

The dress was all one piece but it looked to be inspired by the clothes the Indian women wore, their bright silk saris. It was a heavenly shade of green-blue and embroidered in places with chains of narcissus. Narcissus like the flowers on the state's crest. "It is gorgeous, it's perfect," Victoria said.

"You should try it on, so I can see how it fits. It might need to be altered slightly."

For a moment, Victoria didn't answer. Then she asked Orchid to come into her room and help her change.

For one lingering second she stood completely naked before him, and he did nothing. His eyes were on her, but they danced about as if looking at an inanimate object. She pulled on the dress. And then Orchid came to her and tied it up, tugged at bits of fabric until the dress was draped over her body just so. "Oh, it looks fabulous on you," he said.

Victoria looked in her mirror. She looked good, she was pleased.

She asked Orchid if he would stay longer, Ahmed wasn't going to come home.

"I've got something to do tonight, but thanks," he said.

"Perhaps you'll come another day, bring some videos or some of those graphics files from the art museums?"

"Oh, I'm sure I'd like that. Another day, Victoria."

Victoria walked Orchid to the door and saw him out. He had a beautiful black American sports car, a Ford Vampire. She saw the door on the driver's side lift open before he got to it. Orchid smiled at her as he ducked into the car. And then he sped away.

------------------

Secret-not-secret: the Ford Vampire is not a very fuel efficient vehicle.