Page 98 of Crown of Wings and Whispers

“Two.”

And that’s how Griffon became her least favorite member of the family.

35

Satin And Plaid

Urban and Kitch took Griffon into town to speak with Father Donne while Everly, Persi, and I went shopping for a wedding dress. “If we have time for nothing else,” Everly said, “you’ll at least have a gown to help you remember the day.”

Alwyn started planning a supper to follow the ceremony. Wickham and Ivy were given a list of dresses and things to salvage from abandoned closets at Hope House. The Irishmen and Wickham’s boys were enlisted in Rinky’s army, to “red up the house” and help her do a little decorating.

I tried to convince them all a fuss wasn’t necessary, but I got the same reaction from both the men and the women—they’d roll their eyes and walk away.

In town, we three women seemed amusing to the local purveyors of wedding gowns. We hit four shops and the question was always the same.Why would ye American tourists be shoppin’ for weddin’ dresses in the Highlands?

The dress I met and fell in love with had a name—Jess. I could hardly believe it was me in the mirror, and the saleswoman had to move fast to catch my tears before they spilled on the fabric. It was made of flowy, off-white satin and sat off my shoulders, which left plenty of space for my Blunt Collarbone haircut to lay where it was supposed to, against my collarbones. It also showed off my fancy armband, which made me feel that Kivi was with me in some way.

Instead of a veil, Everly talked me into a delicate and narrow tiara which was almost lost in my hair.

“It only matters that Griffon will see it,” she said. “But I’ll have Macklyn add a few more diamonds.” Macklyn McFie, the family gemologist who would be sad to learn that Hank was no more.

I was long past arguing for a simple ceremony. My dress was perfect—more breathtaking than I’d ever imagined. So, Everly was right. What else mattered?

Other than the groom, of course, who was equally perfect and breathtaking.

In the evening, we went to a restaurant to meet with Dezi McHenish, one of the women who had first decorated Hope House, to talk about my bouquet. With her help, I chose white ranunculus symbolizing charm and attraction. Star of Bethlehem for honesty. Seeded eucalyptus represented protection, and the tiny sage-green succulents I adored—they were common in Wyoming--were a symbol of timelessness.

When we returned to the house late that evening, Griffon pretended to be moved by my choices, but he was just like the rest of the men in the house. Flowers were flowers. I hoped he’d have a stronger reaction to the dress.

Wickham let us know that Orion had been at Hope House, but the only things he’d disturbed were a section of the rear wall and a chess board inside. “I’ll hire the wall to be repaired, to keep the place from bein’ ransacked, but Hope House is officially off limits.”

I spent the following day, Thursday, in the kitchen, mostly getting in Alwyn’s way. Everyone else was seeing to finishing touches, and Griffon went home to Bridie’s. If there was no trouble, he planned to bring her and Archer back the following day, for the wedding. If there was trouble, he’d come back alone, on time. He promised.

We would spend the night apart, which seemed to please everyone…but me.

* * *

As slow as Thursday passed,Friday more than made up for it. Breakfast was served in the kitchen, so no one would disturb me. When I finally woke, I worried I was late for something and felt that way all day long, even though there was nothing on my schedule but getting dressed and getting married.

Finally, when I was sitting in a chair letting Everly do my hair and makeup, I felt caught up. The tiara weighed twice as much as it had the day before, and Everly’s idea of a few diamonds would have made a rich man wince. It was still delicate and thin, but the shine of the stones ensured more than just Griffon would notice it.

The two of us were the last to get to the church and I was secreted through a back door so the groom wouldn’t see me. It was unnecessary and silly, but it also made me feel special in a way I couldn’t describe. I only hoped my grandmother was looking down from Heaven, having a good laugh, and crying her eyes out.

With forty-five minutes before the ceremony, I was left alone in a room barely big enough to hold my dress. My bouquet sat in a holder until Wickham came to collect me. I’d already held it in front of the mirror for a mental picture. Now all I could do was wait.

I heard voices in the next room and tried to make out what they were saying. It sounded like Persi and Archer, arguing. But since the two of them didn’t really know each other, I figured I was wrong. When the argument continued, I finally cracked my door open and sat back on my stool. If it was two priests, one with a higher pitched voice, I could stop guessing.

“What do you mean, that’s all that matters?”It was Persi all right, which meant it was probably Archer too.“She deserves to know.”

I didn’t move. I didn’t want them knowing I was there, listening. Since I was the only “she” they had in common, I was invested in the conversation.

“I shouldn’t have told ye, but I cannae take it back. Can ye nae be content with the fact that he loves her?”

“No. She’ll be mortified if she thinks fairies insisted on this wedding.”Persi lowered her voice.“Any idea what someone with a dragon might do if upset?”

“Yet another reason ye should keep yer gob shut, woman.”

“Yeah, go ahead. Call me woman just one more time…”

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