“Oh, Kyra, it’s perfection itself.” The hair stylist stood back, clasping her hands together. “And once you have the gown on, we’ll attach the veil.”
“All right, then. Let’s send for Cassa.”
My mother was right that I was usually the polar opposite of a dramatic woman. But from the time Nicky and I had announced our engagement, I’d had a vision of how I wanted to reveal my gown to my family. Marrying into the Royal Family meant that my own family was definitely less involved in the wedding planning than they would’ve been had I married an ordinary man in the states. I’d asked for advice and input from them wherever I felt I could, but for the most part, both the distance and the situation resulted in them being slightly apart from the entire process.
So this was my way of giving us a small private space, a moment where it would be just us, one last time.
“They’re here and waiting just outside,” Cassa announced, kneeling to adjust one more time the way the hem of my gown lay on the thick maroon carpet. “I’ll open the doors, and then I’ll discreetly fade away. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes with the rest of the crew to get you and your father into the car.”
“Thank you, Cassa.” I snagged her hand as she walked by me. “Seriously. I can’t imagine having anyone else make this dress or this day as perfect as you have. I am so grateful.”
The designer wagged her eyebrows and shot me a wicked grin. “Ky, darling, you’re about to make my career. The thanks are entirely owed to you. Now take a deep breath. You’re about to be revealed.”
So saying, she threw open the doors and then slipped through them, vanishing down the hallway. I didn’t pay much attention to exactly where she went, because I was too busy watching my family’s faces.
“Oh, Kyra.” My mother was the first to speak. “Oh, sweetie. You’re just ...”
“Breathtaking.” Honey completed her sentence. “Perfection.”
“You look incredibly beautiful—but you look likeyou.” My father grinned at me. “My little girl is still in there, among all the satin and lace.”
“It isn’t satin, son,” Honey corrected. “It’s silk. But you’re absolutely right that everything about it is quintessentially Ky.”
My sisters, in their own coordinating pale pink gowns, approached me, walking all the way around to get the full effect.
“What’s that embroidered on the lace of the veil?” asked Lisel.
“Hyacinth.” I smiled. Nicky had declared himself to me last spring—was it only last spring?—by spelling out his feelings with my favorite spring flower. “They’re very special for Nicky and me.”
“It’s perfect.” Bria took one step toward me and then stopped. “Okay, I can’t hug you right now the way I want. But consider the hug implied. You’re everything I ever dreamed a bride might be, Kyra. You’re just lovely.”
Honey sighed. “I just keep thinking how proud and pleased Handsome is right now, my sweet girl.”
I touched my fingers to my lips to keep them from trembling. “I know, Honey. I almost feel him here.”
“This is the last time we’ll all be together before you join another family.” My mother dabbed at her eyes. “I feel like there’s so much I should say—so many words of wisdom I should pass on—but at the same time, I’ve forgotten them all.”
“We don’t need to heap sentimental words on each other.” My father’s eyes never left my face. “We don’t need to do that, because we live out the reality of that sentiment every day. We don’t have to remind you how much we all love you, Kyra, because we’ve told you and shown you every day since you were born. And you don’t have to tell us, because you’ve demonstrated it, too.” He cleared his throat. “Handsome might not be here where we can see him, but we know his spirit is always with us. And I’ll remind you that he used to say if you live in love, you’ll never have regrets. Mom, you and Dad taught all of us how to do that. You’ve been amazing examples. And now Kyra’s going to build her own family on that foundation of love.” His voice cracked a little. “We—your mother and I—we couldn’t be prouder of you, sweetheart. I hope you know that.”
“I do.” The lump in my throat made it difficult to speak. “You never made me doubt it. This life I’m living now—I could never have had the confidence to jump into it if you all weren’t there for me. Even when it looks as though I’m on my own and I know what I’m doing, it’s really only because you have given me that faith in myself. I carry all of you with me, every single day. And I always will.”
Cassa reappeared and rapped on the door. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s about that time. Mrs. Duncan—well, both Mrs. Duncans—and Bria and Lisel, your car is out front waiting to take you to the chapel. Kyra, we’ll give them a five-minute head start, and then I’ll help you and Mr. Duncan on your way.”
My mom and Honey each took one of my hands and squeezed it. “See you at the church, darling.”
After the other four had left, my dad stood in front of me, beaming affectionately. “Now it’s just you and me, kid. I’ll do what every good father has done since time eternal, and tell you it’s not too late to make a run for it. Are you sure about this? About Nicky, about this being a duchess thing?”
“Daddy.” I risked smudging my lipstick and kissed his cheek. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my entire life. Nicky’s the man I’m going to love forever. The duchess part is just window dressing. If he decided tomorrow to become an itinerant farmer and travel the world, I’d throw all of these trappings to the side and follow him.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” He offered me his arm. “Now, are you ready to head for the church? I happened to catch a glimpse of Nicky on TV this morning, and I have a feeling he’s chomping at the bit to get a look at you.”
I gave my dad the widest, most brilliant smile in the world.
“Then let’s not keep the man waiting.”
The Wedding
By Garrett Smith
