A Thread of Madness by Blythe Baker

Author:Blythe Baker [Baker, Blythe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-20T16:00:00+00:00

10

“What do you think of this dress?”

I looked up from my vanity table to see Lily standing in the doorway. My eyes widened as they looked upon a drab, tired looking dress in a slate grey. It hung loosely on my sister’s already delicate, thin frame, but drained her face of what little color it had, and made her usually pretty dark hair look more like spilled ink than the silky raven’s feathers I usually compared it to in my thoughts.

I opened my mouth for a brief moment before promptly closing it once again.

“What?” Lily asked, her already severe expression becoming even more so. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I certainly loved my dear sister, but she had a difficult time finding her way around the more social events of life. She would never admit to it, of course, and if I presented the fact to her, she would dismiss it as useless and unproductive knowledge, despite standing before me and asking for my help.

What surprised me more, however, was her ability to create, with such great detail, dresses of elegance, all of them perfect for the clients they were made for, and yet be unable to choose something for herself.

“I…well,” I said, unsure how to proceed.

I glanced between her and the door to the armoire we shared, just within sight through the doorway to the bedroom, where Lily stood. I hesitated for only a moment before leaping up and hurrying past her, my eyes fixed on the armoire door.

“What is it?” Lily asked, clearly growing impatient with me. “Why are you – ”

“Try this instead,” I said, pulling the door open and reaching for a deep, emerald green dress from the back of the rod upon which it hung. I turned around, the fabric of the dress swirling as I proffered it to her. “It will suit your eyes best.”

Lily accepted the dress in my outstretched hand, though her expression was cool. I had not admitted her dress choice to be poor, but I may as well have, offering her an alternative.

Neither was she gracious enough to thank me for it, as she turned and made her way back to the bedroom without a word.

I suppose her pride and my desire to be honest with her will always be at odds.

Just as I finished pinning the last stray curl of blonde hair into the chignon I so fancied, the door to the bedroom swung outward once more, and Lily stepped out into our sitting room.

I smiled at her. “Oh, Lily… Have a look at yourself.”

I jumped up from the stool and took her arm, leading her to the floor-length mirror that leaned against the wall.

“Well, certainly you look elegant,” Lily said, her nose wrinkling slightly as she stared at our reflections. “You always do.”

“I think you look perfectly lovely in that dress,” I said. “It’s one you made, may I remind you.”

“Yes, I am well aware,” she said, picking at the matching green lace at the elbow. “And my technique has drastically improved within the last few years.

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