“The first present?”
“It’s a tradition in one of the nomadic tribes Louisa and her husband used to travel with. The bride receives gifts from a wise woman every day for a week before the wedding. I left the first one in the hallway.”
“But I haven’t offered you any refreshment,” Mary protested. “What about dinner tonight...?”
“I’ll just see to myself, ma’am, but thank you, anyway. I’ll come by tomorrow with the next present if you don’t have any objections. Louisa’s counting on me.”
“And you seem very reliable, Mr. Wyczynski,” Mary said warmly.
“Call me Jake. It’s a hell of a lot easier on the tongue. Nice meeting you, Susan.”
He was the epitome of old-fashioned courtesy, distant and charming. “Thanks for the dress,” she said.
“Anytime.”
The moment she heard the front door close she let the dress fall on the floor, stepping out of it and kicking it away from her. “There’s no chance it can be fixed in time, is there?” she asked her mother in a hopeful voice when Mary returned.
“I doubt it He did a thorough job of mangling it.”
“Bless his heart,” Susan said cheerfully. “I wonder if he’s got a suit he can wear for the wedding? That big-white-hunter gear might look a little strange for an afternoon garden wedding.”
“He’s not going to fit in, anyway, Susan,” Mary said with a trace of sharpness in her voice. “I don’t know why you’d worry about such things.”
“I’m not worried. He’s very colorful.”
“He’s very handsome,” her mother said.
“Is he? I didn’t notice.”
“You never could lie to me, Susan.”
Susan smiled ruefully. “No, I couldn’t Yes, he’s gorgeous, but as you know, he’s hardly my type. I tend to go for more civilized men, like Edward. And besides, he didn’t show the faintest bit of interest in me, at least, not as a woman.”
“You’re engaged to be married, Susan. He’d hardly be flirting with you.”
“He did rip my dress off. Bless him,” she added. “Don’t look so worried, mother. I’m not about to change my mind about Edward at this late date. He and I were meant for each other, and we’ve known that since we were in college. This is an entirely logical next step in our relationship.”
“And you’ll give me entirely logical grandchildren before long?”
“Don’t hold your breath. Edward thinks we should be more settled in our careers.”
Mary’s smile seemed a little tight. “And Edward’s always right.”
“Yes, he is. One of his annoying habits.” Susan pulled on a faded pair of jeans and an old cotton sweater. “Don’t worry, I know you adore him. There’ll be plenty of grandchildren soon enough. I’ve only just begun to hear my biological clock ticking.”
“You have?” Mary looked oddly hopeful. “I didn’t know you’d even thought about children.”
“I’ve thought about them. I’ll be ready when Edward is.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Mary said in an even voice. “In the meantime, what are we going to do about this dress?” She scooped it off the floor and shook it. “I don’t mind telling you I’d rather not be the one to spring the word on Vivian. She’s even more formidable than her son.”
“She is, isn’t she? Edward’s a pussycat if you know how to handle him, and he absolutely idolizes you. Mother. People only think he’s a barracuda because he’s a Wall Street lawyer. He’s perfect husband material, and we’re going to be deliriously happy.”
“Of course you are,” Mary said, her back turned.
“Don’t worry, I’ll find some way to tell Vivian about her dress. Not right away, though—she’s capable of finding someone who can fix the wretched thing on short notice. In the meantime we’ve got to figure out what I’ll wear. I imagine I can find something off the rack if I have to.”
“Let’s have a cup of tea and see what Louisa has sent you. She always had the most extraordinary taste,” Mary said. “We can worry about a dress later.”
