Chapter Nine
Faith watched Graham leave the room before she turned to Beth.
Beth smiled. “Come here and let me show you what I brought. If you hate them, I’ll find more.”
“How long have you lived here?” Faith asked.
“About eight months.”
“Oh, that long? Are you and Alasdair married?”
“No.”
“How did the two of you meet?”
Beth turned toward her with a grin on her face. “He killed the guy who kidnapped me and brought me home with him, and I’ve never left.”
Faith laughed. “Was it love at first sight?”
“For him, it was. I was too terrified. I fought him for over a week until I gave in.”
“Oh, wow. What did he do?”
“He was very patient with me. I’d try to starve myself, and he wouldn’t let me. I’d try to sleep away from him after he went to sleep, but he always brought me back to his bed.”
“That is a little romantic, don’t you think?”
Beth snorted. “Now, I do. At the time, he just pissed me off.”
Faith laughed and then picked up one of the dresses. Beth had brought four, and they were all white. She also brought lingerie and shoes that looked like they’d fit her fairly well.
“These are all pretty dresses.”
“Try them on and see if you like any of them.”
Faith came out of the bathroom wearing the third dress she tried on, and Beth clapped her hands excitedly.
“That’s the one.”
Faith smiled and looked down at herself. The dress went a few inches above her knees and was made of white lace. It hugged her body like a glove, but it didn’t restrict her.
“I’m wondering if I can’t make you a veil,” Beth said.
“How would you do that?”
“I can ask Clarice for some white netting or lace she might have, and then we can pin it to your head. It will make it feel more like a wedding. I’m also going to get one of the maids to clip some flowers to make a bouquet.”
“We can try making the veil, and I love the idea of a bouquet,” Faith said. “Maybe you can stand up with me as my maid of honor.”
“Oh, wow. I’d love to. Is there a special color you like my dress to be?”
“Anything pastel would be great.”
“Good, I’ll go find a dress and get the fabric.” Beth stopped at the door. “By the way, I’m thrilled to have another woman here to talk to. I think it will help both of us to have each other.”
“I know I feel calmer having you here.”
Beth smiled and walked out of the room.
Faith took the dress off and hung it on the hanger on the back of the bathroom door. She was trying hard not to think that her sisters and mom wouldn’t see her getting married, but she understood Graham’s explanation and wanted that security, too.
She also tried to keep her mind off the fact that she’d be Graham’s wife by the time she went to bed, and she wondered if he would expect her to have sex.
The thought terrified her at the same time it made her body soften with desire at the idea of him deep inside of her body.
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting her dress and veil done, along with the flowers.
Beth clapped. “Oh, wow. You look so beautiful. You look like a bride.”
Faith smoothed the fabric over her hips. “Thank you for all of this. I’m so nervous.”
“I would be, too,” Beth said. “Are your sisters as beautiful as you?”
“I think both are more so, but that’s my opinion.”
“Would you love it if they came to live here?” Beth asked.
“Oh, God yes. You’ll love them. Angelica can be sassy, but they’re both good people.”
Faith looked at their reflection in the tall mirror and turned to Beth. “You look gorgeous, girl. That light-blue dress brings out your eyes.”
There was a knock at the door, and Beth went to answer it. Then she looked over her shoulder at Faith.
“It’s Alastair. He said they’re ready. Are you good to go?”
Faith exhaled and sighed. “As ready as I’m ever going to be.”
Beth slipped her arm through hers. “Then let’s get this done, girlfriend.”
Faith hugged her. “Thank you for making my day special. I want to help with your day when it comes.”
“Oh, that won’t be for a very long time, I think,” Beth said.
Faith looked at her with concern because of the tone of her voice. “We’ll talk later.”
Beth nodded, handed Faith her bouquet, got her own little one, and smiled. “Let’s do this.”
Faith followed Beth down the stairs and into a room. She could hear people talking but didn’t know where they were.
“I’m going to go to that door to the solarium. It’s a short walk down the aisle. Wait until I get most of the way down before you start. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Beth smoothed her own dress and then walked around the corner out of sight, and the music started. Faith counted to five and then peeked around to see Beth about at the end. She inhaled, lifted her chin, and started walking.