Society Wives: Secret Lives: The Rags-To-Riches Wife. Jennifer Greene

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      “I had to guess at the size,” Felicity said as she held the dress up to Lily. “Do you like it?”

      “It’s beautiful,” Lily said and ran her fingers along the fabric. Then she spied the tag sewn into the dress—Vera Wang—and sucked in a breath. She might not know a Vera Wang from a vintage Dior, but what she did know was that both were very, very expensive. “Felicity, I can’t possibly wear this.”

      Felicity’s expression fell. “But I thought you liked it.”

      “I do like it. In fact, I love it. It’s one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever seen. But I can’t afford it.”

      “Oh, that,” she said, waving aside the comment. A smile spread across her face “It’s already been taken care of.”

      Lily frowned. “What do you mean it’s been taken care of?” she asked, even though she suspected she knew—Jack had been the one to take care of it.

      “Mrs. Cartwright had the bill sent to her.”

      It didn’t matter whether it had been Jack or his mother, Lily thought. “I’m sorry, Felicity. I know she means well, but I couldn’t possibly let her pay for it. And since I can’t afford it, I’ll just wear something of my own.”

      Felicity sobered. “Lily, I understand you wanting to pay your own way. Really, I do. I was married once and I went through some rough times financially when it ended. It took me a long time to get back on my feet and I had to do it on my own. So I know all about the need to feel independent and responsible for yourself.”

      “So you understand why I can’t possibly accept the gown.”

      “What I understand is that you’re marrying a very wealthy man and into a very wealthy family. The Cartwrights have a position within the Eastwick community. Whether it’s fair or not, people expect a certain level of style from them.”

      Lily felt a tightening in her chest. “And I certainly don’t fit the profile of a wife for Jack Cartwright.”

      “You do as far as he’s concerned. I think you could wear a fig leaf and that man would be happy. In fact, he might like it better if you came in a fig leaf.”

      Lily laughed, as she was sure Felicity meant her to do. “A fig leaf I can afford.”

      “But I’m not sure his family would be thrilled with the choice,” Felicity pointed out.

      “So what am I supposed to do? Just let Sandra spend a fortune on a dress for me?”

      “No. You’re supposed to let the mother of the man you’re going to marry feel that she did something special for you. I know it may seem superficial, but appearances are important to her. She wants to make you feel like you’re one of them. And this is her way of doing it. It’s important to her that she does this for you. It makes her feel like she’s a part of things, that she’s not losing her son.”

      Lily could feel herself relenting. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about embarrassing Jack or herself by wearing something that was too common for the woman who was becoming Mrs. Jack Cartwright. “It really is a beautiful dress.”

      “Yes, it is. And I think it’s perfect for you. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Why don’t you try it on and let’s see how it looks. For all we know you could be agonizing over whether or not to accept it as a gift for nothing because you might hate the way it looks on you.”

      “I doubt that,” Lily said as she looked at the dress again.

      “I brought a couple of different shoe styles in two sizes because I wasn’t sure if you were having any problems with swelling.”

      Tearing her eyes from the dress, Lily glanced over and saw the shopping bag by the door. “I can’t believe you went to all this trouble.”

      “It’s no trouble. It’s what I do and I have to confess I love it. Besides, your fiancé made me promise that I would make this wedding as stress-free for you as possible.”

      “Jack asked you to do that?”

      “Mmm-hmm. He said it took some arm-twisting to get you to agree to marry him and he wanted everything to be perfect for you.”

      Lily swallowed, unsure what to say.

      “Come on, let’s see how it fits,” Felicity said, and after locking the door, she took the dress from Lily and waited for her to undress. Felicity held the dress for Lily to step into. Once she had it on, the other woman pulled up the zipper and then began fussing with the rosettes above each shoulder. When she was satisfied, she stood back. “Oh, Lily,” she said, and brought her palms together. Her expression softened. “You look beautiful. And the ivory color, it looks wonderful against your skin. Do you have a mirror anywhere?”

      “In the bathroom through there,” Lily said, indicating the door at the far side of the office.

      “Then come, see for yourself.”

      Lily went into the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. It was the dress. It was beautiful, and it made her look different. She didn’t even look pregnant because the design camouflaged her stomach. The off-the-shoulder neckline also exposed more of her than she was used to, including more cleavage, she realized, pressing her hand to her chest. She had never had a big bust and at best, her cleavage had been attained with the help of miracle bras. But her stomach hadn’t been the only thing that had grown since her pregnancy. And while she would never be as full-figured as Felicity, she definitely had more curves. “You don’t think it shows a little too much?”

      “I think it looks perfect on you. Hang on, let me get the shoes.” She disappeared into the other room and came back with the shopping bag, then she took out a box that contained a pair of ivory satin pumps with kitten heels. “Let’s try these.”

      Lily slipped her feet into the shoes. They fitted perfectly. The pointed tips peeked out from beneath the skirt.

      “How do they feel?” Felicity asked as she stood.

      “They feel great.”

      “And they look wonderful with the dress.” She smiled again. “You’re going to make a beautiful bride, Lily. I can’t wait to see Jack’s face when he sees you walking down the aisle.”

      Lily sobered. She met Felicity’s eyes in the mirror. “You don’t have to pretend. I’m sure you know this marriage isn’t a love match, and that the only reason Jack is marrying me is because I’m pregnant.”

      “Are you sure about that?”

      “What do you mean?” Lily asked as she slipped off the shoes and took off the wedding dress. She handed the gown to Felicity and retrieved her own clothes.

      “I mean that I saw the way Jack was looking at you the other day and it wasn’t the way a man looks at a woman he’s marrying out of duty.”

      “You’re mistaken.”

      “Am I?” Felicity asked as she returned the wedding gown to the garment bag and zipped it closed. “I’ve been in this business for quite some time now and I’ve seen my share of weddings. СКАЧАТЬ