Happy Is The Bride

by Caroline Clemmons

  Beth nodded at the trunks. "Oh, yes. I'm looking forward to it. I have lots of linens for the house, of course, as well as pictures and prints and things I've collected all these years. Mason's hired Delia Boone to help me with the house, but I wouldn't mind doing everything myself."

  Rachel gave Beth a measuring look. "You'll need different clothes for the ranch."

  "Yes, and I've, made several dresses the past three weeks." She hurried to a trunk and pulled out a modest dress of blue calico. "This one is the latest. I think it will be cool for the summer."

  Rachel put down her magazine. "What else?"

  Beth laid the blue gown on the open lid and held up several others for Rachel's inspection. "I don't have a lot, but I'll need several changes plus plain petticoats and bloomers. See this, it's modeled after one that I saw in Harper's from Princess Beatrice's trousseau."

  She laid them back in the trunk and closed the lid. "We'd better get busy on your dress. I think I remember where I saw that drawing." Beth hurried to the bed and picked up a magazine. "See, this one would work."

  Rachel clapped her hands. "Oh, it's wonderful. Can you really do that in so little time?"

  "I hope so, but I'll need your help with this bottom ruffle."

  Thunder rattled the windows, and the first raindrops fell. Surely nothing else would go wrong with this wedding day. Beth wondered if the rumors were true. Was she jinxed?

  Seven

  Mason fought his way through the storm. Back in Medina, he stopped at the livery for his saddle and checked on his father's horse he'd brought into town earlier. True to his word, Watson had given instructions for the horse's care. Mason threw the saddle into the buggy and headed for the Buggy Works.

  He got under cover of the buggy works' wide portico. "I'll send someone for this rig after the water goes down."

  Watson appeared with a large chamois. "I'll dry it down for you."

  Mason unhitched the mare and threw his saddle and bridle on her. When he'd cinched her down tight, he tied his satchel on and mounted. He'd wasted precious time walking the injured horse into town earlier and on the aborted buggy trip. From having plenty of leeway, he'd wound up not being sure he could make it on time for the wedding.

  Damned if he'd leave Beth standing alone at the altar. He took off through the downpour at a gallop.

  ****

  Beth's fingers were sore from hasty stitches. She'd cut a new bodice from the China crepe and left the satin sleeves. "How are you doing with the ruffles?"

  Rachel sat in a chair by the window and sniffled. "I can't get it right. You've ruined your dress for nothing."

  "Keep trying. The bodice is almost finished." Beth fashioned a rose from the ruined fabric and tacked it to the vee of the new neckline. She hoped Rachel avoided coughing or laughing in this dress until after the wedding. Just in case, she'd left plenty of room. Rachel could probably wear it without a corset if she chose.

  "Here's the ruffle." Rachel handed over a long piece of gathered China crepe.

  Beth didn't say it looked as if it had been fashioned by a drunk or a child. Instead, she took it and sewed it in place of the satin one she'd removed. "Make a couple of crepe bows to go at each side of the pannier puffs. Then I think you can try it on, and we'll see if it's going to look all right."

  Rachel fashioned the bows while Beth sewed on the ruffle. When the dress was ready for Rachel to wear, Beth helped her into the modified creation. Rachel stood in front of the cheval glass and preened.

  Beth cocked her head and walked on each side of her cousin. "It doesn't look bad. No one will know that's not how it was originally."

  "It's even prettier than the first one." Rachel held out her skirt and twirled back and forth before the mirror. "Wait until Ben sees me in this."

  Rachel's face turned serious, and she bit her lip. "I'm sorry you had to ruin your dress. I remember when you wore it at your parents' party last year. I thought it was the prettiest dress I'd ever seen."

  Beth remembered. "But that party's not a pleasant memory, so it's just as well we were able to make use of the crepe. I don't think I'd have been able to force myself to wear it again."

  Rachel took a deep breath and gulped. "I-I've said mean things to you. I want to apologize."

  Beth couldn't have been more surprised if Rachel had declared she intended to run off to join the circus. She waved a hand in dismissal. "It's not necessary."

  Rachel met her gaze in the mirror. "Yes, it is. I've been jealous of you as long as I can remember because your folks had more money than mine. Then both my folks and my brother died, and both your folks were alive and healthy. I guess I had to remind myself I had things you didn't to make up for the things I didn't have. Now that you're really getting married, you're not even spiteful back."

  Beth had no idea what to say to her cousin's revelation. She decided honesty always worked best. "Sometimes when people say mean things to me, or about me, I want to lash out, but I can't let myself. It— it isn't something I ever learned. Hours later I think of the perfect thing I might have said, but then it's too late." Beth sighed. "Besides, you're my cousin, and I guess you're as close to a sister as I'll ever have."

  Rachel turned, and tears ran down her face. "You're a better person than me, and I guess that's made me resent you even more. I'm truly sorry, Beth. I'll be a better cousin in the future."

  "Rachel Bigelow, don't you dare drip tears on that fabric." Beth rushed to a drawer and pulled out a handkerchief. "Let's get you changed and eat some lunch. You can help with the rest of the preparations. I've yet to make the bouquets. The flowers are cut and waiting in the kitchen."

  The two cousins went downstairs. The rain battered against the house relentlessly. They each took a seat at the kitchen table while Beulah and Emma worked and Mrs. Pendleton picked at her plate.

  Beth thought of Mason, who usually worked out-of-doors. "I'm glad Mason planned to go to his folks so he won't be out in this weather."

  "Mason? You might have a thought to me." Mrs. Pendleton glared at Beth. "All this rain will make the river and creeks too high to cross. Some guests won't be able to get to the chapel in spite of all my planning. There'll be only a handful at the reception."

  "It's hardly my fault, Mother." Beth took a helping of the potato salad and ham Beulah had set out.

  "Don't either of you eat a lot or your dresses won't fit. A corset can only do so much, as Rachel found out."

  Rachel took a healthy helping of potato salad. "Don't worry, Aunt Louise. Beth left plenty of room in the new bodice."

  Lightning flashed and thunder shook the windows. Beth and Rachel arranged containers of flowers throughout the downstairs, then came back to the kitchen to make their bouquets.

  Beth tied her bouquet with a blue ribbon. "Lucky we didn't have this weather yesterday or the flowers would have been too beaten to use."

  Finally, it was time to dress for the wedding. Beulah did Beth's hair; then Beth arranged Rachel's while Beulah helped Mrs. Pendleton.

  Rachel admired her coiffure in the hand mirror. "I wish there was a room at the chapel where we could dress. It'll be hard to keep dry in this weather."

  "Daddy will let us use the closed carriage, but it'll be a tight squeeze for all five of us." Beth laid out her undergarments.

  "Five?" Rachel counted on her fingers. "You, me, your parents. That's four."

  "And Beulah. She has a new dress."

  "You're having your maid at the ceremony?"

  "She's not a maid; she's our housekeeper. Has been as long as I can remember, and she's a part of my family."

  Usually Beth conformed to society's stilted rules, but on this one thing she didn't care what folks thought. Beulah had been more a parent than either of her real parents. Beth wanted Beulah in the chapel to see the vows.

  "It's your wedding. I guess you can do whatever you wish." Rachel slipped out of her dress and prepared to don her remodeled attendant's dress. "Have you packed the things you're moving to Mas
on's?"

  "Yes, I finished the trunks this morning, and Daddy will send them to Mason's ranch tomorrow. All I need is the carpetbag there in the corner with tonight's things and a dress for in the morning."

  "Do you have a fancy nightdress?" Rachel's brown eyes sparkled.

  Beth didn't want to display it, but she nodded. Rachel rushed to open the satchel. The lace and batiste nightgown lay on top.

  Rachel held it up. "Ooooh, Mason will love this. You can see right through it."

  Beth blushed. Valenciennes lace trimmed the neck with narrower lace at the armholes. A ruffle trimmed in the wide lace circled the hem. "It's scandalous, nothing more than a long chemise. Mr. Henri assured me it was proper for a bride, but I included a modest gown in case I lose my nerve and can't wear the, the thin one."

  Rachel dug into the bag and tossed the long-sleeved gown with a high neck onto a chair. "You won't need that. This is the one that will please your husband." Rachel cocked her head. "Has he kissed you?"

  Beth nodded.

  "Did you like it?"

  Heat suffused Beth's face, but she smiled. "Yes, I liked it a lot."

  "That's a good sign. And what else did he do?" Rachel rose from her perch on the floor and came closer.

  Beth wondered if she should admit it. She took a deep breath. "He, um, he put his hand on my breast. And he pulled me close by wrapping his palm against my, um, my bottom."

  Rachel smiled. "How did that make you feel?"

  "I tingled all over, and had the most scandalous thoughts. I had the feeling he shared those ideas."

  "Oh, of course he did. Men are randy as goats most of the time. I expect Mason can hardly wait until tonight."

  Dare she ask? Beth took a deep breath. "Do, um, is there anything you can tell me about your wedding night? I mean, all Mother says is that it's something a woman has to suffer through and for me to endure it as best I can." Beth took another deep breath. "Th-that doesn't sound at all encouraging."

  Rachel looked surprised. "Do you think I'd have six children in eight years if it was that unpleasant? If Mason's as caring as Ben, you'll be in heaven before morning."

  Beth hadn't realized she'd held her breath, but now she released it with relief. "He's a caring man. He said today that he's always loved me but didn't feel worthy of me. Can you imagine?"

  Rachel stepped into her dress and turned for Beth to do up the buttons. "I'm not surprised, but knowing how Uncle Howard and Aunt Louise hate his folks, I couldn't believe it when they agreed you could marry Mason."

  “They wouldn't have years ago, but with all the gossip about me being jinxed and three cancelled

  weddings, they're desperate. I think they'd given upon me ever marrying," Beth turned and held on to

  the bedpost so Rachel could tighten her corset. Ordinarily she didn't wear a corset, at least she hadn't for the past few years. Her mother insisted she wear one with this dress. "I just hope he never learns about our

  bet. He'd be hurt and angry."

  "He won't hear it from me or Ben." Rachel pulled hard on the strings until Beth could hardly breathe. She gasped. "You mean Ben knows?"

  "Well, of course. When you love a man you tell him everything. But he won't tell anyone because I asked him not to." Rachel had cinched the corset and tied it.

  Beth stepped into the mended wedding gown. "Rachel, what do you suppose Sally does to please men?"

  "Well, Ben told me she does lots of things, some of which I'd guessed. Some surprised me. One is, she sometimes puts their, um, you know, right into her mouth and sucks on it." Rachel started fastening the thirty buttons down the back of Beth's dress.

  Beth almost stumbled. "You can't mean it? Men pay her to do that? Why, I wonder?"

  "I couldn't believe it myself." Rachel looked smug. "At least not at first. Ben told me lots more she does— and showed me. I was mad at first that he'd ever visited Sally, but maybe it's good because he learned things I like."

  "Do you suppose she enjoys the way she earns her living?"

  "Maybe some of the time, if the man is nice and clean and handsome. But can you imagine being with Old Mr. Handley?" Rachel finished the last button and stepped away.

  Beth made a face. "Eeuww, no."

  The two stood side by side and stared at their reflections in the cheval glass.

  Rachel turned sideways. "Don't we look wonderful? I can hardly wait for Ben and the kids to see me. And won't his mother be stuck for something to criticize this time?"

  'You look lovely, Rachel. I think you're right, we look wonderful. I hope we can stay dry until we get inside. Any guests who make it through the storm to the chapel will be waiting for something bad to happen, and I mean to disappoint them."

  "You can count on Mason. He'll be there."

  "Yes, I can. Today and always." Beth took one last look around the room. The package near an armoire caught her attention. "Rachel?"

  "Yes?" Rachel looked at her.

  She nodded at the bundle. "The bolt of silk is tied with brown paper ready for you to take home. I want you to have it."

  "You can't mean it." Rachel's hand went to her throat, and she beamed.

  "Yes, I do. I could never enjoy it. Every time I saw it I'd think of that silly bet."

  Rachel frowned. "But you'll see me in it."

  "It's not the same. I want you to have it. There's some brown foulard and trims to go with it as well. If you want me to, I'll help you make it up."

  "After all the things I've said to you these past few years? I don't know how to thank you."

  "No thanks are necessary. It'll look nice with your coloring." Beth took another look around the bedroom.

  Rachel followed Beth's gaze. "Will you miss this house? It's such a beautiful place."

  "Maybe a little. I look forward to being with Mason on the ranch, but I've lived here since I was eight." She ran her hand along the side of the dark cherry highboy.

  Rachel met her gaze. "Yes, that's when we moved into your old house."

  Beth gasped. "I-I never realized you minded, Rachel. Mother and Daddy wanted your parents to have it, much better to have family instead of strangers living there, but we never meant you to feel bad."

  "I know, and we were glad to move into it. I loved the nice yard and having my own big room." She looked at the floor. "I guess it was just me. I felt I lived in your shadow."

  Rachel raised her face. "People have always talked about how pretty you are, how smart, and you had this wonderful house. You went away to school and came back looking like a princess. I felt dowdy and plain by comparison."

  Beth hugged her. "Oh, Rachel. I never knew that. How terrible that I wanted to stay home but went away to school while you wanted to go away but stayed here."

  "But if I'd gone, I might not have married Ben, and that would be bad because I do love him. Guess I was needlessly jealous of you all these years." Rachel pointed to the trunks. "Soon you'll be unpacking those at your new home. You'll be a married woman."

  Beth smiled. "When I come up here to change during the reception, I'll be Mrs. Mason Whittaker."

  "It won't be long now." Rachel folded her day dress and picked up her shoes. "Do you have a long wrap I can use?"

  Eight

  The two went downstairs where Mr. Pendleton and Beulah waited. Beth's father looked impressive in his dress clothes. Beulah wore lavender cotton sateen trimmed with Irish point embroidered lace.

  Beulah clasped her hands to her chest. "Don't you look good enough to eat? I knew you'd be the prettiest bride I ever did see." She gasped. "Begging your pardon, Miss Rachel, but you know I'm as partial to Miss Beth as if she was my own."

  Mr. Pendleton kissed Beth on the cheek. "Lovely. Bethany, that boy doesn't deserve you."

  That was the closest her father had ever come to a compliment. "Daddy, you'd best change your mind about Mason. He's here to stay, and he'll be the father of your grandchildren."

  "Hmph." Mr. Pendleton stuck out his lower lip. Beth couldn't say w
hether his displeasure stemmed from knowing Mason would father his grandchildren or from the fact that her father suddenly realized he might soon be a grandfather.

  Emboldened by her near wedding, Beth faced her father and asked something that had bothered her for years. "Why don't you like the Whittakers? They're nice people and have always acted friendly toward you and mother."

  "With all their money, you'd think they'd fix up their home and set an example for others. Instead they live out there in that house that's grown all higgledy-piggledy, and they dress like ranch hands. Socialize with them, too. Not at all the proper way for people of substance to act."

  Beth stared at her father. "You mean Mason's parents have as much money as you do?"

  "Hmph. Reckon they don't know the responsibility wealth carries. Have to set an example."

  "Daddy, I expect they believe they are setting an example. They treat everyone the same and make everyone welcome."