by Rachel Burns
“No, Nanny. Aren’t I doing it right.” Was she scolding me again? After yesterday, she might be worried that I’d breakdown again.
“Not at all. I’m praising you. You’re a very gifted child. Nanny is very pleased with you.”
I smiled at her. I was happy to have pleased her.
“Let’s go eat, my dear.”
Nanny bragged about my accomplishments of the day. Brian had looked so worried when we came in, but he started to relax as I began eating normally. Nanny told him that my aptitude tests were over. I’d passed everything very quickly. He raised an eyebrow about that. I was always surprising him.
“Tomorrow at this time, we’ll be married.” He announced. He appeared to be a bit nervous, but he smiled brightly.
I figured that he might be having second thoughts. I smiled at him.
He seemed a bit antsy but not nervous.
“Do you still have a lot to do? Maybe I could help?” I offered.
“All that’s left to do is to worry that everything will go off without a hitch. Everything else is finished. You can worry with me,” he joked.
I wanted to apologize for all the work I was causing him, but then I thought about the wedding night and couldn’t speak anymore. Tomorrow at this time everything wouldn’t be over. He was probably looking forward to that part. I wasn’t.
I was still praying that everything would be all right. I was even playing make-believe that my mother in heaven had sent him to save me. Maybe she wasn’t mad at me. Maybe she really didn’t see it as being my fault.
We ate, and everyone pretended that I hadn’t had a nervous breakdown yesterday.
After we ate, Nanny had grooming plans for me. Brian smiled at her. “But she’s already so beautiful, Nanny. Whatever you’re planning, it can’t take long.” He was teasing me. He was trying very hard to keep the mood light.
Nanny wanted to get started and to get finished. She was worried about me getting enough sleep.
“Don’t worry, Nanny. She’ll sleep just fine.” He looked so certain. I wondered about that.
In the end Nanny won, and she got me into the bathroom very quickly.
By the time she was done, my pores were clean, my fingernails and toenails were painted, and my skin was soft everywhere. She brought me to bed and read a chapter out of the book she read every night.
Brian came in and gave me a kiss good night. He had a glass of water with him. He wanted me to drink it. I was pretty sure he’d put something in it so I could sleep.
I knew it, but I drank it anyway. I didn’t want to lie awake all night either, so I drank it and hoped for the best.
He was very pleased when I gave him the empty glass back. “I won’t get to see you until tomorrow at church.” He looked so sad, like he’d miss me.
I reached out to touch his face. This time I didn’t chicken out. He leaned into my hand and gave me a gentle kiss on the inside of my palm before he laid me down on my pillow. I fell asleep a couple of seconds later.
Chapter 6 – The Wedding
“Nanny Prim, I’m trusting you to do your part with her. Getting her to church on time, ready to go is the most important thing. Avoid any scolding. She’ll probably get cold feet. She’s so little yet, and I think she’s been very brave.” Brian hoped that Nanny would be a help, and not a hindrance to him. After yesterday, he wasn’t so sure.
“She is truly a very good girl. Guiding her will be very easy. She’s a very gifted learner. There seems to be nothing that she can’t do. I’ve never had a charge with her aptitude. If she’d have had a different childhood, she’d probably be planning her trip to Harvard and not planning a wedding.”
Brian didn’t say anything. Imagining a world where she wouldn’t be his wife tomorrow was unbearable.
“She has no idea what a jewel she is. Little things hurt her so deeply. Her father really isn’t coming, is he?”
“I sent him an invitation, but he hasn’t responded. After what she said, I did increase the number of guests. My brother and wife will be coming tomorrow too. Their marriage is somewhat similar to what ours will be. A couple of old friends are also going to be there. We’ll be having toasts. I hope it doesn’t drag on too long. She’s very nervous about the wedding night. Getting that over with will be good for her.”
He sat down on the bed next to her. “I hope I’ll deserve her. I still have to ask myself if she’s only here because she has nowhere else to go.”
“That may be the case, but I know that she likes you.” Nanny smiled at him. “She seems to automatically do as told. I think that’s why she’s here. I fear, your problems will continue once you’re married. Now she fears you’ll change your mind. Once you’re married, I imagine she’ll latch onto you. She’ll be extra good so you keep her. Her self-esteem is just so low.
“Maybe the school I recommended would be good for her. She must long to have a friend. She hasn’t realized that she’s locked up in here yet. I can’t imagine how a child with her intelligence will react to that.” Nanny’s forehead wrinkled up.
“Maybe I won’t have to do it.” Brian mused. “She never questions anything. She even seems to prefer the same things that I do, like the rule about wearing dresses. What does her wedding dress look like?”
“It’s very simple, almost to the point of being plain. It will accent the flowers that she’ll be carrying and not the other way around. She loves it. She calls the style, southern belle.”
“Oh, now I’m even more curious. Let her sleep in as long as she can tomorrow.” He looked at her one last time as she slept in her soft pink bed. The sedative, which he’d mixed into her water, was working beautifully.
He got up and left. He was still very worried that she’d back out. He was so sure she was going to yesterday.
Brian wanted her to be his more than he’s ever wanted anything before. He liked his life better since she’d been in it. He’d always wanted his own little girl to care for. She suited his needs so perfectly.
When he’d thought she wanted to leave him yesterday, it had hurt him so deeply. She’d said that she was worried that he’d lose interest in her. She interested him more and more every day. He’d do anything for her, even if it meant giving up his prestigious job.
He had more than enough money to relocate the two of them to a country where, what a man did within his own house, wouldn’t be anyone else’s business. He’d do everything necessary to keep her.
***
I woke up later than I’d wanted to. Nanny looked relieved when I finally did. She had me in the tub scrubbing me before I even had the sand out of my eyes. A breakfast tray had been brought up. I ate breakfast in the bathtub.
I got a kick out of that.
Nanny tried to look like she disapproved, but she was grinning too.
“He wants you to eat everything you can. He said it’s easier to treat someone vomiting because of nerves than treating someone who passed out because they didn’t eat anything.”
I was way more relaxed than Nanny was. I just kept concentrating on finally getting to wear that beautiful dress again.
After the bath and showering off, which I was getting used to, Nanny helped me into my special underwear for under the dress. The corset was very tight, but the dress just looked so much better with it on. Matching white underwear, stockings and a garter belt finished up the look.
I looked so sexy, so unlike me.
Over that, I wore a bathrobe. The hairdresser and a make-up artist showed up next. They both worked on me at the same time.
Nanny paced up and down trying to memorize the schedule for the day. She went to change then, leaving me alone with the two strange ladies who were making me pretty. I stayed very quiet. They talked to each other and gave me complements. I was too shy to say much.
Nanny came back with yet another woman. She had a big box of flowers with her. All white roses, exactly like I’d wanted.
“It’s time for the dress,” Nanny announced.
&nb
sp; When she got it out, I got the feeling that the others were disappointed. The women helped me get in it, careful of my hair and make-up. They got to see me in my underwear while we did that.
They had me sit down very carefully so the florist and the hairdresser could put the roses in my hair.
When that was finished, the florist laid the roses in my arms. I’d wanted them to lay on my forearm with long white ribbons flowing down.
I dared to turn and look in the mirror. I looked just like I’d wanted, even better.
The others smiled now too. “I need pictures of you for my catalog. This is all about the flowers. They stand out so beautifully.”
“The flowers and her face,” the make-up artist corrected her.
“The thick dark hair with the roses in it looks just dreamy. I’ll also need a picture to show my customers.”
Nanny stopped them in their tracks. “There will be no pictures for you. It can’t be allowed. I’m sorry, but it’s about her safety. She’ll be of great importance. No one should know what she really looks like. You understand.” Nanny already had tears in her eyes. She thought I looked beautiful.
Her phone rang. “Hello sir, … Yes, everything is going very well here, in fact we’re finished. We’ll be leaving for the church now.” She was sobbing into the phone.
The other women found it to be completely normal for me to have a nanny. I supposed in these circles it was really normal. I waited for Nanny to hang up.
“Nanny, I need shoes.” I smiled. Now that my dream come true wedding dress was on I was in an even better mood.
She sniffled and got the shoes out. The other women were also starting to cry too. I slipped my shoes on and smiled at myself in the mirror. I looked more like a garden fairy. The only thing I was missing were wings.
“Nanny, do you think he’ll like it?”
“He’ll love it,” they all answered at the same time and then everyone laughed.
The mood was light as we went down to the limo. Today that car made a lot of sense. It was full because the women had been hired for the day in case of make-up and hair touches.
The florist was going to play flower girl while we waited for the pastor to say go. She’d be spreading white rose petals on the green-carpeted aisle.
When we arrived at the church, a bodyguard opened the door to help us out. I saw several others. I was once again reminded what my father had said about influential families. I had to wonder who had all been invited to the wedding. From the look of all this security it could be the President.
The bodyguard talked into his headphone. We had to wait a minute for Brian to go out the back door of the church so we could come in without him seeing me.
I was glad to hear that he was here too. He hadn’t changed his mind. I had a feeling that he wasn’t going to. This could go off without a hitch, just like he wanted.
The pastor greeted us and brought us to an extra room. There was a large mirror, and the room had a bathroom.
When I was nervous, I had to go a lot, so I put it to good use.
There was a knock on the door. Nanny moved to get it. Everyone was worried that it was him.
It wasn’t, a woman in a simple white dress came in. Around her waist were green and white ribbons and a white rose. The florist had gotten to her too. She walked right up to me and held out her hand. “My name is Nancy. I’m your sister-in-law. Well, I will be soon. I’m your maid of honor.”
“Hello, it’s very nice to meet you. Thank you for helping out today.” I smiled at her and shook her hand back, wanting to make a good impression.
She was so beautiful. Her blond hair was tied up in a very smart and mature twist. She was tall and thin. She held herself so nobly too. I had to go out after her. I hoped Brian wouldn’t be disappointed with me.
I was staring at her, but she was staring at me too. I wondered what she had all heard about me. Brian would have had to explain why no one from my side was here.
“You look breathtaking. I want to hug you, but I’m afraid that I could mess you up.” She said it with tears in her eyes.
“You can hug her. That’s what we’re here for,” the hairdresser told her.
Nancy stepped forward and gave me a tight hug. She whispered, “Welcome to the family.”
I started to cry, and the women stepped forward to fix me so quickly that I had to laugh.
Another knock. This time it was the pastor. It was time already. I could hear music. Nanny had to go to her place, and the other women went to watch the ceremony too. My sister-in-law took her flowers; which were the same as mine but with only a fourth of the flowers.
We stepped out of the door, and a lady I didn’t know told us were to stand. Nancy smiled back at me when the lady told her to go. She walked off slowly and very concentrated.
The strange lady gave me a quick once over and smiled. The music changed, and I heard everyone stand up. I felt a moment of panic.
The lady moved her hands in the motions of taking a deep breath. I breathed along with her, smiling at how silly I was. She stepped aside so I could walk. I had to walk straight and then turn into the middle aisle and then down the aisle to Brian.
He was waiting there for me, right? He had to be, or they wouldn’t have started the music, I reasoned with myself. I reached the middle aisle and turned.
There he was. He was so far away that I couldn’t make out his face. I moved nice and slow just like Nanny had practiced with me.
I was getting closer to him. He looked awe-struck. He stared at me.
I kept moving to him slowly until I was able to take his hand. He looked perfect.
The pastor blest us and welcomed everyone to his church. He talked a little about losing sight of what a blessing a marriage could be. He wanted everyone to pray with us that we didn’t fall into a pattern of taking each other for granted.
It was time for our vows. I gave my flowers to Nancy. Brian took my hands again and smiled at me and looked me in the eyes as he promised to love and cherish me forever.
It was my turn to promise him the same. I did it a lot quieter than he did. It was also the moment when I found out what my new last name would be. It was of course a name that I’d heard before.
My father had been new money. Brian’s family was old American money. It explained why all the bodyguards were here, but I just registered that in the back of my mind. Holding onto his hands and staying on my feet where top priority.
He held me tightly, and I smiled at him. He had to let go of me to get my ring. Before he did, he gave me a questioning look. He was worried I’d fall without his help. I nodded, but he hurried anyway. He smiled as he slid the ring onto my finger.
His brother gave me a ring too. I concentrated on not dropping it. I held Brian’s hand in mine as I slipped the ring on his finger. I spoke so quietly as I did, but he heard me.
We knelt down, and the pastor blessed us. We stood as he delivered a sermon that I couldn’t pay attention to. I was busy looking at my Brian. He belonged to me now, and I was his. I couldn’t believe it. This was too good to be true.
Then it was over, and the pastor told Brian he could kiss me. My first kiss on the lips, and an audience was watching. I forgot the others the minute his lips touched mine. I got weak in the knees again. Brian looked pleased as punch. He turned and thanked the pastor and shook his hand.
Nancy gave me my flowers back. Brian took my elbow and led us to the end of the church where we stood waiting for everyone to line up and congratulate us. His brother and sister-in-law were the first. They also joined the line and said hello to our guests. None of whom I knew.
The photographer had us go back up to the altar to take more pictures. He did one where I had my head on Brian’s chest with my ring hand over his heart. He held me close. This would be the one for his silver picture frames, I thought closing my eyes.
We took some outside to, but the bodyguards had us circled in, so that it was difficult to get a good picture.
; They acted like they thought that something was going to happen.
Brian didn’t seem nervous so I relaxed and smiled.
After we left church, we went to a hotel. There, in a private hall, we ate with our guests. It had been decorated in the colors white and green. White roses were everywhere.
When the guests praised the flowers, Brian always said that I’d picked them out. That wasn’t actually true. I just picked out that I wanted white roses.
I even chatted a bit. It was already four o’clock by the time we started eating.
The cake cutting came after two hours of eating and talking. We cut the cake together. And then fed each other.
I carefully placed the cake in his mouth. He licked my fingers. I blushed red, and everyone laughed.
He fed me very carefully too.
We gave all of our guests their cake personally. Brian seemed so happy, and it was so contagious. Everyone was in a good mood.
Music started, and Brian took me by the hand and led me to the dance floor.
“I don’t know how to dance,” I admitted.
He laughed. “Nanny, I finally found something that she can’t do.” He called out over his shoulder. Everyone laughed again.
To me he said, “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. It’s my job to lead you and make you look good.” He held me in a firm grip as he twirled me around the dance floor. He brought me back to the table where we sat and had an evening meal. Time was going by so fast.
I was getting tired. Brian had one of his arms around me anyway. I leaned into his chest and closed my eyes. He pulled me in closer and let me.
A few minutes later, his brother stood up and toasted us and wished us lots of luck.
An hour later, I was fighting to stay awake. Brian and I said good night to everyone. He brought me out to the limo.
I fell asleep on his chest on the way home.
“Amelia, wake up, we’re home.” The limo was parked outside of the mansion. I looked at him and then at the house, our home. He swooped me up into his arms. He was going to carry me over the threshold. I had to laugh at that.