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.”

“It’ll be even nicer once I finish your hair and makeup,” Colette said, sitting her down in a barber’s chair. “Would you like a wig? You have such lovely hair. It’d be a shame to cover it.”

“I think not,” she said, looking at the choices. They were like works of art themselves, but it was hot outside, and she could just imagine her scalp sweating and itching like crazy. “Can you do something with my hair?”

Colette raked her fingers though Diana’s dark curls and smiled, “Can I? Your hair is so thick and beautiful. Just wait and see what I do!”

To keep Diana in suspense, Colette turned her chair away from the mirror and took out her curling iron. Diana had masses of thick hair, so Colette chatted away about the party as she got to work taming it. “I usually work in the palace, giving tours most of the time. But this is my favorite night of the year. I love doing makeovers for our guests. This is my fifth year doing the ball.”