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décolleté round necklines. At least one evening gown would be of an off-the-shoulder design, and others would have beautifully flounced sleeves made of lace. Tea gowns, walking gowns, suits, capes, and more. Mrs. O’Shea and her team of seamstresses would certainly have her hands full with this order.
    At ten thirty that morning Jacquie finally retreated to her room to dress for the luncheon with Roland. She chose a simple white gown with a pinched waist and full skirt. Iris entered the room to help with her ties in the back, chattering nonstop about their upcoming voyage.
    “I cannot believe my good fortune.” Iris giggled. “Every time I think about it, I’m giddy, miss.”
    “Yes, I’m delighted as well.” About the trip, of course, but notabout having Iris along. This would surely kink up the plans. She and Peter would have a lot to talk about. Then again, they already had a lot to discuss even without factoring Iris into the mix.
    Roland arrived at exactly five till eleven, looking more than a little anxious. The man was nothing if not prompt. He gushed over Jacquie’s appearance and even insisted upon sitting next to her at the dining room table, making quite the show about pulling out her chair. She took her seat, groaning inwardly. Truly, the only thing that made the whole experience tolerable was the glimpse of Peter she managed to catch through the window as he worked in the garden. For a moment their eyes met, and all was right with the world again.
    “I must say, you look radiant.”
    “Excuse me?” Jacquie turned back to Roland, not quite sure she’d heard him correctly.
    “You’re exquisite in this white dress. I can only imagine how lovely you will look on our wedding day.”
    His cheeks flushed red, and Jacquie felt a wave of guilt wriggle through her. She offered him a gentle nod, hoping he wouldn’t notice the trembling in her hands. No one had ever accused the man of being an ogre. For the most part, she found him agreeable. Still, not the sort she would ever want to marry, not if she waited her whole life. For one thing, the difference in their ages seemed too wide a gap. For another, her heart belonged to someone else.
    “If you think she looks lovely today, just wait until you see the dresses we’ve ordered. Your new bride is going to be the toast of the town in her new gowns.” Mother shared with great zeal about the various fabrics they’d chosen for Jacquie’s so-called honeymoon ensemble, and another niggling of guilt ribboned through Jacquie.
    In spite of this, the lunch hour passed tolerably well. Jacquie tried not to yawn aloud as Father and Roland lit into a conversation about automobiles. Though she enjoyed a good ride about town in one, especially one as lovely as Roland’s Rolls-Royce, she hardly found them entertaining dinner-table conversation. Roland, it would seem, could talk for hours—about the latest technology and how his business was perfectly suited to the blossoming trends in the market, whatever that meant.
    Then again, his nonstop chatter meant that Jacquie was required to say relatively little, which suited her purposes just fine. Instead, she nibbled on a chicken-salad sandwich and sipped her tea, all the while fighting the temptation to look out the window. She hoped to catch Peter’s eyes just once more. Knowing he was right outside gave her the strength to bear this nonsense.
    When the clock in the front hall struck twelve, Roland glanced her way and sighed. “I can’t believe the hour has passed so quickly. I’m sorry, ladies, but work beckons.” He eased his chair back and shrugged. “Do forgive me for going on so? I promise to let you do most of the talking once we’re married, Jacqueline.” He gave her a wink, which she almost found sweet. From the sparkle in his eyes, she could tell that his feelings for her must be growing. For a moment, she found herself feeling a bit sorry for him…until she realized how he would benefit from their