Read Online Catherine (Echoes of Ossiria #1) by Vivian Lane - Free Book Online
Authors: Vivian Lane
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started.
Chapter Five
Wednesday, October 31 st
Halloween
Catherine was told
to pack everything she needed to get ready for the evening in a bag and meet
the car outside at two o’clock. She made
sure she cleared her plate at lunch in case she didn’t get to eat again until
very late, and was waiting on the steps promptly on the hour. The chauffeur picked her up in the limousine.
They drove into London, stopping at a
pretty building in a nice part of town. She was led up to an empty flat, and had a moment of confusion, before
others entered with various things: a dressing table, adjustable chair,
full-length mirror, boxes of all sizes, and a food cart with beverages and
treats. She recognized the seamstress
that had worked on her dress.
“Good afternoon,
Miss Mitchell. The gown is complete to your specifications. Let us do a last
fitting in case last-minute adjustments are needed?” She removed the lid on a large box and lifted
the dress up. “Magnificent, isn’t it?”
“Um, I need
somewhere to change.” Catherine said. The dressmaker pointed to a wardrobe screen set up behind her. “Oh.” She changed into the appropriate foundation garments before the lady
came back with the dress and helped her step into it.
She adjusted the
ties in back, then directed Catherine to come back out to the mirror and stand
on the pedestal. “Mmm-hmm…” She circled her with a critical eye. “Shoes, please.” They were brought instantly. “Perfect. Add the jewels, and you will look
like royalty.”
The gown was
gunmetal gray silk, the bodice constructed like a corset with hook-and-eye
closures in front, lacing in the back, and heavily beaded with seed
pearls. The boning in the bodice created
noticeable cleavage. Intricate beading
bordered the top hem, running along each side of the closures down the center
to the floor-length hem and around the slight train. The skirt split at knee level to reveal
hidden layers. The rest of the beading
was in tones of silver-to-black to create a blossom pattern on the bodice and
train.
It was the most
expensive thing Catherine had ever put on her body in her life.
“It was a bit
complicated to adjust the length, but not so difficult in a week. Surprisingly
comfortable, yes?”
“Yeah… I can still
breathe.”
The dressmaker
nodded. “It is the new flexible material
for the stays. The boning holds its shape, but is not nearly so rigid as in the
past. Fashion need not be torture. So, you’re happy with it?”
Catherine turned
to face her, smiling. “Very much so.
It’s…wow. It’s too beautiful for me, but I’ll wear it proudly!”
“I think it suits
you just fine, Miss Mitchell. Now, out of the dress! You need hair and make-up,
and…”
People instantly
swarmed her. They helped her out of the
dress, wrapped her in a robe, and plopped her down in the chair. She was primped head-to-toe in a whirlwind of
activity. Eating was allowed until they
did her lipstick, so she nibbled on little pastries and canapés.
She was
nervous. She did want to make a good
impression that evening, pass the test of her training, but she also had plans
of her own. She couldn’t pass up on the
chance of escaping while she was already in London. Her bag was packed with everything she couldn’t bear to part with, buried
at the bottom under her things for tonight. She only had to get away from William while they were still in London and make it into
daylight where he couldn’t follow.
“Miss Mitchell…
Wake up, dear. It’s time to get you dressed.”
Catherine
blinked. “Sorry…” It was easy to be lulled into a daze when
someone was playing with your hair.
The vision in the
mirror was so removed from the girl that arrived there four weeks ago. Her hair had been slicked back from her face,
then twisted and curled into an intricate bundle at the back of her head,
crystal
Chapter Five
Wednesday, October 31 st
Halloween
Catherine was told
to pack everything she needed to get ready for the evening in a bag and meet
the car outside at two o’clock. She made
sure she cleared her plate at lunch in case she didn’t get to eat again until
very late, and was waiting on the steps promptly on the hour. The chauffeur picked her up in the limousine.
They drove into London, stopping at a
pretty building in a nice part of town. She was led up to an empty flat, and had a moment of confusion, before
others entered with various things: a dressing table, adjustable chair,
full-length mirror, boxes of all sizes, and a food cart with beverages and
treats. She recognized the seamstress
that had worked on her dress.
“Good afternoon,
Miss Mitchell. The gown is complete to your specifications. Let us do a last
fitting in case last-minute adjustments are needed?” She removed the lid on a large box and lifted
the dress up. “Magnificent, isn’t it?”
“Um, I need
somewhere to change.” Catherine said. The dressmaker pointed to a wardrobe screen set up behind her. “Oh.” She changed into the appropriate foundation garments before the lady
came back with the dress and helped her step into it.
She adjusted the
ties in back, then directed Catherine to come back out to the mirror and stand
on the pedestal. “Mmm-hmm…” She circled her with a critical eye. “Shoes, please.” They were brought instantly. “Perfect. Add the jewels, and you will look
like royalty.”
The gown was
gunmetal gray silk, the bodice constructed like a corset with hook-and-eye
closures in front, lacing in the back, and heavily beaded with seed
pearls. The boning in the bodice created
noticeable cleavage. Intricate beading
bordered the top hem, running along each side of the closures down the center
to the floor-length hem and around the slight train. The skirt split at knee level to reveal
hidden layers. The rest of the beading
was in tones of silver-to-black to create a blossom pattern on the bodice and
train.
It was the most
expensive thing Catherine had ever put on her body in her life.
“It was a bit
complicated to adjust the length, but not so difficult in a week. Surprisingly
comfortable, yes?”
“Yeah… I can still
breathe.”
The dressmaker
nodded. “It is the new flexible material
for the stays. The boning holds its shape, but is not nearly so rigid as in the
past. Fashion need not be torture. So, you’re happy with it?”
Catherine turned
to face her, smiling. “Very much so.
It’s…wow. It’s too beautiful for me, but I’ll wear it proudly!”
“I think it suits
you just fine, Miss Mitchell. Now, out of the dress! You need hair and make-up,
and…”
People instantly
swarmed her. They helped her out of the
dress, wrapped her in a robe, and plopped her down in the chair. She was primped head-to-toe in a whirlwind of
activity. Eating was allowed until they
did her lipstick, so she nibbled on little pastries and canapés.
She was
nervous. She did want to make a good
impression that evening, pass the test of her training, but she also had plans
of her own. She couldn’t pass up on the
chance of escaping while she was already in London. Her bag was packed with everything she couldn’t bear to part with, buried
at the bottom under her things for tonight. She only had to get away from William while they were still in London and make it into
daylight where he couldn’t follow.
“Miss Mitchell…
Wake up, dear. It’s time to get you dressed.”
Catherine
blinked. “Sorry…” It was easy to be lulled into a daze when
someone was playing with your hair.
The vision in the
mirror was so removed from the girl that arrived there four weeks ago. Her hair had been slicked back from her face,
then twisted and curled into an intricate bundle at the back of her head,
crystal
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