Things moved smoothly but a trifle stiffly after that. The deeply offended manager reappeared, her face stiff, refusing to meet their eyes as she stood, her arms folded across her bosom, staring fixedly at a spot above Bianca鈥檚 head as her models swung their hips and paraded various gowns fit for a bride, before the expectant trio.

She did not say anything, but her eyes, when she happened to look at them, were highly disapproving.

O鈥橤rady glanced at his brother over ...