“I would love to,” I said, smiling.
“Then put on your corset, and we can go.”
My face dropped and so did Helen’s.
“Sorry, you’ll have to go without me,” I said.
“Isabella, this is ridiculous. Gretchen and Henrietta have no problems wearing one.”
“It’s really not that bad once you get used to it. Just try it, please,” Henrietta asked me.
“I could tie it for you. It would be as loose as you wanted it to be,” Gretchen volunteered, touching my arm.
I thanked her, but refused. I hated to see their disappointed faces, but how could I make them understand that every time I even looked at the corset in my drawers my chest tightened, and I had trouble breathing?
When they left to the dressmaker’s shop, I went to clean the floors. Taking the broom in my arms, I greeted him, “Why hello sir, you are looking rather dashing today. Oh sir, how kind of you to say so. No, no. It would be my honor.”
We danced across the downstairs floors like we did when I was younger, cleaning the floors as we went.
The ball really would have been fun.
Chapter 8
The day of the ball I was busy helping everyone get ready. The night before, Helen had tried to tempt me once again by showing me the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It was the same blue as my eyes and softer than a baby chick's down. “I had them make you one just in case you changed your mind. It won’t fit perfectly, but it will be close enough.”
I had to close my eyes as I shoved it away. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
Helen took the dress and hung it in my closet. “I really hope you change your mind,” she said as she rubbed its soft sleeves. “I’d hate to see such a beautiful dress go to waste." She dropped the sleeve and left, leaving the dress exposed.
I took a closer look at the dress. It really had been tailored for me. Gretchen and Henrietta were both taller than I was and shared their mother’s narrow waist. I longed to wear it. I imagined it flowing around me as I danced around an elaborate ballroom.
I went over to my dresser and pulled out the box that held my corset. I help it up. Just for one night…. I managed to wrap it around my body, but before I had tightened the first ribbon, my breathing grew fast and shallow.
I couldn’t do it.
As I watched the carriage roll out of sight without me in it, I let the tears I had been hiding from Helen flow down my cheeks.
“Why are you crying, miss?” Bernard, one of our farmhands, asked. He was walking Charrise, a house servants, back home.
“Because I can’t go to the ball unless I wear a corset. I was going to, but.... I wouldn’t have been able to dance in it anyway, so I didn’t. I’ve made my choice, and it’s too late to change it now.”
“Nonsense. I could drive you. I can bring you there and back, but only if you leave at midnight. I have to get an early start in the morning.”
“But the corset? People would know I wasn't wearing one."
“Not if you keep your back straight," Charrise said. “I can flare the sides of your dress out so it will look like you are wearing a corset without having to actually wear one.”
A smile spread across my face. “You’re a genius. Let's get started right away." I grabbed her hand, and we raced inside.
I did my hair while Charrise made the necessary adjustments to my dress. I put it up in the same style I had loved as a bridesmaid. When I was done, Charrise helped me into the finished dress.
In the foyer, I picked out a yellow gerbera from the vase and handed it to Charrise. “Would you please put this in my hair?” Once it was in, I was ready to go.
When we stepped outside, Bernard couldn't stop starring. Charrise slapped his arm. “That’s enough, Bernard. I know she looks beautiful, but she needs to get to the ball - and fast - if she is going to get any dancing in before she has to leave again.” She helped me into the carriage and shut the door behind me.
“Have fun,” she said, backing away. Bernard clucked at the horses, and we were off. I was going to the ball!
Chapter 9
I couldn’t believe I was actually there. The palace was incredible. The light from the torches reflected off the walls and made the whole building shine brighter than the moon.
When I walked inside, the floors were marble and the paneled chestnut walls held the most beautiful pictures I had ever seen. I laughed at myself for jumping back from one of the murals. I had been sure one of the frogs in the pond was real and about to get my dress all muddy. I would have stayed in the hallway all day, if the music hadn't begun to play.
Like a rat to Pied Piper’s tune, I found myself drawn beyond my control into a crowded ballroom.
There were flowers on every table and leafy garlands around the pillars. Windows formed an entire wall and mirrors reflected everything opposite them.
They were just starting a set for one of the country dances I had learned when I was a child. The song didn’t require a partner, and I immediately joined the group that was forming.
The song began slowly, but we moved faster and faster to keep up with the increasing beat. Every third step became a leap, and I noticed several ladies only pretended to jump. I, however, leaped high enough I could have cleared the stream that lay between my house and our pastures. Only one man with black hair and green eyes was able to get higher than me. We looked at each other and smiled.
When the leaps began to twist into a spin, I swung my arms with the same energy I used to beat our rugs. People began to clear a space around me and another dancer who showed the same enthusiasm for the steps. It was the man I had noticed earlier.
Then the music slowed, and I found myself dancing near the black-haired man. I couldn't help but notice how good he looked in his silver suit and gold trim. Our steps became slow and measured as we glided from one side of the formation to the next. I kept my knees bent like I did when I had to carry water from the well to the house. Other heads started to rise and fall with their footsteps, but mine stayed as level as his.
“You’re an incredible dancer,” he said to me when the song was over.
“Thank you. You were really good, too.”
“Are you free to dance the next song with me?”
I could think of nothing I would rather do. I felt myself blushing as I nodded my head. He took his hand and placed it around my waist and held my other hand high in the air. The heat from his hands filled my whole body as I lifted my free hand to his upper arm. The music began, and as the notes filled the air, I recognized the Blue Lagoon.
My heart beat faster, and it wasn’t just because of him. This was a waltz. I had never done this dance with a male partner before. But Gretchen had been a good teacher, and I was able to follow his leads.
When we danced, I felt like I was floating on air. Now I knew what Mother was talking about when she tried to describe what it was like dancing with Father. I was in heaven.
I expected him to find a new partner after the dance ended, but he didn’t. I could have squealed in delight. We found a quiet place to sit and talk during the next song.
He was as good at talking as he was at dancing. He made me laugh so hard my sides hurt.
“I have never heard such a full laugh before. I love it,” he said as I tried to recover. We talked about our favorite hikes, dance styles, and books. We had so much in common.
I was so engrossed in what he was saying, I missed the first few chimes of the clock.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"Midnight," he replied, and I jumped.
"It can't be! I've got to go."
"Nonsense, the dance doesn't end for hours." He took my hand, and for a moment it was the only thing holding me to Earth.
It was the hardest thing I had ever done to take my hand back. "I wish I could stay, but it's impossible."
I started to walk away and gradually picked up speed as I got further away from him.
r />
“Wait,” my partner called after me, “What’s your name?”
“Isabella,” I called back, but I don’t know if he heard me as I raced down the hall. One of my shoes came off as I rushed to where Bernard was waiting. I barely noticed.
On the carriage ride home, all I thought about was the man with the green eyes.
Chapter 10
The next morning I stretched myself out in my bed. Last night had been the best night of my life. I couldn’t stop smiling. I stayed up for hours after I got home reliving every moment of the dance with the servants.
Just as I was about to get out of bed for the day, Helen came in. She was not smiling.
“I know what you did.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw you last night, dancing with the prince, without your corset!” she spat out.
I pulled the covers back up. “How did you know, and…did you say prince?”
“Yes, of course, you stupid girl. Did you think I wouldn’t recognize you? I bought that dress for you, remember? The changes you made to it were smart. I’m sure you fooled almost everybody else there into thinking you were a modest girl, but you didn’t fool me.”
“If no one else noticed, then why are you so mad?”
“Because I know. You have no idea how relieved I was that you left before anyone else noticed. Do you have any idea what people would think of you if they knew the truth? Or think of me for letting you dress like that?
“You will be confined to your room for the rest of the day. If I ever see you in public without a corset again, then you will never be allowed back into this house. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Helen.”
“Good.” She left and locked the door behind her.
I sighed and sat on my window seat. I wished my room was in the back of the house where I could watch the farmers working, but at least I was able to see the occasional coach drive by.
I was picking at the paint on the windowsill when a carriage stopped in front of our house. I watched as a footman opened the door for two people I didn’t recognize.
Who were they?
I went to the door and laid my ear against the keyhole.
“We are looking for the girl who danced with Prince Charlemagne last night. Can you introduce us to all the ladies of the house?” a voice I didn’t recognize asked.
“Of course I can,” Helen replied. “Henrietta, Gretchen, come here please.”
I heard their feet as they rushed past my room to meet the visitors.
“Are any of these ladies the one you danced with your majesty?” the unknown asked.
“No.” I knew that voice. It was my prince! He sounded so sad. I wanted to rush out and comfort him.
“Are there any other ladies in the house?” the unknown asked.
“No,” Helen replied.
“But mother, what about…”Gretchen was cut off.
“No. I can assure you that the only ladies living in the house are here before you,” Helen replied.
I couldn’t believe she said that. I got mad and started banging the door and calling out, “Helen! You let me out of here, now! If Charlemagne wants to speak to me, then he can speak to me.” I didn’t stop yelling until I heard the door knob trying to turn.
“You locked her up? What kind of monster are you? Give me the key this instant.”
It was Charlemagne.
“You don’t understand. I did this for her own good," Helen said as the key scratched against the lock. A few seconds later I was free.
“Are you alright?” Charlemagne asked me, love and concern in his voice.
I could only nod.
“I’m so glad. You have no idea how much I’ve thought about you. After you left, I couldn’t get you out of my head. I worried I had lost you forever.”
He got down on one knee. “I don’t want you to slip out of my life as easily as you slipped away from me at the ball. I’ve never met anyone like you before: your joy, your energy. Even locked up, you are still smiling.”
He took a deep breath, then asked, “Will you marry me?”
I struggled to find the words to express my joy. "Of course I'll marry you. I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather dance away my life with than you.”
He pulled a shoe out of his jacket pocket and slipped it on my foot. It was the one I had lost at the party.
He insisted I go back to the palace right away and meet his parents.
I was not going to object.
***
We were married in the most glorious style imaginable. The royal band played Blue Lagoon as I walked up the yellow gerbera lined walkway. I met my perfect prince in a prefect dress that flowed perfectly around me. The best thing about the day? No corsets! The royal dressmaker shared a similar distaste for the things. While my bodice was stiffer and thicker than a regular dress, I had no troubles breathing in it. My husband and I danced to all the songs that day and all the days to follow.
Thank you for your recent purchase of Cursed Corsets. Please leave a review and let others know what you thought. If this story wasn’t enough for you, then you can read more about the life of Isabella’s step-mother in Little Red Anthology. (Those weren’t fairy tales. They were her life! ) You can also learn more about the father’s story in They Called Me Duck. Sign up for my newsletter at LeAnnMathis.blogspot.com to get a free copy. You can unsubscribe anytime, but the story will be yours to keep.
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