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“Perhaps you should ask her yourself?”
She smirked at my challenge, “Oh, dear boy. You don’t want me poking around some innocent woman’s mind who has made the mistake of flippantly giving her heart to my son without acknowledging who he is.”
“Well, you pride yourself in having manners, so I’m sure you’ll be nothing less than supportive and civilized when she opens up about her personal life.”
“You challenge me in ways neither of your brothers ever have.”
“I can tell you’re pissed off, Mom. That’s for damn sure.”
“Oh?”
“You and Dad got a little concerned when Mark broke the family rules,” I continued, probably to my detriment. “I don’t know what it is with you both, though. Is it that tying your sons to powerful families makes you feel more powerful, or the fear that we might marry someone unimportant who’ll steal us from you and ruin all the plans you’ve made for the three of us?”
“Guard your words,” she snapped.
“That’s what it is, isn’t it?” I shook my head. “You’re afraid another woman will take me away from your rule over my life and that I’ll become hers and no longer be either of yours to control.”
“That’s how it’s supposed to be,” she innocently said.
“Maybe with these women, who are raised to obey their husbands. It won’t be that way with me,” I said, and I knew it in my heart.
“What way?” she acted confused.
“I will not marry a woman and insist she live her life by doing what I want like both of my brother’s wives. They’re all just chasing your approval.”
I stood up, disgusted with this conversation.
“Where are you going?” she looked at me like she was afraid I would burn the place down. “We have dinner in thirty minutes, and your special guest will arrive within twenty minutes.”
“I’m going to warn my special guest that she is not to take anything that comes out of anyone’s mouth seriously. I will not have anyone here make her feel uncomfortable, unwanted, and treated like some idiot who dared to show up to an Aster family event.”
My mother rose to meet my pissed-off expression, “I assure you, she will be made to feel as comfortable as any of our other guests. I just want you to know that your father and I disapprove of her; however, she’ll be none the wiser in our presence.”
“Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’ll personally escort her here, and I swear to God, if you make her feel uncomfortable in any way, she and I will leave even if it means I miss the wedding.”
“Try not to be so upset, John,” she said.
“Try not to piss me off next time, Mother,” I mocked, then spun on my heel and marched out of the room.
Chapter Forty-Two
Mickie
“Cherie,” my kind stylist, Ruby, said as she encouraged me to turn in front of the three full-length mirrors in my opulent dressing room. “Merveilleuse!”
I smiled at one of the few French words I could understand. Bless this woman’s heart. I must’ve aged her at least thirty-five years after each wardrobe change. Everything until now had been a disaster. Not because the plethora of clothes she’d brought wasn’t suitable (she’d gotten my measurements last week, and everything she brought was exquisite), but because my nearly six-foot-tall frame initially made me feel slightly oafish in the offered couture. Fortunately for me, she was a pro and came prepared for anything, including the insecurities of a woman who was clearly out of her depth.
I wanted to say I was relieved when we decided on this perfectly cut designer gown; however, if this was what I needed to blend in at dinner, I couldn’t imagine what I would wear to the wedding. But if my wedding attire was anything like the gown I wore now, I was guaranteed to feel more beautiful than the bride.
While Mrs. Masterson busied herself with her assistants, picking out the perfect jewelry to match my gown, I stood in awe of the glamorous woman staring back at me in the mirror.
The gown boasted intricate cream lace detailing adorned with delicate sequins that caught the light and winked with each subtle move I made under it. Its silhouette, a perfect blend of sophistication and allure, featured a plunging neckline and a train that trailed behind like a whisper of opulence.
“I’ll help with that,” I heard John say.
I looked up, still mesmerized that I’d been transformed into an unwitting princess, to see John wearing a sleek black suit, more handsome than ever, and his vibrant hazel eyes practically matched the glittering sheen of the nude gown I wore.
“Hold still, gorgeous,” he said as he stood behind me and gently brought the most stunning necklace, filled with glittering gemstones, around my neck.
