Imported Love

Chapter Eighteen

All of the universe was against me today, and I didn’t believe that Clara, Ethan, or Franny had the strength to stop it.

Franny and Lily bustled around me, cursing each other, one of my stay curls, a fallen eyelash, and the world in general. I sat perfectly still, watching myself transform in the mirror before me. I was plucked and primped, like a chicken before it was thrown into the oven.

Strands of little pearls were woven into my hair as it was piled atop my head. A luminescent glitter was painted on my eyelids. With every blink the sparkles caught the sun and made me shine inhumanly. Blood red lipstick was swiped across my lips, making me look like a ghost.

I turned my head to look at Franny. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but she said nothing to me. She and Lily continued their work. Not long after, they ushered me out of the room, out the door, and into a carriage that would take us to the church.

“Once we arrive at the church, we’re going into a back room. Your dress is there. We’ll get you into it and fix anything that needs fixing. Then you’ll be ready.” Franny explained, clasping my hand in hers.

“Alright,” I whispered. Franny patted my hand. She stayed silent for the rest of the journey.

As we arrived at the church I saw the crowd gathered at the foot of the stairs. Most of the people I had met at Abel’s engagement party. They were all dressed in expensive suits and dresses. I wondered how they all felt about this marriage. How they really felt.

We entered the large, gothic church through a side door. It was cold within the stone walls, and my composure began to slip away. I began to hyperventilate.

“Relax, take a deep breath.” Franny coached, resting her hand on my shoulder. Lily rushed ahead of us, leading the way to the room where I was to get dressed.

“I can’t breathe, Franny.” I groaned, feeling faint.

“It’s almost over, Erica, I promise.” Franny assured me, but she could tell that I was about to collapse. She wrapped her arm around my waist and bore my weight as we followed Lily.

“You can’t throw the corset out the window today,” Franny said, teasingly, but her heart wasn’t in it. We neared the door and the dread grew heavier.

“I’ll pass out,” I whimpered, trying to hold the tears back.

“No you won’t. You’ll be fine. You’re a very strong girl, Erica.” Franny opened the heavy door. The room I was to get ready in was like a prison chamber. The ceiling was low, and the whole room was stone. The only furniture was a tall mirror, on which my dress hung.

“It’s time to get dressed now,” Franny cooed, gently beginning to unbutton my dress. I stood in the middle of the room, where the ceiling was highest, and let Franny and Lily strip me down.

Shivering, I looked at my naked body in the mirror. It seemed ages ago that Ethan’s hands had trailed down my sides and over my hips. In a matter of hours those memories would be replaced and Abel’s hands would take over Ethan’s.

Lily helped me into a cotton white slip. It smelled of rosemary and freshly washed laundry. It was tight on my body, bringing a rise of color to my cheeks. Lily didn’t seem to pay any attention to my embarrassment. She and Franny began to wrestle me into a new white corset. I braced myself against the wall as they drew the strings ever tighter, practically snapping my ribs.

“Don’t hold your breath,” Lily demanded, poking my side. I exhaled and she pulled the corset even tighter.

“Get the dress Lily, I’ll tie her up,” Franny said. She began to weave the strings together. She bent her head forward and whispered in my ear, “I’ll double knot them, just in case.”