Page 70 of Deadly Misfortunes

All the ladies were dressed for a tea party, with photos taken at the bridal salon, where they sat and waited for the bridal consultant to show off different gowns. Sascha had already told them she only wanted to look at gowns with some color.

The bodyguard Henry had gone with Sascha and stood near the doorway, as if he were a bouncer at a club, looking gruff, though dressed in a suit, as if he were ready to attend a dance.

She saw several dresses that looked like floral ballroom gowns, really not like a wedding dress. She wasn’t interested in any of those. Then the bridal consultant brought out another gown, and this one was Sascha.

Three-dimensional blue, yellow, purple, orange, and white floral lace flowers decorated the white gown, giving it the color that Sascha liked. It had a sweetheart neckline with a corset bodice and matching off-the-shoulder straps that continued with a full white lace skirt and long train—very unique and romantic. And yet all Sascha. Plus, it was a wedding gown, not just a party gown.

She paired it with long tulle sleeves, a crown of matching flowers, and an embroidered veil. It was elegant, yet almost fae-like and suited her perfectly.

A photographer took several photos of her and the ladies. The other ladies picked out their own dresses—the bridesmaids, the bride, the mother-in-law of the bride, and, for Aunt Meg, who had raised her as her daughter, the mother of the bride.

Sascha wanted them to pick colors that matched what she was wearing, but also something they really wanted to wear and could wear for other functions.

“Let’s do mismatched colors. Like all of us wear a different color,” Mrs. Landry said. “We could wear the same colors as the flowers on your gown.”

“I opt for pink,” Kat said. “And I will have to go with a style that will fit my expanding belly.”

“Yellow for me,” Lucy said.

“I’ll wear blue,” Mrs. Landry said.

“Oh, purple for me,” Rose said, sounding excited.

“I’ll go with orange,” Aunt Meg said.

Then they chose the gown styles that would fit them best, and more photos were taken. None were to be shared until after the wedding.

Each of the ladies wore a circlet of flowers. Everyone was beautiful.

They paid for their purchases and then went to a tea shop and had cups of tea and petit fours.

“Have you decided what you want for flowers for the venue?” Lucy asked.

“No, not yet. Gregory and I need to go to a cake shop and order the cake, but we need to do that together.”

“I could order the flowers if you would like,” Lucy said. “I’ll get with Damon and see how many we need and where to place them. I’ll confirm with you to make sure they work.”

“Okay, sure.” Sascha glanced at Aunt Meg. She was smiling a little. Sascha just hoped it wouldn’t turn into a fight.

“Food,” Aunt Meg said. “You have to decide if it’s a sit-down dinner or a buffet.”

“I guess I need to talk to Gregory and see what he would like. What would all of you like?”

“Either is fine with me,” Aunt Meg said. “One is formal, and the other is more informal.”

The ladies all agreed that it was up to her and Gregory, and that they were fine with either choice.

“I’ll help with invitations,” Kat said.

“I’ll help with that,” Mrs. Landry said. “And I’ll make sure we have even more bodyguards in attendance if they haven’t found the guy before then.”

Gregory was surprised to get a text from Sascha, telling him Lucy wanted Damon to be a groomsman, if Gregory was all right with it. Of course, he was good with it. He was just surprised that Lucy wanted Damon to be part of the ceremony.

Gregory texted Sascha: Yes! That would be fine. I’ll contact him before the guys meet with me to pick out tuxes.

Sascha texted Gregory: Wonderful! I’ll let Lucy know.

Though Gregory was still surprised at the situation. He called Damon before it was too late for him to show up and hoped he wouldn’t feel like he was being considered to take part in the ceremony at the last minute when he really was.