“I can’t wait to see my dress,” Lydia said.
“I’m sure it will be beautiful, but not as beautiful as the young lady wearing it,” Agnes said, patting her hand.
“I shall miss you terribly, Aunt Agnes.”
“I shall miss you too, my dear.”
“Will you promise to visit us?”
“I will indeed.”
The carriage stopped outside the shop, and Owen handed the women down. The modiste’s shop was quite busy today, and it took a few moments before Mrs. Dumont was available.
“Good morning, Miss Weston, Mrs. Kennedy.”
“Mrs. Dumont, I do apologize for coming a day early for my final fitting, but something has come up and I won’t be able to see you tomorrow.”
“It’s no bother at all. Mrs. Kennedy’s dress is ready and yours is nearly finished. Please follow me,” the modiste said, walking toward the curtained area of the shop.
“I’m so excited,” Lydia whispered to her aunt as they followed Mrs. Dumont.
The women were shown into a large dressing room. “Let me get the dresses. I’ll only be a moment,” Mrs. Dumont said.
An assistant came into the room and helped Lydia remove her muslin day dress.
“Here we are, Miss Weston,” Mrs. Dumont said, returning with the dresses. “I must say, this is my favorite of the dresses I’ve designed.”
Lydia’s eyes widened when she saw the beautiful lavender dress with the delicate Belgian lace overlay draped over Mrs. Dumont’s arm. “Oh my. It’s stunning.”
The maid helped Lydia into the dress while Mrs. Dumont looked her over with a critical eye. “A few more tweaks, and it will be perfect,” she said, pinning and tucking the bodice.
“My darling girl, you look so beautiful,” Agnes said with tears in her eyes. “I can hardly believe how grown up you are. I still remember the day I came to live with you. You were merely a toddler and now you’re a grown woman about to get married.”
“No tears, Aunt. This is a happy day.”
“These are happy tears.”
“Mrs. Kennedy, would you like to try on your dress?” Mrs. Dumont asked.
Agnes nodded, and the maid helped her into the light-blue satin gown. “Mrs. Dumont, you really have outdone yourself.”
The modiste smiled. “I’m glad you’re both happy with your dresses. I’ll have my girls make the necessary adjustments and the dresses will be delivered tomorrow morning. Will that suit?”
“That will be perfect. Thank you, Mrs. Dumont,” Lydia said.
The maid helped both women get dressed, and they were soon in the carriage heading home. “This calls for a celebration. Would you care to go to Gunter’s?” Agnes asked.
“That would be lovely,” Lydia said. She banged on the roof and relayed the new destination to Owen.
“Very good, Miss Weston,” Owen said.
When they reached Gunter’s, they opted to go inside the shop. They’d just taken a seat when Miss Adams and Miss Burton walked in.
When Lydia saw them, her stomach clenched as she wondered what kind of reception she would receive today.
As soon as they saw her, the two young women walked over to their table. “Good day, Miss Weston, Mrs. Kennedy.”
“Miss Adams, Miss Burton, lovely to see you again,” Lydia said. She’d seen them at a couple oftonevents in the past fortnight but had managed to avoid them, not knowing if they blamed her for their friend’s distress. There was no avoiding them now, and she waited for their snide comments. Much to her surprise, they were quite congenial, asking her about the wedding plans.
