The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie by Bonnie K. Winn Page A

throat, unused to visible displays of emotion. She must have been right about Gregory, his sensitivity and depth. He would have to possess those qualities, coming from such a giving, caring family. “Thank you.” This time she didn’t duck her head at the compliment as she was accustomed to doing. Instead she smiled, realizing how very much she was growing to like Miranda.
    “You’re welcome. Now, shall we keep digging?”
    Brynn bent toward the nearest trunk.
    “Wait!” Miranda’s voice took on a note of excitement.
    Startled by the sudden change in Miranda, Brynn abandoned the trunk. “What is it?”
    “The dress.” Miranda retrieved the blue silk and held it up.
    “You’re going to wear it after all?”
    “No. But you are.”
    Brynn stared between Miranda and the beautiful dress. “Oh, no, I couldn’t.”
    “I thought you liked it.”
    “I do. It’s gorgeous. Too gorgeous. It would make me stand out. People would notice.”
    “Notice? Child, you’d be the belle of the ball.”
    “And the center of attention,” Brynn agreed glumly.
    “And this isn’t a good thing?”
    “Not for me. I’m not comfortable in situations like that. In fact, I like nothing better than to be a wallflower.”
    Miranda stared at her. “I truly can’t imagine how you and Gregory wound up together. That boy thrives in the spotlight. And if you’re going to be a successful wife for him, you’ll have to get used to it.”
    Brynn’s stomach clenched. “But just because Gregory likes the spotlight doesn’t mean—”
    “Who do you think he’ll be sharing that spotlight with?”
    Brynn was stumped for an answer. “Still, I couldn’t wear anything that gorgeous and... Well...”
    Miranda held the low-cut bodice up higher. Although tasteful, it exposed more skin than Brynn had ever dreamed of showing. Nearly backless, it was a dream of a dress. And with vintage styles still imprinting the fashion scene, Brynn knew it would be a knockout. But certainly not the sort of thing she’d choose to wear. It was simply too beautiful. Too attention catching.
    Her lips curled in a knowing manner, Miranda cocked her head. “Gorgeous and...daring?”
    Brynn nodded.
    “Then it sounds like it just suits you.”
    “I never said I was daring. You did.”
    Miranda lifted her brows. “But you just said that at something like the festival you’d do something uncharacteristic—just like you thought Gregory might.”
    Caught. In a trap of her own making. “But that dress is special to you,” she protested. “Too special to be worn by someone else.”
    “Not just someone,” Miranda reminded her. “By family. I’ll have someone bring this trunk to your room.”
    Before Brynn could answer, Miranda tugged her toward the full-length antique cheval mirror that rested in one corner of the attic. Once in front of the mirror, Miranda held the dress up to Brynn. Of their own accord, Brynn’s hands moved to hold the dress in place.
    Miranda pulled Brynn’s long hair upward, partially fashioning it into an upswept style. “Yes. Up on your head with lots of loose curls.” Then she frowned at Brynn. “How well can you see without your glasses?”
    “So-so,” Brynn mumbled.
    “What?”
    “I need them to read,” Brynn admitted.
    “Then whyever do you wear them all the time?”
    “It’s just easier that way. I have clear glass in the top of the lenses so I don’t have to take my glasses off and on all the time.”
    Miranda shook her head in disbelief. “Why a lovely young thing like you would want to hide behind those glasses is beyond me. But after you have on this dress, it won’t be a problem.”
    “It won’t?”
    “Nope. ’Cause you won’t be wearing them.”
    Brynn felt a clutch of panic. The glasses were her security blanket, her guard against anyone crashing through carefully constricted defenses. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
    “I am,” Miranda replied firmly. “And I’ve been walking that path a