She was quiet, studying me. I let her. I didn’t find her gaze intrusive like I had Carolyn’s. Carolyn was judgemental. Grace was protective, like Elliot. “How much has he told you about our family?”
“Everything. It took years for him to tell me but he did. I know everything. I haven’t told anybody.”
“Joseph Tell wasn’t a kind man, though I can’t say I ever knew him that well.” I needed to tread carefully here. Alfie seemed to think that Grace had loved their father and had no idea of his cruel side.
“Maybe that was for the best.” I didn’t know how to ask this delicately. “Why does Alfie think that you and your mother are close? You don’t sound like you are.”
“Alfie doesn’t know me. We’re only a few years apart but I can hardly say we grew up together. Separate boarding schools, saw each other at Christmas, a few weeks in the summer. I was barely a teenager when he opened the club and he never came home after that. I went to Paris for school and he was always travelling. I think I can count on my hands the amount of times I’ve seen him since Joseph and Charles died.”
That was the second time she had called her father by his name. It wasn’t an accident.
“He was living it up. Partying, one woman after another. The things I heard about him through the grapevine…It never hit the papers of course but people in our circle talk.”
“It’s alright, you didn’t offend me. I’m well aware of his history.”
“My point is that he had no time for me.”
“I think it might be more complicated than that.” I raised a hand. “If I’m intruding, I’m sorry.”
“You’re not, you know him better than I do. I’d like to know my brother better.”
“I’ll work on it,” I said, and I meant it. I liked Grace. I wanted to ask her why she and Carolyn weren’t close but before I could, Natalie reappeared, looking like an angelic seductress.
“Oh sweet Jesus. Riley is going to lose his mind.” I took a picture and sent it to Keira who immediately replied with the words; ‘wedding night.’
“Are you insane? I can’t wear this! Father Thomas won’t know where to look! Not to mention what my mother will have to say.”
I showed Keira’s text to Grace and she grinned. “You’re absolutely right. I have one more dress I want you to try that I know will be perfect but this one you have to take for the wedding night. Let Riley lose his mind in private.”
Natalie blushed. “No, I couldn’t! I can’t take both.”
“Natalie, if I’ve learned anything about the Tells, you have to learn to pick your battles. Take the dresses.”
She nodded and gave a humble ‘if you insist’.
“Excellent.” Grace stood and looked at her assistants. “Put her in the Pandora. Lets add jewellery, keep it delicate. For shoes, try the Valentinos with the smaller heel. Let her be comfortable if she doesn’t need height.”
“No! You don’t have to add all of that too, you’ve done enough.”
“It’s my pleasure. We’re somewhat family now anyway.”
“Well then, will you come to our wedding? It’s short notice and it’s only a very small affair but the food will be good and there's a free bar.”
“A free bar?” Grace raised her eyebrows at me. “I can’t say no to that.” The hotel heiress had probably never heard of a free bar in her life. “Send me the date and I'll see if my husband and I are available.”
She was coming to the wedding, now Alfie couldn’t get out of seeing her.
Natalie disappeared, once again leaving me alone with Grace. I was becoming more and more comfortable as time went on. Or maybe it was just the champagne.
“Pandora?” I asked her, curious about the names for her gowns.
“I like to give my designs decadent names. Women from history, folklore, literature…you know. It’s the right dress, trust me.”
We chatted a little while longer until my sister reappeared. My jaw dropped and my eyes filled with tears.
“Well?” she asked, her brows creasing in a nervous line. I had to clear my throat before I could speak.
“It’s perfect.”
