Lies and Weddings(16)
“I’d be happy to say it in front of anyone,” Jackie replied, careful to remain diplomatically neutral in the ongoing tug-of-war between bride and mother. “Now, let’s get you downstairs. We can’t hold back the crowd much longer.”
As the three of them walked down the hotel corridor, Jackie turned to Bea. “You look gorgeous as well. I love the flowers on your dress. Is it Oscar de la Renta?”
“Yes! I had nothing to wear for this evening and they came to my rescue. This just arrived an hour ago from New York,” Bea replied of her strapless gown with its dramatic purple bodice bow sash and painted anemones on the skirt. Unlike her sister, she had no issues with looking like she had just stepped off a fashion catwalk.
“I have the bride and sister. ETA two minutes,” Jackie barked into her headset.
Augie grabbed Jackie’s arm lightly. “One more thing. Maxxie has asked Gopal Das to say a welcome blessing. He is such a dear friend; can we possibly allow him a few minutes somewhere? Maybe before my father’s toast?”
“Of course. Don’t worry about a thing.”
“My only worry is—”
“—to not have any worries. Lady Augusta, my job is to make sure that any heat falls on me. Your only job is to have a wonderful time with all your friends tonight. Okay, ladies, camera faces ready? Because Tattle and Vogue are going to start snapping the moment we go outside.” Jackie parted the glass double doors, and sure enough, two photographers immediately trained their lenses on Augusta and scrambled backward like intrepid crabs to get their optimal shots. Augusta ignored them, her eyes searching for her mother’s reaction.
Lady Arabella, resplendent in a black vintage couture Givenchy dress with a gigantic white satin bow tied at her hip and dazzling Wallace Chan pink sapphire earrings, looked both her daughters up and down before remarking, “Bea, the Oscar looks perfect on you.”
“You both look too lovely for words,” Francis said as he kissed his daughters.
A few moments later, Rufus came rushing up with Prince Maximillian (Bygd?y/Le Rosey/Crossroads/Bard) in tow, and both gave quick hugs to Augusta and Bea.
“Okay, we’re all here at last! Time to let the guests in?” Jackie asked.
“One minute,” Arabella said as she rushed over to Rufus and brushed his shoulders even though there was nothing there that needed brushing off. “Get your hair out of your face. Now, there is someone special arriving tonight. The princess of Thailand. When she arrives, I want you to be the one to escort her into dinner.”
Rufus rolled his eyes but nodded.
“Okay, we’re ready,” Arabella said to Jackie.
“Gotcha. Doesn’t Augusta look stunning? I love that her dress was hand-painted by a local designer,” Jackie gushed.
“It looks like she found it on the clearance rack at Mango,” Arabella replied curtly as the first guests appeared at the top of the steps, and Augusta burst into tears.
* * *
?
After enduring a shuttle bus ride that shook violently as it wound down a vertiginous path, Thomas and Eden found themselves entering the lush rain forest gardens of Arabella’s new resort as greeters dressed in sharply tailored shocking-pink suits handed out tall flutes bubbling with cocktails. “Would you like an M & A? This cocktail was created to honor the fusion of Prince Max and Lady Augusta’s heritage. It’s Norwegian aquavit, Chinese plum wine, Devonshire elderflower syrup, and sparkling water made from a secret spring in Topanga Canyon,” a young man who looked like he had just been flown in by an LA modeling agency carefully recited.
“Yes please!” Eden said merrily, grabbing a glass for her father and one for herself.
“Looks like you’re in full holiday mode,” Thomas remarked.
“You know, I didn’t realize how badly I needed a break until now.”
“I’m glad you realize that. I’ve been watching you work yourself to the bone!”
“It’s not work when you love what you do.”
“True, but I do think the hours your hospital forces you to put in are downright criminal. It was never like that in my day.”
“The NHS was very different in your day, Dad.”
“Bloody hell, it was. But let’s enjoy these beautiful cocktails and not talk shop while we’re in paradise, okay? Doctor’s orders!” Taking their drinks, Thomas and Eden wandered down a stone pathway that led to an otherworldly sight. They were perched at the entrance to a clifftop garden with panoramic views of the ocean at sunset. Except today, there was something far more spectacular than the legendary Hawaiian sunset to marvel at—a glowing river of lava that bisected the lawn and flowed dramatically down the cliff into the clear blue sea. And before them was a magnificent series of ingeniously cantilevered platforms that formed a hexagonal walkway high above the lava. As they climbed up the walkway, Eden stared in fascination at the crimson channel of 2,200-degree lava moving in slow motion across the charred lawn and down the cliff, producing great plumes of smoke as it hit the water. “I feel like I’m dreaming, don’t you?”
Thomas nodded slowly. “I’ve got to hand it to Arabella—she does know how to throw one heck of a welcome party.” They soon arrived at the receiving line, where Francis, Arabella, and Rufus stood with Prince Max greeting the intimidatingly glamorous guests. As Eden caught sight of the family, she couldn’t help but well up with pride at the sight of Rufus and Lord Francis looking so dapper in their crisp linen suits. Prince Max, on the other hand, had gone in a decidedly casual direction in his Hawaiian shirt, linen slacks, and woven leather sandals.