Page 10 of The Banker's Bride

“Yes, that’s why we’re here.” Dallas stepped out and held out his hand for her. He looked over her dress. “Your dress is lovely, but it won’t serve as your wedding gown.”

“That’s not necessary—”

“Nonsense!” Dallas cut her off, holding out his arm. “I told you that I intend to spoil you and that begins now.”

“Well, then, a practical dress is fine… something I can wear again—”

“No.” He leaned in conspiratorially, a smile curling his lips. “I want you to have a dress that our daughter can wear on her wedding day… an heirloom.”

Megan blushed as she took his arm and let him escort her to the door. She had gone from being completely poor and alone, to being rich and planning a family… all in the course of one day. It was a lot to take in. She wondered why he was doing this. Surely, a man with his credentials, means, and money could have any woman he wanted. But she pushed the thought aside, not wanting to give him reason to change his mind.

“Well, if ye insist—”

“I do.”

Before he could open the door to the shop, it flew open and a woman with auburn hair–a bit lighter than her own–flung open the door. “Why, Mr. King! You didn’t tell me your new bride was so lovely!” She looked Megan up and down and then extended her hand, palm down. “My name is Kenzie Baker. ‘Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Her accent was a combination of an English accent and an Irish brogue.

Megan was immediately intrigued, wondering about her story, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. After all, this was her wedding day. “The pleasure is mine.”

Kenzie’s head snapped up as she linked arms with her. “Are you from Ireland?”

“Yes, I am.” Megan nodded.

Kenzie smiled. “My parents were originally from Ireland, and they moved to England when I was young.”

Dallas cleared his throat behind them.

“But we’ll have plenty of time to get to know one another later. Let’s go inside. After all, today is your wedding day.” In the store, Kenzie led her to a beautiful white gown hanging on a dressmaker’s form. It was floor length, fitted at the waist and bustled in the back with a huge silk bow in the back. The fine laceoverlay shimmered in the sunlight that streamed in through the window. “Well, what do you think?”

Megan gasped. “No!” She looked at Kenzie, her eyes open wide. “This is… fer me?”

Kenzie smiled, clearly enjoying her reaction. “If you don’t believe me, then ask your fiancé.”

Megan snapped her head toward Dallas, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Dallas smiled, taking her hands in his own. Then he lifted them to his lips and kissed each hand. The gesture was simple, yet so intimate that she blushed. “Anything for my bride.”

“But ‘tis too much….” She turned her head to look at the dress again. “Back home, ye could feed a village for a week with the money that—”

“Shh….” He placed a finger gently to her lips. “Let’s have no mention of money. Not today. I want everything to be perfect for you… for us… just this one day.” He glanced up at her through his eyelashes, his eyes pleading. “Please?”

The intensity in his eyes was more than she could bear. “If it pleases ye—”

“It does.” A broad smile spread across his handsome face. Dallas turned to Kenzie, taking charge. “Miss Baker, would you assist my bride?” He took out a pocket watch and looked at it, checking the time. Then he jumped with a start as he snapped it closed. “Megan, I’ll send a driver for you.” He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We’re due at the church at four o’clock. I’ll meet you there?”

Megan gave him a nervous smile and nodded as a thrill ran through her body. It appeared as if the fairy tale she had been waiting for was coming true at last. “I’ll be the one in white.”

“No need to send for a driver,” Kenzie said, her voice soft. “I’ll make sure she gets to the church on time.”

Megan glanced over at her, panicked. “But I need to bathe—”

“My home is right upstairs, over my store.” Kenzie took her hand. “And I have a bathing room downstairs with a bathtub.”

Megan’s eyes grew wide. “This store… is yers?”

Kenzie nodded as a broad smile spread across her face. “Lock, stock, and barrel.”

“My, my!” Never before had Megan met a woman who owned property, let alone a business.

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