THE IMPERIAL ENGINEER (25 page)

He looked back at her, hoping she was right. "I will. I love her, you know. Always
have."

"I know. And that may be the saving of you both."

When she'd gone, Luke hefted the bottle of brandy. "Want some more?"

"Thanks, no. I've had enough. I haven't slept much..." He shook his head. "You
know, Luke, I've wanted to marry Lulu since we were just kids, never thought seriously
about any other woman. But now it's about to happen, I'm having trouble believing it."

Luke chuckled. "I know what you mean. When I asked Emmet for Katie's hand, it
was like some other fella was saying the words. We'd been living in each other's pockets
for a month, yet all of a sudden it was like she was a stranger. I had a moment there when I
wondered what the hell I was doing."

"At least you knew each other. Even though we grew up together, I don't really
feel like I
know
who Lulu is any more. It's been more than ten years, after all. We
were just kids when we parted. In some ways we're not even the same people."

Leaning back in his chair, Luke stared into his cup, swirled the contents as if he
might find answers appearing on the liquid's surface. "I don't think it matters much," he
said, slowly, "because once you're married, you won't be the same people you were before
anyhow. It's like...hell, I don't know. Like being tied together for life turns you into
somebody else, half you and half her. Or something.

"I ain't saying it right, I guess, but the point is, you're going to learn a whole hell
of a lot about each other in the next few months. And her being in the family way is going
to make that learning a whole lot harder. Women are notional enough at the best of times,
but you put a baby in them, and they get plumb foolish. I remember how Katie used to cry
at the silliest things. One day she saw a mamma cat carrying her kit across the barnyard
and she burst into tears. I asked her why and she said it was the most beautiful thing she'd
ever seen." He shook his head. "I never did figure out what there was to cry about."

Standing, he set the brandy bottle into a cupboard and the cups on the drainboard.
"The fellow next door has a cutter we can borrow. You let Lulu rest up tomorrow, then you
can drive it to town on Tuesday, take care of the legalities. We'll come in Thursday. We'll
see you on the stage for Nampa Friday, then the boys can drive the cutter back. They'll get
a kick out of that."

Tony stood too. He stuck out his hand. "Thanks, Luke. For the advice and...and
for not giving me hell."

"We men've got to stick together. You'll get enough hell from Regina, I reckon.
And I don't even want to think about when the folks get home." He pulled Tony into a bear
hug. "Congratulations. And good luck."

"Yeah, thanks. I think I'm going to need it."

* * * *

Regina didn't even wait until they had their coats off. "How could you! My God,
Tony, I can't believe you'd be so irresponsible!" In her schoolmarm getup, she was about
the most formidable woman Tony had ever encountered. She lacked but an inch of his
height. Her slim body and the coils of golden hair piled on her head made her appear far
taller. He briefly considered turning and running.

"I..."

"Let him be, Regina," Lulu said. "He didn't force me to do anything I didn't want.
If the truth be told, I all but seduced him." She made shooing motions with her hands and
Tony took the hint. If Lulu was willing to face Regina in his stead, he'd take the coward's
way out. "I'm going out to talk to Abel," he said. The stableman hadn't been around when
they'd arrived. Tony was sure he'd recognize Luke's mules, but warning him of the others
coming Thursday was a good excuse to leave the women alone.

"Bring Abel to supper," Lulu told him as he put on his coat," and ask him if he'll
ride out to Merlin's place tomorrow."

"I'll do that," he agreed, as he escaped.

At least Lulu was in a better frame of mind. She'd been cheerful on the trip into
town, although she had spoken nothing but trivialities. At the courthouse she smilingly
accepted the congratulations of the clerk who sold them the license. When they stopped by
the rectory next to the church the Lachlans attended, she explained with perfect truth that
they were due back in Hailey by Monday and so the wedding had to take place Thursday.
He'd been braced to endure the preacher's disapproval and to keep silent while Reverend
Archibald lectured him on the wages of concupiscence. Instead he stood dumb while the
preacher shook his hand and congratulated him.

Shaking his head, Tony crossed the snowy yard to the barn. Luke was right.
Women were indeed notional creatures.

THE SPENCER HOUSE, Shoshone

This is the only first-class hotel in Shoshone. It is located opposite the depot, where trains
stop for meals.
F.W. Spence,
Proprietor

Wood River Times
- occasional advertisement

~~~

"It's a good thing Katie left it here," Regina said, holding up the satin gown, on its
padded hanger. "Otherwise you might have been married in your shift."

Lulu had to smile. "I'm not bringing much else to this marriage, so that might have
been appropriate. Isn't that a sign the woman has nothing but herself to offer her
husband?"

"Something like that." After laying the gown on the bed, Regina went back to the
big mahogany wardrobe. "There should be..." she said, as she stuck her head inside. "Yes,
here it is." She emerged with another hanger, this one holding a linen-wrapped bundle.
"Here's the bustle and train. Now as for a veil--"

"I don't need a veil. One of your mother's hats will do me fine."

"We'll have to see what she has. Or we could put something together out of ribbon
and silk flowers. What about shoes?"

"I'm afraid what I brought with me will have to do," Lulu told her. "I'd never get
my big feet into Katie's shoes."

"And you'd step right out of mine," Regina agreed. "Now, then, I've got Mrs.
Petrie pressing your gray faille for your going-away outfit. What about a nightgown?"

A fluttering in her belly reminded Lulu of what her wedding night would bring. "I
hardly think I need a pretty nightgown. Isn't that something like putting bait into the trap
after it's sprung?"

"Lulu, whatever's happened before, tomorrow will be the only wedding night
you'll ever have. You might as well enjoy it." Regina's mouth twisted as she turned
away.

"Oh, Regina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to remind you--"

"It's not important. I'm silly to keep hoping." Briskly she replaced the clothing
they'd removed from the wardrobe, all but the elegant periwinkle satin gown Katie had
bought when they'd gone back to Boston four years ago. Since she'd been expecting
Melanie, the gown had been made with darts that could be let out at the waist. Now it
would serve as Lulu's wedding gown.

"My brother is the world's greatest fool," Lulu muttered, as she handed Regina the
last of the clothing. "He's had five years to sow his wild oats. It's time he came home and
settled down."

"I doubt Gabe will ever settle down, not as long as he believes in what he's doing."
Picking up the gown, Regina led the way out of the bedroom. "I'm the one who said no,
remember? I simply could not live with knowing my husband might disappear and I'd
never know what happened to him."

Lulu heard the unspoken plea, and changed the subject. "Katie says her latest letter
from your folks came from Cairo. I'll bet they're having the time of their lives. I can hardly
wait to hear from Mamma."
Poor Regina. She's the one who should be getting married
today, not me. I never wanted a husband and a family. She does.

They carried all the clothing to the master bedroom on the ground floor. Mrs.
Petrie came in just after them, carrying Lulu's gray suit, pressed and spot cleaned, looking
almost new. She took the periwinkle gown and its train, promising to have it pressed
before she went home for the night. "It'll take some care," she said. "Satin don't like to let
go its wrinkles."

"Now then, let's see what we can do about a hat," Regina said, pulling several
hatboxes from the top shelf of a deep closet. "You look in the top drawer. I know she's got
some ribbons and flowers in there."

* * * *

At two in the afternoon, Lulu followed Regina down the wide stairs. The
periwinkle satin gown rustled as she descended. Butterflies filled her belly and a tightness
in her throat made swallowing difficult.
Tony and I are getting married
, she told
herself.
It's really happening
. The music, unrecognizable when she'd started down
the stairs, resolved itself into the Wedding March from
A Midsummer Night's
Dream
. She matched her slow pace to its tempo as she crossed the hall and entered the
parlor.

The room, which had been all too small when filled with the families at Christmas
and other gatherings, now seemed enormous. The fireplace, before which Tony, Merlin
and Reverend Archibald awaited her, was impossibly distant. Her feet felt as if they were
caught in some sticky substance. Each step took an enormous effort.

Tony's face was pale, his mouth set. His stance was stiff, as if he stayed in place by
sheer effort of will.
I do believe he's as scared as I am
, Lulu realized, and was
comforted by the thought. A few more steps and she was beside him. One of his eyebrows
lifted, a silent question. She nodded slightly, vowing to do her best to make this marriage
succeed, even though she still feared they were making a terrible mistake.

The music died away. The minister cleared his throat. Lulu had an insane urge to
turn and run. Instead, she forced herself to stand quietly as Reverend Archibald began,
"Dearly beloved..."

She spoke when prompted, repeated words that had no meaning to a mind spinning
with
what-ifs
and
if-onlies
. As if in a daze, she heard someone
say"...man and wife." Startled, she looked up into Tony's face, a familiar face, yet a
stranger's. His expression was serious, yet exultant. He caught her face between his two
hands, held her while he kissed her gently. "It'll be all right," he whispered, before
releasing her.

The next few minutes were chaotic, as Lulu was firmly kissed by Luke and
Merlin, pecked on the cheek by Abel and each of the Savage boys, and congratulated by
Reverend Archibald. Then the women all had to hug her.

"Mamma, can I wear that dress when I get married?" she heard Lucy ask, just as
Melanie tugged on her skirt. She looked down at the little girl.

"Aunt Lulu, now you and Uncle Tony are married, are you going to have a baby?"
The child's voice carried, drowning out every other voice in the room. Reverend Archibald
and his wife, who'd played the piano, both turned to look at her.

"Melanie!" Katie's face was scarlet.

"Yes, sweetheart, we'll probably have at least one baby," Lulu forced herself to
say. "Does that make you happy?"

"Only if you let me play with it," the child said. "It's not fair Lucy got to play with
me and all I get is silly old dolls."

The laughter that filled the room relieved the tension. Nonetheless, when the
minister and his wife took their leave, pleading other obligations, Lulu noticed they both
eyed her thickened waistline.

Get used to it
, she told herself.
You'll see a lot of that in the next
while
.

* * * *

Although Luke had offered to take his family and Regina to a hotel so Tony and
Lulu could be alone tonight, Tony had refused to allow him to do so. "This house is big
enough so we won't even notice you're here." Now he wasn't sure he'd done the right thing.
Each time Katie or Regina said something about the late hour, Lulu would start chattering
again. He was greatly relieved when Luke said, at a quarter to nine, "These folks have had
a busy day. Let's let them get some sleep."

Tony knew his ears had gone bright red, but he did his best to keep a straight face.
In no time at all, Luke had herded the women upstairs. Tony and Lulu were alone in the
parlor.

"I'll wait here while you get ready for bed," Tony said, not quite looking at
her.

"Oh, I'm not a bit sleepy," she said brightly. "You go ahead."

"Lulu, it's our wedding night. I think we should go to bed together."

"But--" she looked up at him, her face showing something closer to fear than he'd
ever seen there before. "Yes, you're right." She rose, walked to the doorway, and turned. "I
won't be long. Ten minutes?"

He nodded. As she disappeared, he let out the breath he hadn't been aware of
holding. Right now he felt as unsure of himself as he ever had.

He wanted her. God! How he wanted her.

* * * *

Lulu's fingers were clumsy as she undressed. This whole day she had seemed to be
caught up in an unstoppable current, being carried to an unknown destination.

No, that was wrong. She knew her destination, and it was one she'd never have
chosen for herself.

She hung the gown carefully on its padded hanger, unable to resist stroking the
slick fabric. Lulu generally avoided satin for her own clothing, mostly because it was so
easily stained and wrinkled so badly. While she strived to always look stylish and
attractive, she chose her wardrobe for how well it resisted wrinkling and how easy it was to
clean. Of course, she also wanted to look dignified and businesslike. Her diminutive size
and mop of curls were a definite disadvantage, so she had always avoided overly feminine
clothing.

A secret part of her had yearned for lace and silk and ruffles.

As she removed her underclothing, she wondered if perhaps she hadn't gone too
far in the direction of practicality. Would hidden lace and ruffles have done any harm?
This embroidered corset cover, for instance, or the petticoat with its lace insertions and
deep ruffle cascading from the waist all the way to the hem in back--who would have
known she was wearing them?