Colorblind by Brooke Bryan

Author:Brooke Bryan [Bryan, Brooke]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-02T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Holly handed coins to the driver of our carriage as we walked into the Wentworth inn. Lace doilies and spotless cloths lying over small tables adorned the entrance hall. The ceilings were high and the windows large. Holly had insisted on getting the best room in the best inn and paying for it all herself.

After we checked in, I unfolded the dress for the matchmaking social and hung it on the dresser door.

“Oh no, we’re definitely getting you a new dress before tonight,” Holly said.

It was a grey dress, like all dresses. Its sleeves were simple and long and the neckline high. After what happened in Lillestar, I wanted to cover any trace of the faint line my attacker had left. It was my most modest dress.

“I can’t afford a new dress,” I said.

“Obviously, I’ll buy it for you.”

I wrapped my arms around myself. “I really don’t want to go out. With the attacks and everything, I’d feel safer to stay inside.”

Holly narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong? You’ve been quieter and more skittish than usual.”

I couldn’t tell her what happened in Lillestar. First, I would have to explain why I was in a Freemen village in the first place, which would be impossible. But also, I didn’t want to talk about the attack. Nothing had happened, really. I was able to fight the woman off before anything could, but it just rattled me, reminding me of how vulnerable I was in the changing world.

“Nothing’s wrong,” I said. “We can go get dresses.”

We set out walking into the nearby shopping district of Wentworth. Many people moved about the streets, but they moved quickly and with purpose. No one stopped to chat with passersby. They kept their heads down and moved from place to place, pulling children or their companions behind them. The worst part was the watchmen. They were recognizable by the badges on their grey vests, but also by the long guns in their arms. Never before had watchmen carried guns in the streets, and never had I seen so many together. Usually their job was investigating accidents since crime didn’t exist in our Grey society.

It was a bad idea to have gone shopping. That would have been the perfect place for another attack. Apparently, Holly was forming the same thoughts because she wrapped her arm through mine and silently dragged me towards a building straight ahead.

The shop had two large windows surrounding the door. In each one was a headless mannequin wearing nice dresses of different shapes. My eyes lingered on them as Holly tugged me into the shop.

A little bell rang, and a pretty woman with blue eyes and light orange hair walked in from the back.

“Looking to buy dresses, ladies?” she asked.

“Yes,” Holly said. “She’s participating in the matchmaking social tonight, and I would just like something new to wear.”

“Oh, excellent.” The petite woman clapped her hands together. “Matchmaking! How exciting. I will set up two dressing rooms. Go ahead and start looking through the gowns, and I will be back soon to assist you.

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