Part 9 (2/2)
The wedding party, as Lydia had begun to think of them, ate lunch on Lydia's deck. They had to ensure everything would be as perfect as that wedding dress. Trunks would have to be brought up for the entire first cla.s.s because as Molly said in a joking way that held truth, ”The ladies can't wear their dinner attire to a wedding like this.”
Lady Lavinia reminded them, ”Every lady on the s.h.i.+p will have to get her hair done before dinner.”
That afternoon Lydia's hair would not behave. She'd never seen Marcella so nervous. She burst into tears and could not tame Lydia's curls.
There was only one thing to do. ”Get Caroline.”
Caroline and Bess came in. Among the three of them, they accomplished a miracle. ”Your curls shouldn't be tamed,” Caroline said. ”Let them fall across your forehead and these longer ones along your face.”
She did like the effect, and Marcella stopped crying.
They would put the jeweled combs in later, making sure to leave room for fastening the veil.
Caroline felt she had plenty of time. Her hair was wavy. Bess never had any trouble sweeping it back into a roll above her ears or piled high on her head.
”The usual style, Bess. I'll just wear more jewels for the wedding.”
”Yes, ma'am. Everything you will need is right in the top of your jewelry box. Rubies and diamonds for the dress. Emeralds for your eyes.”
”My eyes are brownish.”
”With a touch of green when you're happy.”
Caroline glanced at her quickly through the mirror, but Bess kept looking at her hair, wearing her characteristic impa.s.sive expression. She recalled that in her young years she'd been told she had green eyes. They'd changed to hazel. She never really gave them much thought.
At the moment, she gave Bess some thought. Bess was a twenty-nine-year-old spinster. She'd been a governess in early days and that's the reason Caroline chose her among the household staff after her marriage to William. She wanted someone who would become familiar with her and the household. And Caroline would decide if she thought Bess would be good with children.
She did think so. But the children never came.
And Bess became more like a mother to Caroline. Gently patting the roll, Bess said, ”There.” She looked into the mirror. ”You're a very beautiful woman, Mrs. Chadwick.”
”Thank you.” Caroline thought she looked like a proper, matronly woman.
She'd never asked if Bess had wanted to marry and have children. Maybe someday they could simply talk like one woman to another. But for now, there wasn't time.
That's what Lydia said when Caroline went to her room and told her it was time for dinner.
”I don't have time for dinner,” Lydia wailed even as they headed for the dining saloon.
”But you must make an appearance,” Caroline said needlessly. ”The guests consider this your pre-wedding dinner.”
”Oh, I'm glad I have you to think for me,” Lydia said. ”This is the most splendid wedding any girl could have.”
”You'll be a prime target for the photographers the moment you step out onto the deck, and next week you'll be famous throughout the world.”
Lydia raised her hand to her brow. ”Was it only yesterday all I wanted was to marry John?”
Caroline shrugged. ”This is the price you pay for being rich, beautiful, and on the most magnificent s.h.i.+p in the world.”
Lydia grimaced. ”Oh, the burdens we bear.”
”Yes,” Caroline agreed playfully. ”Now we enter through those doors for your last dinner as a single woman.”
At the table for the wedding party only, Caroline looked over the menu.
R.M.S. t.i.tANIC.
APRIL 14, 1912.
First Course HORS D'OEUVRE VARIES.
OYSTERS.
Second Course CONSOMMe OLGA.
CREAM OF BARLEY.
Third Course POACHED SALMON with MOUSSELINE SAUCE CUc.u.mBERS.
Fourth Course FILET MIGNONS LILI.
SAUTe OF CHICKEN LYONNAISE.
VEGETABLE MARROW FARCIS.
Fifth Course LAMB, MINT SAUCE.
ROAST DUCKLING, APPLE SAUCE.
SIRLOIN OF BEEF, CHATEAU POTATOES.
GREEN PEAS.
CREAMED CARROTS.
BOILED RICE.
PARMENTIER & BOILED NEW POTATOES.
Sixth Course PUNCH ROMAINE.
Seventh Course ROAST SQUAB & CRESS.
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