The Untold Prophecy (The Last Library Book 1) by Jill Cooper

Author:Jill Cooper [Cooper, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-10T16:00:00+00:00

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I stood in front of a full length mirror, not able to believe my eyes.

“Stand still, please.” Mrs. Richardson tugged at the heavy fabric dress I wore. She had pinned some black lace to my hair as a makeshift veil. The dress itself was layers of satin and lace, with a strongly fitted corset around my middle. I hadn’t struggled to breathe that much since I’d come down with bronchitis as a kid. The shoulders of the dress puffed up higher around my ears and my sleeves draped with lace. It was couture in an elegant manner, unlike anything I had ever worn.

And I hated it. From the tall black boots that had to be tightened with rods and thick laces, to the hat she told me I’d need to wear. If this was what being a woman meant, I wanted no part in it.

Mrs. Richardson tilted her head and regarded me once she finished pinning my dress into place. It was as if I was a ragdoll who would fall apart at a whim. “A brooch, right in the middle of your neck; it’ll make everything come together just perfect. Your features are dainty and small—I’ll make sure they come alive in your wedding portrait. Hopefully you don’t mind sitting for a sketch. Family tradition.”

“No, Mrs. Richardson,” I said quietly, happily knowing soon I’d escape with George, or soon I’d be dead. Both of those options sounded better than the nights with Timothy that awaited me.

“Good,” she said happily as she clapped her hands onto her hips. “I think you and Timothy will make a beautiful child, but not too soon. Let’s get your tailor shop a chance to get off the ground before you’re changing nappies.”

My stomach rolled at the idea. I stood still, and Mrs. Richardson took the veil off my head and unhooked the back of my dress. “He doesn’t think I’m attractive.”

“Nonsense. Don’t listen to him. He likes to put on a brave front. Make everyone hate him, which he’s been good at thus far.” Mrs. Richardson helped me down the steps and took me to a partition. I stood behind it, peeling my dress off. After I handed it to her, I dressed in my regular merchant clothes.

“Being married off isn’t easy…I remember what it was like. It was nearly twenty-two years ago for me. Four full years before we got our blessed Timmy.”

The ministers encouraged a year of marriage before a child, no more, and no less. “That must’ve been stressful for you.”

“Oh, you don’t even know. I thought I’d go prematurely gray.” Mrs. Richardson laughed. “All that was forgiven, of course. It took a while to fall back into the ministers’ good graces again, but it happened. Keeping them happy can be hard. I’ll train you in everything you need to know before your shop is opened in Evertown.”

That was where Margret was going. I tied my hair back before stepping out from behind the partition. “I look forward to it, but can we start tomorrow? I’m exhausted and I still need to do my own chores when I return home.

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