Irving Wallace - The Golden Room

Taking her by the hand, he led her first into the Japanese Room and then the Blue Room, but both were filled with chattering male guests and Everleigh girls.

At last, arriving at the Moorish Room, Bruce saw that it was unoccupied and he drew Karen inside.

'I want to talk to you,' he told her.

He led her across the brilliant Oriental carpet and between smoking incense burners to a small sofa. He sat her down, and then seated himself close to her.

'Karen,' he said, 'you've known ever since we met – I made it no secret – that I'm in love with you.'

'Oh, Bruce,' she said, her voice catching, putting her arms around him and kissing him. 'And you know I'm in love with you.'

Separating himself from her, Bruce said, 'I've been in love with you from the start, but I didn't realize how much until I almost lost you at Holmes's place. Now I want to – I want to discuss us.'

'I'm ready,' said Karen.

'I've wanted to ask you to marry me. I want to marry you more than anything -'

'Bruce, dear -'

'No, hear me out, Karen. There are problems. You're a big-city girl. I'm a country boy. You're a working woman, living fairly well on your own, I gather. I'm a fellow who runs a small Kentucky farm – and a home for my half-paralysed father. All I have to my name is a small stud farm and my winnings from the Derby. Eventually, I want to plough that money back into stallions and mares. I'll hope to breed more Derby winners, always a long shot. If you married me, I'd be taking you back to an old house in Kentucky. We'd live with my father, a dear man, but he does need some attention. You'd be isolated from city life down there. I don't know if that's the kind of life I can ask you to share with me.'

Karen emitted a sigh. 'Bruce, how can you be so smart in so many ways, and be so dumb about this? I love you. How many times do I have to tell you? I want to live with you wherever you live, however you live, because I want to be with you now and for ever. Bruce, stop being a donkey and tell me you will marry me, the sooner the better, right now, here and now.'

In those seconds all of Bruce's reservations had fled. 'You mean that?'

'I'll prove it. Let's get married tonight. The minute that minister has finished marrying your sister and Alan, let's grab him and make him marry us too.' 'Karen, that's perfect!'

He rose to his feet, pulling her up with him, and embraced her, smothering her with kisses. 'Come on,' he said, 'let's find the minister.'

He tried to take her hand to leave the Moorish Room, but she remained firmly planted, refusing to go.

'Not so fast,' she said, 'not yet.'

He stood before Karen. 'Why not? What's wrong?'

Karen smiled sweetly. 'I don't think you should marry a virgin. I think on your wedding night you should enjoy an experienced woman. Don't you?'

Confused, Bruce hesitated. 'Well, really, I don't know.'

'I know,' said Karen. 'Believe me, Bruce, it would be better. No fumbling, no tension, if we're both experienced. After that, from our wedding night on, it will get better and better.'

'You mean that, don't you?'

'I mean it. I'm ready. I still have my bedroom. Don't you want to make a virgin happy?'

He kissed her. 'You bet I do.' He took her hand. 'Right now.'

Slipping away from the banquet guests slowly filling the Everleigh Club, Karen and Bruce made their way to her room.

Once inside, Karen locked the door. There was only one lamp shining dimly. The rest of the room was dark.

Without a word they began to undress.

He was the first to strip and to stand nude. Standing apart from him, she dropped the last of her clothes.

His eyes widened as he took her in. 'My God, I've never seen anyone so beautiful.'

She stared at him. 'I've never seen a man undressed before…'

He went to her and pressing his body against hers, he could feel her heart thumping.

Taking her hand, he led her to the bed.

'You know what to do?' he asked softly.

'I think so.'

She lifted herself on to the bed, and settled on her back, frightened and thrilled.

Lying close, Bruce kissed her on the mouth, ran kisses down her cheek and neck, until his lips found her nipples.

Her nipples hardened and his tongue on them began to arouse her. As he moved above her body, her hand went to the back of his head. 'Please – please – oh, please, don't wait,' she gasped. 'I can't stand this. Please do it. Do it now.'

He guided his hardened penis downward, and slowly, slowly he entered her.

'Ahhh,' she said. 'Ahhh – deeper, deeper.'

He went in all the way, going slowly.

Once he stopped, drew himself back, and glanced down at the bed sheet.

'Darling, you're not a virgin anymore,' he said, and added, 'You're an experienced woman.'

'Make me more experienced,' she breathed. And they went on.

Half an hour later, composed and fully dressed, they held hands, in love, and walked away from the bedroom.

The downstairs hallway was empty and quiet. From the muted sounds of conversation and laughter somewhere in the Club, they realized that almost everyone had gathered in the Gold Room.

Karen and Bruce made their way to the entrance, and they saw Cathleen in her white satin and lace wedding gown and Alan standing before a tall Lutheran minister, while the guests – including Prince Henry of Prussia – watched the conclusion of the wedding. Minna and Aida were beaming at the bride, and Armbruster and his wife stood behind the groom.

'Alan Armbruster,' the minister intoned, 'wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?'

'I will,' said Alan.

'Cathleen Lester, wilt thou have this man to be they wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?'

'I will,' Cathleen replied in a firm serious voice.

The minister bent towards them and whispered something.

Alan took Cathleen's right hand and spoke. 'I, Alan Armbruster, take thee, Cathleen Lester, to be my wedded wife, and plight thee my troth, till death us do part.'

Then Cathleen raised her voice to speak. 'I, Cathleen Lester, take thee, Alan Armbruster, to be my wedded husband, and plight thee my troth, till death us do part.'

The minister said, 'The ring, please.'

Harold Armbruster took the blue velvet box out of his pocket, snapped it open, removed the wedding band, and handed it to his son.

Alan placed the ring on the fourth finger of Cathleen's left hand, and he stated, 'Receive this ring as a token of wedded love and troth.'

The minister directed, 'Join your right hands.'

Cathleen and Alan took each other's right hand as the minister covered them with his own, and announced, 'Forasmuch as Alan Armbruster and Cathleen Lester have consented together in holy wedlock, and have declared the same before God and in the presence of this company, I pronounce them man and wife. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.'

Cathleen lifted her veil, and went into Alan's arms as he gave her a prolonged kiss.

Music struck up from somewhere in the Gold Room, and the guests gathered in small groups joined in with applause and cheers.

Watching, Karen tugged at Bruce's sleeve. 'Our turn next.'

'Right now,' said Bruce.

'In the Moorish Room where we can be alone with the minister – and Minna and Aida as our witnesses – if the minister will do it.'

'He will,' promised Bruce. He strode into the centre of the Gold Room, got the attention of the minister, and whispered to him.