From Bridal Designer to Bride by Kandy Shepherd

Author:Kandy Shepherd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-01-10T15:43:54+00:00

* * *

Even though she was the driver—no one, but no one, got to drive her precious vintage car—Josh insisted on getting out of the car first to come around to her side and open the door for her.

‘I intend to start as I mean to continue as your fiancé,’ he said.

She tensed. Thank heaven he hadn’t said ‘fake fiancé’. These streets could have ears. She would have to force herself to relax and trust him to play his part.

‘Thank you,’ she said.

It seemed the most natural thing in the world for him to take her hand as she walked with him towards her favourite Bowral café, which served great coffee and the most delicious pastries baked on the premises. Enfolding hers, his hand felt warm and large and somehow comforting. He was on her side, even for only a very limited time.

She was looking up at him and smiling at something he’d said when she heard her name called out. Eloise turned to see a woman she’d dressed for her wedding two years ago. All must be going well, as she was proudly sporting an advanced baby bump.

‘Eloise, I thought it was you. Are you in town for Becca’s wedding?’ She didn’t pause for an answer. ‘Of course Becca would be wearing one of your gowns. For the second time, that is.’

‘Anna, how lovely to see you.’ They air kissed. ‘And I can see congratulations are in order.’

The other woman smiled. ‘Do you design christening gowns by any chance?’

‘Only for my most special clients,’ she said. ‘Call me and we can chat.’

Eloise kept a special linen bag of offcuts from each wedding. They came in remarkably handy for creating baby outfits, both traditionally styled and contemporary, for christenings and naming ceremonies, made with the fabric from the mother’s wedding dress. She didn’t advertise the service, as there wasn’t much profit in it, but it was an added extra for clients and unique, as far as she knew, to her company.

People boasted about starting their own christening gown family heirlooms. But you had to have bought a wedding gown from Eloise Evans Atelier first.

Anna was not doing a very good job of disguising her interest in the tall, handsome man standing by Eloise’s side.

‘Oh, Anna, this is my fiancé, Josh.’

The words tripped so easily off Eloise’s tongue, thanks to a dint of practising in front of the mirror the previous night after Josh had gone home.

‘Josh, this is Anna, one of my clients who had the most beautiful wedding two years ago.’

‘Fiancé?’ Anna said, sculpted eyebrows raised. ‘But I heard...’ She collected herself. ‘Congratulations. How exciting.’ Her gaze went straight to the ruby engagement ring glinting on Eloise’s left hand. She seemed puzzled by it.

No doubt Anna had seen the horrible hashtags on @lindytheblonde’s social media. And believed every word. Yet here was wedding-hating Eloise Evans engaged to be married. You could almost see the cogs working in the woman’s mind.

‘It’s only very recently that Ellie has done me the honour of agreeing to become my wife,’ Josh said smoothly.

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