Voices Deep Inside (Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Last Minute Stitching

The bedroom suite of young ladies was a buzz as everyone finished their evening preparations for the ballroom dinner and dance. Josie was a flutter as she complimented her friends on the color of their gowns.

"Excuse me, girls," said Mrs. Garland.

They turned around and saw Mrs. Garland and Prissy standing behind them.

"Prissy has something she would like to say," said Mrs. Garland.

Then she took hold of her daughter's arm and moved her forward.

"Prissy," said Mrs. Garland sternly.

"I'm sorry for ruining your dress," said Prissy.

"I accept your apology," said Talia.

"I also want you girls to know that I have instructed our maid to remove Prissy's belongings," said Mrs. Garland. "She will stay in our room this evening. Come Prissy, we need to find Mrs. Huntveldt and apologize to her for your behavior."

Then she and Prissy left the bedroom chambers.

The girls opened their eyes wide as they looked at each other. Josie reassured Talia that everything would turn out fine.

"I need to go find my parents," said Josie.

"Josie, wait. Let me look at your dress."

Josie was an absolute vision of beauty. She was dressed in an ice-blue gown that had a square-cut neckline. The bodice formed a V-shape and the ties of ribbon accented her tiny waist. The full skirt had a V-shape insert of white satin. Dark royal blue braided trim lined the insert, and gown trailed in the back as she walked.

Her hair was pulled off her face as her long blonde hair cascaded down her back. Thin tiny ribbons that held her hair in place trailed down the back.

"You look like a porcelain doll, Josie," said Talia. "You are so beautiful."

Josie's smile beamed across her face as everyone admired her gown. She thanked everyone as she left the room.

Talia put on her robe, and she and Myrna walked over to the sewing room. On the clock it said four-thirty. The seamstresses were waiting for Talia when she entered, along with a handwritten message for Myrna. The message told her to see Mick and bring her sewing basket.

"Go ahead," said Talia. "If Mick needs you, it is for a good reason. I'll be fine."

Myrna left the sewing room to gather her sewing basket. She threw on her cloak and hurried down the steps. She rushed out of the house and ran towards the livery.

Talia slipped on the gown, and the two girls had her lift her arms to fit the armholes of the dress. After they pinned the dress, Talia remained in the sewing room and thanked the seamstresses for their work on her gown.

"No problem, miss," said one of the girls.

Then they regaled Talia with other stories of dress mishaps from previous years.

A servant boy brought a tray of food and refreshments to the sewing room. Talia saw it was after five. She ate a few bites from the tray, but her nerves were on edge, and she secretly wished for a drink of whiskey to calm herself.

By five thirty, the girls removed the pins and snipped the loose strings of thread. They turned the dress right-side out and helped Talia into the gown. Final adjustments were made to the gown. They handed Talia the sleeves to the dress as they cleaned up the sewing table.