Tracie Peterson (43 page)

“Well, I have a room in the west wing set up for just such an occasion,” Sylvia said, smiling. “I hope you and Dr. Shepherd will allow me to extend you an invitation to be my houseguest tonight. I didn’t want you to feel the need to hurry off and find some pitiful lodging house for your honeymoon. The west wing is quite secluded. I can assure you all the privacy a young married couple should have. Will you stay?”

Clara felt her cheeks grow hot. “If Michael has no other plans, I would love to take you up on your offer. I know we won’t have much time together and I certainly don’t want to waste any of it traveling from one place to another.”

“Wonderful. I shall see to it that your young man is completely convinced of the advantages. Now, if you ladies will just follow me, I will show you to the room in question.”

Clara drew a deep breath and nodded. “I’m ready.”

Sylvia led them up the long oak staircase. She had trimmed the banister with holly and ivy and red bows that looked slightly worn from years of use. Clara could picture herself coming down the stairs for her wedding. Suddenly the prospect of her rather rushed ceremony began to take on a new light. Sylvia had a beautiful home. The furnishings and decorations were refined and elegant. Who could want for a more perfect setting in which to marry?

“I had the maid air out the room this morning and give it an extra cleaning. I don’t want you choking on dust while you’re preparing for your special day.”

“I’m sure it would be just fine, no matter,” Clara replied.

Sylvia took them down a long hallway on the second floor and paused at the last door on the right. She sobered slightly. “This room once belonged to Meredith. I thought it would be the perfect place to put you.”

Clara met the woman’s thoughtful expression and nodded. “I’m so very touched, Sylvia. I know you understand what this means to me.”

“I think I do,” Sylvia replied. She opened the double doors and pushed them back. Clara and her entourage stood in gaping surprise at the suite. A fireplace decorated the wall to the left and a cheery blaze rose up from the hearth in welcome. On the mantel above, pictures of a smiling young woman and handsome man graced the oak surface. Clara knew it must be Meredith and her young beau. For a moment, Clara couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to the young man after Meredith had died. Perhaps the time would present itself when she could ask.

To the right, a huge wood canopy bed dominated the remaining room. The dark walnut wood of the bed was further enriched by the burgundy and navy brocade that trimmed the posts.

“Oh, it’s so . . . so . . .” Clara had no words. The bed was something out of a fairy tale. At least eight feet long and six feet across, the bed commanded their undivided attention.

“Now, that’s a bed!” Jeanine said, marveling.

Sylvia chuckled. “The bed once belonged to my great-great-grandmother and has been handed down throughout the generations. Meredith thought it the most glorious creation she’d ever seen. When my mother died and left it to me, Meredith instantly claimed it for her own.”

“I can understand why,” Clara said in complete awe. “It’s a marvelous bed.” She turned to take in the armoire and Chinese rugs. “The entire room is like nothing I’ve ever known. I hope Michael has no other plans, because I want my honeymoon to start in a room like this.”

“Me too,” Darlene said, nodding. “If I can find me a guy to marry in the next week, can we stay here as well?”

Sylvia laughed. “There’s no rush, dear. If you find a young man to marry, make certain it is for love and not the room in which you’ll stay. Now, while Clara settles in, why don’t you ladies go downstairs and see the cook. His sister owns a hothouse, and he is going to take you around to see about some flowers for the wedding.”

“Wonderful!” Darlene exclaimed. “That was my job.”

Sensing that Sylvia wanted a few moments alone with Clara, the girls quickly departed. Clara turned and surprised Sylvia with a hug.

“I don’t know what to say. This is all too marvelous. I was just imagining descending the stairs to marry Michael, and then you give me this wonderful room for my wedding night. Sylvia, no one could have blessed me more than you have.”

“Well, if you think you can handle one more surprise,” the older woman said, “open the wardrobe.” She pointed to the tall armoire in the corner.

Clara hesitated only a moment. Crossing the room, walking gingerly on the Chinese carpets as though she might damage them with her heels, Clara reached for the handles of the wardrobe. They creaked from lack of use, but Clara gave it no real consideration, for once the doors were open and the light of day had touched the contents inside, Clara knew why Sylvia had sent the girls away.

“A wedding gown!” she gasped. And without even trying it on, Clara knew it would fit. She touched the ivory satin and shook her
head. With tears in her eyes she looked at Sylvia. “Was this Meredith’s gown?”

Sylvia nodded. “I had no idea you were even looking for a gown. When you mentioned it at dinner, I suddenly knew why I’d held on to the dress for all these years. God knew you were coming and He wouldn’t let me part with the gown you would need.”

Clara could hardly believe it. She turned her attention to the gown. The Juliet sleeves, inset with lace, begged her touch. “I’ve never seen anything so lovely.”

“We were a family of some means,” Sylvia said, coming to stand beside her. “The gown was made nearly as soon as Meredith was engaged to be married. She had dreamed all her life of such a dress, and when Bryce finally asked for her hand, she couldn’t wait to have the gown designed.”

Clara traced the lace-edged neckline and felt tears slide down her cheeks. Just when she had given up her prideful ideas and handed the matter back over to God, her prayers had been answered and then some. She was to have a beautiful setting for her wedding—flowers, a party, and now a beautiful gown and honeymoon suite. She looked away from the dress and settled her gaze on Sylvia’s face.

“I am completely amazed by all of this. You’ve made my dreams come true.”

Sylvia shook her head. “No, love. God arranged it all. I was simply a tool for Him to use.”

Clara flung her arms around Sylvia’s neck. “Thank you. Thank you so very much for letting Him use you. And thank you for your kindness to a stranger.”

Sylvia hugged Clara tightly, then pulled back. “No more tears now. You don’t want to have your eyes all red and puffy for the wedding. I suggest instead that you unpack while I send up some lunch and arrange a hot bath. We must have you at your best when the groom shows up.”

Clara nodded and dried her eyes with one of the lace handkerchiefs she’d been given for Christmas. “I’ll try not to cry anymore, but I know it won’t be easy. I’m just so happy.” She smiled, unable to hide her joy.

“That’s just as it should be,” Sylvia replied. She glanced around the room and nodded. “Yes. Just as it should be.”

“No, put some more lilies of the valley in her hair,” Jeanine suggested. “Right up front where the veil is pinned. That way you can hide the pins.”

Darlene did as she was instructed and then stood back. “Perfect!”

Clara bit at her lower lip nervously. “Are you sure? I want to make sure everything is just right.” She strained to see the mirror, but the girls hadn’t allowed her that liberty yet.

“Just sit still now,” Madeline commanded. “Do you have something old?”

Clara nodded. “My necklace,” she said seriously, then added with a grin, “and my undergarments.”

The girls laughed as Madeline continued. “Something new?”

“Yes. I’m wearing the slippers my mother made for Christmas.” She pulled up the skirt of the gown and displayed her feet. The white was a little brighter than that of the ivory gown, but no one seemed to think it a problem.

“Good. What about something borrowed?”

“The gown,” Clara said, running her hands lovingly over the bodice. It fit as though it had been created for her, with exception to the fact that it was a tad short.

“That just leaves blue,” Madeline replied. “Do you have something blue?”

Clara started to panic. “No! I have nothing blue. Oh no. What do I do?”

“Calm down,” Jeanine laughed. “We’ll figure it out.”

“You could wear your battle dress pants under the gown,” Darlene teased.

“Or the cap instead of this veil,” Jeanine threw in.

“This is serious!” Clara nearly shouted. Her nerves were raw from the entire experience. Maybe she should tell her mother that eloping was the better choice and that she should stop bemoaning her own simple wedding. Worrying over the details was about to send Clara scrambling for the nearest window.

“Here,” Madeline said, reaching into her pocketbook. “I have this.” She pulled out a handkerchief with blue bells embroidered in one corner. “This will work.”

Clara breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back against the wall. “I may not live through all of this.”

The girls laughed and turned her for one final inspection. The knock on the door nearly sent all of them into a panic.

“It’s time!” Darlene declared.

“Don’t let anyone in!” Madeline exclaimed.

“Hurry up and let me see what I look like,” Clara demanded. “I’m not even going downstairs if I look silly.”

“You would go down there even if you looked like a circus clown,” Jeanine said, laughing. “But have it your way.” She stepped back and unveiled the cheval mirror.

Clara caught her reflection for the first time that evening.
Radiant
was the only word that came to mind. Her face radiated the joy she felt, and the gown and trimmings that her friends had so thoughtfully arranged only magnified the happiness that came from within.

“Oh!” was all she could say.

“He won’t be disappointed when he sees you,” Jeanine whispered. “But I doubt he would have been under any circumstances. So are you ready?”

Clara nodded. “I’m ready, but I’m also suddenly terrified.”

“Wedding jitters,” Madeline whispered. “That’s all. You’ll be fine once the ring is on your finger.”

“Ring?” Clara said. “Oh no. I wonder if Michael thought to get a ring.”

“Calm down,” the ladies said in chorus.

“You’ll still be married even if there’s no ring,” Darlene reminded her.

Clara nodded. “Yes. I suppose you’re right.” She took a deep breath and prayed silently.
Thank you, Father, for the miracles you’ve arranged tonight. Thank you for bringing Michael here safely and for the minister being available and for the gown and the room and everything! Thank you for hearing a young woman’s dreams and making them come true
.

Michael stood in his Class A uniform, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. When he saw Darlene appear at the top of the staircase, he realized the time had come. His waiting would soon be over and he and Clara would finally be married. He felt regret only for the fact that he hadn’t been able to get her a wedding gown. It seemed like such a small request, even if there was a war going on.

Darlene beamed him a smile and stepped to one side as Madeline descended the steps behind her. Next came Jeanine, who seemed particularly joyous over the occasion. Michael felt Joe nudge him and turned to see his best man eyeing Jeanine with an appreciative stare.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Joe whispered. Then his eyes caught sight of something else and he poked Michael hard in the ribs. “Well, would you look at that.”

Michael turned back to the staircase and felt his heart nearly stop. Clara stood at the top, a vision in satin and lace. Michael moved forward as she descended the stairs slowly and cautiously. Her right hand clung to the banister, while her left hand held a bouquet of roses and lilies of the valley.

She smiled at him, and Michael felt his knees turn rubbery. He’d known for a long time that he would marry this woman, but somehow he had never imagined the wonder of this moment.

Clara reached the bottom step and took hold of Michael’s arm. Leaning close, she whispered, “You should probably close your mouth, Michael. Joe’s going to think you’re here for a dental exam instead of a wedding.”

Michael looked around, rather embarrassed, then grinned. “You shouldn’t shock a man like this, you know.” He gripped her possessively. “Come on, let’s get this wedding on the road. The chaplain has to be back before midnight.”