“Sigourney, it will have to be an off-the-rack dress—it’s all I can afford.”
Sebastian’s sister gave a little pout. “I was going to take you to Saks. They have an amazing bridal salon. We can make a day of it. What do you say?”
Tess looked at her mom, who gave a brief nod, and then caved to Sigourney’s request. “Fine, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be buying a dress. We’re just looking, right?”
“Absolutely!” Sigourney agreed, clapped her hands with delight.
Later, after everyone had gone home for the evening, Sebastian and Tess lay in bed together.
“That went well, don’t you think?” Sebastian asked.
“It was a nice evening, although Sigourney cornered and begged me to let her take me shopping for a wedding dress.”
“Oh, goody,” he razzed.
“You have to talk to her, Sebastian.”
“Let her have her fun. God knows when she’ll ever get around to getting married. Go try on some pretty dresses with her. Who knows? You might just find the perfect one.”
“I guess there’s no harm in looking,” Tess agreed. She reached over to the bedside table and turned off the light. Nuzzling into Sebastian’s arms she whispered, “Merry Christmas.”
Chapter 8 - Dress You Up
Tess and her mom met up with Sigourney outside Saks Fifth Avenue. Sigourney was wearing a fur coat and leather pumps, while Tess and her mom were dressed in simple cotton skirts and blouses.
“Hello! I’m so excited,” she announced, hugging Tess.
Tess was filled with doubt: she knew her future sister-in-law meant well with her offer to help her shop for her wedding gown, but she dreaded the consequences. If Sigourney was half the shopper Sebastian was, it would be an expensive shopping trip.
The three ladies entered the department store and took the elevator to the bridal salon. Sigourney had set up an appointment with a bridal consultant, so she walked over to the desk to chat with the woman.
Tess’ mom smiled as she looked upon the dressed mannequins. “I can’t wait to see you try these on,” she told her daughter.
“Mom, we can’t afford this,” Tess fretted.
“I have some money tucked away for the wedding. Since we don’t need to find a venue for the reception, I want you to use the money to buy the dress.”
Sigourney and the consultant joined them. “Welcome to Saks. Are you ready to find the perfect dress?”
Tess gave an apprehensive smile. “I guess so.”
“What style do you like?” the consultant asked, trying to determine where to start their hunt.
“I want something, simple and elegant—nothing big and puffy,” Tess managed to say. It was the ‘80s and everything seemed big and puffy as Tess looked around the showroom.
“What about something by Armani or Calvin Klein?” Sigourney suggested. “Something with sleek lines.”
The consultant nodded. “Follow me.” She escorted the ladies into a private sitting room and offered them beverages. Sigourney joined the consultant in the storeroom.
“You might think Sigourney was getting married. She’s so excited about this,” Tess whispered to her mom as they sat on the blue silk tufted settee and awaited their return.
“I think it’s sweet she wants to help. I’m so glad she and Sebastian maintained their relationship after what happened between him and his mother.”
“I know. I guess I just always envisioned you and me going to the Bridal Shop back home when it came time for me to get married.”
The consultant and Sigourney returned, each holding two dresses. “I brought these out to see if any of the styles appeal to you,” the consultant began. “First, we have a Calvin Klein silk.” She held it up to Tess to examine. It looked like a slip—flimsy white fabric with spaghetti straps. It certainly was simple and sleek, but Tess couldn’t see herself looking very good in it. She was only five-foot two and had curves. The dress was wrong for her body type.
“Not that one,” Tess said.
“Next, we have Ralph Lauren.” The consultant held up the white cotton dress. It had a country feel to it, with long sleeves and a high-neck lace collar. It looked like something a cowboy’s wife would wear.
“Sorry, I don’t care for that one, either.”
“How about this one,” Sigourney jumped in, “it’s Armani.” The gown was white satin with an ornate beaded bodice and short sleeves, and a long column skirt.
“You’re getting better,” Tess admitted. “Let’s see the last one.”
“The last one is Diane von Furstenberg,” the consultant explained as Sigourney held it up for inspection. It was a variation on the wrap dress—white jersey with a fabric belt, plunging neckline, and long sleeves.
“The neckline is too low,” Tess stated, although she did like the style of the dress.
“We can always alter it,” the consultant explained. “Why don’t you come back with me and we’ll try these two on?”
Tess stood in the dressing room while the consultant pulled, prodded, and pinned her into the dress. The Armani, while beautiful, was just too over-the-top for their simple wedding. The von Furstenberg, while simple, was too sexy. She tried on a few more gowns after that and played fashion show for her mom and Sigourney. After an hour and a half, she was no closer to finding a gown than she had been when they first walked through the doors. Tess was getting cranky and hungry and just wanted to get back into her own clothes.
They left the bridal salon and had lunch at the café in Saks. The food made Tess feel better. “I appreciate that you made the appointment, Sigourney. I’m sorry I couldn’t find anything I liked today.”
“No worries. We can always try Bergdorf’s or Bloomingdale's,” she replied, unfazed.
“I don’t think I’m up for that today,” Tess admitted.
“Then we’ll just window shop. Kate did make the trek into the city. We can’t end the day so early.”
“I’d like that,” Kate agreed.
Tess was overruled, so she tried to take it in stride and enjoy the day. Maybe in a few weeks she could quietly head back to Pennsylvania and go to the little bridal salon with her mom and find a two-hundred-dollar dress to suit her taste.
They walked along the couture floor, passing Dior, Yamamoto, and Céline. Tess couldn’t help herself and stopped outside the Chanel shop. In the window there was a mannequin dressed in a floor-length gown in the palest pink color—it was almost nude. The skirt was tulle, simple and flowing. The bodice was silk with a sweetheart neckline. The short sleeves were beaded with white seed pearls.
Sigourney and Kate continued to walk down the aisle, deep in conversation, not noticing that Tess had stopped. When they did, they doubled back.
“It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen,” Tess breathlessly stated, in awe.
“Well, let’s go try it on,” Sigourney prodded.
“Yes, I want to try it on.”
The three women walked into the boutique, and Sigourney approached the sales associate and pointed to the dress in the window. Soon Tess was swept away to the fitting room, while the sales associate collected her size from the storeroom.
The saleswoman helped Tess into the dress and carefully zipped up the back. “Let’s step outside and show your friends.”
Tess walked onto the boutique floor and stood on the platform in front of the three-way mirror.
Kate was beaming at her beautiful daughter.
Sigourney sighed. “Perfection.”
“It’s a little long, but the tailor can adjust the length for you,” the associated informed Tess.
“I love it. This is the one, Mom. Don’t you think?” Tess asked, all the worry over cost forgotten.
“It is.”
“Okay, let me call alterations and we’ll get this fitted for you. When do you need the dress ready?”
“Not until May. This is my wedding dress.”
“Congratulations! You made a splendid choice.”
“Thank you. Do you mind if I have a word with my mother before the tailor arrives?”
“Certainly, I’ll go fetch some champagne.”
The sales associate left the women as Kate and Sigourney approached the platform. Tess lifted her arm to show her mother the price tag. “Please don’t faint, but this dress costs two thousand dollars.”
“I told you I had some money saved. It’s yours. You look so beautiful I’m going to cry,” her mother said.
“No, please don’t cry. You’ll make me cry,” Tess pleaded.
“I think that’s a steal,” Sigourney interrupted. “Just look at the craftsmanship. Lagerfeld’s done wonders for the label since he took over the helm. It will be money well spent because you can wear it more than once.”
“You still need a veil,” her mother chimed in.
“No, I don’t want a veil. It’s perfect, just as it is.”
“She’s right, Kate. I think Sebastian’s sense of style is rubbing off on Tess.”
The sales associate came back with a silver tray containing three champagne flutes. Her co-worker was holding three boxes of shoes.
“You’ll need to know what shoes you’ll wear on your wedding day so we can get the length right. I have three different heel heights here. Try these on and tell me which one feels the most comfortable. Once we determine heel height, we can get your dress ready and go to the shoe department to find a pair you like.”
It was a bit of a whirlwind—that morning she couldn’t find anything she liked; that afternoon, she found the dress in fifteen minutes. She did feel a pang of regret for spending so much money on the dress, but Sigourney had a good point: Tess planned to wear the dress more than once. She had done it with the dresses Sebastian bought her at Bergdorf’s, and this would be no different. She could even have it cut down to a tea-length to give her more options later on.
Tess was thrilled with the purchase. Maybe living with Sebastian was rubbing off on her, because she couldn’t believe she’d just agreed to spend so much money on a dress.
An hour later, she thanked Sigourney for the company and escorted her mom to Penn Station. Then she headed back to the condo.
Tess walked through the front door of the condo holding a Saks shopping bag. She found Sebastian sitting on the sofa reading an art magazine. She put down the bag and walked over to her fiancé.
“How was your shopping trip?” he asked as he closed the magazine.
“I survived,” she said, taking a seat next to him. “It actually wasn’t that bad.”
“So was it a successful trip?”
“I found a dress,” Tess replied nonchalantly.
“Were you just settling to stop Sigourney from pulling you all over New York City in her quest for the perfect dress?”
Tess leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “I didn’t settle. I found a dress I’m very happy with, and I’m not going to talk about it anymore. You’re not to see the dress until I walk down the aisle.”
“There is no aisle,” he reminded her.
“Don’t be difficult. You know what I mean,” she pouted.
Sebastian took her in his arms and pulled her on top of him as he lay down on the couch. “I can’t wait to see your dress—and more importantly, to be your husband.”
Chapter 9 - Holiday
Sebastian entered Sigourney’s brownstone and looked around. The place was quiet. “Sigourney,” he bellowed from the bottom of the staircase, “Where the hell are you?”
“Don’t get your knickers in a knot,” she replied, jogging down the marble stairs.
“I only have an hour before I need to get back downtown to pick up Tess.”
“Okay, it won’t take that long.”
They strolled into the sitting room and sat down. Sigourney poured tea from the service set out on the coffee table. She sat back and took a leisurely sip. Sebastian’s patience was wearing thin.
“So why was I summoned?” he asked.
“What are the honeymoon plans?”
“I’m taking Tess to Europe for a few months. I told you that already.”
“How are you going to pay for that?”
“We’re getting a Euro-rail pass.”
“You’re slumming it?” she asked, disgusted by the idea.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not exactly in the position to shower Tess with five star accommodations and first class train tickets. Have you forgotten?” Sebastian let the tea cup go cold and walked over the sidebar to pour himself a finger of scotch.
“I’m handling this poorly,” Sigourney admitted. “You both deserve a wonderful trip. You’re starting your married life together. I want to give that to you as my wedding gift.”
Sebastian placed the empty glass down the sideboard. “I can buy my wife a wedding trip,” he rebuked, his ego wounded.
“Of course you can, darling, but Tess deserves grandeur and romance!”
“I’ll have you know I’m very romantic. Honestly, if you just called me here to berate me, I have better things to do,” he warned.
“Sebastian, you didn’t see Tess’ reaction when we went shopping for the wedding dress.”
“I know her reaction. It was similar to having a root canal. She’s not comfortable in that type of situation and I’m surprised she even agreed to go along with you.”
“It started out that way, but when we left the bridal salon and started browsing the couture gowns, she became an entirely different girl,” Sigourney told him, beaming with pride.
Sebastian took a seat on the chair across from his sister and cocked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Tess didn’t tell you anything about our shopping trip?” she queried.
“She said she had a nice day and she found a dress. I reckon she just picked something to stop you dragging her from one shop to the next.”
Sigourney laughed aloud. “Tess was playing coy! She found the perfect dress and it’s a Chanel.”
Sebastian quietly studied his sister. Surely they weren’t both talking about his Tess Hamilton. Tess all but begged him not to buy her a fancy dress on their first shopping trip. It didn’t seem possible that conservative, thrifty Tess would spend money on a couture wedding gown.
“Did you buy her the dress?” he asked.
“No, I was fully prepared to—it was perfect for Tess. Her mother had saved some money for the wedding reception, and she said Tess should use it to buy the dress, since you’re having the ceremony at home.”
Sebastian shook his head in disbelief. “She used the money to buy a dress?”
“Your appreciation for designer clothes is rubbing off on your fiancée.” Sigourney grinned. “And that is why I want to give you both a honeymoon trip. Even if it’s just the first week—let me lavish you in luxury.”
“So what exactly did you have in mind?” Sebastian asked with curiosity, leaning back in the chair and crossing his legs.
“Two tickets on the Concord and a week at the George V.”
Sebastian’s mouth dropped open at the suggestion. It was a truly generous offer, worth thousands of dollars—and something he would love to do for Tess, but couldn’t afford to do. He wanted to respond, but she had left him speechless.
“Cat got your tongue?”
“It’s too much, Sigourney. You’ve stunned even me.”
Sigourney stood from the sofa and walked over to her brother and sat on the arm of his chair. “It’s not enough after what Mummy did to you,” she said in all seriousness. “Anywho, I get a portion of your inheritance, so just think of it as me spending your money on you.”
Sebastian laughed aloud. “When you put it that way, I have no reservations whatsoever in accepting your gift.” He thought for a moment than added, “Please feel free to throw in the first class Euro-rail passes while you are at it.”
Sigourney swatted his arm, then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m so very happy for the two of you. I’m glad you accepted my gift.”
“Can you keep it a secret? I want to surprise Tess.”
“She’ll need a trousseau. How will she know what to buy?” his sister inquired.
“Whoa, slow down. How are you going to keep it a secret if you drag her on another shopping spree?”
“Sebastian, she can’t fly on the Concord and eat at the George V in jeans and a sweatshirt,” Sigourney admonished.
“Yes, I know. We need a plan, though. Let me think about it. Maybe if we get Kate involved,” Sebastian reasoned.
“Okay, thinking caps on.”
Sebastian glanced down at his Rolex. “I have to get going.” He stood and hugged Sigourney. “You are brilliant, darling sister. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s have lunch next week at Sardi’s and we’ll plan some more. Ring me with your schedule.”
“I’ll do that,” Sebastian agreed.
Sebastian made his way back downtown and found Tess in the NYU library, books piled high on the table in front of her. He was so excited about Sigourney’s gift that he could hardly contain his delight, grinning like a fool.
“What are you so happy about?” Tess asked, looking up from her book.
“Everything,” he replied with enthusiasm.
“I know that look,” Tess warned. “You’re up to something.”
“I’m sworn to secrecy.”
“Then that must mean Sigourney’s involved.”
Sebastian steered the conversation in a different direction, lest he get too exhilarated and reveal his sister’s grand plan. “How much longer will you need? When can we go home?”
Tess studied her notes and then looked at the books stacked in front of her. “I probably need an hour.”
“Okay,” he agreed without argument. Sebastian reached into this backpack and pulled out a notebook. If Tess had to study, then he would make notes regarding their honeymoon. Sigourney was right: Tess would need a trousseau. He knew her sizes, so all he had to do was list the items she would need. Making the list of lingerie and outfits while letting his imagination contemplate Tess in various stages of being undressed was the most enjoyable time Sebastian had ever spent in a library.
Love This Life: Love's Great Adventure Series Book 2: Love's Great Adventure Series Book 2 Page 6