ra

s had faded to a thin, pink scar. It was a useful prop. Every tim

smile that didn't reach her eyes, that the meeting

ternal concern. She led me to her own enormous walk-in closet, a room larger than my entire at

he overwhelmed country girl. "Oh

lks and velvets. She went to the very back, to a section that loo

as a

bric was a heavy, unforgiving wool, and the neckline was high and puritanical

one, I think. The color is so... sophisticated. Luna Montg

rumpy, old-fashioned, and utterly ridiculous. It would make me look like a joke, confirming every negative rumor sh

I took the dress from her, my fa

e full of fake awe. "Thank you, C

rror was comical. The dress hung on me like a sack, its color making my skin lo

triumphant smirk Catherine t

hed. "It's perfect.

satisfaction there. I turned and gave her a

no taste, no sense, no pride. She told me to wear it tomorrow, and not t

ed obe

attic room, I laid the ugly dress out

or money, but a small, leather-bound sewing kit. Inside were specialized needles

n fear on the train, were now

y folding the fabric down and pinning it into an elegant, off-the-shoulder neckline. I took in the waist, creating a silhou

delicate, intricate rosette to pin at th

hideous gown became a work of art. It was still forest green, but now the color looked rich and myst

'd brought with me. I crushed beetroot for a subtle lip and cheek stain,

in my room. The girl staring back was not the timid countr