Lies and Weddings(18)
Arabella decided she’d heard enough. She marched up to Gopal Das and was about to grab the microphone out of his hands when he suddenly enveloped her in a powerful embrace, rendering her speechless. “Now, let us all give thanks to Mama Bear here, who I’m told moved mountains to make this magical evening possible.”
The crowd began clapping, and Arabella, still trapped in the arms of Gopal Das, smiled uncomfortably. The guru looked her in the eyes and said softly, “You are a beautiful woman. Why don’t you let your inner beauty shine? There is nothing to fear. Have trust and patience, and all will be good.”
Arabella glared at him as he released her. “Now, as we celebrate the love of Maxxie and Augusta, I leave you with two simple thoughts: Love this Earth. Love one another. Namaste.”
“Namaste,” the guests chanted back.
Augusta turned to her mother with tears in her eyes. “Wasn’t that just beautiful?”
Arabella stared at her blankly, still too incensed to speak. As the guests began to disperse, Francis turned to Arabella, knowing all too well how she was truly feeling. “You all right?”
“Where were you when I needed you?”
“Standing right behind you,” Francis replied calmly.
“I want that odious man arrested right now!”
“You want him arrested for what?”
“For hugging me!”
“Well, he’s hugging Princess Hanne Marit of Liechtenburg right now. Do you think she’ll want him arrested too?”
Arabella was about to answer when she noticed something in the distance. “Wait a minute. That’s Olimpia de Courcy! When did she get here? I’ve been on the lookout for the de Courcys all evening.”
“The de Courcys got here in the middle of the blessing,” Jackie said as she arrived breathlessly at Arabella’s side.
“And the princess of Thailand?”
“Her Royal Highness’s jet got diverted to Maui. Oprah invited her to a luau.”
“Oprah stole my princess! If Olimpia is over there, then where’s Solène?” Arabella murmured anxiously. “Bea! Bea!”
Bea, who had been chatting with a strapping young man, came rushing over to her mother. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“What happened to Solène de Courcy? Did she not make it?”
“Relax, Mum, she’s right over there!”
Arabella turned to where Bea was pointing and saw Solène standing on the beach in a wispy golden chiffon dress, chatting with Rufus as the wind blew her honey-blond tresses like a modern-day Bardot. Her heart soared. “Don’t they look marvelous together?”
“They do. I made Rufus bring her champagne,” Bea noted.
“Well done. Are sparks flying?”
“Like Guy Fawkes Day.”
“Thank god!” Arabella sighed in satisfaction.
A rumble echoed through the cliffs, and the most eye-catching boat suddenly roared around the cove. Everyone gaped as the 118 WallyPower boat pulled up at the jetty by the beach, its sharp metallic prow and black-tinted windows resembling an invading spacecraft. An extremely ripped and tan young man with a baby face offset by an incongruously chiseled jawline emerged from the cabin and jumped onto the dock in his bare feet, holding a pair of blue suede Corthay loafers in his hands. The photographers snapped away as he slipped on his shoes and strode down the jetty in his double-breasted navy jacket, skinny white jeans, and blue-tinted sunglasses.
“Who is that?” Eden asked.
“Freddy Farman-Farmihian,” Bea replied, giving Eden a little nudge. “Our secret weapon!”
Skip Notes
*1 It is said the northern lights are trapped in the iridescent, changing colors of labradorite. The mineral supposedly protects against negativity, which is precisely why Augie chose to wear it when she knew she’d be spending an ungodly amount of time with her mother.
*2 Who knew that the mongoose has overrun the Hawaiian Islands?
IV
Kohala Coast
BIG ISLAND, HAWAII ? WHALE WATCHING EXPEDITION
Bea sped along Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in a BMW 4 Series convertible as Eden tried to read the text on Bea’s phone for her.
“It’s from your mother,” Eden reported.
Bea groaned. “Twentieth text this morning. Go on.”
“?‘British Vogue has added another photo shoot before the ceremony. This means you will need to switch to another designer for the beach shoot, and I am insisting to Edward that they fly in more options for you. We’ve already reserved the Chanel for Vogue Hong Kong, the Oscar for American Vogue, and the Schiaparelli for Bazaar. You CANNOT’—she put that in all caps—‘wear the Giamba in photos, as it makes you look too fat. Please also stop eating and keep liquids to a minimum until after the wedding.’ Bea, this is absurd.”
“Which part?” Bea snorted as Eden continued reading aloud.
“?‘You are also getting too much sun and people will think you are a peasant. Please do not expose yourself to any sunlight today—’?”
“How am I supposed to do that? We’re going out on a boat!” Bea protested.
“Mind if I stop? The text goes on and on and I’m feeling a bit sick reading off your phone.” Eden closed her eyes, trying to enjoy the feel of the sun on her face and the cool breeze in her hair, but it wasn’t working. She felt miserably hungover from the previous evening. After sunset cocktails at the lava-viewing platform, the party had moved into a magnificent inner courtyard with four reflecting pools where an eight-course banquet commenced, and Eden had fallen victim to the exquisite wine pairings.