“I think this space would do nicely, don’t you, Charles?” He started to speak, but she kept talking, his answer immediately dismissed, “A fall wedding next year with the gold of this room would be beautiful with mauve and peach flowers, dark greenery.”

“We might have trouble finding flowers those colors in the fall,” Lila stated. She didn’t say or suggest—the words were a directive.

Madison frowned. “I’m sure we can find something. Greenhouses grow all year, don’t they?”

“They do, but—”

“Peonies,” Madison continued, her eyes sweeping the glass dome above. “I’ve always loved peonies.”

Lila’s face was a steel trap, her smile plasticine. “I thought you wanted creams, champagnes, golds?”

“Well, I did,” Madison admitted without seeming at all apologetic.

“And before that, it was marigold and rose,” Lila continued.

“But now that we’re here, I’m thinking something more bold. Peony bold.”

My measuring tape zipped, snapping into its housing with a pop that echoed in the massive room. “Actually, peonies are out of season in the fall, but cabbage roses bloom to look close enough. Dahlias would make a good option too, if you really want to go that route.”

Madison’s brows quirked, but her smile was a little too enthusiastic. She extended her hand, her eyes dragging down my body. “And who are you?”

I took her offered hand and shook it. “Kash Bennet. I work in the greenhouse that supplies flowers for Ms. Parker’s events.”

“A gardener? Or maybe you’re a florist?” She tittered. “How modern.”

“Mr. Bennet is a gardener at Longbourne,” Lila said, her voice too tight to be considered casual, though it lilted smoothly past her lips. “If you’re interested, I’ll take you down to the greenhouse to see. It’s the largest in Manhattan, right in the middle of Greenwich Village.” She cut a look at me that said to get back to work.

“How charming,” Madison said. “Isn’t that charming, Charles?” Again, he tried to answer, and again, she kept talking. “Maybe you could educate us on what will be in season and the kinds of colors we can expect from your garden. That would be such a treat.”

I cleared my throat, nodding once, stifling a smile. “I’m sure Lila will be able to set something up. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m just finishing up.”

Lila watched me as I walked back up the aisle, and I heard Madison say under her breath behind me, “I bet he knows his way around a hoe, don’t you?”

Lila made a strangled noise that should have been a laugh, but it caught in the trap of her throat, garbled and tight. I couldn’t even find it in me to be offended for myself, only poor Chuck, who’d agreed to be yoked to Madison for life.