Page 50 of Loving Victoria

“Yes, but Lady Whitelaw, it’s your day. What doyouwant to be in?” The woman came closer but stopped when I met her gaze through a watery haze. I was not going to cry in front of a stranger. I tilted my head and blinked the tears away.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push.” The woman averted her eyes, a guilty expression crossing her face.

“It’s okay. And please, call me Victoria,” I sighed, and my gaze landed on the spot where I’d tucked away the gorgeous dress. I couldn’t let myself be tempted. I needed to shut down my feelings if I was going to make it through the wedding. “Shall we go see what my mother has picked out already?” I said to the saleswoman.

“Right this way, Victoria. I’m Vivian, by the way.” The young woman guided me to the dressing room, where my mother and Natalie waited. They each had a glass of champagne in their hand. If I was really going to get through this, I was going to need the whole damn bottle. I reached for a glass, but my mother stopped me. “Sweetie, you need to try on the first dress. None of this until we find the one you like.”

The one I like. That was a laugh. How could that happen when all I could picture was walking down the aisle toward the Donaldson clan? I let out a sigh and went into the dressing room to put on the first dress. I knew right off the bat my mother had picked it out. It was a huge, sparkly ballgown. It had so many layers of tulle I could barely walk out to show them. My mother’s eyes filled with tears when she saw me.

“You look so beautiful, Victoria. I love this dress on you.” She waved her hands in front of her face in an effort to dry her eyes before she messed up her makeup.

I turned and studied my reflection in the mirror. If I’d been into more showy than sexy, this would have been a perfect contender. It’s not like I wanted anything sexy to wear for the Donaldson boys. The puffy skirt gave me space. They wouldn’t be able to get too close, but the crystals all over the top were going to shred my arms.

The next one was the complete opposite, and I guessed was Natalie’s pick. It was one that was super tight, and I could barely walk in it. As I gasped for breath, I realized there was no way I was wearing this one. I didn’t need to feel even more trapped than I already was. Never mind that the plunging neckline almost went to my bellybutton. No, thank you. I was not giving those guys any type of invitation.

Vivian helped me in and out of at least a dozen dresses. I kept a few of them to the side to consider, as they worked slightly in my favor, but none of them screamed to me. When I walked into the fitting room, more dresses had been deposited into the room. The next one was already set up, so all I had to do was step into it as soon as the current monstrosity was removed.

I stepped into the next dress, barely acknowledging it, and let the sales assistant adjust it. With a resigned sigh, I turned to face the massive wall mirror opposite me and froze.

It was the lace dress I’d taken out but put away.

I caught Vivian’s smile over my shoulder as she buttoned the dress. “I thought you should at least try on the one you liked.” A flush crept across my chest and up to my cheeks. Since I’d been home, no one had once thought of what I wanted, and this stranger, though she didn’t know it, had done the kindest thing for me.

“Come on. Let’s go see.” She patted my shoulder and then held the curtain aside.

I walked to the podium and stood in front of the massive mirrors, admiring the beautiful dress. It was a creamy white with a lace top layer. I loved it was strapless with a straight neckline, instead of the dreaded sweetheart one. The A-line came in at my waist, then flared out from my hips perfectly. It was classy and elegant, but not in a flashy, showy over-the-top way.

Vivian came behind me and clipped a few places to make the dress fit me exactly. My breath caught as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. This dress was perfect. I could picture Andrew and Caleb standing on either side of me at the altar. This would be the exact dress I’d want if I married the twins. I sniffed and glanced at my feet. It would even be cute with my cowboy boots.

I ran my hands over the front of this dress, suddenly needing to take it off. I didn’t want to wear this dress to marry the Donaldsons.

“Oh, honey. That dress is not working for you.” My mother’s voice broke through my panicked thoughts.

I knew this was my dress, but it wasn’t the one I needed to marry a group of men I hated.

“I know, Mother. We just tried it on to get a palate cleanse from the others,” I lied, turning to Vivian with a forced smile.

Her eyes flicked toward me with the sorrow I had buried deep inside me. She nodded. We both knew I didn’t have a say in it, but I hoped she understood I appreciated the kind gesture. My heart tore, knowing I would never wear this dress or marry the men I loved.

“Try on the one I picked out. It has the layers along the skirt but a very low back.” Natalie wagged her eyebrows, and I nodded.

“That one sounds lovely,” Mother chimed in. “Yes, Victoria. Try that one on next. The sex appeal will be off the charts, and those boys won’t be able to keep their hands off you.” She clapped, a smile spreading across her face. Mother was putting on quite the show for the saleswomen. Like my mother cared if those boys touched me, other than to make sure I gave her at least one grandchild.

I went to follow Vivian into the dressing room when she came out with my cellphone and purse in her hand. By the ringtone, I knew it was one of the Kingstons.

“Hello, stranger,” I greeted Dec. “Miss me already?”

“Victoria…” Declan’s voice sounded strange. Something was wrong. He never called me Victoria unless it was serious.

“What’s wrong?” The words ripped from my mouth while panic clawed at my chest.

“It’s Caleb.”

My heart stuttered at the mention of his name.

“He’s in the hospital.”

I couldn’t breathe.The phone case bit into my hand as I gripped it tighter. The world around me spun as I fell to my knees.

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