The Wedding Dress(54)

Emily faced the mirror, sighing. She’d met defeat. “Mother, are you happy?”

“You’re vexing me a bit at the moment.” Mother’s light tone betrayed her scowl.

“Are you happy with Father?”

Mother’s cheeks pinked. “Don’t I look happy?”

“Has he ever been unfaithful to you?”

Mother inhaled sharply. “Mercy, girl, what a thing to ask. Certainly not.” She fussed with the satin and silk still draped over Emily. “Your father and I were cut from the same cloth. He escorted me to my debutante ball, and I don’t think he ever left my side. This gown is quite lovely. Gracious, I believe Taffy sewed with gold thread.”

“Do you think I’m cut from the same cloth as Phillip Saltonstall? Is he a man like Father?”

“He’s a very powerful man from a very powerful family. He adores you, Emily. I’m very proud and happy for you. This is a good match. For you, for our families. Even for Howard Jr. You and Phillip will be quite the couple of our Magic City. In fact, I was speaking to Della Branton at bridge club and she’s decided to attend suffrage meetings with her daughter because of you. If the future Mrs. Saltonstall believes in suffrage, she will too.”

“How foolish. I’ve been to a few meetings. I’m not even sure I believe in suffrage. She should believe in a cause because her heart tells her, not the future Mrs. Phillip Saltonstall.” So now she was responsible for the convictions and actions of others?

“Oh, my dear, you are your father’s daughter.” Mother softened, her smile fresh with love. “So forthright at times.” She kissed Emily’s cheek. “You’re going to be very happy with Phillip. He’ll be a wonderful husband. He’s quite handsome, don’t you think?”

“Mother, I saw him with another woman.” The confession released a valve in her heart. “The day we first met with Mrs. Caruthers, when I leaned out Loveman’s window.”

She’d been pondering Phillip and Emmeline for quite a while. In the evenings Daniel’s letters tucked under her bed called to her. But she could not very well read them if she didn’t want Phillip involved with another woman. Weren’t love letters the same? Emily involved with another man? Daniel? Even if it was only in the privacy of her own heart?

“Goodness, Emily. Phillip knows everyone. He’s twenty-eight years old, with friends all over the city.”

“It was the woman who attended our engagement party with Herschel Wainscot. Emmeline Graves.”

“Emmeline Graves? Why, she’s barely off her mother’s bosom. Never you fear. A man like Phillip is looking for a woman, not a girl.”

“Mrs. Canton, Miss Canton,” Taffy called from the other side of the door. “Might’n I come in? If Miss Molly served me any more cake and milk, with such kindness, I might never leave.”

“Yes, do come in. We’re ready. Now, please fashion this into a reception gown for Emily.” Mother headed to the door. “I’m going to check on luncheon.”

Taffy went to work with a glance at Emily as she stepped up on the stool.

“Fashion this into a wedding dress, Taffy.”

The colored woman worked in silence for a moment, pinning and measuring. “What situation have you gotten yourself into, Miss Canton?”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“Once in a while, the Lord gives me night visions—”

“A dream?”

“A dream . . . yes. I see dresses. Made one for Mr. Gaston’s daughter a few years back. The night before you visited me, I saw a gown. When I woke up, I put it down on paper. You’re wearing it right now.”

“What do you think it means, Taffy?” Emily bent to peer into her eyes, her heart trembling in her chest.

“I’m sure I don’t know. I can only guess that you’re going to need the courage of heaven to wear this dress.”





Chapter Fourteen



Daniel





It was late. Friday night. After a long, hard week at school, Daniel arrived at the Italian Garden, comforted to find his friends gathered at a table in the corner. With a nod at the ma?tre d’, he started toward them.

“Daniel.” Ross shook his friend’s hand. “We thought you forgot us, chum.”

“Midnight, Ross? Can’t you find a more decent hour to socialize?” Daniel took his seat, then greeted the man on his right. “Alex, can’t you talk sense into him?”

“No, and seeing as you’ve been his friend longer, you should know better.” Alex smiled, clapping Daniel on the back. “Besides, the theater has just let out as well as the symphony.” He nodded toward the front of the restaurant. “All the pretty ladies should be coming through that door any moment.”

“With their escorts, I imagine.” Daniel barely glanced at the couple entering the restaurant and instead, reached for the menu. “I’m famished.” After the school week, he’d spent his Friday evening not in the company of a soft, lovely dame but attempting to launder his own clothes. He was exhausted. But his compassion for the “weaker” sex, who tended such arduous chores, rose ten notches.

Ross zipped the menu from Daniel’s fingers. “Escorts can be fathers, brothers, uncles. Don’t keep your mind so closed, Ludlow.”