Chapter 26 #2
Grace directed her assistants from the comfort of her chair, ordering them to try her in the ‘Adaline.’ I had no idea what that meant but Grace was speaking Keira’s language, not mine.
Natalie disappeared with the assistant to try on her tenth gown.
She was in heaven and I had already decided that it didn’t matter what kind of person Grace was, I wasn’t going to ruin this for my sister.
There was a glass of champagne clutched between her perfectly manicured fingers.
She wore a deep green suit which I hadn’t expected.
She had the Alfie Tell grey eyes but hers were bright and alive, no cold calculating there.
We’d discussed the weather, the tube ride over here, the location of her store and everything about the wedding that Natalie had planned which apparently wasn’t much.
Grace had already contacted a wedding planner who would help pull something together on short notice.
“Lola,” Grace said, startling me out of my thoughts, “you were telling me about your project.” She picked up my phone and resumed flicking through the photos I’d taken of my work at Chelsea.
“This is impressive. Have you thought about working freelance for weddings? I could put you in touch with some planners who could offer you work. Brides often want floral structures, it’s hard to find someone who can make them so exquisite. ”
“I-I hadn’t thought of that actually.” That didn’t sound like a bad idea. It wasn’t my dream career but it could be lucrative while I got my shit together.
“You should offer to make something for your sister’s wedding.
No time like now to start building your portfolio.
Added bonus, your sister seems nice enough not to give you hell if something goes wrong.
” She passed the phone back and waved her fingers.
“Promise me you’ll consider it? Your television project is almost over, correct?
That should give you a few weeks between when that finishes and the wedding to make something happen?
Let’s talk to Natalie and Martha, see what they both think.
” Martha was the wedding planner that apparently was now assigned to us.
Grace was a woman who made things happen. Quickly.
I chuckled and Grace gave me a quizzical look. “I’m sorry. We’ve been here less than two hours and Natalie has a wedding planner and I have a new job.”
“I’m overstepping?” To my surprise, she actually seemed worried that she was doing too much.
“No! No. You remind me of your brother. If your brother had better manners.” We shared a laugh but hers didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“So, how was my mother? Did she make it through lunch?” She pulled a mock shock expression. “Did she actually eat something?”
“Um…she ordered a salad. I can’t remember if she ate it though.
” She laughed, with each smile I was more at my ease around her.
I wasn’t usually so nervous around strangers, no matter how rich and beautiful they were, but I'd been bitten by the Tells enough times to be on my guard. “I’m sorry you weren’t invited, I feel like I put my foot in my mouth. ”
“Don’t worry about it.” She waved a hand. “I can have an awkward lunch with my mother anytime.”
So, they weren’t as thick as thieves as Alfie had thought.
“You and your sister seem close, that’s nice. I’m shocked you didn’t grow up together. I would have thought you’d known each other your whole lives.”
“Did Carolyn fill you in on that?” Grace seemed to know a lot more about me than I’d told her.
“Mmm. She told me that your sister had a child out of wedlock. Scary. Our family history is of course completely without fault or scandal. It’s not like my brother owns a sex club or anything.”
I stared at her. This woman couldn’t be less like her mother if she tried.
“At least he doesn’t run it anymore.”
“True. Have you been? To the club, I mean. I tried to go once when I turned eighteen. Alfie had me barred for life.”
“Yes, I’ve been a few times. Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about it.” It was her turn to stare at me. I changed the subject. “Maybe you and Alfie could spend time together now he’s more…settled.”
“Is he more settled? He’s been neck deep in that company since our father died.”
“He won’t be for much longer if I have anything to do with it,” I muttered.
“Good for you. I never thought it was good for him.”
Natalie reappeared in a princess dress, off-the-shoulder with long sleeves.
I took photos and sent them to Keira who immediately said absolutely not, which Grace seconded.
She disappeared again to try a backless halter.
A daring garment that I knew Natalie would never wear in a million years but it was fun to try it on.
“Lola.” Grace put down her champagne and turned to me. Suddenly, I felt like I was in a business meeting. “It’s a habit of my family to never talk about an issue and skirt around it forever.”
“I’ve noticed,” I said, wondering where she was going with this.
“With my husband’s encouragement, it’s a habit I’ve broken. Do you love my brother? What is this?” She waved her fingers at me again, as if I embodied our entire relationship.
“What is this? Well, it’s not me after his money if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I should hope not. He doesn’t seem to be spoiling you.” She looked over my outfit. Of course she’d noticed the spot on my waist where it had been mended. Alfie had chosen it for that very reason.
“Alfie would spoil me rotten if I let him and I do sometimes.”
“Is he happy?” she asked earnestly. “Does he say he loves you?”
“He wore Hawaiian shorts just to make me laugh because I made a joke about them once. I tied a piece of blue ribbon around his wrist three years ago and he’s still wearing it.
He had my engagement ring designed in the shape of my favourite flower because it reminds me of my mother and he knows how much I miss her. He loves me.”
She stared at me for one long moment. I wondered if she thought I was making it up. “And you? Do you love him?”
“I agreed to have lunch with your mother, what do you think?” She didn’t laugh at my joke. “I love him more than it’s been good for me at times.”
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.”
She turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her eyes grew wide. “I look pretty.”
“You are pretty.”
The floorlength gown had a high neckline, fitted tight to her waist and flowed delicately down.
Grace went to stand by Natalie, tweaking the gown and veil.
“This gown is made from crepe satin, it’s elegant, it’s mature.
The back has an oval cutout, detailed with French Chantilly lace.
It shows enough to make your husband pay attention but the high neckline, long sleeves and lace cuffs give you the modesty you wanted.
The veil is hemmed with matching lace, perfect for a church wedding. ”
Natalie stared at herself, entranced with her own reflection. “I-I-You’re really good at your job.”
Grace laughed out loud. “Thank you. Speaking of someone being good at their job. I’ve been trying to persuade Lola that she should consider making floral sculptures for weddings. What do you th—”
“Oh, would you make one for me?” Natalie cut her off, spinning to face me. With a venue, dress and wedding planner in place, my sister seemed to be throwing herself into her dream wedding now it finally seemed to be a reality and not just a fantasy.
“Of course. Give me some time to come up with ideas and—”
“I want swans!”
Grace and I glanced at each other. “Swans?”
“Two! With a little one as well because…Ryan.”
“Have you been thinking about this?” I narrowed my eyes at her and Natalie looked sheepish.
“I had thought about asking you but I didn’t want to be presumptuous.”
I shook my head at her. My sister would feel guilty accepting medicine from a doctor.
“If you want swans, swans you shall have.”
“Excellent!” Grace clapped her hands together and turned those grey eyes on me. “Now, let's dress the bridesmaid.”