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sense of hope as the sun shone through the
windows. It was her wedding day - such a beautiful day, anything
was possible! She flushed as she realized she’d fallen asleep in
her clothing. She rose and donned her house slippers and then
opened the door to her room. Perhaps she could speak to her father
before the wedding, have one last chance to talk some sense into
him. The wedding was being planned in secret. If she broke the
engagement there should be no scandal.
    As Cassandra opened her door to slip out, two
smiling ladies maids approached and excitedly grabbed her. The
silly things were prattling on about how this was her wedding day
and wasn’t it wonderful and she had to hurry and get ready. They
had to leave for the chapel in two hours.
    Two hours? Her father had said the wedding
was being held at noon. What time was it? Servants entered her room
bearing pails of water as the maids moved her tub in front of the
lit fireplace. They filled the tub with warm steaming water and
left. As she saw the steam rise from the water, she found herself
looking forward to a good soak. She was quickly undressed and heard
both of the maids exclaim and then remembered her battered bottom.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Apparently it was quite a
sight to see.
    She gingerly lowered herself into the bath
water and sighed happily as it swirled around her. She relaxed in
the warmth. Soon her hair had been washed and she finished soaping
herself. She rinsed and rose and was wrapped in fluffy towels. The
maids were excitedly combing her hair and wrapping the curls around
their fingers as it dried until it fell in soft ringlets. Madeline
swooped into the room with her dress and hung it on her armoire.
Cassandra glumly looked at it; the crumbling lace had been
replaced. Madeline had managed to remove the yellowing and add a
few layers of ruffles to lengthen the gown. No, those weren’t
additional layers – they were petticoats with ruffled bottoms that
hung below the hem of the gown, giving the appearance of
lengthening the gown. Very clever. At least the dress would now
fit.
    Her hair was pronounced finished and then she
was dressed. The dress fit perfectly and no longer smelled of
cedar. Now it smelled like lavender. The maids turned the looking
glass towards her so she could see her reflection - so she could
look upon the happy bride. Suddenly Cassandra felt like retching.
She looked as pale as a ghost; white had never been a flattering
color for her and her eyes looked sad and disturbed. The dress was
old fashioned and dowdy. The only thing about her that looked at
all presentable was her hair. The maids had done a good job on it.
But then a veil was produced. It was basically a piece of tulle
that was thrown over her head. Perfect, now even her hair looked
bad. Was there no tiara in this household to hold her veil in
place? Evidently not one that she was allowed to don. Cassandra
shrugged and turned away. She was ready for this travesty of a
wedding, as ready as she’d ever be.

Chapter 4
    Lord and Lady
Newblythe appeared in the doorway of Cassandra’s bedroom. They
stood there silently, staring at their beautiful daughter in her
wedding finery.
    Upon seeing them Cassandra cried, “Father, I
must speak with you before - "
    Her father hushed her and spoke loudly, as if
he were offering a toast at a formal dinner. “And here is our
precious daughter, ready for her wedding day. Sweetheart, you look
like a true princess!” Her mother smiled and dabbed at the corner
of her eye.
    Cassandra snarled. “Father, please a word...”
she begged. “It’s not too late.”
    At the mention of the time, the room came to
life. Her father glanced at his pocket watch and exclaimed, then he
and her mother stepped forward and held her by the upper arms,
escorting her out of the room. The lady’s maids followed behind,
holding up the back of her skirts. She was bustled down the
hallway, down the stairs and then out to the waiting carriages.