Chapter 21: Bathtime - Kirstie

Ryan fiddles with the ties at the back of the corset, loosening them. I sway back and forth as he tugs them loose, then free.

"Sorry this is taking a while. The cord's got splashed with pine resin somehow. It's all knotted together."

"Cut through them."

"You sure of that? The dress..."

"I'm sure."

"If you say so. Um..." He casts around... "Ah, yes. Letter knife."

I hear him puffing air behind me as he struggles with the inadequate knife to free me from the corset. "You know, there was a time when, after the wedding, the friends of the bride would undress her and get her into bed and waiting for the husband. And his friends would get him ready for her. I could never understand why. But I'm beginning to now... Hah!"

The corset abruptly loosens, then falls away. I step out from the massed skirts and petticoats.