I tied a spare scrap of fabric around the finger until the bleeding stopped and grabbed some thread from the kit and very lightly began to sew it back into place. The top half I fastened securely, trying to make it match the rest of the dress perfectly and not draw attention. Using careful, neat stitches, I worked my way around the glass, trying not to poke myself through the skirt.
Another knock sounded at the door, followed by a “Miss, can I come in?”
“Just a moment.” As quickly as I could, I finished up the bottom of the mirror. That piece I only attached with a few stitches, making sure it was secure enough not to stand out but loose enough that I’d be able to yank it free if I needed it. “All right,” I called as I tied off the knot and cut the rest of the thread.
The door clicked open, and a head piled high with red curls poked in. “We don’t have very long.” She bustled into the room, hefting a large box of cosmetics. The other woman followed behind her again.
“All right.” I tried to slow my breathing and appear normal, though my heart was pounding. Between the tiny nail in my glove and the piece of broken glass, it wasn’t much protection, but it was better than nothing.
“Well, don’t you look lovely.” She put her hands on her hips and looked me up and down. “I haven’t ever seen a dress quite like that.”
“I designed it myself,” I said as I sat in front of the mirror. Outside, the storm continued to increase in fury, and I tightened my hands into fists on my knees, fighting for even breaths.
“It’s beautiful, and so are you.” She opened her box and grabbed a handful of brushes and creams. “But let’s see if we can’t get you to look even more stunning and really get a reaction from Meridian Kingsford, shall we?”
I hid my grimace behind an even expression as she worked, hoping she’d just account it to nerves. I stayed silent while she prattled on until a knock at the door made me stiffen.
“Kyra, are you ready?” Desmarc said as he strolled in. “It’s time.”
His expertly tailored jacket provided a sleek silhouette that matched the slim pants which accentuated his physique. And his new white shirt with a ruffle going down the front bore no signs of his earlier bleeding.
“Oh my,” the makeup woman said under her breath.
How could he be so attractive on the outside yet so repulsive on the inside?
I turned from Desmarc and tried to help the woman clean up—anything to delay the inevitable—but she shooed me out the door. “I’ll handle this.”
“You look beautiful.” Desmarc pulled me into a hug and buried his face in my neck. “Remember what’s at stake,” he added in a lower pitch that the woman couldn’t hear.
Behind my back, both women sighed as if they thought he were whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Then again, our entire relationship had been built upon sweet nothings.
I nodded stiffly and pasted on a fake smile even though my palms were sweating.
“Let’s go.” He held out his arm to me, appearing ever the gentleman.
I put my hand in the crook of his arm, and he covered my hand with his as we walked into the hall. Though I wanted to pay attention to my surroundings, it was all I could do to not hyperventilate.
In the hall, the storm wasn’t quite as loud as in the rooms with windows, and I could almost forget about it. Sort of like I could almost forget about what I was about to do.
“Kyra!” Papá approached from down the hall, the worry on his face melting into one of confusion. “Are you all right? I got your note this morning.”
My note?
The pressure of Desmarc’s hand over mine increased slightly.
Of course. Desmarc must have known I would’ve told Papá I was canceling the wedding, so he’d forged a note from me to allay his suspicions. “I’m all right. I’m sorry to have worried you.”
Papá studied my face intently, then he looked at Desmarc. “So, it sounds like you two talked it out, then?”
“We did.” Despite Desmarc’s even tone, his grip on my hand tightened.
Papá was silent a moment, then he looked at me. “Can I talk to you privately for a moment, Kyra?”
Desmarc’s grip grew painful in warning.
“It’s all right, Papá. Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Desmarc. I’ve already told him all my concerns.”
Papá’s eyes widened. “And the two of you are still going through with this marriage?”
“We decided it’s what’s best for everyone.” Desmarc leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I fought off a shudder by forcing myself to think of Hiram.
“Truly?” Papá gave me one more searching look.
“Truly. Everything is fine.” My mind raced as I tried to come up with a way to tell Papá that things were not at all fine without alerting Desmarc. “This is what Mamá would’ve wanted.”
“Seeing you happily married is what we both want,” Papá said.
“I know,” I said. “I just needed a moment to accept it. Sort of like Mamá when you told her what to do. She always took a while to realize you were right.” He had to remember that this was the exact opposite of what he’d told me. And if he did, maybe he’d realize that everything else I was saying was nonsense too. “Marriage is a big decision. I just had cold feet yesterday.”
“I see,” Papá said slowly.
And I prayed that he really did see. If anyone could do something to help me, it would be Papá.
“We better go,” Desmarc said as the strains of a dance drifted from down the hall. “It sounds like they’re getting ready to start without us.”
“Can’t have that.” Papá laughed. “It wouldn’t be much of an event without you two.”
My stomach dropped. Maybe Papá had missed my hint after all. I bit my lip and blinked back tears before Desmarc could notice.
“I was on my way to the bathroom when I found you, so why don’t you two go ahead of me.” He slapped Desmarc on the shoulder. “I’d hate to be the one to delay the proceedings.”
“Of course, Meridian Annandale,” he said. “We’ll see you inside.”
“Keep that up and your detective can live a bit longer.” Desmarc murmured against my ear as we continued down the hall.
His words stoked a deeper fear. Hiram was already dead no matter what unless I could find some way to stop Desmarc completely.
We stopped in front of a pair of large wooden double doors that led to the main cabin. Music, conversation, and a sense of eager anticipation floated from under the doors, telling me everyone was already in there waiting.
This was really happening. I was about to marry a murderer, and I couldn’t figure out a single way to stop it.