“It’s considerably a manageable time away,” Cecilia laughed, affectionately holding her friend’s hands to ease her tension. “I promise there’s enough time, Evie, everything shall be fine.”
Evangeline squeezed her hand back affectionately, giving her a warmer smile. As they sifted through fabrics and trims, laughterfilled the air. The modiste, a plump woman with a keen eye for detail, glanced over at them with a knowing smile. “You two seem to have a delightful friendship. Have you been close for long?”
Cecilia exchanged a playful look with Evie. “Actually, we only became friends after my brother proposed to her,” she replied, her tone teasing. She laughed, “We actually only met formally for the first time when our families were introduced.”
Evie chuckled, her eyes dancing with mischief. “And I’m so glad it ended up this way! Imagine if he had never proposed. Who knew my future sister-in-law would become my confidante and partner in crime?”
“Partners in crime? More like partners in wedding planning chaos, it’s been days since we’ve been coming here, and we’ve only now decided on the right lace,” Cecilia quipped, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Evie giggled and Cecilia smiled at her. “But still, I wouldn’t trade this time for anything. It’s so special to share these moments with you.”
As the modiste adjusted the gown, Cecilia continued to offer her thoughts on various accessories. “What about this veil? It’s soft and ethereal, just like you.”
Evie held it up to her face, admiring her reflection in the mirror. “You think? You’ve seen me inspecting it, haven’t you?” Her smile faltered, “I worry it might overshadow the dress.”
“Not at all! It complements it perfectly. You need something that matches your radiant spirit,” Cecilia reassured her, her voice warm and encouraging.
They chatted about everything from floral arrangements to the guest list, their laughter echoing through the shop. Today seemed to be a good day, as they were easily tackling plans they had put off for a while.
As the modiste bustled around, adjusting a gown on a mannequin, Cecilia and Evangeline found themselves momentarily alone. Evie leaned against a nearby table, a playful grin spreading across her face. “You know, I’m really glad my brother finally relented on trying to dictate what wedding dress I would wear.”
Cecilia’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “Wait, the duke was actually trying to pick an outfit for you on your own wedding day? That’s outrageous!”
Evangeline flushed, her cheeks turning a rosy hue. “Oh, come on, Cecilia! You’ve seen how he is by now. You’ve witnessed his ‘helpful suggestions’ firsthand.”
Cecilia shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation in her expression. “I can’t believe he thought he could control that, still! It’s your day, Evie. You should wear what makes you feel beautiful, not what he thinks is appropriate.”
“Exactly!” Evie laughed, her tension easing. “I mean, I appreciate his opinion, but I’m the one walking down the aisle.It should reflect me, not his idea of perfection.” She shrugged, “Still, his choice was a dress that has been passed through the family for generations. He is a stickler for tradition.”
Cecilia rolled her eyes and huffed, “He should wear it then.”
“Cecilia!” Evie’s jaw dropped as she exclaimed.
The women burst into another round of laughter, bending over and fanning themselves at the thought.The atmosphere shifted slightly afterwards, the laughter fading as they both recognized the weight of Evie’s situation.
“Still, I’m relieved that his conversation with Nathaniel seemed to go well,” Evangeline twiddled with her dress in hand, breaking the short silence. “I was worried they might clash over something silly.”
Cecilia nodded, her eyes brightening. “Yes, it was a pleasant surprise! Apparently Nathaniel handled it with such grace. I think your brother respects him more than he lets on. It’s good to see them getting along, especially with the wedding so close.”
Evangeline’s expression softened, her gratitude evident. “I couldn’t have done this without you, you know. You’ve been my rock through all of this. I’m so thankful to have you by my side.”
Cecilia smiled warmly, stepping closer. “I love being here. Still, you must give yourself credit too! You’ve been steadfast on what you want despite the circumstances.”
“Being with Nate encourages me,” Evie’s smile was bashful and Cecilia cooed at the sight, causing both ladies to laugh once more.
“I agree though, Nate is doing a fantastic job with your brother,” Cecilia said, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. “He’s really managed to break through the duke’s tough exterior. It’s impressive.”
Evangeline smiled, her expression softening. “I know! I was worried they wouldn’t see eye to eye, but he has this way of connecting with people. It’s like he knows just how to approach Alistair.”
Cecilia nodded, her mind drifting for a moment. “It’s not just that. Nathaniel has a natural charm that draws people in. I think he’s really helping your brother see things differently.” She laughed, a familiar frustration bubbling inside her. “I could never do that.”
Evie cocked her head in question. “What do you mean?”
Cecilia sighed as she began, “Well, I can’t help but feel exasperated with the duke sometimes. His stubbornness is…” she stuttered as she struggled to find the right word, “maddening! I mean, how can someone be so… so oblivious to what’s right in front of him?”
Evangeline chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “You sound like you two have had more interactions than Irealize. Did something particular happen between you two? What’s really bothering you?”
Cecilia flushed, recalling the events of the previous day in the woods with Alistair. “Well, there was this moment…”
