The Wedding Dress (34 page)

Father sat at the head of the table, Mother the foot. Phillip and Emily sat center, with Mr. and Mrs. Saltonstall directly across from them.

Howard Jr. dined on Mrs. Saltonstall’s right. And his visiting lady friend dined on Emily’s left.

Molly and Jefferson, with two add, wont>

But of all the delectables, Mrs. Saltonstall raved over Mother’s iced tea. “You must give me this tea recipe, Margaret. It’s divine.”

“It belonged to my grandmother.” Mother blushed with the compliment. “Since we are family”—she gazed at Emily—“or soon to be, you shall have it before you leave tonight.”

“I, for one, am glad the children moved up the wedding. Don’t know where we got the notion long engagements were a good idea.” Father spoke over his forkful of duck.

Under the table, Phillip squeezed Emily’s knee, sending a firebrand to her heart. She took an unladylike bite of her bread to hide her gasp. Since choosing not to wait until spring for their marriage, Phillip had returned to his former ways, becoming more and more amorous.

Emily patted her mouth with her crimson and cream napkin. Greedy. He’d become greedy. She couldn’t wipe the word from her heart. She’d been most grateful the other night for the complexities of her corset.

“Did Phillip tell you, Howard?” Mr. Saltonstall wiped his lips and chin with his napkin. “He cleared Emily of her charges.”

“Our lawyer did quite the job.” Phillip reached for his goblet. “The chief was most agreeable. He’ll expunge the charges, but I think it’s most clear, Emily darling, that you are to steer clear of the coloreds.”

“Except I’m wearing Taffy’s dress for our wedding.” Emily adjusted her napkin on her lap as silence settled around the table. She peered from face to face. “I’m sorry, but I cannot be quiet about my choice. We can arrange for the dress to come here without infringing on any silly law or being accused of insurrection.”

“I suppose the groom has no say.” Phillip kept his eyes on his fork and knife slicing through his duck. “But I’d like you to wear Mrs. Caruthers’s dress, darling. It seems to be the most pleasing to all. The most acceptable.”

“You are correct, Phillip. Grooms have no say. I’m sure you do not want your bride fainting in the middle of the wedding because her gown cuts off all her air and blood flow.”

“I have a say since I’m paying the bills.” Father raised his voice. “Emily shall wear the dress of her choosing.”
Oh, bless you, Father
. “Here’s what I’d like to know. Who swore out a warrant against Emily? I’ve tried my contacts with the police and there seems to be a brick wall guarding the information.”

“I found the same wall, sir. The only assurance I received through my barrister was that the charges would be expunged.”

“Then we will be grateful for small blessings,” Mrs. Saltonstall said. “Maggie, I declare, you and Molly outdid yourselves tonight. I never tasted a more succulent duck.”

Jefferson appeared in the doorway in his waistcoat, his own dinner napkin dangling from his hand. “Begging your pardon, sir, but you have a visitor.”

All eyes settled on the Irish butler.

“Might I ask who comes at dinnertime? Is it an emergency?” Father sounded annoyed.

“He says it’s quite urgent, sir. He did not give his name. I told him you were dining with family, but he insisted.”

“Excuse me, Cam and Henrietta.” Father bowed to his guests, then to Mother. “My dear, begging your pardon.”

“Hurry, dear. Molly’s chocolate cake for dessert.”

Emily watched Father go with a curious slither of
Who?
running across her mind. Rarely did Father’s business come to the front door.

The chatter around the table moved to wedding details. There’d been much to do with the accelerated date. Mr. Saltonstall had secured the Phoenix Club for the reception. The gentlemen’s club had a fine ballroom.

Mother made arrangements with the church and paid for extra seamstresses to sew the bridesmaids’ gowns and the rest of Emily’s trousseau.

“Oh, darling, I forgot to tell you.” Phillip motioned to his father. “Dad and Mom have gifted us with the Highland home. No need to house hunt. We have a place all ready for us.”

“That’s very generous, Mr. and Mrs. Saltonstall.” The Saltonstalls’ home sat in the shadow of Red Mountain not but a few blocks from Father and Mother’s. It was lovely. But not Emily’s home. “But, Phillip, I thought we’d find our own home.”

“Why? The Highland house is perfect.” He took a bite of his duck. “And free.”

“We are delighted for you to live there, Emily,” Mrs. Saltonstall said. “The décor is practically new. We remodeled and never moved in.”

Emily hid her emotions behind her glass of tea. But it was Mrs. Saltonstall’s décor. Heavy and dark.

Father burst into the room, his face red, his eyes narrow beams of light. “Phillip, excuse me, but I require your presence.”

“Is everything all right?” Phillip tossed down his napkin as he shoved away from the table.

Howard Jr. stood. “Do you need me as well, Father?”

Mr. Saltonstall joined the brigade. “May I assist?”

“No, no. Phillip is all I need.”

Father’s interruption popped the delight in the atmosphere, dimming the light and merriment. Emily visually checked in with Mother, who wore her usual mask of
all is well
. Especially in front of company.

The clock in the hall ticked off the time. The table conversation was thin and scattered—the lovely December weather, the Christmas program at church, Mr. Saltonstall’s consideration of the newfangled invention of electric lights for the Christmas tree, then of Howard Jr.’s football prowess at Harvard. Mother inquired of his lady friend, Jennifer Barlow, and how she liked Birmingham compared to Boston.

On the half hour, when Father and Phillip had been gone a good twenty minutes, Molly appeared to clear the dishes. “Shall I cut the cake, ma’am?”

“No, we’ll wait for Mr. Canton. But do bring the coffee, Molly.”

Mr. Saltonstall shoved away from the table and started toward the door. “I wonder if I ought to see what’s going on in there.”

“Howard is dealing with this, Cam,” Henrietta said. “Please don’t pace.”

Ten more minutes ticked off. Then Father entered the room with a serious, brooding countenance. “Emily, may I speak with you, please.”

She gazed at him, hesitating, trying to ascertain what was going on. Then she, too, pushed away from the table.

“Certainly, Father.” What could he possibly want with her? Her stomach knotted and cramped. Was she to be arrested again?

“In the library.” Father stood aside to let Emily go first.

“Father, is everything all right?”

He halted her, lightly holding her arm. “You know your own mind, Emily. You always have. You’re a smart girl, and your mother and I have taught you to be wise. To seek the good Lord for wisdom.”

“Father, what is it? You’re scaring me.” Emily pressed her hand to her waist.

“Steady your heart. Listen. Don’t respond until you’ve thought. Ask questions like I taught you.”

“Yes, Father, I will.” Emily entered the library, planning to remain at ease until she saw Daniel with his cap in hand. his cahanoing What are you doing here?” He wore a thick, high-collared sweater and a Norfolk jacket. His eyes narrowed at her, shadowed with concern. But his smile warmed her through to her backbone.

“I came to speak to your father. I didn’t realize you had guests. I’m sorry to intrude.”

“But yet you did. What is the meaning of this?” She smoothed her hand over her silk gown embroidered with gold and trimmed in fur. The three of them, Father, Daniel, and Emily, stood in a loose circle. “You didn’t answer my question.” She flipped her gaze to Phillip, pacing and smoking along the back length of the library.

“I needed to speak to your father.”

“So you said.”

“He came to accuse me, that’s what he came to do.” Phillip hammered out his cigarette in Father’s ashtray and joined the circle.

“Accuse you of what?” Emily glared at Phillip. He could be so dramatic and comical.

“He’s got his cap set for you.” Phillip waved his hand in Daniel’s direction. “He’s a liar. Howard, I believe I’ve had enough of this tomfoolery.”

Phillip took two steps back before Father moved around to block him, his broad hand against Phillip’s shoulders.

“Let’s just sort this out. Daniel, why don’t you tell Emily your story.”

“
Story
is exactly what it is. A woman’s novel. Full of foolishness.” Phillip huffed and puffed like he was still smoking one of his cigarillos. “I think the innocent accused should be allowed to speak first.”

“Phillip, you’ll have plenty of chance for rebuttal once Emily hears the details.” Father spread his hand as if to calm the air. “You both agreed to this method. Now, let’s act like gentlemen. Emily, Daniel came tonight with news that concerned him. He asked to speak to me rather than you so he could obtain my counsel. Once I heard his dilemma, I asked Phillip to come and address him.” Father scowled at the men. Though noticeably longer at Phillip. Emily eased down into a wingback chair. Her dinner churned in her belly. “I asked for them to tell their tales to you. You are of age. You can decide the truth for yourself.”

“Then I am listening.” She squared her shoulders and angled toward Daniel.

“When I came to see you in jail, Emily, the officers ignored me, refused to look at me when they talked to me. So I got suspicious. I know a good many of those chaps and their behavior struck an odd chord with me. I asked Dad to see if anything unusual happened the night of your arrest.”

Phillip lit another cigarillo and blew smoke at Daniel. “This story is far st>

Daniel hesitated but went on. “It took Dad a few weeks, but here’s what he’s figured. Your fiancé was sick of you embarrassing him by going to the colored part of town, and there was some mess about who was making your wedding dress. He claimed you were ruining the family’s reputation. Other society folk were claiming the Cantons were friends of the coloreds. Somehow it got suggested that the separate-but-equal law goes both ways. A little cash to grease a few palms down at the police station, and he had you charged and arrested.”

“Do you think I would throw down good, hard-earned money to have my girl arrested? What kind of nimble-minded fool are you, Ludlow?”

“Not as big a nimble-minded fool as you.”

Phillip exploded, threw his lit cigarillo to Mother’s Persian carpet, and charged Daniel.

“Phillip.” He ran into Father’s tree-trunk chest. “Pick up your smoke, son.”

“But you heard him, Howard.”

“Pick up your smoke before you burn Maggie’s good rug. I won’t be able to help you if she finds a burn mark in it.”

Huffing and red-faced, Phillip bent to retrieve the burning cigarette. Then he whirled around to Daniel. He pointed at Daniel with the lighted stick between his fingers. “Get out. If I ever see you near Emily again, I will have
you
arrested. And there’ll be no mistake about whose name is on the warrant.”

“He’s in my home, Phillip.” Father shot him a glance that used to make Emily run, trembling. “He leaves when I say. Now, Daniel, go on, explain the rest.”

“Dad got his pal at the west precinct to look into your arrest. It took some doing . . . seems there was a big secret about it, but he managed to get a look at the record. Said the name on the warrant was Phillip Saltonstall. Then I talked to my chum, Russ, to see what he could dig up. He has a good nose for news. Russ looked up the lawyer on the case, asked a few well-placed questions as only he can.” Daniel’s lip curled in a cocky grin, sparking a zing through Emily’s middle. “Sure enough, it was Saltonstall here. He had you arrested. Then he got to the police chief and bribed his name off of the record.”

“He’s lying, Emily.” Phillip charged at Daniel, who remained planted, unflinching. “You think our police chief can be so easily bribed?”

“What on earth for?” Emily stood, grabbed Phillip’s arm, and jerked him around to face her. “Did you do this? Don’t lie to me.”

“Have my own fiancée arrested? Do I look like an imbecile? How can you even ask?” Phillip’s eyes were wild, his jaw taut and set. “Did you see my name, Ludlow? My signature? Myan> You’ve let your affection for Emily get in the way of good sense. You’re upsetting her. Not for love but your own selfish gain. Foolishness.”

Emily regarded Phillip, evaluated his tone and words. The man was strong, stubborn, and determined to get what he wanted, yes—but was Phillip a liar?

She knew Daniel was not.

“Emily.” Daniel stepped forward, a pleading tone in his voice. “I don’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry. But I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t tell you.”

“Sure you meant to upset her.” Phillip laughed, mocking. “It’s why you’re here. To turn her against me. Are you denying that you love her?” He angled toward Daniel, puffed with his cocky composure.

Daniel bunched his cap in his hand. “No, I don’t deny it.” When he looked at Emily, his blue irises radiated a heat that made her lungs swell. “The only reason I’m here is because of love. But she’s made her choice. You.” He raised his gaze to Phillip. “I’m no threat to you, Saltonstall. But Emily deserves the truth.”

“Your version of the truth is not mine.” Phillip lit another cigarillo.