The King Takes A Bride (Royals Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

now. “I'll get it next time. Thanks, Hanna.” Then, to Esta. “Those are the ones. I've already narrowed it down, so you all won't have to try on ten different types.”
    “That color is going to look washed out on everyone,” Natalia said from the doorway. Attired in a red skirt suit, dark glasses covering her eyes, Natalia's stare aimed at the rack of bridesmaid's gowns. She approached the rack instead of Chey, pulling a dress off by the hanger. Her lips quirked in disapproval.
    Chey, prepared for Natalia's surly mood, defended her choice. “I think they'll be classy and subtle at the same time.”
    “It's a shade of brown , when you get right down to it,” Natalia argued.
    “Brown?” Esta cocked her head and eyed the gown again.
    Chey examined the champagne colored dress Natalia held with a critical eye. Ankle length, fitting snug around the waist and bust, the dress was strapless with a sateen sheen. Stunning and demure in color, Chey thought it was twice as pretty in person as it had been in the book. Brown didn't do the color justice.
    “Miss Sinclair, the curtsy...” Hanna whispered.
    Chey snorted before she could stop herself. The look she gave Hanna said better than words that it would be a cold day in hell before she curtsied to Natalia.
    Hanna's brows arched and her lips shaped an 'oh' of understanding.
    “I'm not wearing brown to a wedding,” Natalia said, jamming the dress back on the rack.
    “Then don't. But if you wear anything else, you're not walking down the aisle,” Chey said. She wasn't putting up with Natalia's attitude today.
    “Why don't we have the bridesmaids at least try them on, so we can get measurements?” Hanna said in a clear attempt to diffuse the tension.
    “That's a good idea,” Esta said. “Natalia, come on. You won't know if you like it until you put it on.”
    “Sorry I'm late!” Krislin hurried in through the door just ahead of Aurora, who split off for Katrin.
    “You're fine, Krislin. Hello, Aurora. They were just about to try on the dresses.” Chey regarded Natalia while the woman debated.
    Aurora passed along a sedate greeting and diverted from the couch before sitting down. With a heavy, put upon sigh, Katrin pushed to her feet and followed Aurora to the rack.
    One by one, the bridesmaids filed behind the mirrors where Hanna indicated temporary dressing rooms had been set up. All except Natalia, who lingered with a gown in her hands. Her face lifted, the dark sunglasses aimed toward Chey.
    Although she couldn't see Natalia's eyes, Chey knew the woman was pinning a hard stare on her. She arched a brow, defiant and unwilling to bend about the color.
    Huffing, indignant, Natalia headed behind the mirrors.
    Chey thought it was nothing less than a miracle. Maybe Mattias had been successful with his talk. All Chey cared about was that the woman behave for the ceremony. After that, she and Natalia could go back to ignoring each other.
    While the girls changed, Chey answered a few questions for Hanna. Little minute details about shoes, hairdos, make up. Movement out of the corner of her eye drew Chey's attention to the open doorway of the converted parlor. There stood Mattias, one shoulder leaning against the wall, hands casually inserted into the pockets of his slacks.
    Now she better understood why Natalia made an attempt to be cordial. It wasn't for Chey's benefit, it was for Mattias's. Either way, she smiled; he returned it, along with a dark-eyed wink.
    Several minutes later, the women filed out from behind the mirrors and stepped up onto the dais. Natalia, stony faced and still wearing the glasses, stood next to Krislin with an openly defiant posture.
    Hanna, realizing she might have only seconds to make measurements happen, spoke briskly in her native tongue to the seamstress and her attendants. Buzzing like bees, the women approached Natalia first, tapes and strings in hand, careful where they touched. Then each girl in succession, working in tandem with