Danielle Steel: A Good Woman

The car drove them to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, on Fifth Avenue, and the chauffeur let Josiah out first. He turned and handed Annabelle out of the car. She was wearing her blond hair pulled back, under the velvet and sable hat, with a small face veil. She looked as stylish as any woman in Paris, and older than her years, because of the opulent black gown. Josiah had never been prouder.

“You know, for a girl who’d rather be scrubbing floors in a hospital and dissecting cadavers, you look very nice when you get dressed up,” he said lightly, and she laughed, which only made her look prettier, as her mother’s diamond earrings sparkled behind the thin veil. She looked elegant, sensual, and romantic, and Josiah was bowled over by the woman he hoped to marry. He hadn’t fully realized how truly beautiful she was, because she made so little fuss about herself, and while in mourning she never wore fancy clothes or makeup. He had been at her coming-out ball the year before, but even then she hadn’t looked this pretty. She had grown into her womanhood in the year since then.

An usher in white tie and tails escorted them to a pew near the front on the bride’s side of the church. They had been expected, and Josiah noticed people looking at them with quiet admiration. They made a very dashing couple. Annabelle was oblivious to it, dazzled by the absolute forest of white orchids that Hortie’s mother had ordered. Annabelle had seen the gown, and knew that Hortie was going to look gorgeous in it. She had a terrific figure. The gown was low-cut white satin, covered with white lace, with a train that would stretch out for miles behind her. There were sixteen bridesmaids in pale gray satin gowns, carrying tiny orchids. It was a very stylish wedding, and Hortie was going to carry a huge ball of lily of the valley.

They took their seats as Annabelle looked around. She knew everyone in the pews ahead of and behind them, and Josiah knew most of them as well. People smiled and made little gestures of greeting. They looked interested to see her with Josiah, and he noticed then that her mother had let her wear lipstick. In his opinion there was no more beautiful woman in the church than Annabelle as she sat beside him, including the bride as she came down the aisle, to Wagner’s Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin.

All eyes were on Hortie, and her father had never looked prouder. It was then that Annabelle realized that on her own wedding day there would be no one to walk her down the aisle, neither her father, nor her brother. Thinking about it brought tears to her eyes, and seeing that, Josiah gently patted her arm. He had a feeling that was what she was thinking. He was developing good instincts about her, and getting to know her well. And although he hadn’t been in her life for long, he was beginning to love her. He enjoyed sitting through the church service with her. Everything went smoothly, and when the bride and groom walked back down the aisle after the ceremony, to Mendelssohn, everyone was beaming. All sixteen bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen walked out solemnly behind them, including a five-year-old ring bearer, and a three-year-old flower girl in a white organdy dress, who forgot to strew the rose petals and just clutched them in her hand.

Annabelle and Josiah greeted friends in the throng of people in the vestibule of the church. They passed through the receiving line to congratulate the bride and groom and both sets of parents, and finally, an hour after the ceremony, everyone left the church for the reception. Annabelle wished she could go with them, she knew it was going to be a fabulous party that would go on all night, but there was no question of it for her. Josiah rode home with her in the car, and walked her into the house, as Annabelle thanked him for going with her.

“I had a wonderful time,” she said, looking ecstatic. It had been fun to catch a glimpse of all her friends, and even meet some of Josiah’s who were, of course, much older than she was, but seemed very nice.

“So did I,” he said honestly. He had been so proud to be with her. She was such a beautiful young woman.

“You should hurry, so you’re not late to the reception,” she said, as she took off her hat, kissed his cheek, and shooed him toward the door. She looked even prettier without the veil, and her mother’s earrings were blinding.

“I’m in no rush,” he said easily. “I declined the reception.” He was smiling at her.

“You did?” She looked startled. “Why? It’s going to be the wedding of the year.” Hortie’s parents had gone all out, and she didn’t want Josiah to miss it. It didn’t occur to her why he had declined.

“I’ve been to a lot of weddings of the year.” He laughed, and added, “For a lot of years. There are always others. Why would I go to the reception, when you can’t? That doesn’t seem right to me. The church service was fine. We saw lots of people. I can go to parties anytime. Why don’t we go down to the kitchen and make something to eat? I make a terrific sandwich and a mean omelette.” Neither of them had eaten dinner. The staff had disappeared for the night, and her mother was upstairs in her room, probably asleep.

“Are you serious? Don’t you think you should go to the reception?” she pressed. She felt guilty for keeping him from going.

“It would be pretty strange if I showed up after I declined.” He laughed again. “They’d think I was out of my mind, and I wouldn’t have a seat. So let’s check out what’s in your icebox, and I’ll dazzle you with my culinary skills.”

“In that suit?” He was wearing white tie and tails, with handsome mother of pearl and diamond studs and cuff links.

“I might take off the jacket, if you won’t be too shocked.” He had on the traditional white piqué tie and vest, also with studs in the vest, all of which he’d had made in Paris with the top hat. He was a very handsome vision, and a perfect match for her.

“I won’t be shocked. I’ll take off my jacket too,” she said, taking off the sable-trimmed velvet jacket that matched her dress, and exposing creamy white shoulders, and a well-shaped bosom that he glanced at discreetly.

“That’s quite a dress,” he said, smiling at her in admiration.

“I’m glad you like it,” she said shyly. The evening suddenly felt very grown-up to her. Her debut ball was the only event of its kind she had ever attended. And she had very much enjoyed going to the wedding with Josiah at her side.

Annabelle led him down to the kitchen and turned on the lights. Everything was immaculate and had been left in perfect order. They checked the icebox and found eggs, butter, cooked vegetables, half a turkey, and some ham. She took most of it out and set it on the kitchen table. And then she found lettuce, and some fresh vegetables in the larder.

She set the table with the kitchen plates, in her evening gown, as Josiah took off his tailcoat and made dinner. He sliced the ham and turkey finely, made a salad, and cooked an excellent cheese omelette in a skillet. It was a delicious meal, as they sat at the kitchen table and chatted, and commented on who they’d seen. He told her little bits of gossip about some of the people she’d met, and she filled him in on some of her friends. It was a lively exchange, and they sat talking long after they finished the meal. She didn’t have the key to the wine cellar, and he said he was delighted with a glass of milk. It was the nicest evening Annabelle had had in years.

They talked about the holidays, and he said he was going to Boston to be with his family for Thanksgiving, but said he would be in New York for Christmas. She reminded herself to ask her mother if they could invite him to Christmas dinner. It was going to be a tough one for them that year. It was hard to believe that a year after her ball their life had changed so dramatically, and she said as much to him.