The rest of the morning and early afternoon passed uneventfully. I stayed hidden in my room, knowing William would have wanted it; to keep me safely out of sight of the increasing numbers inhabiting the Manor.
It was a welcome release when Annabelle knocked on my door later that afternoon. She entered with an elaborate garment bag in hand—the kind that was so fancy you couldn’t possibly imagine what it held zipped within it.
“Hey, Bryn.”
“Hi, Annabelle. How did you know I was in desperate need of company?” I welcomed back. As different as Annabelle and I were, and how I was quite aware she lusted after the man who possessed my soul, I’d grown fond of this young girl who’d shown an exceptional level of kindness to me.
She beamed at me as she hung the garment bag over the door to my closet. “John asked if I’d help you out tonight . . . we can get all fancied-up together. How’s that sound?”
There were certainly enough gowns in my closet, and I wasn’t planning on doing anything special with my hair, but I desperately wanted the distraction of some company to pass the remaining couple hours before I could see my tuxedo-clad William.
“That would be great, I’d love some help,” I said.
Her smile exploded like a stick of dynamite. She turned her eyes to the hanging garment bag and motioned me towards her. “John got you something to wear tonight.” Her eyes glimmered in excitement. “I peeked . . . it’s amazing.”
I strolled over to her with weighted feet, unsure if I wanted to wear anything John intended for me to wear tonight. However, I’d played my part well at Townsend Manor—like the most devote actress—and I wasn’t going to let my act falter now. I would grin and bear whatever formal contraption John had selected for me. It would be left behind tomorrow, anyways.
Annabelle reached for the zipper and pulled it down. I could make out the azure-blue color of the material within before she pulled the gown out. She was right—it was incredible, like something pulled off a Milan runway. Intricate lace overlay luxuriant silk in an off the shoulder, form-fitting design that belled out just below the knees, where a short train fanned out.
“Told you. It’s got the wow factor,” Annabelle said, smacking her gum in her mouth.
“I’ll say,” I said, fingering over the lace.
“Let’s get ready,” Annabelle said with pep squad-like enthusiasm, before grabbing my hand and pulling me behind her.