A miserable dog

He knew that the ball gowns of many other ladies were definitely more daring than Lily's usual wardrobe. His wife was rather modestly dressed and showed little skin. Alexandre knew his Lily's dress style was unusual. Since dresses normally presented the décolleté openly, it was already so common that even the most rigid chaperone would not turn up their noses at the daring dresses of debutantes. The sight of a girl with an open décolleté was nowadays only noticed numbly. But these other women were not his wife.

Lady de Valois laughed as she listened to her son's mumbling.

She knew what her son was thinking. He considered tearing it apart, but the dress Madame Ploutiette made fitted his wife perfectly. He enjoyed seeing his beautiful wife shine, but only in private. Alexandre was like his father. It was all right to look fair and noble. But heaven forbid it shouldn't arouse any lecherous desires. Nevertheless, her sweet daughter-in-law looked simply too charming in that dress and indeed Alexandre had excellent taste. He only needed one look to pick out the most gorgeous dress out of the huge selection.

Sitting on the armchair, Alexandre stared at Lily. There was a hint of annoyance on his face. But his expression resembled more that of a miserable dog, tormented by his fate. Looking at her son, Isabelle was full of smiles.

But not only that surprised Isabelle. Also, the warmth in her son's eyes when he looked at his wife was a completely new experience for her. After the drama with his first fiancée, Isabelle had already suspected that her son had locked his heart away. She had never really liked Danielle, because Isabelle doubted the affection and true feelings of this woman. Still, she was her boy's first love. Seeing him like this now made her happy.

She never thought she would see such an expression on the stoic face of her eldest. Which is why she decided to give her daughter-in-law a hand. "Alexandre I must say you have a really good eye to find the perfect dress for your wife right away." Isabelle clapped her hands cheerfully.

Alexandre pursed his lips slightly, sulking like a little boy. "Lily, your back is probably too exposed. You always pay attention to details like that." He tried to work on his wife.

Lily's gaze fell on her reflection again. Her blue eyes shook a little. She turned and turned in front of the big mirror, looking critically at the image in it. He could see a variety of complicated emotions whirling around in her eyes. Alexandre was confident of victory. This ship was sailing - he thought. The corner of his lips raised in a smile. He wouldn't have to buy that dress.

But then the same radiant expression returned to her gentle face when she was enjoying chocolate or a piece of cake. This ship was sinking, slowly but steadily. Alexandre knew he had lost.

"The dress fits you perfectly. Your husband knows exactly what suits you. Hardly any other dress will make you look better." The designer encouraged her. Lily looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing this beautiful white wedding dress. Her long brown hair had been draped into a casual pinned-on hairdo. Due to the elegant cut out at the back one could see her elegant, slender, swan-like neck. The fine line of her backbone, framed by floral lace. The tight cut around the waist of the bridal gown highlighted her slender waist and her gentle curves.

She had made her choice!

"I like it. I like it very much." Lily found that new style amazing and interesting.

He was flustered. He knew he couldn't talk her out of it, after all, stubborn women had her back. In that room, he had no chance of winning. It was frustrating. If she liked it, there was no way back for him. He was an idiot! Why did he even have to reach for that dress?