After the meal concludes, Ella finds herself chatting about wedding details with Faith when Ian steps away with his father for a couple of minutes. Diana Benson chooses that moment to pounce, joining their conversation with a smile.
“Ella, dear, what designer will you choose for your wedding dress?”
Smiling in a friendly manner, Ella answers truthfully, “I haven’t given it any thought just yet. In fact, my best friend and I are going dress shopping for the first time next week.”
“Oh? Will you be wearing white?”
Ella blushes. “Yes, I think so. Ivory, perhaps, but we’ll be going traditional pretty much all the way.”
“How nice. I’m sure it will be lovely. You might want to look at the dresses that J. Crew offers. They’re fantastic and the prices are good if you’re on a budget.”
“Oh, but I’m not,” Ella replies airily, her intuition putting her on bitch alert, “and I plan to splurge on a dress. I have to spend my money on something, after all.”
Diana plasters a smile on her tanned face as Faith pats Ella’s shoulder. “I’d love to help, if you need any advice. I especially love choosing bridal gowns.” Her hint is weighted with iron and drops down on Ella with a thud.
“Of course you’re welcome to tag along, Mrs. Blackmon, if you’d like.”
“Oh, I’d love to! And please call me Faith. When are we going?”
Fortuitously, Ian returns to rescue her. He comes up behind her and wraps both of his arms around her small waist. “Is my mother torturing you about wedding details yet?”
“Ian!” Faith admonishes her son, “I do not torture people. I was just offering my soon to be daughter-in-law my assistance if it’s desired.”
Chuckling, Ian takes one arm from Ella to swing around his mother’s shoulder. “Only kidding, Mom. I’m sure Ella will appreciate all the help she can get.”
“Yes, that’s true, Faith. My mother lives out of state so her help will be limited thus, I’d be thrilled to have you around. Thank you for offering.”
“Shall we head home, Ella? We can draw up a guest list tonight and our parents can do theirs and then we’ll put them together so we can get an idea of the number of guests.”
Eager to get away from all these women who covet Ian, Ella quickly agrees. “I’m just going to visit the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
On her way back from the bathroom, she passes what looks like a study, in a décor dominated by masculine tones. Inside the open door are Zoe, Kaylie, and Sarah. Kaylie is speaking in a loud whisper and Ella can hear almost everything she’s saying.
“… kidding? Why is Ian doing this… marrying her? Do you think she’s pregnant? I mean, since when is Ian the marrying kind anyway? He wouldn’t marry me and we were very much in love.”
“Just because Ian wouldn’t marry you doesn’t mean he’s not the marrying kind, Kaylie. He must love Ella.” That was Zoe; Ella could hug her right about now. “And exactly when were you and my brother very much in love? I somehow missed that relationship.”
“Ella is charming. I can totally see why Ian would fall for her.” This time it’s Sarah sticking up for her.
“Some friends you two are.” Kaylie sniffs dramatically. “Personally, I don’t think she’s nearly good enough for our Ian.”
Zoe snorts. “Our Ian? Since when does he belong to all of us?”
“Oh, pish posh, he’s always been ours. He’s your brother, for God’s sake, Zoe. Don’t you feel proprietary over him?”
“No, I hate him, as every normal girl hates her brothers. He tortured me when I was young. Let me tell you, I won’t forget…”
Ella steps quietly away before she gets caught eavesdropping and goes to rejoin Ian. He’s in the middle of what looks like a heated conversation with Diana Benson. As soon as he spots his fiancée, he smiles and steps away from Mrs. Benson.
“Ready?”
“Yes. Let’s say our goodbyes to your parents.”
“Oh,” Faith cries, “you’re leaving already? Ella, please call me this week and let me know details about your shopping trip. Okay?” She pulls Ella into an embrace.
“Absolutely. And thank you for a wonderful lunch and even better company. It was lovely meeting Ian’s family.”
“Ditto,” Trevor says, joining their little group. “We’re very happy you’re joining our family, Ella. Welcome.”
“Thank you, Mr. Blackmon.”
“You don’t need to be so formal. You can just call me Your Royal Highness.” He winks and grins, one side of his mouth going up in a crooked smile.