e lace on the bodice, the sort of fitted waist that makes you want to stand a little taller, and a skirt that floated when she carried it

rary marriage needs

to try it on,

er gaze in

t call me th

apology. "Of cou

back to t

Mercer. The thought still felt odd, a l

he dressing table. R

t nine tomorrow. The cerem

red a

felt. Not even a hint th

d out a

ning to

back just

ng. Be rea

led m

lieva

stant wa

thing

rfe

phone in

ribe marrying a man who treated weddi

, his car rolled

m dress, just a small purse in hand. Mrs. Benne

k lovely

nk y

ld my

have been happy to

. My throat

what I

ed, bitt

t to be happ

ick, then climb

inside

ark tie-the picture of cal

re re

ed oppo

rning to

ked his

aying on

urse w

r pull

he city slip past, trying to i

ly, I fa

you s

es

ou ner

ut w

nked

edding

asked about a sh

traight

. I fo

down at

rned

ign that today mattered-to either of

signed u

a quiet garden at one of Me

ywhere, soft music drifting under an ivory

est list read like a who's who: business p

the entrance. He greeted

r, you look

you,

cer is w

d him to

re stoo

ionaire. Tall, poised, controlled. His eyes found m

annoyingly

d him, he off

ted, the

y two minutes,

tar

re we

h almost

fician

ying a stranger. A man who'd offered terms, not a propo

ke his v

my lawful wife, promising to honour this union

ot a hint

oping my voice

s husband and wife. Applau

you may kis

didn'

nced

ast me to t

at nec

mach d

ant laughe

cust

lanced

y cheeks

whispered. "We

ded-to

otographer

have the traditional wedding kiss?

jaw f

d to di

ted the cerem

her shuffled

nouncement's ready. T

ooked

im a tig

rry. I'll

es nar

hand gently

me," he

his

d closer

he photo,"

ural

s brush

for a second, his hand gripped my waist, a

e pull

started

, trying to hide

urned toward

's o

was in a pri

for each congratulation. He handled the cr

how he could play wha

oman in blue

ongratul

you,

te Me

d eyes, warm and gentle, totally dif

a smile that

ust be

ce to me

eezed m

prettier than

mil

nk y

nced at

t said much

r," he

te la

tions, I

hope you'll be

know how

stepp

l be

him-searching-then

ope

move

ned t

other's

e i

ally differe

ow

smi

eye

smi

he

nece

ok my

st be ex

all day, he actually la

help grin

ption wound down,

et up. They'd like a few mor

face ha

ton

ourse

slipp

d at my

crazy abou

attention that

omeone knowing th

t my

of the ar

odd

as. The ar

brushed of

ope you're ready fo

atch

ch

ho asks q

ld my

noti

o the ball

es

top

ide the table, one

home w

y heart slamm

on-a shared house, a legal marri

lked

rig

nsion. I felt like I'd crosse

everywhere, a staircase fit for royalty.

s this way,

ed R

bedrooms

emem

at the ho

ing. Make sure everythi

him a

remem

e list to my

t you'd i

ignore

ul bedroom, elegant and cozy. Warm ivory col

eppe

nk y

ered in t

Busy day

ced

night,

night,

and I w

f my finger and set i

ially Mrs.

about the way he pau

art wouldn't be pre

embering that I'm