CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
OLIVIA
Olivia was finding it difficult to breathe, and it had nothing to do with the tight bodice of the dress around her midsection. Outside the window, on the back lawn, she could see rows upon rows of seats slowly filling with hundreds of people.
“I thought you said it wasn’t going to be too big,” she said quietly. Jennifer laughed softly from behind her.
“Why, it is small, my dear. This is only about a fifth of the entire clan.”
“A fifth,” Olivia croaked, still feeling like the teeming crowd below was an excessive amount of people.
“You’re lucky,” Jennifer said, coming around to face her. “The overseas panthers wanted to come, too, but I promised them we would travel around the world after the honeymoon to meet them all.”
“Travel?” Olivia asked.
“Of course, dear,” Jennifer said, looking Olivia up and down. “They must meet you personally. You’re the fated mate of their alpha! Maureen, come around here and look, will you? I can’t decide if we’re ready or not.”
Olivia yelped as the laces were drawn tighter and tied in loops by her mother. She scowled at both women as they stood before her, but neither of them was looking at her face.
“I’m happy,” Maureen said, appraising her daughter. “I know the dressmaker promised a full filigree of seed pearls, and only half the design is done, but I think it works.”
“It more than works,” Jennifer agreed. “It’s a little understated now, which I like.”
“Shall we tighten that corset a bit more?” Maureen asked mischievously. Olivia scowled.
“Oh, my dears, don’t,” Gerri laughed. She was sitting on the other side of the room, drinking a glass of wine. Her silvery-white hair was styled as usual in her elegant, signature bob, and she wore a dress of sequined dark blue.
“It’s not like Olivia’s breasts need any help, and that corset has them framed quite well.” Gerri laughed.
Olivia blushed, grinning. Her mother came forward and brushed a few red curls from her cheek.
“You look amazing, my darling,” Maureen whispered. Jennifer stepped up and grabbed Olivia’s hand, giving it a squeeze.
“We didn’t do the corset too tight, did we?”
“Not at all,” Olivia replied. “But I think we should keep you away from the laces from now on.”
“Hey, hey!” Evelyn’s voice sounded from the door. She rapped loudly on the wood. “It’s starting!”
“They can’t start without us,” Jennifer said, rolling her eyes.
“They have everyone seated!” Evelyn cried. “Music is playing in ten minutes.”
“I’d better get down there,” Maureen said. “I’ll make sure the boys are in position.”
Jennifer made “go” gestures with her hands and continued to fuss with Olivia’s hair. Gerri got up and strode across the room, following Maureen.
“Best of luck, honey,” she said, giving Olivia a little air kiss. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you, Gerri,” Olivia said, catching the other woman’s eye and giving her hand a quick squeeze. “Thank you for everything.”
Gerri smiled. “It’s my pleasure, sweetheart,” she said, hurrying away. When Olivia turned back to Jennifer, she was amazed to see the other woman had tears pouring down her cheeks.
“What’s the matter?” Olivia cried.
“You’re so beautiful,” Jennifer whispered. “All of this has turned out so well. Nicholas is like a new man, and Henry is so happy!”
Olivia grinned. “You’re going to ruin your makeup.”