The Wedding Dress(99)

When they turned around, Daddy stood on the porch, the trunk open, the dress in his hands, dancing from his fingertips.

“She pressed this into my hand.” He passed the ten dollars over to Mama. “Get whatever you need for fixing up the dress or whatever you ladies do with hand-me-downs.”

“It’s not a hand-me-down, Daddy.” Mary Grace dropped to her knees. The white satiny silk shimmered and the orange glow of the sunlight set the band of pearls at the waist on fire. “Oh, Mama.” She stood, taking the dress from Daddy. “It’s perfect.”

Daddy stepped back, clearing his throat, a goofy look on his face.

“All right, let’s go inside and try it on. Clem, give me a few minutes for supper.”

“Take your time, Vie. I’m all right.” Daddy tapped Mary Grace on the shoulder. “You never give up your faith, Mary Grace. Never give up. Not for me or for any man.” He stepped off the porch, cutting a new path across the yard down to the woods out back.



Charlotte

Charlotte eased the tension in her chest as Mary Grace’s voice faded, the taut rope of her story letting go. “So the dress did belong to Emily Ludlow?”

“It sure did.” There was a light of love in the elder bride’s eyes. “She wore it to marry Daniel Ludlow. I tell you, that dress was a wonder. After that day, things were smoothed over with Mama and Daddy. Don’t you know, Mama and Mrs. Ludlow became good friends, and Mama accepted quite a few gifts from her. But here’s the best part.” Mary Grace dotted the air as if to make sure Charlotte listened. “The dress fit as if it were especially made for me. Mrs. Ludlow was a slight woman. I’ve got my German granny’s big bones and features. But don’t you know, we didn’t have to let out or add one stitch. Not one. Can you believe it?”

“Yes, Mary Grace, I believe it.” The rush of gooseflesh down Charlotte’s arm was becoming familiar. “I surely can.”





Chapter Twenty-Five



Emily





Father sent Bernadette for the doctor. Poor maid of honor had turned into an errand girl. But her mother had collapsed on the fainting couch as Molly helped Emily out of Mrs. Caruthers’s gown.

“I’m sorry, Father,” Emily whispered as Molly loosened her corset strings. Being able to exhale almost made Mother’s fainting worth it. The phantom weight of the first gown vanished as Molly buttoned up the feathery, silky gown.

“It’s all right.” He knelt beside Mother, patting her hand. “As long as you’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Then I support you.” He cleared his throat. “It’s not going to be easy.”

“Father, will it be too hard on your business?”

“I’ll manage. Emily, forgive me for not telling you before now.”

“I suppose I always knew, Father. But I thought we’d choose to love each other. I knew of Emmeline, but I didn’t know his parents threatened his inheritance if he didn’t marry me.”

“I’m not sure Cam meant to confess that, but his brandy holds him rather than him holding it. He sounded quite pleased with the arrangement, as if I should be too.”

Last night Father joined the “boys” at the club to celebrate, or mourn, Phillip’s last night as a bachelor. He came home earlier than expected, solemn and disturbed, and retired to his room without a word to Emily. But she could hear his coarse whispers with Mother when she passed by their door. “All Cam wants is a good match for his son. They care little that Phillip’s infidelities will be her problem.”

The door burst open and Dr. Gelman rushed to Mother’s side. “What happened?”

“She fainted.” Father, pragmatic but tender, moved out of the doctor’s way. “Must be the excitement.” He winked at Emily.

It was the excitement all right. Father had brought the final truth about Phillip. He’d indeed signed out the warrant for her arrest. Father had overheard Phillip bragging at his bachelor party of how deftly he handled the situation.

Pride puffs up, Father always said. Pride can’t be silent.

Dr. Gelman waved smelling salts under Mother’s nose. She roused, coughing and gasping. Father helped her sit up straight but she fought him, straining to see Emily. When the doctor waved the salts under her nose again, Mother swatted at him.

“I’m revived. Emily, listen to me.” Mother breathed deeply, coughing, gathering herself, struggling to her feet. “They had you arrested.”

“Mother, I know. Father told me.”

“How can you even think of wearing that gown?” She flipped her hand up and down, pointing. “You’ll insult the Saltonstalls. Perhaps beyond repair.”

“Maggie.” Father cradled Mother to his chest. “This is our daughter’s wedding. Let’s not go on. What’s done is done. We’re late starting the ceremony.” Father helped Mother to her feet, thanked the doctor, then paused at the door. “Emily, I’ll return in five minutes.”

When she was alone in the room, Emily tried to keep air in her lungs. When she opened the door and peered down the hall, she could hear the organ music coming from the sanctuary.

And she knew. She was not marrying Phillip Saltonstall today. A giggle burst from her lips. Emily touched her finger to her mouth. Another giggle bubbled up.