The dress arrived at 4 in the afternoon. Lost in her design work, Catherine didn't hear the doorbell ring, and by the time Susan brought her the news, a team of servants had already carried the dress up to the changing room.

Catherine raced up the stairs, taking them two at a time. She charged down the long hallway and into her bedroom. In the center of her closet hung a gray garment bag. The name Margo Fresco was embroidered across the bag in silver thread. She gasped and raced toward the bag, ...