These two really are going to look after each other for the rest of their lives.
Cordelia stops at the bottom of the stairs. “Teeth check,” she announces, making sure no one’s around, then curling her lips back so I can inspect.
“You’re all good.”
“What’s happening now?”
I check the time. “First dance in six minutes. Stand still while I sort your bustle.”
While I crouch down to sort the ribbons and shorten her train, a guest spots us hidden round the corner on her search for the bathroom and takes the opportunity of Cordelia being on her own to come and tell her how wonderful the wedding is. As Cordelia’s dress swishes this way and that when she reacts and gestures, I move like a red satin crab around the hem, concentrating on matching each ribbon on the train with its fellow on the inside skirt of the dress.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, let’s welcome the happy coupleto the floor for their first dance!” the master of ceremonies announces.
Cordelia forgets what I’m doing and happily floats off toward the dance floor, leaving me in an odd squat, which is hard to get out of in a fitted satin dress on my own. At least I’d just managed to tie the knot in the last ribbon of her dress. I only hope it holds.
A venomous voice floats down. “I know who you are.”
I look up to see Annabel towering over me, her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing victoriously.
“Annabel, always a pleasure.” I grimace, straightening and praying that my dress doesn’t rip. Thankfully, it doesn’t.
“You and Cordelia are pathetic,” she declares, once I’m at her eye level.
“Would you mind if we discussed this outside?” I ask, with a winning smile, leading her away from the reception. “I’d rather no one else heard our conversation.”
“Fine.” She sighs, letting me guide her away, eager to offer her opinion on the matter. “Yet another cover-up I’m selflessly aiding.”
I take her out through the same doors onto the patio to which I’d followed Cordelia on my last visit to Dashwell, when Annabel had invited herself round for dinner just to taunt her. This isn’t one of the designated smoking areas, so we have it all to ourselves.
“All right, Annabel,” I begin, ready for whatever she’s about to throw my way. “You can say your piece now.”
“This family is full of secrets and lies. And you are no better than any of them. A professional bridesmaid? It’s so embarrassing! She had tohirea friend! My God, I think I’d leave the country if anyone thought I’d do any such thing.”
“It’s not embarrassing, Annabel. It’s my job. And hiring a bridesmaid isn’t the same as hiring a friend.”
“Why should I keep this secret for Cordelia?” She smirks, relishing the moment. “Maybe people deserve to know the truth about her.”
“What truth is that?” I ask, irritated. “Anyone planning a wedding for four hundred people would need a little bit of help.”
“The press wouldlovethis. Lady Cordelia Swann is so pathetic that she had to hire someone just to spend time in her company.” She shrieks with laughter. “It’s too hilarious!”
“Cordelia is not pathetic,” I argue, ruffled on Cordelia’s behalf. “If anyone is pathetic, it’s you.”
She recoils. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” I say confidently, the rage bubbling inside me, brushing any fear of her aside. “You’re the one who’s pathetic, Annabel. You were friends with Cordelia once, and she’d have done anything for you—in fact, I think part of her reluctantly always will because of whatever bond you once had—but you don’t deserve her. You care more about status and how the world sees you than the character of the people you choose to keep close. It’s a bad mistake.”
She looks furious, riled at the audacity of my allegations. “How dare you? I’m not the bad friend! I’m not the one who kissed her boyfriend!”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I say, exasperated. “Annabel, do you really believe that the boyfriend who cheated on you several times with your mates didn’t also try to cheat on you with Cordelia? Do you really thinksheinstigated it? I’ve only known her for a few months and I’d be willing to bet a lot of money on the fact that there is no way in hell she’d do that to you or anyone else. She’s fiercely loyal, to the point where she’s scared now to let anyone else in, because she doesn’t have the energy to be so heartbroken again.”
She looks frazzled and suddenly unsure, her eyes darting around us, searching for a solid argument to throw in my face.“She was… she was stupid. She was a bad influence. She overdosed, not me.”
“Do you know what I think, Annabel? I think the reason you’re still angry with Cordelia is because you’re angry with yourself. She’s a good person and a good friend.”
“Oh, really?” She snorts. “If she’s such a good friend, then why does she have to pay you to be one?”
“She doesn’t,” I say simply. “She fired me a while ago. I’m here as a genuine bridesmaid, not a professional one. Do you have any genuine bridesmaids, Annabel?”
