Cat In A Sapphire Slipper

Girls’ Night In

Van von Rhine’s glass desktop in her Crystal Phoenix office was no longer bare and sleek.

It was littered with fat photograph albums displaying everything from the chosen floral arrangements to napkin designs.

Two huge boxes spilling gouts of gilt tissue were open on the navy Milan leather sofa.

Van, Temple, and Kit gathered reverentially around them.

“Kit, that ivory leather wedding suit of yours is gorgeous. Aldo will flip. I’m thinking bronze and the palest mauve orchids for the bridal bouquet. Simple, exotic, and expensive. What will you do for shoes?”

“I was thinking some sexy ankle boots. Bronze, you think?”

“Perfect. You need a firm foundation for the leather suit.” Van turned to Temple. “And you! Those shades of lilac and mauve are stunning.”

“I love purple shades,” Temple said, stroking the filmy gown. “And Matt seems to agree with me.” The dress was simple. It had spaghetti straps, so appropriate to an Italian wedding, an Empire waistline, and a flowing skirt that was short in front and longer in the back, all the better to showcase her Midnight Louie Austrian crystal shoes. This would be a White Carpet occasion.

Van actually produced a sentimental smile. “It’ll be perfect with your softer strawberry hair color, Temple. You’ll look adorable. Anyway, Kit, now that I’ve seen the gowns you two have chosen, and the bridesmaids’ rainbow of pale metallic colors, it’ll make the chapel and reception color themes a snap. We have everything on hand. I must say that outfitting eight bridesmaids for eight groomsmen has been a . . . diplomatic feat.”

“It seemed easiest,” Temple said, “to let the brothers invite their girlfriends.”

“I obviously don’t have any girlfriends in town,” Kit noted.

“So,” Temple said, “we have instant Eight Bridesmaids for Eight Brothers. What could be handier?”

“Is that a reference I should know?” Van asked.

Temple exchanged a knowing glance with her aunt. “Kit knows. It’s a famous fifties movie musical, based on a Stephen Vincent Benét story.”

When Van continued to look puzzled, Kit explained. “Benét was a poet. He updated the legend of Rome’s founders raiding the neighboring Sabine tribe for brides on whom to found their dynasty.”

“A musical based on mass rape?” Van said, shocked.

“Not really,” Temple said. “Benét transferred the plot to the America frontier, where women were rare. The seven brides are kidnapped, true, but to be wooed, not raped.”

“Some of the best musical choreography of the twentieth century is in that chestnut,” Kit added. “The late Michael Kidd. Great fun.”

Van raised her pale eyebrows, unconvinced. “Whatever their numbers, and in whatever age or locale, bridesmaids always have issues. That’s why I planned a pastel metallic rainbow of colors for them; every girl should find some shade she likes. The wedding is less than a week away. We need to fit them all in the next couple of days. I’ve been leaving voice mail messages all over town for them.” Van frowned. “I’m not getting calls back yet.”

While Temple and Kit reboxed their outfits, Van checked her watch. “The ‘boys’ should be arriving at the secret location of their bachelor party about now.”

“I hope,” Temple said, “Matt isn’t overwhelmed by all that big Italian family energy. He’s an only child from the conservative Midwest.”

“Aldo won’t let him get overwhelmed,” Kit said with a hug. “He takes his responsibility as the eldest seriously.”

“When’s your bachelorette party?” Van asked her.

“I don’t know a soul in town besides Temple and you and Electra. No party.”

“Nonsense,” Van said. “Call Electra over,” she told Temple. “We’re going up to the owner’s suite to drink ourselves silly on Cristal champagne. The boys didn’t get all the bottles into the Gangsters’ stretch limo without me copping a couple.”

Van stroked her smooth French twist and then winked. “We’re going to have a girls’ night in while they’re having a boys’ night out.”