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ACCORDING TO both Mathias’s mother Christina and her own mother, Savona Hejaz was the best dressmaker in Earthbury, and Ivette was certainly grateful the woman was willing to create dresses for herself, her girls, and outfits for the boys on such short notice.
The boys had been easy; since Mathias had chosen to wear his dress uniform, it had been simple to create miniature replicas for the four boys. Savona had simply taken each of the boys’ measurements and fed them and the design into the three-dimensional printer she had with her. The outfits fit perfectly, but they were white the same as Mathias’s dress uniform. Ivette only hoped her sons would be able to keep them clean until after the ceremony.
The girls were a different matter. For herself, Ivette had picked out a design in a soft cream-colored fabric. The dress was low cut in the front, fitted tightly to her breasts and waist and flowed to her ankles in a sweeping fall of fabric. Savona had printed it out, and the shimmering satin now hung on a padded hanger over the door.
It had been an error to allow the girls to choose fabric and style for their dresses, but by the time Ivette realized her mistake it was too late. Even at only three, Francesca, Jillian and Daphne had decided opinions about clothing.
“Do you have color swatches?” Ivette finally asked Savona.
The dressmaker looked relieved at her intervention, and hurriedly projected various colors on the screen.
“Before we get into the dress design, let’s see what colors look good on you,” Ivette told them.
“I want it shiny, like yours,” Francesca announced.
“It shouldn’t be too difficult,” Savona replied. “As to the style, why don’t we use one similar your mothers?”
“Yes, the boys are wearing replicas of Mathias’s uniform, if the girls wear dresses like mine, we will look more like a family,” Ivette agreed. The style she chose had a round collar and a chiffon frontal insert mimicking the low-cut bridal gown.
For Francesca, Ivette chose a soft green to reflect the blue of her eyes. For Jillian, a dark blue to contrast with her bright red hair, and For Daphne, a rose pink to bring out the highlights in her hair and warm her pale complexion.
“Oh! You started without me,” Minerva, her thirteen-year-old sister complained when she arrived. Minerva still retained a little baby fat, but she promised to be a tall statuesque woman. Her hair, like Ivette’s, was a rich brunette but instead of the shades of grey and silver tinting Ivette’s coiffure, Minerva had used a rainbow of colors to frost hers.
“You’re late,” Ivette retorted. She turned to Savona. “This is my sister Minerva. She will be my maid of honor.”
“Is this what you chose?” Minerva asked, eying Ivette’s dress and the three smaller ones Savona’s assistant was taking off the printer and checking for flaws.
“Yes. Minerva, I don’t think you’ve been introduced to my daughters. This is Daphne, Francesca and Jillian. Say hello to your aunt girls.”
“Hello,” they chorused.
“And this is Rika,” Jillian added. “She’s going to wear a pretty scarf to match my dress.”
“Hello girls,” Minerva said. She eyed Rika. “Is the vole a part of the wedding party?”
“Yes!” Jillian declared.
“That’s right,” Ivette agreed.
“What color do I get? Or do I get a choice?” Minerva asked. “And can I have any style I want?”
“Depends on the style,” Ivette said. “As long as it’s nothing outrageous, I’m willing to give you a free hand.”
Minerva flipped through the fabric swatches until she found a rainbow-colored silk. “This one,” she said.
“Perhaps you would care to see several styles?” Savona asked.
Minerva knew what would become her, so she had little difficulty in choosing a style close to Ivette’s dress, but with elbow length sleeves and a plunging back instead of front.
Fortunately, Savona had brought along a supply of enough material for the three-D printer to simply create the gowns.
When the finished dresses were all hung on the clothing rack, the dressmaker and her assistant packed their equipment.
Savona’s assistant handed Ivette a data crystal. “Here is the contact information you requested for the local sewing emporiums. I’m sure one of them can accommodate you in providing clothing for the children and livery for your employees.”
“Thank you,” Ivette told her.
“It’s lunchtime and I’m hungry,” Minerva announced.
When she discovered Alexandre was joining them for lunch, Ivette decided the children should eat upstairs. It made more work for Annie Germaine and the maid who Anastasia had allotted to help with the children, but it couldn’t be helped.
Nanny at least, had no problem with the extra work. “Much better young Leo doesn’t have to encounter him if we can help it,” she agreed. “And don’t you worry, he won’t come in here while you and your husband are on your honeymoon.”
“Actually, we’re planning on spending our wedding night at the Lake House,” Ivette told her. “Georgios and his crew will be out here to get the beds and other things during the ceremony. If you could arrange for the furniture to be ready to travel when he gets here, it would help a lot.”
Nanny nodded. “Have you told your mother yet?”
“No,” Ivette admitted.
She would have preferred to discuss the matter with Anastasia in private, but the choice was taken out of her hands.
“I’ve found you a second nanny to help with the children,” Alexandre announced when they were all seated around the lunch table. “She can start tomorrow.”
“I’ll be glad to interview her,” Ivette replied. “If you’ll give me her direction, I’ll arrange an interview with her once we’ve moved into Lake House.”
“I assured her the position was hers,” he said. “She’ll have given her notice by now.”
“I'm sorry,” Ivette retorted. “But I’m sure she will understand you didn’t have the authority to hire her. I certainly want to interview any teachers for the children myself before employing them.”
“But you haven’t any experience in vetting childcare workers. The new nanny can be under Germain’s eye while you are gone, and your mother and I’ll be here if any problems occur.”
He looked at Anastasia for help, but she was apparently too immersed in a discussion with her youngest daughter to attend to the argument.
“But the children won’t be returning to this house after the ceremony,” Ivette replied, choosing to ignore the slur on her abilities. “Mathias and I plan on spending our wedding night at Lake House and of course the children will accompany us. I’ve already given orders for the children’s furniture to be packed and moved during the ceremony.”
“You should have a proper honeymoon,” Alexandre said. “I’m sure your husband would appreciate some time alone with you.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Mathias said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Ivette and I know what we are doing.”
Alexandre hesitated before he said, “Of course, you know your own business best, but if you don’t mind a little advice from a man who has been married, I feel I must advise you time spent together makes a stronger marriage."
Mathias grinned at him. Something in the grin decided Alexandre not to push the subject. For the rest of the meal, he devoted himself to Anastasia and the subject of where the children would stay after the wedding was allowed to drop.
