In all honesty, Arabella usually didn't pay much attention to shop clerks. Unless there was something she needed, she preferred to be left on her own while browsing a store. This particular store was the exception to the rule, however. She was on good terms with both Madeline Delacreaux and her daughter -- in fact, she'd made a point to strike up a casual friendship with Quenten. She found the young mage to be absolutely darling. The son, on the other hand, was a complete mystery to her. She knew he was a mage -- a white mage, specifically -- but that was about it. She had expected to run into one of the women, not Darius.
The voice that cut through her thoughts was very male, though, and she looked up from the jewelry display in surprise. She opened her mouth to tell him no, thank you, she was fine on her own -- then promptly closed it. No one had ever mentioned the elusive Delacreaux son's good looks before. That changed things.
Straightening up to her full height, she returned his smile and gestured to the jewelry case. "I was just looking at this pendant. It's absolutely gorgeous. And I think it would go wonderfully with my earrings." Arabella brushed her long hair aside and tilted her head up, so Darius could see the earrings in question. "What do you think?"