“Wants Penny to wear what?” Penny interrupted, stopping her circulating for a moment, then noticing Bernadette in the circle, turned on her public relations voice. “You’re Aunt B! I’m such a fan. I love your columns and your site. I’ve learned so much from you about weddings. Etiquette, human behavior. You should teach a class at the New School! Chase told me that you’re old friends with Abigail. Thank you for coming.” Penny reached out her hands for the two-handed clutch, understanding that a hug would be too intimate for a media contact who could add an important public relations spin to her wedding.

“Please call me Bernadette. You and Chase make a beautiful couple. My, you and your mother look so much alike. Both Grecian beauties. Any of your father in you at all?” Bernadette said, nodding in Simon Fox’s direction.

Abigail knew this was a test. She had given Bernadette the background on Penny’s godfather, but clearly, she was getting the same hint of something afoot as Abigail. Simon and Alexa had a palpable chemistry, looking cozier than old friends, more like old lovers. Could they have made some bargain thirty years ago to keep Penny’s true parentage to themselves? Abigail vowed to keep an eye on those two.

“Simon is my godfather,” Penny said adroitly. “We only share a love of Scrabble and ocean swimming,” she added, avoiding the question while passing the propriety pop quiz. “Now, what am I supposed to be wearing?”

“Nothing, dear. I mean, Sarah is mistaken,” Abigail said.

“My mom hauled out her wedding dress yesterday. In case you wanted to wear a throwback from the nineties. As your newly appointed bridesmaid, I feel I need to warn you that it has a little cape!”

“Capelet,” Bernadette and Abigail corrected at the same time.

“And how hilarious would it be if I wore Bernadette’s bridesmaid’s dress? So funny. We should do it as a joke anyway. Like at the bachelorette party, which I am now in charge of!” Sarah cackled, truly misreading the room.

“Penny’s already found her dress. We had such good luck yesterday, didn’t we?” Alexa said, looking at her daughter too late to notice the burning in her eyes.

“We did. Total spur-of-the-moment decision! One of my favorite designers from Athens, Kalliope Moon. We happened by her shop in SoHo and they were having a trunk show,” Penny explained a little too desperately.