By the time I was escorted back to the carriage, I had tried on no less than one hundred different garments, became a human pin cushion twenty-six times, listened to at least a thousand opinions, and eaten three grapes washed down with one sip of water. Without James to lean upon heavily, there was no way I could’ve walked out of the salon. My toes were numb from trying on slippers that were too small and being stepped on from all of the people taking measurements. I was tired and hungry and had lost my last nerve at least one pinprick ago. My achy body didn’t so much sit as it collapsed once I got into the carriage. Brielle plopped next to me and I felt myself lay my head on her shoulder. She rested her cheek on the top of my head and sighed.
“That was...intense,” she said in a quiet vo
