Once on the patio, Amy caught up. The servants opened the doors for them and Renee slowed down. "Are you all right? Any knife in yourback?"
Not today. Lucio's touch replayed in her mind. She shook her head and answered, "I'm too happy to let her get tome."
Renee stared at her like she’d just said something very naïve. Amy knew that look well as it was an almost daily occurrence in high school from her sister's friends. Renee quickly warmed though. "Oh goodness, well Kristin and I will help you, no matter whathappens."
"Thanks." She hoped nothing went wrong. She shouldn't need support against her family or her sister. She’d marry Lucio in a few days and this time it would be because she’d chosen her life, not because they pushed her. She’d accept being royalty and switch her loyalties to those that respectedher.
"This way." Renee opened the doors for them to go inside a conference room with racks of whitedresses.
Queen Anna Camilla and Kristin both stood from the table they’d been sitting at. Lucio's mother outstretched her hands, walked toward them and said, "Amy Fields, it's a pleasure to see youagain."
"Your Majesty." Amy's head went down and she curtsied. She wasn't sure how to address Lucio's mother now that she was aqueen.
The queen reached out and brushed her arms. "Anna, please, just as you called me when we lived inEngland."
"You weren't a queen then." Amy glanced upward and saw the smile on her face. She looked better than her memories painted her, but that was probably the makeup. In England, Lucio’s mother often worked in her garden without any eyeshadow orlipstick.
Her lips curved into the same smile that Lucio had inherited. "No, but you called me by my name and since we're to be family now, there is no need to beformal."
True. Amy let out a breath. "Anna Camilla, has Lucio spoken to you concerning thedate?"
"Yes." She stepped backwards and pointed to all the white dresses behind her. "He said the day after tomorrow, so we don't have a lot of time with details. It's why I asked you herenow."
She swallowed. If anyone had answers though, it was Anna. "Have you heard from Lucio or the others? I was worried about what happened in the financialdistrict."
Anna took her hands and turned her toward the dresses. "They are all safe and accounted for. My boys are meeting with the local police to identify the faces of theaggressors."
Good. At least Amy could relax. She stared at the countless racks that seemed larger than the bridal store on the corner of her street in London. "After this, I need to work on a report I promisedLucio."
Kristin poured four cups of tea on the side table where she'd been sitting with the queen before Amy came in. She set them on the table. "Would you like your mom or Suzie here when you pick out thedress?"
Her mother would find a way to relate picking a dress to their business or how she’d be related to the royal family too. "No. I'll show them later, if that'spossible."
Renee walked past a rack of dresses and picked one up as she said, "Amy, anything is possible. You're about to be aprincess."
She'd promised Lucio to handle this. "It feels strange to hear that, but I'll do it." She went through the first rack and her mind swirled. This could take all day. "There are somany."
Renee joined Kristin at the table and didn’t seem to mind the slight pouch of her stomach. Renee must be one of those women that pregnancy never bothered as she joked, "And different from the months ago when Kristin and I ransacked the racks. These are the latestdesigns."
Names of designers she knew rushed through her and she searched the rack for the matches. Once she found one, she stopped. Hopefully it fit. "I'm starting with this one. Vivienne Westwood was one of myfavorites."
"So was Lucio." Renee winked and sat down with her cup oftea.
"True!" A huge smile grew on her face. Lucio had been her crush. She walked to the changingroom.
She put the dress on but couldn't lace it. She called out, "Can someonehelp?"
"Absolutely," Renee said. The loose material tightened as Renee snapped buttons and tugged on the strings. Amy stared at herself in the full-size mirror. The magnificent dress brought her dreams closer to reality. Once she was completely in, she walked out to show everyone. "So, what do youthink?"
"Wow. You look gorgeous," Anna Camillasaid.
Amy wondered if she radiated happiness. "I feel amazing—like a princess for aday."
She twirled and watched the fabric follow her—this was better than a dream. Soon, Lucio would be foreverhers.
14
IsLucio Aussa set to marry hisstalker?
