17. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
May 1932
T heir wedding took place the following spring in the small white clapboard church in Lavender Bay. The sun shone bright in a cloudless blue sky.
After much debate with her mother, Lenore had chosen a simple dress of navy blue with a matching hat. Mrs. Wainwright had been disappointed. She would have loved for her daughter to enjoy a fabulous gown and headpiece and lengthy veil that would have the town talking, and perhaps a honeymoon trip to New York City, but she was smart enough to know that such extravagance would be in poor taste in the current economic climate, with so many people out of work.
That her daughter was so readily agreeable to a sensible dress had her thinking Lenore was spending too much time in the kitchen, and perhaps Hilda was not the best influence. Everyone had their place in society, and it couldn’t be helped that the Wainwrights were at the top of the ladder. Lenore had said it was a fine dress and she’d be able to wear it again. This had left Mrs. Wainwright speechless. She couldn’t imagine waltzing around the streets of Lavender Bay in her own ivory gown. That was safely packed away in a trunk in the attic. Upon seeing her mother’s disappointment, Lenore had caved and said her mother could plan the menu and the reception, but only on one condition: it had to be at their house. Mrs. Wainwright decided she could live with that.
And now the Wainwrights and their guests filled the house on Bluebell Lane. Mrs. Wainwright had done the best she could, given the circumstances. There were no garlands of flowers adorning the doorways or ornate floral arrangements displayed in large crystal vases on ionic column pedestals, but there were vases full of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths that had been picked from the garden.
Lenore had insisted that Hilda be there as a guest and not a servant, and had actually stomped her foot over it when her mother had started to protest. Mrs. Wainwright had to hire outside help for the day. Hilda stood in the front room, congratulating the newlywed couple. It was odd to see her all decked out in a plum dress and matching coat and hat.
John had worn a navy suit and tie and looked well. There was no doubt they made a handsome couple. Mrs. Wainwright wished they would have coordinated their colors and their outfits better beforehand. They both looked as if they were going off to the bank for a workday.
She liked John Hadley; she only wished he had a better profession. Like a businessman of some sort. In law enforcement, she could only imagine that he had to deal with a lot of unsavory sorts, and she hoped this wouldn’t affect Lenore.
There was no luxurious buffet, no caviar or champagne, but she’d managed to put down a proper feast despite sugar and coffee being rationed. All the best linen had been pressed and the table covered. Both leaves had to be put in, and Hilda had polished the silver candelabra to an exquisite shine the other day. It stood in the center of the table, the thin white tapers lit, the flames dancing. And somehow, Hilda had managed to bake a beautiful wedding cake with real buttercream frosting.
Despite all the cutbacks, Mrs. Wainwright still held out hope for Laura. When Mr. Wainwright had questioned the expense of hiring waiters and cooks and even a chimney sweep, she’d shrugged and said simply that she was providing a lot of work for people, even if it was only for one day. He’d made no complaint after that.
People lined up around the dining room table, picking up her best silverware that was only brought out at Christmas and was now wrapped in a linen napkin, and her good china, a wedding gift from a favorite aunt. Instead of displaying the wedding gifts in the front parlor as had been done when she’d gotten married, they’d stored it all discreetly in a spare room upstairs. Lenore had liked the crystal and the china, but she’d been most enthusiastic about the Hotpoint Toaster Deluxe. Mrs. Wainwright had thought it was horrible looking. Someone else had given her a vacuum cleaner and Lenore had been excited about that, too, and Mrs. Wainwright wondered how Lenore could be a daughter of hers to be getting excited over appliances. The vacuum cleaner was already over at John’s house, and thank God for small favors, Mrs. Wainwright thought more than once. She couldn’t imagine having a monstrosity like that in her home. Her own display of gifts for her wedding back in 1905 had been overflowing with fine china, crystal, linens, and silverware. She still had every piece. Not an appliance in sight. What was the world coming to, she wondered more than once.
Mrs. Wainwright enjoyed the happy buzz that filled the place. Hopefully, children would soon follow. She liked the thought of being a grandmother. She knew that Mr. Wainwright was looking forward to that part, too, and he had only recently mentioned to her in private that he was thinking of not seeking re-election. She’d been disappointed, of course; she relished her role as first lady of Lavender Bay, but she’d noticed that her husband was more and more tired looking of late. The Depression was taking its toll, even on a small town like Lavender Bay. There was no escaping it. But she shoved those thoughts from her mind, determined to enjoy her daughter’s happy day.