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Camilla nodded. Her chest visibly expanded.
“And now breathe out.” When the bride did as instructed, Bianca said, “Again.”
Once the bride was looking a bit calmer, Bianca said, “You keep taking those deep breaths, and I’ll be right back. This is all going to work out. I promise.”
Bianca let go of the bride’s hands and rushed out of the study, closing the door behind her. The ceremony was already a few minutes late. She walked calmly outside to the string octet and asked them to keep playing, entertaining the guests.
As she headed inside, her brother caught up with her. “What’s wrong? Does the bride
have cold feet?”
“No.” Bianca said it firmly. “I just have to take care of one thing.”
She dashed past her brother and headed up the stairs to the second floor. Her high heels didn’t slow her down as she headed for the bridal suite. Bianca was certain everything would be all right. This was far from her first wedding—but it was her first wedding all on her own.
Using a master key that each of the Bartolini siblings had, she let herself into the bride’s room. The bed was unmade, pillows were tossed about and there were heaps of clothes strewn everywhere. She’d known three-year-old’s who kept their rooms tidier. She’d send one of the staff up here to tidy things up before the couple turned in for the night.
It took Bianca longer than she’d have liked to locate the bride’s luggage. She searched through the carry-on first, knowing the bride wouldn’t want the expensive watch to be far from her during her flight. It was on the third try that she found what she’d come for.
With the watch in hand, she raced out of the room and down the steps. She rushed into the study where Camilla once more looked like she was just about to have a meltdown.
“Here it is.” Bianca placed the watch in the bride’s hand.
“You found it. But how? Where?”
“None of it matters. All that matters is that your groom is waiting for you. He’s starting to wonder if you’re going to walk down the aisle.”
“Oh, no! Please go reassure him that I want to marry him more than anything in the world.”
Bianca didn’t want to ask, but she felt obligated. “Are you sure you want to get married? It’s okay if you’ve changed your mind. I know you were worried about omens—”
Camilla brushed aside Bianca’s words. “I was just panicking. Everything is right now.” She glanced down at the box containing the watch. “Thanks to you.”
Bianca pressed a hand to her chest. “Me?”
“Yes. You’ve done everything to keep this wedding on track even though it was short notice, and I know I haven’t been the easiest bride. I just want to thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And now I just want to get you down the aisle.”
The bride smiled and nodded. “Let’s do this.” When Bianca turned for the door, the bride followed her. “Oh, here.” She held out the watch. “Could you put this in our room for later?”
“Certainly.” Bianca smiled and took the box. “You’re a beautiful bride.”
And with that Bianca headed out the door. She set the watch in a safe spot inside a buffet until she could get to it after the ceremony. And then she rushed out the back where all the wedding guests were looking a bit anxious.
A number of people turned her way as though wondering what she was doing and why the wedding had yet to start. The groom paced in front of the minister and the groom’s younger brother. He stopped when he spotted Bianca.
He rushed up to her. “What’s going on? Where’s Camilla?”
“Don’t worry. She’d misplaced something. But it’s been located and now the bride is ready. Shall I have the orchestra play the wedding march?”
“Yes, please. I was so worried she’d changed her mind.”
Bianca reached out and squeezed his forearm. “She loves you with all of her heart.”
“Thanks.”
As Bianca turned away, her gaze caught that of the prince’s. He didn’t make any pretense to act as though he wasn’t watching her. His stare was direct and observant. It made her heart skip a beat.
