“Well, his father’s sideisIrish,” Lilly said. “His mother’s is the Spanish side, as is mine, and we tend to drink wine young, with our dinners, so I suppose he comes by it naturally.”
Missus McCullers continued to chuckle, and Mia giggled.
Missus McCullers waved at them. “Come, girls, on with your dresses now. We must move along, if he’s to be your escort.”
Mia’s dress with green lace across the bodice was subtly beautiful and at the same time, striking. Against her glorious mane of long, wavy, red hair, the dress brought out her green eyes and natural beauty.
Standing in front of the single mirror, Mia was speechless.
“Well, my girl? What say you?” Missus McCullers said.
Mia breathed out a breath. “You’ve made me look… beautiful.” She whispered the last word.
“Nae, twas not I, my dear,” Missus McCullers spoke kindly, placing her hands on Mia’s shoulders. “Tis your inner beauty coming out. Look there. Into the mirror, and into your own eyes. Can ye see it?”
“Yes,” Mia whispered.
“That, my dear, is your soul, inside your eyes, looking out, looking back at you. Sending you the love you have inside.”
Mia felt such a movement within, that her eyes filled with tears.
I see you, she thought.I see you.
“Now you see her,” the older woman smiled. “You can always find her there, if you’ll but look into a mirror. Remember to be as kind to yourself, as she would be to others. That love inside is for you as well.”
Mia could only nod and smile. Her emotions were too much for words right now.
The older woman smiled and squeezed her hand once, before letting go to turn to Lilly, who stood watching with wide eyes.
“My turn?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, of course, my dear,” missus McCullers said. “The gold is perfect for you.” She moved her finger in a circling motion. “Turn and let me help you with your lacings.”
Lilly turned and missus McCullers began to lace her dress up.
“Now, the two of you must help each other in and out of your dresses,” she said. “Ladies would’ve had a lady’s maid to help them, if they were of high enough rank, and if of lower rank, sisters would help sisters. You two are like sisters, yes?”
“Yes,” they both answered as if in chorus.
“We’re as close as,” Lilly said.
“And you look out for each other,” Missus McCullers said.
“We do,” Lilly nodded.
“Then you must double up on that, this weekend,” Missus McCullers said. “To stay out of danger, and to help each other make wise decisions. Tis in the cards.”
“Are you the tarot reader Finn said would be reading our cards?” Lilly asked.
“Oh no,” Missus McCullers shook her head. “You passed her tent, on the way in. I only read according to the timing of the moon’s phases. I shan’t be doing a reading this night.” She gave a small shudder, and then smiled, as if to shine away whatever thought had disturbed her. “I am but the dressmaker, and the mistress of the costumes,” she said. “And now, I see two beautiful young ladies before me.” She clasped her hands together as her eyes shone. “Simply beautiful. Love is in the air this weekend as well. Perhaps for one of you.”
Mia and Lilly smiled at each other.
“Love would be good,” Mia said, ever hopeful.
“True love is always good,” Missus McCullers said. “Now, off with you, before that rascal Finn is no longer fit to escort ye.”
“Thank you,” Mia said, still emotional from her mirror gazing experience.
