‘It’s not too…’‘Far from it,’ Jane assured her. ‘It’s obvious you’re not wearing a bra, of course, because the thing has hardly any back, but that’s the only way you can tell. That high halter front is very discreet. And I love all those masses of tiny pleats in the skirt.’‘Culottes, actually.’ Amanda demonstrated. She frowned a little. ‘It isn’t at all the kind of thing I intended to buy. It’s far too extravagant. I meant to get something that would do later on, when…’ She stopped hastily, aware she’d been about to venture into indiscretion. But Jane was clearly too fascinated by the golden shimmer of the new dress to have noticed.‘Live a little,’ she advised airily. ‘After all, you’re marrying a very wealthy man.’Amanda bit her lip. ‘I suppose so.’ She hesitated. ‘I ought to explain, but I can’t…’‘You don’t have to,’ Jane said robustly. ‘Anyone’s entitled to change her mind, and it’s far better to do it before you’re married than afterwards.’ It was her turn to pause.
