Page 2 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

“Maybe I’d still better add a narrow-beaded belt between the bodice and skirt to hide the stitchwork.”

Rene nodded, studying the area where the seam would be stitched to meet the skirt, winking at an extremely patient Camille. “I suspect it will be needed for a smooth transition across the waistline. Have you decided what you’d like to do with the veil?”

“I have.” Aylin nodded distractedly, continuing to better adjust the waistline.

Although Camille was smiling, she was definitely getting impatient again. “Am I going to get any say so in this at all?

Backing off, Aylin scrunched her nose as she studied Camille from head to toe, nodding her approval. “Soon. Let me get your veil in place first, and you can let us know what you think.” She glanced at the wall clock. “We still have a few more minutes before Mama, Dez and Emilie arrive.”

“What about Celine?”

“She’ll be here a little later. They’re doing some finish work at the house today, so she said to get started without her.”

Turning away, Aylin reached for the veil that Rene was holding high in the air.

“I’d do something more dramatic if Camille wasn’t so petite,” Aylin murmured. “So, I thought I’d go with a headband that was covered with the same fabric that we used for the bodice.”

“Perfect,” Rene agreed.

Aylin headed to the corner of the fitting room where endless supplies were visible, organized in floor to ceiling storage drawers.

Aylin pursed her lips, considering her options.

“Here we are,” she finally said, reaching into one of the drawers. Pulling out a Velcro covered headband, she rested it on the worktable before reaching for a small pair of scissors and carefully cutting the comb away from the gauzy veil.

Snipping some of the spare fabric that she’d cut away from the bodice while fitting Camille, Aylin expertly covered the headband before attaching the veil to the Velcroed underband.

“I’ll stitch it together when I begin working on the gown,” she said, handing the veil over for Rene’s approval.

Rene smiled, handing it back to Aylin. “Let’s see how it looks.”

After carefully placing the headband and veil on Camille’s head, Aylin stood back, smiling her approval. “You’ll need one more thing before you can turn around and look.”

Aylin had noticed several high-quality silk bouquets inside the store, so rushing from the workroom, she returned shortly carrying a bridal bouquet made from artificial red and white roses mixed with rubrum lilies.

“We’ll have fresh flowers, of course. You haven’t seen the bridesmaid dresses yet, but these were the colors I was thinking would work well along with some touches of pine tips and juniper. It’s Christmas after all.”

Camille smiled as Aylin handed over the bouquet. “It’s a beautiful color scheme, Aylin. I love it.”

“Now close your eyes and turn in place,” Aylin insisted. “I need to adjust your gown so you can see the full effect of the train when you look in the mirror.”

Camille laughed but did as she was told while Aylin fussed with the gown and veil.

“Okay,” Aylin said softly. “Open your eyes.”

Eyes springing open to stare into the mirror, Camille gasped as tears came to her eyes. “Oh, Aylin. You’ve made Mom’s gownstunning.”

At that moment, Aylin glanced around the corner of the workroom, noticing that the family had arrived and were standing inside the boutique.

“Good afternoon, ladies.” Rene left the workroom, motioning for everyone to have a seat in the row of chairs set up across from the register near the changing rooms. “We can’t wait for you to see Camille. We’ll send her out momentarily.”

Aylin put a few final touches on the veil. “I’ll start sewing the seams this afternoon.”

“I hate for you to take on all this work on your own, Aylin,” Rene said, hands on her hips.

“It’s not going to take that long. I knew that the gown would require hand stitching once we added all the details, and I’d really like to see it through,” Aylin admitted. “Besides, you’re paying me awfully well to do it.”

Rene smiled. “I am, aren’t I? I have a feeling that you’re definitely going to deserve it. You’re not only creative, but diligent too. I only wish that you lived here in Crystal Rock so you could work with me every day. It’s not often that I run across a talented self-taught designer.”

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