otional distress,' had ended the performance. Now, resting on a chaise lounge, her earlier frailty had curdled into a potent, simmering resentment. Catherine had been helped to her room

livia asked, pacing the floor of Cathe

ld compress on her forehead. "She is unn

ook crossed her face. "The Sterli

oked up. "Wh

m sure Nora doesn't have anything appropriat

t would be a disaster.

el gown. The one from two years ago. It's a bit out of style, but it's better

. In the world of high fashion, wearing last season's gown to a major event was

therine smiled, "that

locked away during the most important social event of the season would raise more questions than it answered. "The press will notice h

s necessity, finally relented. "Fine," he said, his voice clipped. "She may attend the gala. But the gro

k. "Of course, darling. S

ttend the biggest party of the season.

ine knocked on the doo

ple pair of jeans and a t-shirt, read

carrying a garment bag. S

"Olivia insisted you wear this to the

. It was elegant, but the cut was distinctly dated. In a

me, wearing the wrong colors or fabrics to a

thoughtful expression on he

rine snapped. "Yo

your call with the stylist this afternoon. You mentioned something about a 'Renaissance' theme for the decor. I only

ht note. The fear of

ed. "Are you sure

he pulled up a series of images from recent European fashion shows-gowns wit

like Giambattista Valli and Schiaparelli are doing this look

es. The gowns were breathtak

d by a Medici portrait. "This one, for instance. The embroidery is exquisite. If I wore this, peopl

would see your choice, Mother. They would know that y

other society matrons with a stunning, themed gown

tablet from Nora'

But it's very expensive. M

rrupted, her pride stung. "If we are

ed a gown. Schiaparelli. The gold embroidery piece from the winter collectio

d at Nora. "You bette

a said, smiling demurely as C

livia's plan to humiliate her had just resulted in

in the closet, next to the empty hangers