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Branson's across the bay, she had wanted to go to Miss Hamlin's, and she had ' Audrey had seen to everything, right down to today, to the last detail of the magnificent dress. And she wanted her to be happy now. She had always wanted that for her ' too much perhaps ' she had spoiled her over the years, probably more than their parents would have, but she always seemed like such a little girl. And she still did, even now. Audrey's eyes searched her face, wanting to be sure that Annie felt she was doing the right thing. You love him, don't you?
    Annabelle's laughter rang out like a little silver bell in the front hall, as she stood surrounded by her white veil, and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror that hung there. She was fascinated by what she saw ' she had never seen anything more beautiful than her gown, and her voice sounded vague now as she answered her sister. Of course I love him, Aud ' more than anything ' .
    You're sure? It seemed like such an enormous step to Audrey, and it was. But Annie didn't even seem frightened, just excited.
    Hmm? ' She was adjusting her veil, and her grandfather made his way down the stairs to the car on the butler's arm.
    Annie? ' Audrey felt a nervous flutter in her stomach as she watched her. What if ' if she weren't doing the right thing? Had she pushed Annabelle into this? Had anyone else, by insisting it was the right match for her? And what did that matter? She wouldn't have been swayed by that herself, but Annabelle '
    Her younger sister turned to her with a dazzling smile, and for an instant, Audrey felt relieved. You worry too much, Aud ' this is the happiest day of my life. And for an instant their eyes met and held. She did look happy, Audrey had to admit to herself. But happy enough? And then suddenly she smiled. Annabelle was right. She did worry too much. It just seemed such an incredibly big step to take. She wondered why Annabelle wasn't afraid, but it was clear she was not, as she reached out and took her sister's hand, in her own, tightly bound in the creamy kid glove. And her eyes were serious now. I'll miss you, Aud ' . Audrey had thought of it, too. It was going to be so strange having her gone. For fourteen years she had taken care of her as though she were her own child, and now she would be gone. She felt more like the mother of the bride than the maid of honor as they stood for one last moment in the front hall, as the cable car rumbled by outside.
    Burlingame isn't very far, you know. But her eyes filled with tears anyway, and she reached out and gave Annabelle a gentle hug, not wanting to crush her veil. I love you, Annie ' I hope you'll be happy with Harcourt.
    Annabelle only smiled again as she pulled away and started out the front door, whispering over her shoulder, Of course I will.
    The horn of their grandfather's Rolls-Royce sounded, and he was fuming as Annabelle settled her voluminous dress in the car around them. It enveloped them all and there was hardly enough room for all three of them.
    Expect them to wait all day in the church, do you? Her grandfather barked at her, squeezing the head of his cane in his hands. But it was clear from the look in his eyes that he was moved by how lovely she looked. She reminded him far too much of a bride he had seen twenty-six years before. She had been even prettier than this child ' the girl who had married his son Roland ' it was eerie how much Annabelle looked like her. And he felt as though he had traveled back in time as he stood in the church beside Audrey watching Annabelle say her vows and look happily up at Harcourt.
    There were tears sliding slowly down Audrey's cheeks as she watched her younger sister getting married, and she felt her eyes swim again as she watched her grandfather lead her out in a slow, graceful waltz a little while later at the reception. It was difficult to remember that he normally walked with a cane and he seemed to have forgotten it too as he moved her elegantly around the floor