‘This beats a funeral, doesn’t it? We’ve had a couple of those and it’s nice to have a big family around you.’ Then she turned to Lizzie and said in clear tones. ‘Who is that stuck-up cow?’
At that moment Caroline arrived, followed by Laura and Walter. Wearing the white chiffon dress her mother had made and with small white flowers woven into her hair, she drew gasps of admiration, especially from her young cousins. They had never seen such beauty in the family, and for Caroline it was the most satisfying moment in her life. She’d always been jealous of her cousins but now she had no need. She’d become a prima ballerina and she was making a good marriage; there was no reason to envy them any more.
Walking over to Richard’s side, she smiled up at him and he smiled back as he slipped his arm around her waist. Then the registrar asked them to be seated and the formal procedure of a civil marriage took place. Laura watched Caroline and wished they were all in church, with a clergyman to guide them through their vows before God.
When the couple emerged first from Caxton Hall they were met with a barrage of flashlight cameras and yells of ‘look this way’ and ‘how about kissing your bride?’
Richard kissed his new wife with ardour and they started laughing with sheer happiness.
Several of the other dancers had come to watch the star of the show get spliced and now murmured: ‘The show will run for months now after all this publicity.’
Honor Montgomery turned to her husband as they waited for their car and remarked, ‘It’s all been terribly theatrical, hasn’t it? She’s really just a showgirl.’
Sir George was flushed and exuded enthusiasm. ‘But what a showgirl! No wonder Richard fell hook, line and sinker for her! Just look at those legs!’
Honor turned sharply away, her mouth drawn into a tight line of disapproval. In that moment she decided she hated her new daughter-in-law.
The staff at Beattie’s house were standing ready for the arrival of the family for the buffet luncheon. The champagne was on ice, the chef was putting the finishing touches to the caviar canapés, the fresh salmon was arranged on great platters and there was a variety of salads. Laura had even ordered a two-tier wedding cake and there was an abundance of strawberries and ice cream for the younger cousins.
As she and Walter arrived at the Belgrave Square house she said to him, ‘I’m just going to have a word with the chef to make sure everything is under control.’
Walter smiled at her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Relax, my darling. You need a break. What about a weekend in Venice before we start house hunting?’
Laura was about to refuse because she couldn’t leave Caroline alone for a few days, but then she thought, why not? Her daughter was now a married woman and she could always stay with Diana. She turned to Walter, her eyes sparkling. ‘That’s a brilliant idea. I’ve always longed to go to Venice.’
One of the waiters was topping up champagne glasses and directing guests to the dining room where luncheon was being served when Colin came up to Laura and asked if he could have a word with her in private. Laura looked up at him in surprise. Alice’s husband was a quiet and shy clergyman and she’d never had the opportunity to get to know him.
‘Shall we go outside on to the balcony?’ Colin suggested as Walter joined them. ‘I was wondering if you’d like me to arrange a service for blessing the marriage of Caroline and Richard up at Lochlee, after Caroline has given birth to their baby?’
Laura’s face lit up and she looked at Walter. ‘What a wonderful idea.’
‘It’s a brilliant idea,’ he agreed. ‘We could have hymns and it would be a real church wedding.’
Colin’s eyes shone with delight. ‘You do realize I can’t conduct the actual marriage ceremony but I can give a blessing, which Caroline deserves and it will be very meaningful.’
Laura beamed. Caroline was going to have the white wedding she’d really wanted after all. ‘That is wonderful, and thank you so much for suggesting it, Colin. Do go and tell Caroline. I know she will be thrilled.’
Colin hesitated, then said, ‘I hope you don’t think I’m being pushy, but I could also christen their baby after the blessing.’
Walter patted him on the back and spoke earnestly. ‘I think you’re one of the nicest brothers-in-law Laura has. I’ve been lucky enough to be accepted into the Fairbairn family again after a long absence and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. Laura and I are also very grateful that you haven’t condemned Caroline for getting pregnant out of wedlock.’
Colin blushed at the compliments. ‘It’s not up to me to make judgements,’ he replied gently before slipping quietly into the crowded drawing room.
Looking around as she stood beside Walter, Laura watched her large family with pride. The merry clink of champagne glasses, the laughter and the gaiety of the conversation was heart-warming.
The sisters had come a long way from their origins in the grandeur of Lochlee Castle, and apart from losing the son and heir in squalid circumstances, and the second son in the Boer War, the girls remained devoted to each other and had made successes of their lives. They’d managed to survive many a storm too. Eleanor had died in a terrible accident, while Catriona had suffered a breakdown when their mother died and had committed suicide.
The other seven had survived the Great War in 1914 though, along with ruinous death duties, bankruptcy, love affairs and near death in childbirth. The future would gradually be taken over by all their many children, and within months Laura would be the first to become a grandmother.
A new era was dawning.
The Fairbairn Fortunes Page 20
