Rain streamed down the nursery window when I woke up on the wedding morning. The overcast sky created a dismal omen for the upcoming festivities. I knelt in the window seat and watched the sheets of rain falling from the low-lying clouds.

"So much for sunshine and roses," Grayson declared, kneeling beside me. "It's just another typical English country day in June."

"Do you think they'll postpone the wedding due to the weather?" I questioned, hopefully.

"The wedding will go on as planned," Claudia Young remarked briskly. "I know I wouldn't postpone my nuptials because it rained." She exchanged a knowing glance with Hilliard Blanchard and entwined her hand in his palm.

"Oh." My shoulders fell in disappointment. I was not looking forward to participating in the wedding.

"Don't dawdle, youngsters." The governess clapped her hands together sharply. "You're expected at the wedding breakfast. Get cleaned up, put sunshine in your gloomy faces, and make your appearance whether you like it or not."

"Or not," I proclaimed hotly. "Why can't we eat up here? I don't wish to join the festivities."

"Because you're an Everstow, my dear," the tutor cut in. "You're a representative of a ranked family and must do your duty."

"Oh bother," I moaned, rising slowly. "Come along, Gray. Our duty calls...unfortunately." I swept through my bedroom door dramatically but halted when I came face-to-face with the dreadful chartreuse bridesmaid's gown. Following the wedding breakfast, I would have to finally don it and appear in public wearing the horrid thing. I longed to take a sharp knife to it, but that pleasure would have to wait until after the ceremony and reception.

I chose a simple gray skirt with a white shirtwaist and lace frill. I did not feel the desire to overdress for a simple family breakfast. Nevertheless, when I stepped into the small dining room, I felt drab compared to the Plumb sisters. The room seemed full of hoop skirts and leg of mutton sleeves. I edged in and found a place against the wall. I wished to become invisible.

On the other hand, Grayson appeared in his morning suit with a gray swallow-tailed jacket and pinstriped trousers. Beneath the jacket, he wore a bright purple waistcoat and the chartreuse cravat. He helped himself lavishly from the sideboard and then stood next to me.

"Aren't you eating?" he asked, daintily spearing his scrambled eggs.

"Hardly," I answered, my lips barely moving. "They could make room for you at the table."

"Too many Plumbs," Gray answered, eyeing the table where they sat eating and talking loudly.

With every word, Despina jabbed her fork at the person she addressed. Mr. Plumb and Horace spread multiple plates before them, and Bertha ate with her elbows propped on the surface. Charlotte perched in Joel's lap, pushing scrambled eggs into his gaping mouth. Hiding behind his newspaper, Papa sipped his coffee and ate buttered toast. After a quarter of an hour passed, I edged toward the door and made my escape.

Dispiritedly, I dressed in my bridesmaid's gown. Miss Young buttoned up the back, and I glared into the mirror. As I predicted, the bright chartreuse color washed out my light features. My shoulders sagged as I stared dejectedly at my image.

"Come now, Priscilla," my governess cajoled, "it's only for a few hours. You can manage, surely."

"I don't want to manage," I hissed angrily. "I don't wish to participate in this...this farce."

"I'm afraid you must," Miss Young stated encouragingly. "It will disappoint Joel if you don't join in."

Disappoint Joel? I wondered dismally. Why should I disappoint Joel when Joel has disappointed everyone? He was inconsiderate to impregnate that beastly woman and bring her to Everstow. I opened my mouth to protest, but Miss Young began brushing my long hair.

"We'll dress your hair prettily in a chignon, and I'll adorn it with a fresh gladiola." She began sweeping up my hair and pinning it. "Doesn't that sound nice?"

"No," I remarked sharply. "Purple and chartreuse are horrid together. Anyone can see that."

Before Miss Young could respond, Bertha and Despina abruptly entered my bedroom. They stood shoulder to shoulder as though concealing an object behind their backs. The sisters continued to wear their morning attire.

"We brought you a little gift," Bertha announced, grinning mischievously. Despina stood beside her, bobbing her head up and down.

"Oh, I can't wait to see it," I responded sarcastically. I dreaded to see the sister's offering.

"This!" Quickly, Bertha revealed the hidden object: a wide purple sash and a giant bow.

"Whatever is that for?" I questioned, taking a step backward.

"We'll help you with it," Despina stated, advancing toward me with the sash. She draped the purple fabric over my right shoulder and adjusted the bow at my left-hand waist. "Perfect!" Gleefully, she patted me on both shoulders.

"' Pina and I fashioned them out of leftover fabric last night," Bertha chortled, grinning broadly. "It finishes up the dress just right, wouldn't you say, 'Pina?"

"Oh, yes, definitely, Berthe," her sister agreed readily. "Lot will just love us when she sees our improvements." Giggling happily, the two Plumbs retreated into the corridor, leaving me completely astonished.

"Heavens to Murgatroyd, Miss Young!" I exclaimed, spinning back toward the cheval glass. "Whatever next?"

"There, there, Priscilla," Miss Young encouraged, barely containing her mirth. "It's only for a few hours."

"You think it's funny," I proclaimed, advancing on my governess. "It's not; it's horrid. I look like a fool in this stupid purple drapery. I'm going to die." I flopped on my bed dramatically and buried my head in the pillow.

"Don't die yet," Grayson shrieked in a high-pitched tone. "Not when I've come to escort you to the church."

"I'm not going." I rose from my bed swiftly and began yanking at the huge bow. "Go on, get out of here. Leave me alone."

"Priscilla!" Claudia Young remonstrated hotly.

I paused immediately at the tone of the governess's voice. Defeated, I turned to my brother and apologized. I hooked my arm through his elbow and sedately left Miss Young gaping at us. Together, we descended to the main hall and went out to the waiting carriages. The procession wound along the driveway, through the gates, and toward the church.

Villagers gathered along the town's street to watch us pass. The rain had ceased, and the hedgerows glistened with moisture. A fresh scent permeated the crisp summer air. Nevertheless, I continued to feel gloomy. I shrank into the red cushioned seat and pretended invisibility.

Papa sat erect in the leading carriage. Opposite him, Mr. and Mrs. Plumb looked out of place. Charlotte's father wore a faded morning suit. The button strained on a jacket stretched across his vast gut, and his purple socks showed beneath his too-short trousers. His wife wore a gaudy purple dress styled from the previous century.

Behind the parents rode the Plumb siblings, Horace, Bertha, and Despina. They leaned out of the open carriage, waving at the villagers uproariously. I wondered why they proceeded Grayson and me since we outranked them and should have had precedence. I mentioned it to Gray, but he shrugged and brushed it off.

Charlotte brought up the rear and occupied the grandest of Papa's conveyances. Her banana-yellow pompadour towered high on her forehead, and her bright scarlet lips grinned at the crowds. Larger than life, she fluttered her hands and blew kisses into the air.

Joel awaited us inside the church. His best man joined him there. My brother had not introduced him since he overnighted in the Three Horseshoes. We only knew him by the nickname Wickie.

Finally, we drew up at the church porch and alighted. Papa, Grayson, and Horace went to join Joel while the women and Mr. Plumb gathered on the porch. When Charlotte stepped out of the phaeton, it began to pour again. Cursing loudly, she hoisted up her skirt and plunged beneath the overhang.

Only then did I get a good look at her. Lottie altered the wide skirt until it clung tightly to her thighs. The bodice hugged her torso, showing a definite outline of her pregnancy. I gasped loudly and quickly covered my mouth with my hands. How dare she appear at her wedding in such a revealing costume. I felt thankful Mama wasn't present to share this disgrace.

"Where's Cassandra?" Mrs. Plumb groaned and realized her youngest child was not amongst the gathering.

"We must have left her behind," Bertha stated, smirking. "You know what an idiot she is. She probably got busy skylarking and forgot about the wedding."

"Send the carriage back for her," Mr. Plumb demanded, "and let's get the show on the road."

"Circus, more likely," I muttered under my breath.

"I'm here," the youngest Plumb announced, pushing herself between Bertha and Despina.

Compared with the rest of her family, Cassandra looked like a breath of sunshine. Sprigs of purple flower dotted her white lawn dress. Identical posies covered her straw hat. She looked the picture of Victorian summer fashion.

Inside the church, the organist began the wedding march. Hastily, we lined up. A hand on my back propelled me toward the aisle. I stumbled in surprise and started forward. All the guests turned to stare in my direction. I focused on my cousin Dinah, who smiled encouragingly. I stumbled again when Despina stepped on the chartreuse dress's short train. She followed me much too closely. Bertha trotted briskly behind her sister, and then Cassandra marched sedately, sprinkling rose petals from her flower girl's basket.

Finally, Charlotte appeared at the church door, grasping her father's elbow. The old man swayed precariously, then let out a loud hiccup. All the churchgoers stared at him in awe, flabbergasted to realize his drunkenness. His daughter prodded him, and he stood straighter but slouched again at about mid-aisle.

Grinning broadly, Joel stepped beside his bride when she reached the altar. A tall, gangly youth with protruding front teeth stood beside him. The vicar cleared his throat and began the ceremony. Mr. Plumb belched loudly, and his wife prodded him in the side. All eyes turned in their direction. Finally, with the rings slipped onto their fingers, Uncle Everett invited Joel to kiss his bride.

My brother swept his new wife into his arms and pressed his lips against hers. Charlotte grabbed his buttocks and began kneading his cheeks. Joel moaned passionately. Looking uncomfortable, Uncle Ev backed away, spun on his heels, and stalked through a side door. Dinah rose and ran after her father. Mortified, the family followed the bride and groom down the aisle.