Chapter 11
Two weeks wasn’t enough time to create a true masterpiece, but Ann did the best she could with a bolt of lavender silk, her sewing machine, and her embroidery hoop. Lavender was still technically a mourning color. She couldn’t bring herself to wear black or gray to a wedding.
The gown was in the modern style with a square neckline, butterfly sleeves, a cinched waist, and a draped, calf-length skirt.
She embroidered the sleeves and the panel around the waist with the elaborate design she saw on Mrs. Astor at the PBA fundraiser, using a slightly darker shade of purple thread for contrast.
She also made a tiny blue cotton outfit for Junior and crocheted him some new booties. Lastly, she made herself an oversized handbag that would fit the bare minimum of supplies for Junior. She couldn’t bear to bring the enormous gingham monstrosity she usually carried.
It was an hour before Bill was supposed to pick her up, and she paced nervously in her house dress.
To avoid baby-related stains, she wanted to wait until the very last minute to put on the purple dress.
Using hot tongs, she curled her hair and pinned it up in a stylish do.
She fed Junior as much as he would take in the hopes of avoiding having to feed him again until the reception.
Predictably, this quickly led to the need for a fresh diaper.
Once she had him settled and drowsy, she dressed him in the outfit she made, hoping he’d manage to keep it clean at least through the ceremony.
She stuffed an extra onesie in her bag just in case he needed it.
At last, she put on her dress and examined herself in the mirror.
It wasn’t the ideal color for her, but it was a vast improvement on all that black.
She put on some light makeup and a bit of lipstick.
Looking in the full-length mirror again, she had to admit the overall effect was quite a transformation.
She still wasn’t sure she was up to snuff for Aurora Belmont’s society wedding, but she hadn’t felt this alluring since the last time she saw Roger.
Bill was in for a surprise when he saw her this evening.
She grinned even though she knew she was tempting fate.
Despite her better angels, she looked forward to his reaction.
Maybe he’d lose control and kiss her, something she wanted as desperately as she feared it.
It took all her willpower to turn him away on their lunch date.
After two weeks of waiting to see him again, she wasn’t sure how much willpower she had left.
At long last the doorbell rang. She should have come to the door with Junior and her bag, ready to go, but instead she opened it unencumbered to offer him a better view. His mouth dropped open, and he stopped breathing. His reaction was everything she had hoped.
He was wearing a formal black suit with a black bowtie.
He looked as handsome as she’d ever seen him.
It was so tempting to reach out and touch him, run her hand down his lapel, ruffle his carefully combed hair.
Especially when he was looking at her with such intensity.
But she had to keep her head. She’d drawn a boundary last time they met, and she was determined to stick to it.
“Come in while I get my things.” She gestured toward the sitting room.
He stepped inside, his eyes glued to her.
She picked up her bag and Junior, who was still asleep. Her son’s gentle breathing grounded her, reminding her of all the reasons she had to resist her attraction to Bill. “I’m ready to go.”
He swallowed. “As a friend, I should warn you that you are heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and I’m not sure my resolve to be a friend and no more will last.”
She froze. If her resolve was hanging by a thread before, his bold declaration tugged it loose.
Looking up at him, she couldn’t for the life of her remember why it was such a bad idea to give in.
“Well perhaps, just for tonight, I’m willing to let go of my woes and pretend I’m like any other woman enjoying the company of a handsome man. ”
His eyes burned into her as he absorbed her words. She could hardly believe she said them, but after six months of unrelenting grief, she desperately needed this respite. One night to let go and remember joy.
He took her hand and kissed it, then turned it over and kissed the inside of her wrist. It was all she could do to remain standing.
Cupping his cheek, she glided her fingers along his jawline, making him inhale sharply.
“We should leave before I lose control completely,” he said in a strained, husky voice. “It wouldn’t do for the best man to miss the wedding, even for such an excellent reason as you.”
For a moment, she let herself imagine what might happen if they didn’t have somewhere to be, if she put Junior in his crib, took Bill’s hand, and led him to her bedroom.
It would feel so good to give in. Thank heavens he couldn’t see her thoughts.
She smiled a sultry smile she had forgotten she was capable of.
“No, that wouldn’t do at all. Let’s go.”
Turning out all her lights, she closed the door and locked it. He ushered her to the car and helped her in before taking his place in the driver’s seat. Junior snuggled against her, snuffling as he dreamed his tiny baby dreams.
They spent the drive in silence because Junior was asleep, but Bill held her hand the whole way. When they arrived at Trinity Church, she clung to his arm, tamping down butterflies as she entered the church alongside some of the wealthiest, most prominent citizens of the city.
She tried her best not to be self-conscious about her modest dress as she watched Mrs. Astor climb the steps in a pale-blue gown so frothy and cloud-like that Ann couldn’t figure out at first glance how the effect was achieved.
Bill followed the direction of her rapt gaze and steered them closer. “Fancy dress, but I don’t like it half as well as yours.” His lips were so close to her ear. If they brushed against it, she might swoon on the spot.
“Mrs. Prince, how lovely to see you again.” Mrs. Astor’s majestic gaze settled on Ann, startling her so badly that she nearly woke Junior.
“Mrs. Astor, I’m delighted to see you too!” She smiled as brightly as she could, hoping the grande dame hadn’t noticed her acting like a besotted fool. “I was just admiring your gown.”
On closer inspection, the dress was embroidered with a thousand tiny pearls. It must have cost more than Ann would make in her entire life working as a teacher. What must it be like to walk around wearing so much wealth?
“Why thank you, my dear. Yours is quite stunning as well. Is that the same pattern I had on my gown at Miss Belmont’s birthday gala?”
Ann froze. Would Mrs. Astor be upset about her copying the pattern? It was rather presumptuous. Good heavens, this was awkward! “Well…yes. I hope you don’t mind. I liked it so much that I had to try my hand at it.”
“You know what they say: ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ You wear it well, my dear.” Mrs. Astor smiled and patted Ann’s shoulder. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I must find my friend, Alva.”
As Mrs. Astor wafted away, Ann slowly let out her breath. Thank God that was over!
“All the pearls in the world can’t change the fact that you’re the most beautiful woman here,” Bill murmured once the woman was out of earshot.
Ann shook her head, her ears burning. “You haven’t even seen the bride yet.”
“I don’t need to. I already know she doesn’t hold a candle to you.”
Something within her clenched, and it was all she could do not to turn and kiss him on the spot.
Ever since she went into mourning, people had looked away when she passed, and she had told herself it was a relief.
But Bill saw her as a woman, not just a widow.
He made her feel desired, valued, adored.
And suddenly, she didn’t want to hide anymore.
She wanted to be the woman he saw. But did she dare?
His heated gaze left her tongue-tied and hungry for things she shouldn’t want. It was too soon. But her desire was so intense that she nearly gave in, despite the tide of distinguished onlookers sweeping up the stairs past them. She leaned close despite herself, and his head dipped.
“Bill, is that you?” Mrs. O’Donnell’s clarion tone would have carried several city blocks.
Ann took a quick step back, trying not to feel like a naughty child caught reaching for the cookie jar.
Bill’s shoulders sagged, and he let out a long sigh before he turned to his mother and waved. “I’m over here with Ann and Junior.”
Mrs. O’Donnell came striding towards them, followed by Mr. O’Donnell, Mary, her husband, and two small children. The O’Donnell clan enveloped Ann, giving her some much-needed distance from Bill.
“Ann, dear, it’s so good to see you again. How is that baby boy of yours?” Mrs. O’Donnell pulled Ann into a hug, kissing Junior on the head before turning to her son. “And shouldn’t you be with the groom?”
“Yes. Yes, I suppose I should.” Bill gave Ann a rueful smile.
“I’m afraid I have to leave and make sure Hank gets his tie on straight.
Wouldn’t want him embarrassing himself in front of all high society.
” He clasped her shoulder, nudging his mother away.
“I’ll find you again as soon as the ceremony is over. ”
She nodded, knowing she’d hardly be able to think of anything else.
He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. It only lasted a moment, but it shook her to the core. She was lost. How it had happened so quickly, she wasn’t sure, but her resolve couldn’t withstand much more.
She watched Bill walk away with a mix of relief and regret. The air around her dropped several degrees without him by her side.
“You two looked cozy.” Mary sidled up to her, holding her daughter’s hand.
It was no use denying it. “I suppose we did. He’s been such a good friend to me.”
“Just a friend?”
Ann bit back a smile. Mary clearly had a bit of her brother’s love of gossip. “It’s too soon to say, but he’s very charming.” It was the most honesty she could summon in the moment.
“Ha! I bet he is.” Mary hooked her free arm through Ann’s. “Come on. Let’s find a seat before those Knickerbocker types take all the good ones.”
The two of them led the rest of the O’Donnells along the side aisle past famous financiers and scintillating socialites, as well as pilots in their dashing tan uniforms. The tall, peaked arches of the sanctuary echoed with sparkling conversation of the rich and famous.
Ann couldn’t help thinking with a pang of Mama. Oh, how she would have loved this!
Ernie Pritchard waved at them, dressed in his groomsman’s best. He beckoned them to reserved seats in the second row. “Mrs. O’Donnell, Mr. O’Donnell! Hank and Rory wanted to make sure you and the family had the best seats in the house. They both consider you family.”
“Oh! I’ll just go find a seat farther back.” Ann parted ways reluctantly from Mary. This was clearly an honor intended for the O’Donnells, and she wasn’t one of them.
“Wouldn’t hear of it, Mrs. Prince. Bill insisted I seat you with them.”
My goodness! Second row for the wedding of the century! Mama, I hope you’re watching.
She took her seat between Mary and Mrs. O’Donnell and was almost grateful when Junior began to stir. It gave her something to distract her from the discomfort of being in such a visible spot as if she belonged amidst all this glamour.
It was a relief when the organ began to play and the groom hobbled in on crutches, followed by his groomsmen—Bill, Ernie, and Jack.
As soon as he was in place, Bill scanned the crowd until his eyes locked with hers. He winked at her and gave her a sideways grin that made her heart skip a beat.
The music shifted, and they all stood to watch the bride.
Suddenly, Ann was assailed by a visceral memory of walking down the aisle at her own wedding.
It was only a year and a half ago. She remembered the subtle scent of the roses in her bouquet, the pinstripes in Uncle Casey’s suit as he walked her down the aisle, the way Roger’s eyes glistened when he caught sight of her, Mama’s voice, rough with tears, murmuring, “I love you, baby girl,” as she passed.
Ann blinked away the past to find her cheeks wet as she took in Aurora Belmont.
Focus on the bride, you ninny! Miss Belmont’s dress was a sumptuous confection worthy of royalty.
Sheer sleeves fluttered around her lovely shoulders, and sheer fabric dripped down to her ankles, while the satin skirt beneath only reached down to mid-calf.
It was a daring dress, hugging her lovely figure—very appropriate to the Princess of New York.
A glance at the front of the church showed the groom was as captivated as everyone else by the vision Miss Belmont made walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. Every eye was on her.
Except Bill’s. He was staring straight at Ann, looking almost as misty-eyed as the groom.
He swallowed hard when their gazes locked.
Ann couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking as he looked at her like she was the only woman in the room.
She wanted to melt on the spot, but she couldn’t look away.
His eyes were full of a promise she couldn’t bear to interpret.
She closed her eyes and turned toward the bride again, unable to take any more.
Junior squirmed in her arms, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he sensed her pounding heart.
It was all too much as past and present collided within her—the love she lost and the flicker of something new she didn’t want to name.
But standing in Trinity Church with Bill’s eyes on her and his family surrounding her, she couldn’t help but wonder if, beyond all hope, she’d found a new home for her heart.