Page 36 of Bride By Coronation

"Just as well," she informs.

"Glad to hear it."

She motions to the chair. "Please sit. Can I get you anything to drink or eat?"

"No, thank you."

"Alright. One moment." She opens the door and belts out orders in French.

Two younger women appear in the doorway. They curtsy, then wheel three racks of dresses inside the tiny space.

Colette motions toward the door. "Thank you." She says something in French, and they disappear. She turns toward me with a huge smile. "What an exciting decision you get to make!"

My stomach clenches. I never understood why Sean Sr. created a rule that the king picks the queen's wedding gown. It seems like it takes away the excitement from the bride.

Fiona's far from excited,I remind myself.

Maybe this is better for her if I do it.

Who am I kidding? I know nothing about wedding dresses.

"Sir, may I show you my top picks?" Colette asks.

"Please," I beg, not wanting to screw this up but feeling like I'm going to.

Colette pulls a dress off the rack and hangs it on the wall hook. She selects two more and points to the first. It has a super-puffy skirt and reminds me of a princess.

"Not that one," I say.

"No?"

"No. She's a queen, not a princess," I state.

What aren't these people understanding about this?

Colette nods. "Understood, sir." She moves to the next dress. It's form-fitting and all satin.

"Too plain," I say.

She moves to the third dress. "This one has more beading. Is it more your taste?"

I stare at the pearls and lace, then give Colette a frantic look. I admit, "I don't know how to do this."

She softly laughs. "It's okay. We'll find your queen the perfect dress. Don't worry."

I rise and move toward the racks. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," she says.

I sift through the heavy dresses, bypassing most of them, pausing on a few, then get to the last rack.

"Saved the best for last," Colette states.

"I hope so," I mutter, my palms wet again. I wipe them on my pants and carefully touch only the hangers. I slide four dresses across the rack, then freeze.

The dress is a golden cream color with an intricate geometric design and just the right number of crystals and pearls. And it has a dove on the chest.

My little bird.

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