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Jillian, who’d felt so unsure of herself during the cake tasting, felt far more comfortable talking with the florist. She’d worked with many florists over the years during her career in the hospitality industry and with a little guidance from the florist, quickly chose a theme of fragrant white gardenias, creamy white roses, contrasted by the silver-gray stems of lamb’s ear for softness and texture. The florist suggested weaving in some delicate silver beads for a hint of sheen in the table arrangements, and then for Jillian’s bouquet, the florist thought the long stems should be tied with a pale silver satin ribbon for a little extra sophistication.
Jillian loved the idea, and could suddenly see the wedding she wanted—charcoal, black and ivory colors—with lots of candlelight and glamour.
Jillian dragged the florist back to the kitchen where the pastry chef had just finished packing up his dishes and samples and photo albums. She introduced the florist to the chef so they could compare notes, which was perfect since Theresa appeared to announce that the designers were ready to meet with her and she needed to come immediately.
As Jillian and Theresa climbed the stairs to return to the sunny sitting room on the second floor, Theresa warned Jillian not to make any decisions on the different designs until she’d seen all the sketches. “You could easily change your mind several times, so study each design and think about what you want, because this is your day.”
They’d paused outside the sitting room with its pale blue walls and white linen-upholstered furniture. “Thank you,” Jillian said warmly. “You’ve done so much for me. I can’t even express my gratitude—”
“It’s him,” Theresa said bluntly. “This is what Vittorio wants for you, and so I support him and am trying to arrange a beautiful wedding and ceremony. But you, I don’t know you, and I don’t know why you’ve kept Vittorio from his son for the past year, but no one has asked my opinion, nor will Vittorio ever. He is a man, and he makes his own decisions, and I appreciate that. However, let me give you a little motherly advice. Do not disrespect Vittorio, and do not disrespect this family, because it will not be tolerated. Indiscretions will not be forgiven, either. As Vittorio’s wife, you are to bring honor and respect to the family. And if you can’t do that, you have no business being here. Do you understand?”
The warmth inside Jillian faded, leaving her chilled. She stiffly nodded her head. “Yes.”
“Good,” Theresa said more lightly. “Now let’s have a look at the bridal gown designs and see which one you prefer.”
Jillian spent the next hour dutifully studying the sketches and talking to the designers, but her heart was no longer in it. For a brief moment she’d gotten excited about the wedding. For a brief moment while consulting with the florist she’d felt like a real bride making real decisions about her dream wedding, but Theresa’s stern warning outside the sitting room had brought Jillian crashing back to earth.
This was not a normal wedding. Their ceremony next Saturday was not going to be a happy day.
With a heavy heart, Jillian gazed at each of the three sketches again—one dress looked like a princess ball gown with layers and layers of tulle and delicate pearl beading, another looked like a fitted ivory satin negligee with a daringly low back and snug shoulder straps, and the third was a slim empire-style dress made of white chiffon, topped with a jeweled bodice and a matching Cleopatra-style jeweled collar.
All three bridal gowns were stunning, all three were glamorous and all three would cost a fortune.
“They’re all beautiful,” Jillian said, going from one to the other and around again without making a decision. “I could wear any one of them.”
“Yes, dear, but you can only have one, and the designers need to go home and get to work,” Theresa said coolly. “So which gown is it to be?”
Jillian lightly ran her fingertips over the sketch in her hand. It was the ball gown sketch, the one that looked most like the kind of dress Cinderella would have worn the night she met the prince.
The first night Jillian had gone to dinner with Vitt she’d thought him a prince.
That first night she’d been so sure there would be happily-ever-after.
She set aside the ball gown design to look at the satin 1930s glamour gown. The dress looked like something a rich man would have his mistress wear. It spoke of sex and seduction and money.
And then there was the chiffon empire-style dress with the jeweled bodice and collar. The embroidery and jewels looked modern and yet the chiffon added softness, making her think of the silvery fuzzy lamb’s ear leaves tucked among the fragrant white flower blossoms.
These three gowns were all so fancy, so showy, she couldn’t actually imagine wearing any of them.
Yet she couldn’t say that to the designers. She couldn’t hurt their feelings.
She flipped through the female fashion designer’s sketchbook, pausing briefly at a sketch she hadn’t been shown. It was a strapless ivory silk gown with a full ruched silk skirt without any embellishment other than a sage green satin ribbon at the waist. The green satin ribbon had been tied into a soft bow and the ends dangled all the way to the skirt’s hem.
It was simple, maybe too simple, which is why Jillian hadn’t been shown it, but she loved the color green, and the ruched ball skirt with the organza overlay.
“I like that one best,” a deep male voice, a very calm voice, said from behind her shoulder. “It looks like you.”
She glanced over her shoulder at Vittorio, tears shimmering in her eyes. “You think so?”
He nodded and reached out to catch one of the tears before it fell. “Why are you sad?”
“She’s not sad,” Theresa said sharply, “and you’re not supposed to be here. The gown is supposed to be kept secret—”
“We’re already married, Mother. This is a renewal of vows for the benefit of our family.” He leaned over the back of the couch, took the sketchpad with the color drawing of the ivory gown and green ribbon and held it up. “Who did this one?”
The female designer raised her hand. “It’s mine.”
“This is the one Jill wants,” Vitt told her. He nodded to the other designers. “Thank you for coming today. As promised, you will be well compensated for the consultation. Thank you everyone, and now we must say goodbye as Jill and I have someplace we have to be.”
