Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 Read Free Page A

things had she’ been blessed with that certain flair some girls had that just made them glow—like her aunt? Like Kit and Valerie? They always knew how to dress and seemed to sparkle on every occasion. She, on the other hand, felt like a dusty statue in the corner of someone’s dark and gloomy library, seldom noticed or seen.
    It doesn‘t have to be that way , a little voice within needled.
    Suddenly, as though someone else had taken over and was in control, Marilee reached up and began to yank the pins and combs from her hair. She had always hated the slight natural curl, but no more.
    With hands that seemed not her own, she picked up a pair of scissors and began to snip at her hair.
    And when she was finished, she stared in a mixture of horror and delight, for she had just copied the new style that was sweeping Britain and America—the Irene Castle bob!
    With her natural curl, the effect was pixie-like, and she grinned at herself, genuinely grinned ,for the first time in so long she could not remember.
    She liked the effect! No, loved it, for it made her look young, fresh, and, miracle of miracles—glowing!
    Taking a deep breath, she turned from the mirror and made ready to face the reaction of the rest of the family.

Chapter Three
    The wedding festivities were set to begin at two o’clock in the Tanners’ splendorous gardens. High-ranking government officials and nobility from all over Spain were expected to be in attendance. Anyone of social status in all of Europe had been invited.
    The ceremony would start when the wedding party rode in carriages up the gently rising ridge from the sea, all the way to the crest where Kurt had built the palatial stone palace for Kit.
    Afterward there would be a champagne luncheon; then, to entertain guests until the formal dinner later, many activities would be offered—an orchestra playing constantly in the gardens for those who wished to dance, horseback riding, and even bullfights in the huge arena on the castle grounds. Kurt had also made sure his crew was standing by at his docks to offer short cruises along the Mediterranean coastline aboard his lavish yacht, the Lady Kit .
    In order to give the family one last intimate gathering before the horde of guests began arriving, Jade had arranged for the wedding breakfast to be held at the Coltrane Casita. Valerie would not, of course, be in attendance, in keeping with the tradition that Travis should not see his bride until the wedding.
    Carasia, proud of her succession from maid to head housekeeper, carefully checked the breakfast room. Satisfied that all was in order, she opened the double doors to the front hallway, promptly saw Marilee—and screamed!
    “Oh, come now, Carasia, is it that bad?” Marilee patted her curly bob, sounding more confident than she felt. “It’s the latest style. It’s called the Irene Castle bob, after the famous American dancer. She and her husband practically invented the foxtrot.” She did a few steps, whirled around, and curtsied.
    Carasia’s black eyes rounded with wonder as she took a really good look. “Dios mio, señorita , I have never seen a woman with the haircut of a man.”
    “It’s the rage of Europe.” Head held high, Marilee walked on into the room, found her place, stood behind her chair…and waited.
    “Well, I like it,” Carasia declared, “but I think you should have waited for another time to give everyone such a shock.”
    “I don’t.’’
    They turned to see Kit crossing the marble foyer, lavender eyes shining with happiness, coppery red hair glistening. Holding her arms open to Marilee, she cried, “I didn’t recognize you at first. You look absolutely stunning, and I love it! Really!”
    They embraced, and Marilee couldn’t help thinking that if her new bob made such a difference, she must have been a lot frumpier than she’d thought.
    Kurt was right behind his wife to agree the change was for the better, and, as always, Marilee experienced a little