A simple coin would no longer do. It had been Opal's intention to slip it to her, quietly, to let her go on her way with that unobserved act of charity. But now, with all her women watching, Opal realized she'd made another mistake. She should have tried to sneak the coin into the woman's satchel or something along those lines. There was no way to let the woman go with just a squeeze of the hand now, though. What should she do?
Opal bit her lip, refusing to look over her shoulder to see the ladies-in-waiting watching her. She already knew they were. And that wasn't helping her to think. She didn't do well under pressure!
When the peasant woman was close enough that Opal knew she wouldn't run away, Opal smiled gently. She wanted to let her know that there was no threat here. Not from her. And then, just like that, it came to her. They'd been standing in front of the furniture store. It was likely this woman, like she had been once, was unable to afford the well-made pieces inside. Opal could fix that.
Gently grasping the peasant's wrist, Opal drew her inside the store. With her free hand, she made a sweeping motion to indicate the entirety of its contents. Then she let go of the woman and used both hands to make a pushing motion, to show that she wanted the woman to walk around the store. Whatever she seemed most interested in, Opal would buy for her. The princess smiled brightly, pleased with her plan.