“Straight back, chin level, eyes down,” her father hissed in warning.
She looked past the ladies there to mock and humiliate her. She even looked past those who came out of curiosity. She found her sisters, sitting in the front row, hands clasped together with Abigail.
Prim realized she was holding her breath for almost half a day. It was impossible to come to terms with the reality that was unfolding before her. And here she was in the bridal gown, walking to meet her husband. The sight of her friend right there, protecting her sisters, was the comfort she needed to take another step.
And then she saw him. He had his back turned to her. His hands were twined together behind his back. The gesture did nothing to diminish his immense height. Leo was a pillar of dark wool and tension. He was unmoved, untouched, detached. He didn't turn, he just looked over his shoulder for just a moment. Somehow, this was even worse.
“Smile, Prim,” Her parents advised, as if mustering a smile was an easy task.
Prim didn't even bother. All her attention was centered on that dark figure by the altar of the church. The walk there was the longest of her lifetime. It was at the same time too fast and too slow. She was afraid of what would happen to her if she never reached the altar, while wondering at the same time what was to be done with her.
Everything around her blared into insignificance. She glanced around, but didn't even focus on something in particular. Onlythe little side of his face that she could see. His jaw was locked in tension, his eyes looking straight ahead. He must have known she was coming. The gasps of the people inside the church were sign enough. And yet he kept his back stubbornly turned to her.
“Who gives the bride?” the vicar asked.
Her father placed her hand in the palm that Leo extended. The atmosphere in the church tilted. He turned his head finally. Not much, just enough to allow her to look upon his face. His eyes briefly met hers. Granted, Leo had never looked at her with warmth, but he had been mischievous, teasing, and even assessing her from the first time they met. None of it was present as Leo took her hand and pulled them closer to the vicar. Now, the way he looked at her was glacial, a stony apathy, as if the whole ceremony had nothing to do with him.
Prim scoffed slowly. Leo was not captivated. He was at best indifferent, at worst seething because he was manipulated into this situation. All the money her mother spent on the stylist was going down the drain.
The ceremony began, and everything became a blur for her. Words were spoken, vows were recited. It was as if they were trying to scientifically preserve the little ceremony for future generations, and not actually participating in it.
Since Leo refused to even cast a glance at her, Prim turned to her support group. the one she could be almost herself with. Her sisters were looking upon her with silent admiration. She saw the naivety in their eyes, dreaming of a future just like hers.
But Abigail was a completely different beast. She was aware of the situation, of the sacrifice both of them were making. She was sad to see on a day like this, two of her closest friends getting married, but not being able to cheer because the situation couldn't be further away from a perfect match.
Prim was startled when Leo moved and held her hand tighter. A wedding ring was in his hands, and Prim audibly gasped. There had been rumors about this ring. Leo had commissioned a wedding ring from the top jeweler in London. It was whispered that an insane amount of money was spent on that ring. The whole of London was expecting to see it, Prim included.
The ring did not disappoint. It was an elaborate creation, so delicate and ethereal. In the center, there was a big diamond. Around it bloomed an exquisitely carved rose of gold, its petals set with diamonds that glittered like morning dew, soft and lifelike as if just unfurled.
The whole congregation gasped when they saw that ring. There were whispers and murmurs and audible admiration. Prim heard the word “love” passed between the ton.
She didn't know if she wanted to cry or laugh. What her mother intended to do with her elaborate appearance, Leo did with this ring. No one seeing this piece of artistry on her finger would ever believe that the Duke was not fully enthralled with her.
Sadness gripped her soul. She looked down at that ring that had encapsulated the life she was living now. A beautiful ring carvedas a rose, exactly how the sheets claimed he called her in private. A full circle of lies.
She kept her head down, her gaze modestly away from him. Honestly couldn't trust that if she looked upon him, she wouldn't cry. She went through the rest of the motions with numb resignation. She spoke the vows, signed the ledger, and followed Leo out of the church.
The wedding breakfast was to take place at the Mildenhall Mansion in Mayfair. Leo rarely used this house, but it was now the stage of the final act of this performance called “the wedding”.
In the three weeks between the powder room incident and today, Leo took care of everything regarding the ceremony. All Prim had to do was choose her gown. That was the only reprieve for her sanity, since she had to deal with Madame Sybil's strong opinions on her dress and on Leo.
Then she had to prepare her things to be moved to his estate at the outskirts of London.
“This is truly a lovely house!” Camilla said with enthusiasm. “Are you staying here?”
“No,” Prim said with her most natural voice. “For now, we are staying at the estate. Don't worry, it is still close enough to visit me anytime you want.”
“Can we really visit you?” Myrtle asked with agitation.
Prim realized that after this breakfast, she would leave her childhood home for good. She saw and protected her sisters every day, but now she would have to go and live alone, away from them. Not that she was not going to fight for her sisters, but it was different now.
“My sweet, sweet sister,” she said and hugged her little sister. “No matter what, I will always be your sister. We will see each other as often as we want. It's a promise.”
The three of them came closer like they had since they were kids. For a moment, they were not in a grand mansion but in their old nursery, huddled. Silent love flowed between them, a lifeline in the sea of pretense.
“Our Primrose!” Her father came and hugged her.
This sweet moment shattered, and bitterness came over Prim.
