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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Theo, I cannot allow you to pay for my wedding dress,” Seraphina insisted as she and her friends walked to the Modiste.

It was Monday, the day after they’d all returned from the house party in the country. Life had been a whirlwind these last two days. Seraphina had found her mother and her carriage gone by the time she’d returned to their room; the first sign of her utter abandonment.

Tristan and Theo rushed in shortly after, offering her help with packing, ride back to town, as well as a room at the Briarwood Estate. Seraphina had accepted, knowing better than to even try to go back home. She did not need another discussion with her mother or father to know that that their support in any capacity had been ceased. So now, and until she was married to Hugo, she was homeless and penniless, relying completely on her friends’ generosity.

“It is notIthat is paying for it, Seraphina, it is my brother,” Theo laughed, “And seeing as how he is the Duke’s best friend, I would consider it a wedding gift.”

Seraphina smiled gratefully at her friend, but it quickly vanished as she caught the nearby stares of the other nobles milling about Market Street. Word had obviously spread quickly of the scandal. She had tried, at one time, to muster up the politeness required to offer the Earl of Repington a written apology, but when she put pen to paper, all she could seem to write about was her utter relief at no longer being his intended.

“Do not pay them any mind,” Ophelia insisted, putting her arm around Seraphina as she cast a glare right back to the offended parties.

“You will be rid of these disapproving stares soon enough,” Rose added in agreement.

“Come,” Theo urged, opening the door to the Modiste, “Let us find you the most wonderful gown! One that would make all these wretched gawkers green with envy.”

Seraphina did not have to pretend to smile with her friends as she walked in. In truth, she more relieved than ever, despite the harsh stares and muttering whispers. She was about to leave it all behind, and that was what mattered.

“Ah,MademoiselleSeraphina,tres bien!”Madame Ollier called gaily, rushing to the front of the store to greet them. “There you are! I have been expecting you!”

Seraphina and her friends all stared at the seamstress in surprise. With the rumors circulating so harshly, they had expected a less than warm welcome. After all, thetonwas known to make certain businesses suffer if a member they did not like was served.

“You are?” Seraphina asked.

“Did Lord Briarwood tell you we were coming?” Theo asked, then glanced at Seraphina. “Perhaps my brother is more helpful than I thought.”

“Non, non, mon cheries,”Madame Ollier laughed, taking Seraphina’s hands and pulling her inside, “His Gracedu Merrivalevisited this morning with a very generous deposit. I have shut my shoppe down today just to cater to your needs. He insisted that I get you whatever you may want. A wedding gown, day dresses, a few ball gowns and nightgowns as well. He said I am to make you whatever you wish.”

Seraphina’s jaw dropped in utter surprise, and her friends all stared at her in equal shock.

“He- he did?” She asked once recovered.

“Oh, oui, ma Cherie,he seems very taken by you, or at least that is what his money says to me,” Madame Ollier replied, wagging her brows as she held up her hand and rubbed her fingers together.

“I am used to lines of credit,” she went on, “But never before has a gentleman come into my store and given me so much money for services I have not even provided yet. Rest assured, whatever you wish, I will make. Now come! Let us discuss your gown!”

Four hours later, among the giggling, gay talk, and choosing of fabrics, Seraphina was standing up on the dais as Madame Ollier fitted her into the beginnings of her wedding gown. She’d never had any shop to herself before, and even though she had received quite a few glares from outside the Modiste’s windows, she had decided that she very much enjoyed the experience.

“Pardonnez moi, Madames!”Madama Ollier called as they heard the bell at the door jingle, “We are closed for a private fitting today!”

“I am not a Madame,” Tristan teased, appearing before them with a wide grin.

Seraphina smiled wide as she saw Theo’s brother, and giggled as he made a sweeping bow toward her.

“Why Miss Seraphina, you are quite certainly going to be the most beautiful bride of the season in that dress.”

“Wait until you see it finished,” Madame Ollier replied gaily, “You will then declare her the most beautiful bride of the century.”

“I have no doubt,” Tristan replied, making another sweeping bow that had them all giggling.

“What are you doing here, brother?” Theo asked, “Don’t you have some deal to close or young lady to flirt with?”

“Both, actually,” he replied sarcastically, pulling a note from his pocket, “But before I get to that I have been given the task of delivering some information to the bride from the groom.”

Seraphina fixed her entire attention on Tristan immediately, worried that Hugo may have changed his mind.

“Is something wrong?” She asked.