Page 68 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“Yes. I know,” I said happily before it dawned on me that perhaps Olivia wouldn’t know how to say no if she didn’t want to. “Oh. Do you want to? You know you can be honest with me.”

“Oh yes. I want to,” she said. “But he’s invited me to join the guests once service begins.”

When she didn’t continue, I prompted her. “I’m glad you’ll get to experience the party as a guest.”

“That sounds very nice, but I’ve never really dressed like…”

“Liv, do you need a dress?”

“Yes, Magis…” When she was anxious, she always fell back into the habit of calling me magistrate.

“It’s too late to have Esme make something, but you know what?”

“What?” she repeated dutifully.

“I have a daughter who owes me lots of favors, including the fact that she’s alive.”

I grasped the medallion in my fist and squeezed. Evie appeared instantly.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded.

“I hope you weren’t busy,” I said.

She looked from me to Olivia and back, “Well, I was…”

I cut her off there. “Normally I wouldn’t impose.As you well know, but we have a situation.”

“What is it?” Evie asked.

“Olivia has been invited to join the rest of the guests at John David’s party after food service begins. She’s cooking, you know.”

Evie looked at Liv. “No. I didn’t know that.”

“No matter. She needs a dress, and it’s too late to ask Esme.”

“Is that where you got your dress?” Evie asked me. “From Esme?”

“Yes. It’s heavenly. It’s black tie and women are wearing midnight blue. Could you help us out?”

Grasping the entirety of the situation and the reason for my call, Evie cocked one hip and rested her hand on it. “You called me to make Olivia a dress.”

“Uh-huh. Royalty hasn’t done a thing to dull your quick wit.”

I glanced at Olivia and saw that she was wearing a crimson blush. I hadn’t meant to embarrass her.

Apparently, Evie saw the same thing and immediately took steps to reassure her that she wasn’t in trouble with the Irish queen. She gave Olivia a big smile and said, “Of course. Maybe we should move the meeting to the magistrate’s closet where we can take advantage of all the mirrors.”

“Great idea,” I said.

Within ten minutes, Olivia stood before us still wearing a blush with a spectacular gown. My daughter, the high fashion designer!

“Will this do?” Evie asked.

Liv nodded enthusiastically. “I… um. Thank you, Your Majesty. It’s so much more than I…”

She didn’t finish the sentence, but Evie and I both got the message.

“No thanks necessary, Liv,” I said. “Consider it a perk of managing my household. I hope the paparazzi ask who you’re wearing.”