Lisa found Pepper curled up on one of the settees in the sitting room. She was staring into the fireplace with wide, dry eyes.
She sat next to Pepper. “You all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I have a plan. What we’ll do is just postpone the wedding for one night. I’ll have someone ship us something from Paris. Something simple that requires no alterations.”
“Mom could help,” Lisa said. “She could find one for you.”
Maggie burst into the room. “Am I hearing this correctly?” Her freckles were more evident than usual on her fair face, and her copper hair was twisted into a thick braid that hung across one shoulder. “Someone stole your wedding dress?”
“The valet did it,” Pepper said, giggling somewhat manically.
“What’re we going to do?” Maggie asked.
They told her their idea.
“Postpone one day, then get married in some dress you’ve never seen?” Maggie asked.
“We could pick one out online, maybe?” Lisa asked.
“She could take pictures of some and send them to us,” Maggie said.
“I loved my dress,” Pepper said with a quiver in her voice.
“I know you did,” Maggie said. “But we’ll find another one.”
“Maybe even better,” Lisa said. She knew this was a lie, but they had to stay positive for Pepper.
Lisa called her mom and explained the entire situation. Mom, always good in a crisis, especially when she could be the hero, agreed without hesitation.
“I know just the place,” Mom said. “Beautiful gowns. I’ll pick a few and take pictures. Pepper can decide which she wants.”
“Would you be able to bring it here?” Lisa asked. “Like on the train?”
“There’s no reason why not. Pierre and I’ll take a train in the morning. We could be there by early afternoon. I’ll do the alterations tomorrow before the vows.”
“Mom, that sounds great. We’ll be here waiting.”
5
PEPPER
An hour later, unable to stay in one place, Pepper walked the grounds with Maggie and Lisa. Understanding the enormity of the crisis, Maggie left Lily with Jackson and the nanny to join them. The men had agreed to talk to the restaurant and planning staff to see about adjusting the wedding by one day.
They didn’t talk as they walked across the graveled courtyard and down the steps to the restaurant, a modern structure built partially underground. A bank of windows looked out into another courtyard. They didn’t stop to look inside where the harried staff were setting up tables for the reception. They crossed the lawn toward the pool, covered now. Pepper turned to look back at the castle. From this angle, with its turrets and towers, the old building looked imposing. She could imagine what it must have been like hundreds of years ago as a fortress against the enemy. In this case, the enemy had been within the walls. She’d never have thought anyone would steal a dress. But there were two factors she hadn’t considered. One, she was famous. Two, the dress had cost thousands. She cringed just thinking about how much she’d spent on it.
Lisa’s phone pinged with a message. “This is it,” she said. “Pictures from my mom.”
They gathered around the phone to look at the photos. The first was a simple silky sheath. “Kind of plain,” Lisa said.
The second was a classic A-line tulle skirt and beaded bodice. “That’s pretty,” Maggie said.
Lastly, there was a mermaid style with delicate lace and a sleeveless bodice. Between them, they voted on the second. After a quick phone call to Lisa’s mom, it was decided.
They walked into a dense area of trees. Maggie took the lead, swiping away cobwebs in their path. As the thicket cleared, they came upon the river. Green and still, the surface of the water appeared like glass under the afternoon sun. A rowboat tied to the skinny trunk of a birch tree rocked in the water.
“Have you guys ever been in a rowboat?” Maggie asked.
Pepper nodded.
