Bedeviled

by Madison Michael

  “For you, Missy, I have selected deep greens and blues, predominantly. They will look great with your coloring and it’s a big season for jewel tones. I am leaning toward Oscar de la Renta, but I have brought a variety that I think will work. Just let me get Charlotte set up, then I will come help you.”

  Grabbing Charlotte by the hand and leading her to the dressing room next to Missy, the tiny Katie took control like a soft-spoken drill sergeant, demanding Charlotte’s attention. Charlotte looked like a kid in a candy store, thrilled but completely overwhelmed by more than a dozen gorgeous dresses hanging on the hooks.

  “I know it is a lot to take in,” Katie understated, “but just try on everything I brought you until one speaks to you. Trust me, the right dress is here and we will make you gorgeous. I brought a lot of Roberto Cavalli for you, but I like these Tadeshi Shoji dresses and they are a fraction of the price.”

  “I would like to avoid spending a fortune,” Charlotte whispered to Katie.

  “I can dress you at any price range, Charlotte, so don’t feel any pressure to buy here. I have clients I take to TJ Maxx. We can make this work.”

  “Okay, but that is just between us, okay?”

  “Of course,” Katie reassured her as she passed her the first gown to try. Speaking louder she added, “I think these orchid and violet colors will be fabulous with your dark hair, and many of them are on sale, so you might snap up a bargain too.” She winked at Charlotte and the two women were instant friends.

  “How did Missy find you?” Regan asked minutes later as Katie helped zip her sister into a gorgeous flowing gown.

  “Word of mouth, my usual way,” Missy answered before Katie could even open her mouth. “The Junior League women were talking about this woman who cleaned out their closets and then took them shopping to fill in the gaps and I was hooked.”

  “What can be more fun than shopping with an expert?”

  “What is your background, Katie?” Charlotte shouted over the flimsy wall separating the women.

  “I have been doing this about five years, I guess. I have a degree in Fashion Merchandising Management and Business. Now I consult, I write for Chicago Woman Magazine and work with lovely people like you guys. I have been a wardrobe consultant for TV personalities, but I am doing that less these days. This is more fun for me.”

  “She writes a great blog,” Missy added. “She knows her stuff.”

  Charlotte had to agree that Katie knew what she was doing. Each dress was flattering, highlighting her trim figure, playing up the deep brown of her eyes, her skin tone. Many were dresses she would never pull from the rack, but Katie had a discerning eye. It would be very hard to choose.

  “Where do you usually shop?” Katie asked Charlotte. Charlotte hesitated, trying to formulate a response. She certainly couldn’t answer with the truth, Banana Republic, or Old Navy. Besides, Regan had pointed her toward some fun boutiques in town, like Sara Jane, and she was moving up in the world.

  “She is a recent transplant to Chicago,” Missy explained.

  “She will certainly be introduced to a lot of Chicago society and politicos at this wedding,” Regan added. “Just about anyone who is anyone will be there.” Regan started listing names, many of whom were unfamiliar to Charlotte but several had been on her radar since starting her job and she recognized that these were very important people.

  “Do you have a lot of political connections back in Boston?” Missy asked when they were done oohing and aahing over the bigwigs that would be in attendance at the wedding. “The Roche family has so much clout, after all. And the big pharma lobbying organizations, you must be involved with those, too.”

  “Well, I was never attached to any of the Roche pharma activities, of course,” Charlotte answered quickly, trying to stick as closely as possible to the truth. “I went straight from Harvard to real estate investing.”

  “You knew that didn’t you, Missy?” Regan interjected. “That was why Charlotte was such a catch for LHRE. She had all that real estate investment expertise from her years with Independence. Her background was really impressive,” Regan continued as if Charlotte was not present.

  “First were the back to back Harvard degrees. No slouch, this one,” she said thumbing in Charlotte’s direction with a broad smile. “Then she started at the bottom of the REIT group at Independence and in three years managed to leapfrog everyone to be second in command. She was just starting the conference, lecture, spokeswoman circuit when I grabbed her up.”

  “I think I did know something about your background, Charlotte, but it sounds to me like the job you left would have more prestige than heading LHRE finance. Nothing personal, Ree,” she added when her younger sister shot her a scathing look.

  “Maybe, maybe not,” Charlotte took a diplomatic approach. “I liked Regan. I liked the idea of being a bigger fish in a smaller pond, too. Besides, I hated the idea of being a spokesperson. I needed a lower profile.”

  Boy did I ever!

  “Needed, or wanted?” Missy caught the slip.

  “Well, both, I guess,” Charlotte struggled for a believable response. “I needed it because I hated being on the road. And I am shy.”

  “She is shy,” Regan confirmed. “I am guessing you didn’t want to travel so you could be close to home. But then you moved. I could never understand that one.”

  Oh, jeez. I am just getting in deeper.

  “What can I say, Regan? You made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” Charlotte’s miserable imitation of Marlon Brando sent the four women into peals of laughter.

  “Ladies, please. Can we return our attention to some serious shopping?” Katie took control and the conversation thankfully moved off of Charlotte for a while.

  With help from the stylist, Charlotte had narrowed her selection down to two dresses. Missy had suggested she reconsider a third, but when she saw the price tag, Katie subtly suggested putting the third one back.

  “Alright, ladies, come see Charlotte’s final selection. I think you will agree it is a showstopper. Charlotte emerged from the fitting room outfitted in a gorgeous and unusual gown that was called African Violet but was actually vivid blue over an underskirt of red. The embellished waist was reminiscent of ancient handcrafting and the fitted bodice with a deep V-neck and back opening to a flowing skirt gave Charlotte a perfect hourglass figure. The dress was dramatic in its coloring but otherwise simple for a Saturday night, lacking beading or sequins that would have been too much.

  “You look gorgeous,” the sisters gushed and the decision was made. At well under $1000, Charlotte was thrilled.

  “What about you Missy?”

  “I need help.”

  “You need lots of help,” Regan taunted. Missy shoved her lightly in response and Regan pushed her in return.

  “What are you, two year olds?” Katie asked, drawing a laugh but getting them back in line.

  Missy provided a small fashion show, trying on three dresses and parading them in front of the women for their opinions. Eventually they agreed on a Rubin Singer gown of metallic navy in a strapless mermaid style that flattered Missy’s figure. The small pleated train really appealed to Missy and the $6000 price tag didn’t even phase her.

  “Now, shoes and bags,” Katie announced. The woman was a bundle of energy.

  “I’m starved,” Missy whined. Checking her phone, Charlotte was astonished to see that more than three hours had passed. It was way past lunchtime.

  “Can we break for lunch?” she asked Katie.

  “Of course. I am not your mother. I am your stylist,” the small fashionista responded. “I know a great spot around the corner.”

  “Missy, no pigging for you,” her sister warned. “You still have to zip that dress in a month.”

  “Please, don’t remind me. Why, oh why, can’t I be thin like you two?”

  “Are you kidding?” Charlotte responded sincerely. “I have gained about seven pounds since I stopped running. Spraining my ankle was painful and fa
ttening.”

  “Yes, but you live with Alex now,” Regan reminded her.

  Breaking into a smile like the sun coming out from the clouds, Charlotte’s face took on a dreamy look. “Yes, there is that.”

  “Oh my,” Missy observed to Katie. “Looks like we will be shopping wedding dresses before you know it.”

  That brought Charlotte abruptly back to reality.

  “So much has to happen before I can even think about marriage,” she responded in a daze.

  “Like what?”

  A pack of lies stood between her and Alex. Charlotte knew, as these women did not, the hurdles they presented. It would take a lot of understanding and patience to move forward after she told the truth. Then, would Alex be interested in a woman with her background?

  Definitely not. Not with his family pedigree. Not considering the circle in which he travelled. Would these women even speak to her, once they knew?

  “Like what?” Charlotte repeated, trying to conjure up a good answer.

  “Well, he hasn’t even met my family. And it hasn’t been that long.”

  “Easily remedied,” Regan pointed out. “And you’ve known each over six months.”

  “And he has to give up all those other women,” Charlotte challenged.

  “Oh, Char, are you really that dense?” Regan queried, not unkindly. “He only has eyes for you. Any other woman now is just designed to make you jealous.”

  Charlotte was surprised to discover that she wanted the picture her friends were painting. She wanted to walk down the aisle and see Alex’s handsome face gazing on her, waiting for her to begin a life with him. How had things come to this so quickly? Charlotte had promised herself no complications.

  Charlotte vowed that Alex would not know how she felt. She would keep things light and simple while she cleaned up more messes than Mr. Clean. Then she could consider a serious relationship with a man like Alex.

  Until then, friends with benefits. I don’t want to be his damn friend, though.

  Charlotte promised herself that as soon as this wedding was over she would head home and take care of everything, once and for all.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  It was THE event in Chicago. The wedding of an Illinois State Congressman to a society princess was big news by itself, but add the bonus of all the Washington politicos on hand and the invitation became even more coveted. A lucky 600 people had been invited to the Saturday night event and traffic was snarled for a mile or more in every direction.

  A lucky 180 were hotel guests able to avoid the logjam outside. The Four Seasons had closed three floors for the event in addition to the eighth floor ballroom. There were suites for the wedding party, of course, and changing rooms for the eight bridesmaids and eight groomsmen, but Washington and Springfield insiders had flown in yesterday to make a weekend in Chicago. The governor was up from Springfield with his wife, nineteen US Senators would be in attendance besides Senator Jensen, 31 US Congressmen and women and about the same number of representatives from Springfield, as well as aldermen from Chicago and suburban government people.

  Security had been tight since a Thursday sweep was concluded, with numerous men and women trying to blend in despite their soldier like stances, constantly roving eyes and plastic earpieces. They fooled no one, but guests of the hotel who were not there for the wedding felt safer than usual. Passes that barely fit in women’s tiny handbags were required to enter the cordoned off floors and spectators loitered in the lobby hoping for a glimpse of someone famous.

  Aubrey and Adam had moved into the hotel once the sweep was completed, along with Laurel and Charles. They had to move in early to be readily available to Annie, their wedding coordinator. The women had been hounding Annie, nervously revisiting details that had all been finalized weeks ago. Finally they were satisfied and by Thursday night the bridal couple was able to behave like tourists, going for a romantic dinner at Tru, then strolling to Navy Pier to complete their date on the new, 196-foot-tall Ferris wheel.

  Her bridesmaids took over on Friday, keeping Aubrey busy all day with brunch and the spa before the rehearsal dinner and a final bachelorette fling. Charlotte had been invited to tag along, as had Missy Howe Wilder and several other friends. Regan was a bridesmaid and, although she denied it, the two women suspected she was the reason they had been included.

  Charlotte had thoroughly enjoyed spending rehearsal day with the bride to be. It was obvious that Aubrey and Adam were well-suited and very much in love. They were wistful leaving one another after dinner, when the bridesmaids separated the couple to take Aubrey barhopping in the rented stretch limo. Adam would not see her again until Aubrey appeared gowned in white at the end of that long aisle.

  Charlotte reflected on the wedding to come. She was excited about the wedding, all the important people she would see and about looking beautiful for Alex. Things at home had been comfortable but she felt the undercurrent of unspoken words like a living, breathing creature comfortably settled in a corner easy chair. Her secrets had made themselves at home and they weren’t leaving any time soon.

  The tension came and went between the couple. Communication was more strained, conversations purposely vague or avoided altogether. She knew Alex was stressed about the deal in California, but he rarely spoke of it, except to mention that he had a meeting or travel plans. He would head west again in just a few days. She said nothing at all about her family, about the break-in, about the mysterious bad break up, but she did give Alex a heads up that she would be gone for several days while he was out of town. She didn’t pretend it was for work this time. She admitted freely that she was going home to see her parents. She offered no additional information and he didn’t pry.

  But this weekend they were forgetting all of that. This weekend they hoped to strengthen their tense relationship. Alex had checked them into the Four Seasons last night and they had gone for a romantic dinner at Spiaggia, a long stroll to window shop the Michigan Avenue boutiques and back to their room for long, slow, very hot sex. It had been perfect and Charlotte had drifted to sleep exhausted but well satisfied.

  They had started the wedding day with coffee together but Alex was busy with the groomsmen, his family and with organizing logistics for the numerous and demanding out of town guests. The hotel, used to people who demanded only the best, had most of the details handled. However, arranging limos to and from the airport, last minute tailoring emergencies and assuring that a brash republican did not share the elevator with a democratic diva fell to Alex.

  “I don’t envy you your job today,” Charlotte told him as they parted ways that morning. “But, if anyone can keep their cool around all that chaos, it’s definitely you.”

  “Why thank you, Charlotte. So sweet of you to tell me that I am the reigning king of chaos,” he bowed before taking her in his arms to smother her laugh with kisses. “I will be thinking of you being pampered in calm luxury.”

  “Luxury, undoubtedly, but calm will remain to be seen. Think of all the women invading the salon today - Insanity.” Charlotte knew of at least nine other women with appointments at her salon today for professional hair, makeup and manicure services. She suspected there would be far more wedding guests there as well.

  “Well, call me if you need help,” Alex offered.

  “Not a chance. I will see you when you are tuxedoed and glorious. I will be one of the many women fawning over you.”

  Alex laughed again. “You will be the only woman I have eyes for,” he responded in a husky voice full of emotion. With a quick “have fun” and tight hug, they separated until the wedding.

  Charlotte hated to admit it but she missed him all day long. His smoldering eyes when he had told her he would have eyes only for her had made her heart skip a beat. She wished they could skip the wedding and spend the entire day in bed.

  Several hours later, Charlotte was pleased she had stuck to her plans. The women had enjoyed a thoroughly hedonistic day. Four of them had met for a sumptuous
brunch complete with champagne, then headed to the salon for manicures, pedicures, makeup application and hair services. Alex had offered to pay for Charlotte when Regan invited her and Charlotte had accepted the gift with alacrity. The moment she started her sugar and honey foot scrub she was grateful to both Regan and Alex for the indulgent experience.

  Now, dressed in the violet gown that Katie had helped her select, Charlotte felt gorgeous. She hated having to make an entrance into such a sizable crowd alone, but knowing she looked elegant certainly helped overcome her fears.

  Wobbling unsteadily after months on low shoes, Charlotte exited the elevator on the eighth floor into a fairyland of flowers, candlelight and beautiful people. Waiters moved on silent feet through the enormous and noisy crowds passing cocktails and canapés. Elegant men and women talked politics or rehashed their day in the windy city trying to outdo or out argue each other. Charlotte looked for a safe group to attach herself to and was relieved when a hand steadied her on the plush carpets.