Imported Love

Chapter Five

Would anyone care if I shoved my stockings down his throat?

The next morning Franny and Lily rushed into my room and physically pulled me out of bed. I was not happy. Half asleep, I allowed them to drag me around the room. They fussed over dresses and how they would do my hair.

“She should wear white, they are wedding gown shopping.” Franny said.

“It’ll wash her out, she should wear navy, she looks lovely in it.” Lily argued.

“But we don’t have a navy hat for her yet,” Franny cried.

“She can wear something else then, it doesn’t have to match perfectly.” Lily snapped.

“Yes, it does.” Franny growled back. I couldn’t believe that the two women were fighting over what I would wear.

“Can I choose?” I asked. Franny and Lily looked at me as if I’d grown a third head.

“The purple one,” Lily shouted suddenly. Franny clapped her hands and dove into the wardrobe. She surfaced with a dress and settled it gently on the bed.

“Take off that nightgown,” Lily ordered, practically pulling the thing from my skin. I frowned at the two women as they forced me into a slip and pulled some torture device out of the wardrobe.

“What is that?” I gasped, stepping away from the ghastly thing.

“It’s a corset, haven’t you ever seen a corset?” Franny laughed. I shook my head. Franny approached me, and with a lot of fighting and wiggling they finally got it on me.

“Now turn around,” Lily ordered. I turned around and Franny pushed me against the bed post. I clung to it, utterly afraid that they were going to do something awful to me. Even the name, corset, sounded evil. Lily grabbed the two strings and pulled them tight. I gasped and clutched at my stomach.

“How am I supposed to breath in this?” I cried.

“You’re not, you’re supposed to look thin and beautiful.” Franny said.

“I’m—“ I jerked as Lily tied another knot. “already—“ Another. “thin.”

“You’re starving, there is a difference. Now quit your whining and sit down her so I can do your hair.” Franny ordered. I staggered toward the vanity and tried to sit. I felt I had a pole taped to my spine. Franny arranged my curls so that they gathered together at the side of my neck, held together with a purple pearl tie.

Lily stood me up and they forced me into the dress. The neckline was far too low for me, and that ridiculous corset was shoving my chest up and out. I felt like a prostitute. The sleeves were far too tight, the waist was far too tight, and the skirt was far too tight. I could just see myself waddling around like I had my legs wrapped together, which was true.

“You look breathtaking,” Franny smiled. She retrieved a pair of pointy toed shoes from the wardrobe. I’d never seen anything with such a heel, or something as fancy as the purple shoes.

“I feel ridiculous. Why do I have to wear this thing?” I whined.

“Because you are going into the city. If you’re to be the wife of a millionaire you must play the part.” Franny snapped.

“I apologize, Franny. I didn’t know that a slave had to pretend she loved the man too.” I screamed at her. Franny’s hand went to her mouth and Lily looked to the floor. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, I really am. Everything is just—well everything is finally getting to me.” I whispered. Lily nodded and patted my hand. She looked to Franny and then pulled a large, feather and flower covered hat. Lily placed it on my head, it dipped low and hid my left side. It cast a beautiful shadow on my face, and made me seem dark, maybe even mysterious.