The guests they passed were almost obsequious in their rush to greet both Erin and her mother. After all, Erin was to be mistress of Jasmine Hill, a position not to be taken lightly.
Keith took them to the foot of the wide, curving stairs that led up to the second floor. Erin saw that the bannister was draped in pink satin ribbons and adorned with yet more roses. She couldn’t help smiling to think of the trouble Ryan had gone to. Taking back the lingerie and exploding as she had to Madam Estelle must have made quite an impression. Perhaps they would have no more problems, now that they understood each other better.
“Miss Erin,” Keith was saying, “if you and your mother will go on upstairs, there will be a servant waiting to escort you to freshen up.” From somewhere outside the open French doors, the sound of violins tuning could be heard. He turned away with an accommodating nod of dismissal. “Should you need anything, there will be someone to serve you. I’ll see you in the gardens in an hour.”
An hour! Erin shuddered involuntarily. In just one more hour she would become Ryan Youngblood’s wife.
“Isn’t this exciting?” Arlene clutched her arm as they made their way. She noticed a tickling in her throat but felt better when she thought of the small flask filled with Tulwah’s potion that lay in her pocket. It didn’t matter that it made her feel intoxicated. That was certainly better than having a coughing spell and spitting up blood in the middle of the wedding ceremony, she grimly decided.
More roses lined the wide hallway upstairs. Four Negro girls of various ages stood in a line on one side. Dressed in neat gray dresses with long white aprons, they each curtsied in turn and spoke their names. The eldest, Annie, instructed them to follow her.
They were shown to double cherrywood doors that opened into a massive suite that ran the width of one end of the upstairs. Erin could only stare in wonder, for it was far more opulent than anything she had expected. Arlene, easy to express her emotion, scurried all about oohing and ahhing over each piece of furniture, each vase or floral arrangement. They were standing in a sitting room, with doors on each side.
“This must be his room,” Arlene announced after a quick inspection. She crossed to the other door, peered in, and instantly cried, “Oh, Erin. You have to see this. It—it’s absolutely gorgeous.”
Erin went to look and was likewise impressed. The motif was pink and white, with touches of blue. The furniture was all in mahogany, and the huge bed was adorned with a pink lace canopy, edged with tiny embroidered red roses. “It all looks new,” she marveled, walking about for closer scrutiny. There was even a writing desk, a sofa, and chair situated in front of a cozy fireplace. And, of course, everywhere there were vases of roses and more roses.
“This was Miz Victoria’s room,” Annie said suddenly, and Erin and Arlene turned to look at her. Nervously, fearing she might have spoken when she wasn’t supposed to, she rushed to explain, “Mastah Ryan, he had everything redone jus’ this week, said it was only fittin’ he and his wife have the same rooms that his grandaddy built fo’ the mastah and mistress of Jasmine Hill.”
Arlene winked at Erin and could not resist saying, “And you thought he was just doing all of this to impress other people. How many of them will see this?”
Erin made no comment. Obviously, after hearing how angry she’d been over the lingerie, this was a kind of peace offering.
A pleasant-faced woman appeared and introduced herself. Though a distant cousin, she explained that Ryan had always referred to her as his aunt Sophia. Erin liked her at once, for she was fat and jolly and made her think of what Mrs. Santa Claus would be like if there were one.
“I came to tell you it’s almost time to begin. Is your lady-in-waiting here?”
Erin blinked, confused. “My what?”
Aunt Sophia rolled her eyes and admonished herself, “Oh, I’ve been reading too many fairy tales. What I mean is, has your maid of honor arrived?”
Arlene gave a soft gasp. She had not stopped to think Erin would need an attendant. Everything had happened so fast.
But Erin promptly solved the dilemma by cheerily confirming, “Yes. My mother.”
“Wonderful.” Aunt Sophia clapped her plump hands together, then cried, “Let’s start downstairs then, and Erin, my dear”—she gently touched her arm—“I just want you to know I have never seen a more beautiful bride. No wonder I had my mind on fairy tales. You are truly a princess this day.”
“She certainly is,” Arlene agreed brightly, as Erin graciously murmured her thank-you.
Aunt Sophia was headed for the door, but remembering all the talk about how her nephew had taken over Victoria’s suite and redecorated for his bride, she paused to glance about. “I certainly hope that boy knows what he’s doing.” She spoke her thoughts aloud, as was her way.
Arlene was quick to ask, “Why, whatever do you mean?”
“Oh, don’t mind me.” Sophia waved her hands in dismissal of any anxiety she might have caused. “It’s certainly proper. I mean, when a man takes a wife, it’s understood he takes over the master suite in the house if he is indeed the master. It’s just that Victoria is going to be in for a shock when she gets home, and…” She fell silent, realizing she had been about to say far too much. Glibly, she continued, “But who cares? Victoria is always being shocked over something, anyway. That’s how she is.”
Lowering her voice conspiratorially, she continued, “She’s not on my side of the family, you see. Ryan’s father was my cousin, so she’s only related by marriage and never has been a favorite relative. But enough gossip.” She looked expectantly from Arlene to Erin. “Are we ready? And, oh, my dear, you are so pretty.” She slipped her arm about Erin’s waist. “I’m so happy you’re going to be in our family.”
She was the first person who had seemed genuinely friendly to her, and Erin adored her already.
The path to the formal gardens led from the side terrace of the house, and the way had been generously strewn with rose petals. A trio of violinists stood to one side beneath the shading arms of a huge magnolia tree, and their sweet music wafted with the breeze. Beyond, the sleepy James River flowed lazily toward the sea.
But in between, and beside a fountain filled with floating rosebuds, Ryan Youngblood awaited his bride. When she appeared, his breath caught in his throat, for she was even more lovely than he remembered.
She came toward him, not meeting his gaze, her mother at her side. If she were nervous, it didn’t show.
Her mother, he noted with a silent chuckle, was enjoying every minute of her triumph. From the glazed look in her eyes, he suspected she had already been nipping at the champagne fountain. He liked her. She was conniving and shrewd, but she had bravado, and in only a short time, he had grown quite fond of her.
He had even grown fond of the idea of marrying Erin. Things just might work out for everyone’s good after all.
He had also had a few glasses of champagne, and the whole world was glowing right then. He didn’t give a damn that some of his relatives, and friends like Keith, had told him he was making a mistake. It was his business, his life. As for his mother, he found it hard to remember a time when they weren’t sparring over something anyway. In time, she would get used to the idea of having Erin for a daughter-in-law instead of Ermine.
Neither was he concerned over how Ermine would react. She would have no trouble finding herself another fiancé, and in short time, too. He had never felt any particular longing for her, and she had certainly sent no messages of desire to him.
Erin, however, was another matter entirely, he privately acknowledged as she reached his side. If she would let him, one day in the not too distant future, he would give her his heart along with everything else he possessed in this world. He just needed time: time for his pride to heal, to get over feeling he had been coerced. But that would come, along with eventually making her return his love. They would learn to cherish each other…together. He had so many wondrous hopes as he turned to take her hand and smile down at
her with the mirror of his optimism shining in his eyes.
Erin met his enraptured gaze and was stabbed with guilt. Maybe she should have returned the lingerie to him instead of Madame Estelle. It must have been terribly humiliating for him. But the point had been made, and now they could get off to a good start with proper respect for each other. It was time to think only of the future and, of course, the tender moment at hand, for the ceremony had begun.
Erin softly spoke her vows, and Ryan reverently answered with his. Then the minister solemnly pronounced them man and wife.
Lifting the short, gossamer veil from her face, Ryan stared at her for an instant, entranced by her compelling beauty, before brushing his lips softly against hers.
Around them, there was light applause, mingled congratulatory murmurs. Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, he led her to the terrace, where they would meet their guests as they filed inside to the reception.
Erin’s heart was pounding as she contemplated how fiercely handsome he truly was. He was wearing a suit of pale blue that complemented his cerulean eyes. The way he smiled at her made ripples of anticipated delight move up and down her spine. Perhaps, she dared to hope, her mother was right, and one day they would know true happiness together. But it would take time, she realized, lots of time. For, despite his good looks, wealth, and respected station in life, Erin still found him arrogant and assuming. It would also take much time to forgive, much less forget, his original intent.
The same people filed by whom she had met at the party the week before. A few seemed a bit friendlier, now that she was officially Mrs. Ryan Youngblood, but there were also those who still smiled with their lips as disapproval shone in their eyes.
When at last the line ended, they found themselves surrounded by people. Aunt Sophia appeared to rescue them and see they were served from the sumptuously laden tables. There were roast pigs and chickens, vegetable platters of all kinds, creams and pies and candies and mints. In the center of it all was a tiered cake, frosted in white and decorated with ribbons of spun sugar and topped, of course, with roses.
Aunt Sophia also made sure Erin and Ryan’s glasses were kept filled with champagne. She and Arlene were getting on well, sharing continuous glasses of the bubbly drink.
There was little time for private conversation, and Erin was glad, for what could she say? Ryan was behaving as though they’d been engaged for years, and this day was the culmination of all their hopes and dreams. In no way did he act as a man constrained.
By the time everyone had eaten, a full orchestra was setting up in the ballroom as food tables were being cleared away.
Erin realized that for the first time, no one was around them. They were waiting for their special table to be positioned beneath an archway covered in roses. Feeling suddenly awkward, she offered shyly, “I appreciate all the lovely roses, Ryan. I’m overwhelmed.”
“And so am I,” he murmured huskily, sweeping her with his hungry gaze. Then, attempting to overcome the quick rush of desire, he said, “Did you like the traveling suit? Madame Cherise said she was sure she could fit it properly without your having to try it on.”
“It was fine.” She looked at him then, wondering if he was going to seize the opportunity to bring the other matter out in the open and apologize, but what she saw in his expression was extremely baffling. There was an almost mischievous glow about him, as though he was trying to keep from laughing. Instinctively, she stiffened. Maybe he thought it was all a big joke, but she certainly didn’t. Wishing to rob him of his moment, she deliberately made her voice cold as she said, “It would seem that you’d have had the courtesy to inform me you had planned a nuptial trip. Then I could have done my own shopping.”
At that, he did give a chuckle. “Oh, come on, Erin. You and I both know that if I had told you, you wouldn’t have been excited enough to so much as buy a new handkerchief. You think you’re doing me a favor by marrying me, and you’re more than willing for me to take care of all the arrangements and pay all the bills.
“As for the trip,” he proceeded to tell her as she looked at him, stunned by his bluntness, “I thought it would be pleasant to get away and relax for a while, to give us a chance to get to know each other better away from here. People are going to be nosy and dropping by.”
Still tense, she asked, “And might I ask where we are going?”
“I thought Philadelphia would be nice. It’s a wonderful city. Good hotels and theaters. Plenty for you to do while I’m taking care of business.”
“What kind of business?”
“I’m thinking about investing in a steamship line. Steam is the transportation of the future, but business is the last thing on my mind right now.”
He reached to touch her cheek in a gesture of tenderness, but she quickly stepped back, pretending to be glancing around to enjoy the surroundings. Actually, she was afraid that if he did touch her, he would sense her excitement. Philadelphia was where the Free Soilers were headquartered. It was also where Letty might be by then.
Ryan frowned at what he thought was a rebuff, but then passed it off as bridal jitters. “We’ll be spending tonight at a guest cottage on the estate of a friend of mine near Tappahannock. I’ve sent couriers ahead to make all the arrangements for our journey as to coaches and ferries. I thought you’d enjoy some river travel, so I’ve leased a small steamship and crew for a cruise up the Chesapeake Bay.”
She was impressed but not about to say so.
He led her to their table, and they had no more than sat down when the orchestra began to play a valse. Erin laughed, “I might have known you’d want to shock everyone—again.”
“Why not?” He stood, held out his arms to her. “It’s my house, my wedding day, my wife.”
The guests circled the huge ballroom floor to watch the newlyweds swirl around in the dreamy, rhythmic steps of the dance that would soon be accepted all over the country and known as the waltz.
After a proper few moments, Keith approached to take over with the requisite dance as best man. Ryan promptly went in search of his new mother-in-law for an obligatory turn about the floor.
Soon everyone was trying to do the dance, and Erin was amused that she and Ryan seemed to have started a trend.
She was having a wonderful time till she found herself in the arms of Carl Whitfield. Seeing Carolyn Manning glowering from the sidelines, Erin was annoyed that the woman was even in attendance, then realized that her family and Ryan’s probably socialized.
Not wanting any tension, Erin promptly apologized to Carl for cutting the dance short. “I really need to be changing to leave soon,” she explained politely.
Arlene saw her leaving to go upstairs and was going to follow, but Aunt Sophia detoured her to help with a fresh bowl of champagne punch.
Rosa had dutifully laid the dove silk suit out on the bed but was nowhere around. Stepping behind the brocade dressing screen, Erin began to take off her wedding gown. Hearing the door open, she thought it might be Rosa coming in and was about to call to her when she heard a nervous-sounding voice. “Please, Carolyn, let’s go. We don’t have any business being up here, and we just saw her come up here, anyway.”
Erin heard Carolyn’s retort. “I don’t care. I wanted to see what Ryan did to Miss Victoria’s suite. She’s going to have a fit when she sees this. Just look at it. It’s like something out of a bordello.” She gave a nasty giggle as she added, “And I’m not a bit surprised.”
At that, Erin stepped from behind the screen, wearing only her lace petticoats. She recognized the girl with Carolyn. She had been with her at Madame Cherise’s shop. Though Erin wished no confrontation, these were now her quarters, after all, and she was not about to stand by and listen to someone speak so crudely. “Well, I must say I’m surprised, Carolyn,” she said. “Do you make it a habit of snooping in other people’s houses? I’ll have to remember that when I make our guest list in the future.”
Mary Susan’s eyes widened, and she started to leav
e, but Carolyn caught her arm to keep her beside her as she fired back, “You’ve got a few things to learn, Erin Sterling, and as soon as Miss Victoria gets back from Europe, you’ll get your first lesson. She’ll never put up with you taking over here. You’ll find out quickly enough who makes up the invitation lists.”
Erin took a deep breath, held it to calm herself, then let it out slowly and said, “I would appreciate it if you would leave now, Carolyn. There’s no need for this conversation.”
Carolyn lifted her chin defiantly. Sick of hearing Carl prattle on about how beautiful Erin Sterling was, then seeing him dance with her, had been just too much. She was going to put her in her place once and for all. “Oh, yes, there is a need for this conversation. You might as well know that using guile to make Ryan marry you does not mean you will ever be accepted socially. You’ll be excluded, just as you’ve always been, just like your mother, and—”
“Carolyn, you stupid little snob.” Erin laughed at her incredulously. “Do you really think Ryan will be excluded from any social function because of me? My stepfather was never held in esteem by anyone, so there was no way anyone would give me or my mother a chance to be accepted. But with Ryan, it’s different. He has position already, and he will never tolerate his wife being ostracized.
“So, dear Carolyn, you might find yourself no longer welcome at Jasmine Hill if you can’t conduct yourself in a socially acceptable manner.”
For a moment Carolyn could only look at her and blink rapidly in disbelief that anyone could speak to her in such a way. Mary Susan, no longer wanting to be a party to the scene, pulled from her friend’s grasp and ran out of the room.
“You’ll see,” Carolyn warned between clenched teeth, her face a mask of uncontrolled rage. “Miss Victoria will have you thrown out of her room, maybe even out of her house. Ermine will have something to say about all this, too,” she called over her shoulder as she headed for the door. Then she paused to glance at Erin’s left hand and sneer, “Her ring was prettier, too.”
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