Romance Rules for Werewolves (Charming Cove, #3)(57)

I waved as they parked, then walked out to greet them.

Vivienne climbed out of the driver’s seat, her gleaming white hair pulled up in a perfect chignon. Her wool suit looked like it had been handmade in London, and her pearls gleamed in the morning light. She looked like the dowager duchess that she was.

The woman at her side wore a flowing, colorful dress and an enormous hat to keep the sun off her perfect complexion. Massive sunglasses covered her eyes, and she looked as sophisticated as the older woman, but in a more bohemian way.

Both of these women came from money, it was clear, and I couldn’t help but feel the faintest bit awkward in my overlarge jumper and jeans.

The younger woman, who was probably in her fifties, grinned widely and held out her arms. “You must be Isobel!”

Before I could respond, she hurried toward me and gave me a hug. Behind her, the older woman’s eyelids flicked in what I assumed was a titled person’s version of an eye roll. “You really must ask a person’s permission before you embrace them, Madeline.”

“Oh, Mother.” Madeline pulled back and waved her hand at Vivienne. “So old-fashioned.”

The dowager duchess sighed and approached, holding out an elegant hand to shake mine. I had to tell myself to shake her hand like a normal person and not like an awkward weirdo.

“We are very glad you’re here, darling.” The dowager duchess’s tone was warm and genuine when she spoke, and I relaxed. She might have a different style than her daughter’s, but she was just as kind and lovely. “Emma has said only the best things about you, and we can always use more good witches in this town.”

She and her daughter were vampires like the duke, but I was glad to see they liked witches. Unlike the vampires of human myth, they had no need to shy away from the sun.

Both women turned to gaze up the hill at Lavender House.

“Why, it’s already looking better,” Vivienne said. “It will be stunning when you’re finished.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Call me Vivienne.”

“And me, Madeline,” said the younger woman. “Have you spoken to Aria at the Enchanted Garden about landscaping? Surely she can get you set up quite nicely.”

“I’ll do that.” I’d hardly started thinking about the garden, but it was an excellent suggestion.

“We’ve got the caterers arriving at ten to start setting up,” Vivienne said. “Do you mind if we go up and have a look to see where things should be placed?”

“Of course. Let me show you around.”

“I’ll drive,” Vivienne said, gesturing to her short heels. “These aren’t suited for a walk up the hill.”

“Of course not.” I smiled and climbed into the back of her massive car. It was upholstered in the softest, smoothest leather I’d ever felt, and I was pretty sure the dash was inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It was the perfect car for a dowager duchess.

At the house, I showed them around, grateful that it was on its best behavior. All the same, we all agreed that the main festivities should be set up outside. The rest of the morning passed in a whirlwind as the caterers and band arrived and set up. Meg, from The Sea Shanty, came with a portable bar and two of her best kegs. Emma, Holly, Aria, and Tabitha arrived to help, and excitement was in the air. Even the weather was great, with a cool breeze and bright sky.

By the time the guests started to arrive, I was buzzing with anticipation, praying this would work out. The band played on the side lawn, right next to a portable dance floor. How Vivienne had got one of those at short notice, I had no idea. The air smelled delicious with the grilling sausages and vegetables, and a long table was set up with salads and desserts.

By two, the yard was full of people. I recognized Charlie the plumber and his friends, Carlos the electrician and Lee the roofer.

Emma sidled up to me and pointed them out. “Perfect, right? They’re just what you need.”

“The dream team,” I said, remembering what I’d called them back at the pub when we’d met. “I’ve never been so excited to see a roofer in my whole life. And don’t get me started on the electrician.”

Emma grinned. “I doubt you’ve ever spent so much time thinking about one.”

“True.” I looked around, searching for Judith’s familiar white hair, but I couldn’t see her anywhere. I was pretty sure she’d arrived, though, since I’d caught sight of her floral dress as she’d walked toward the bar. “I’m going to go look for someone. Thank you again for helping me with this.”

“Oh, I love loaning out Vivienne and Madeline. They’re like a tactical party-planning team, ready to be deployed at any moment. They’ll be in a good mood for a week after this.”

“They strike me as frequently being in a good mood.”

“They really are. I’m lucky they’re my in-laws.”

We said goodbye, and I went to find Judith. She was nowhere to be seen in the garden, so I checked the house. There were a few people inside, though most were still too shy—or worried—to enter. I hoped that would change as time passed.

I found Judith standing in the room where the heart of the house was hidden. We’d covered over the wall where the crystal resided, but it still pulsed with power from its hiding place. There was nothing on the exterior to indicate what was inside, though.