They all went through to the blue room where Ellen had set out maid and matron of honor gowns.
Despite limited time, Madame Beauchamps had insisted on making new gowns. “It is a weddingma petite, and so it is a very special occasion. I shall make you a gown which makes you look like a fairytale princess.”
True to her word, she had been working with Ellen and her sister on the dresses, and she had made excellent progress.
“I can hardly believe this is true,” said Olivia. “I’m trying on my wedding dress, and I’ll be married within the week. I like the pale lemon muslin you have chosen for my dress and the deeper mustard for Marianne’s. Both colors and fabric are perfect.”
“Now stand still Lady Olivia, while we adjust the bodice. Madame is going to create a silk bodice and then wrap a gauze like fabric over it to create a shimmering, almost luminous, effect,” Ellen instructed her.
“I like the material very much. Long and flowing with simple puffed sleeves,” added Olivia.
“I have to make you a train to flow behind you as you walk down the aisle. I wondered about it being diaphanous and floating, rather than heavy silk?” said Madame Beauchamps.
“Madame, I am in your hands. Please make all the decisions. I am happy with anything,” replied Olivia.
I never thought to marry. Now here I am preparing to marry the man I love. I can hardly believe it’s happening.
“Will the duchess lend you a tiara? Or is it best to plan for flowers in your hair?” asked Marianne.
“I have no idea, we must ask the duchess when we see her tomorrow,” said Olivia.
“Ouch,” said Jocelyn. “I’ve got a pin stuck in my arm.”
“If you stood still, then you would be safe,” murmured Madame in frustration.
The midsummer sun shone brightly until late in the evening. They all retired early, exhausted by the relentless schedule. The flowers would arrive the next day, and they would need to collect their silk gloves and Olivia’s veil.
I’m tired, but I can’t sleep. I believe I’ll write for a little while.She settled to write in her journal, waiting for the words to flow.
Dear Journal,
Soon I shall be married and to the man I love. We met in a woodland glade and that is where our fairytale romance began.
We love the same authors, and he knows the stories of Monsieur Perrault in the original French. He calls me his Cinderella or Cendrillon, and I think of him as my handsome prince.
We are in love. After the fire, and when I lost Jonathan, I thought I would always be alone. Little by little, we have discovered each other during the last ten months.
He cares nothing for the scurrilous gossipmonger. He trusts me and I trust him.
Very soon, we shall be joined together, and another volume of our romance will begin.
I heard today that my book will be published in the next two weeks. I’m so excited and have already started writing a second book.
And Jocelyn is to marry her handsome Lord Ludlow.
How my life has changed. I’m glad to be alive.
Yours truly,
Lady Olivia Sherwyn (soon to be Olivia, Countess of Hatfield)
When she finished, she stared at the page, realizing something had changed. She’d kept going since the night of the fire on sheer will power and determination. The last few weeks dealing with the gossip mill and uncertainty about her relationship with Marcus had further drained her energy.
Yet now she felt those depleted stores of energy replenishing.I’m seeing the world differently.All my senses seem heightened,whether it is smelling a rose in the garden or the sensation of rain on my skin.
I’ve recovered. I feel excitement about the future. In less than two days I will be married, and I have found my safe harbor in life.
Chapter 28
