Page 44 of Forbidden Duke
“Yes.” Renee continued while rubbing her stomach, “You have a master’s in library sciences and your library was bustling with patrons—which is why the mall builders spoke to your retirement board and paid youoff.”
She froze, unable to move. That was supposed to be a secret. The princesses must have looked her up with better resources than most small countries. Renee went to sit down and propped up her feet and Kristin brought her a vanillacake.
“I’m not supposed to talk about that,” shesaid.
Donna tried on a few dresses in an adjoined dressing room with a mirror and the seventh dress that Kristin pushed in the door made her feel gorgeous. It had jade flowers like her necklace embedded into the collar and bottom and while it was form-fitting, it didn’t bunch her waist together. She could breathe and it still lookedgreat.
“This one is perfect!” Renee and Kristin came into the dressing room andwhistled.
They helped her walk out, straightening her train. Donna twirled as she neared the table and Beth’s smiling face made the moment bittersweet—she missed her family but was so grateful for Beth. Renee announced, “I agree. This isit.”
“You look lovely,” Beth said with tears in hereyes.
Martina nodded herapproval.
Donna’s heart sped up. She had foundherdress. She hadn’t thought this was even a possibility. She’d never dreamed she’d marry, not afterHarry.
She floated back to the dressing room and changed into the black suit. She hung the gown on the hanger and hugged her waist. When at last she came out to join the other ladies she saw a familiar frizzy-haired woman in cherry red glasses pass the open door. Donna asked, “Is that Cassidy Bright? I mean LadyCassidy?”
“Where?” Kristin lookedaround.
“Who?” Renee looked to the queen apologetically. “I’ve not memorized all the noblesyet.”
Donna walked toward the door and pointed in the direction Cassidy had disappeared. “She went down thehall.”
Kristin folded her arms and glanced in the same direction. “That’s the IT Department. I’ve never met the employeesthere.”
“Lady Cassidy is to marry Lord Sky. It would be nice if she could join us.” Donna added, “She was nice to me yesterday and she grew up in the UStoo.”
Renee pinched the other princess and Kristin started to laugh at the prod. “Yes. Let’s go gether.”
The three of them walked down the hall and Kristin knocked on the IT Department’s door. As they walked in, Cassidy opened her laptop from her seat behind a black desk. “Can I helpyou?”
Donna wavedhello.
Renee asked, “LadyCassidy?”
She shrugged and said, “Here, I’m just the ITDepartment.”
Kristin stepped forward with a huge smile on her face. “Are you the one that sent my Antonio tome?”
Cassidy’s brown frizzy hair seemed to fall in front of her face as if it had a mind of its own. “It wasn’t me. It was my computer program, YourHighness.”
“Well come with us,” Renee said. “We hear you’re getting married as well and you clearly could use a makeover to match whatever dress you want for yourwedding.”
Donna hoped Renee hadn’t meant to sound harsh so she corrected it. “You made us happy, Cassidy, and we’re hoping we can help youtoo.”
Kristin nodded. “Definitely.”
“I didn’t mean to sound rude,” Renee apologized. “You’re the first noble I’ve met here who hasn’t done their hair in some updo with pearls and diamonds every time we meet. You seem like one ofus.”
Cassidy crossed her arms. “I don’t want to talk about my impendingnuptials.”
If she needed help, Donna had to find a way to help her. She’d want someone to help her escape if the situation was reversed. “Do you not want to get married toRemington?”
Cassidy pushed her long hair out of the way. “I will marry Remy, but I’m protesting as much aspossible.”
Kristin crossed the room and stood beside her. “Well, you’ll need a dress too and there are enough for hundreds of brides in there. Please pick one as my thanks for bringing me myAntonio.”
