Marrying Mr. Darcy (Love Manor #2) - Kate O'Keeffe Page 0,58

the flesh. Or in the fabric. However you say it for clothes.

A bell tinkles as I push the door open, and I enter a world nothing short of bridal heaven. There are rows and rows of gorgeous bridal gowns lining the pale pink walls, a chandelier glinting in the weak sun overhead, and soft, romantic music playing in the background.

Without even realizing what I’m doing, I reach out and run my fingers over the fabric of the dresses, imagining myself gliding down the aisle in a satin or silk confection with a skirt billowing behind me as everyone gazes at me in my full bridal splendor.

My romantic side runs away with itself as I imagine Sebastian dressed as Mr. Darcy at the end of the aisle, gazing at me with love in his eyes as I make my way toward him as though on a cloud.

Yup, I may be getting a little carried away here.

My fingers find a beautiful ivory dress with a deep V-neckline, tapering into an Empire waist. Chiffon fabric falls in soft folds to the floor. It’s nothing short of exquisite—an elegant, modern dress with a nod to Lizzie Bennet in her Regency fashion, perfect for the bride of Mr. Darcy. Instantly, my heart rate kicks up, and I hold the dress against my body, imagining myself in it.

Could this be The Dress? Could I have found it before I’ve even begun to look? I mean, I’ve heard about this happening to brides—they walk into a bridal store and get hit between the eyes by their fantasy dress. Well, not literally hit between the eyes, but you get what I mean.

The weird thing is I never would have taken a second look at an Empire line dress until I did Dating Mr. Darcy. On the show, the contestants had to wear clothes, right down to the uncomfortable stays (read: primitive bra) and bloomers (yup, just what you might expect). Despite my reticence, when I first saw my reflection dressed up as Lizzie Bennet, I felt something, something I never expected to feel. I felt romantic. I felt whimsical.

I felt like Lizzie Bennet herself.

Since Sebastian and I got engaged, I’ve had a secret desire to wear a Regency style dress. Perhaps this could be it?

“Hello?”

I’m vaguely aware of a voice punctuating my daydream.

“Miss?”

I come around to see an older woman with greying hair pulled into a French twist and a pair of glasses on string around her neck.

“I can only assume everything is all right?” she enquires, a knowing look on her face.

“Yes, sorry,” I stammer, totally busted in my wedding-inspired daydream. “I was just looking at this dress.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she says as she collects the long skirt and holds it up. “I love the detailing around the Empire waist. So pretty.”

I touch the twist tie and instantly feel embarrassed.

“You’re a bride to be.”

“I am,” I reply, more sheepish than a lamb “But not until next year.”

She smiles at me and claps her hands together. “How wonderful. You know, I recognize that look in your eye.”

“You do?”

“Oh, yes. I’ve been in this business long enough to recognize when a bride finds The Dress. I’m going to assume you would like to try it on?”

“It’s beautiful,” I say as I gaze at it.

“I think someone like you would look simply marvelous in this dress. Have you ever worn an Empire line?”

I think of my costume on Dating Mr. Darcy. “Once or twice.” Try virtually every waking hour of the day for what felt like a lifetime.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Susan.”

“Emma.”

“Emma, come with me.” Holding the hanger in one hand, she folds the dress delicately over her other arm and walks to the back of the shop. She hangs it up on its own rack and pulls a heavy, whipped cream-colored curtain back for me to enter the changing room.

“Just slip off everything down to your knickers, and I’ll help you into the dress,” Susan instructs.

I have a flashback to the last time someone had to help me into a new dress. It was Margaret, the person in charge of wardrobe on Dating Mr. Darcy, and it was a Regency period dress complete with an uncomfortable nineteenth-century answer to the push-up bra and “knickers” (don’t you love the British?) so voluminous you could use them to make a tent for the entire family to sleep in.

This time it’s different. Despite the fact I’m not meant to be here to look at bridal dresses but rather