Chapter 16

Samantha descended the main staircase carefully, holding her voluminous skirts up so as not to trip, and Ariel walked behind her, holding up her train. Terrence, standing beside his mother at the bottom of the staircase, whistled when he saw her.

"Wow," he said holding out his arm. "I think I need a love curse of my own. Don't suppose you have a sister?"

Samantha giggled nervously at his exaggerated flattery, the moment now close at hand. Since she had no family of her own, Terrence had volunteered to walk her down the aisle and Samantha had agreed.

As they waited for their cue outside the grand ballroom, Samantha's stomach fluttered and her palms sweated. Terrence patted her hand resting on his arm and leaned over to whisper, "Just imagine them all naked."