Murderous Endeavour

CHAPTER ELEVEN

When Diana stepped off the shuttle to Versailles, she gasped.

Yes, like everyone, she'd seen pictures of the palace. Many pictures, especially once Stéphane came into her life. In fact, that had been her favorite pastime in those weeks after he went back to France-staring at photos of the opulent rooms and imagining walking arm in arm with her love. But nothing had quite prepared her for the sheer enormity of the place when she was standing in front of it.

The shuttle dropped her off-still a long walk from the actual building. She and the other people on the bus meandered about the lush gardens which seemed to stretch on forever, gradually coming closer to the main building. Once she climbed the front steps to the massive entrance, a number of employees in period costumes, right down to the powdered wigs, checked her ticket and motioned for her to go into a tent that had been set up on the grounds.

When she went inside, her jaw dropped. The place was full of everything she could possibly need-wigs, jewelry, shoes, and, of course, gowns of every color and fabric. The tent was also full of partygoers, all in the midst of preparing for the big event. Despite a number of fans going at full blast, the air inside was warm and positively buzzing with the excitement. Everyone seemed in a jovial mood.

"Hello, my name is Colette, and I will be helping transform you tonight!" a woman in an ornate Marie Antoinette-style wig and pink gown said, running an eye over Diana from head to toe. "I hope you are ready!"

Getting into the festive spirit of the event and reminding herself to relax, Diana nodded, "Oui!"

"You have beautiful pale skin. So lovely. I see something in a ruby red with a low decolletage, yes?"

"Well . . . let's not go too daring," she began. She never wore red-she was used to the New York City uniform, nothing but black, white, and shades between. And a low neckline? She was used to buttoning her blouses all the way up to the top.

A little voice suddenly stopped her. Remember, relax.

Diana smiled as Colette led her down the aisle of dresses. "Actually. Whatever you think looks best. I'm placing myself in your capable hands!"

"Lovely!" Colette said, clapping her hands together. "Do you have a budget?"

Diana remembered her first agenda item: rent the most gorgeous costume at Versailles, no matter what the expense. "No. Not at all. You have my permission not to look at price tags."

"Wonderful! That makes it so fun!" She studied Diana's body carefully. "You're a size ten, US, yes?"

Diana's mouth opened slightly, "Y-yes. Wow. You're very good."

From that point on, Diana had no reservations or doubts in Colette's abilities. Colette picked out a lovely shimmering burgundy-red gown with cream-colored lace accents. It fit Diana perfectly after Colette helped tie her into the corset and undergarments. When she stepped in front of the mirror, Diana was astounded. She looked beautiful, almost like she belonged to the time period.

"Oh, this is nice," she said, wiggling to get her ribs used to the corset. If it weren't for that, she might have even wished she lived in the time period. She pulled on the lace-edged neck of the dress, which was definitely low-cut, feeling rather bare until she reminded herself that she'd made a promise to go with the flow. Besides, she was so used to covering up that what was daring to her was actually tame compared to some of the things her daughters wore.

When Diana came out of the dressing room and gave her the thumbs-up, Colette presented her with a pair of matching heels. "Size nine, right?"

"Yes. That's right." She stepped into them, expecting them to be uncomfortable. Instead, they fit like her slippers back at home. She lifted the layers of fabric and swished them at her hips as she moved in front of the mirror once more, admiring herself. "It's beautiful."