Part 10 (1/2)
Eighth Course COLD ASPARAGUS VINAIGRETTE.
Ninth Course PATe DE FOIE GRAS.
CELERY.
Tenth Course WALDORF PUDDING.
PEACHES IN CHARTREUSE JELLY.
CHOCOLATE & VANILLA eCLAIRS.
FRENCH ICE CREAM.
She slipped a copy of the menu into her purse. Lydia might like that as a keepsake but seemed too excited now to think of anything.
They went through the usual number of courses, which seemed to go more quickly than usual. No one bothered their table, and after the men left, no one lingered.
Lydia worried, ”It's so late and getting colder on the outside deck. I wonder if some will simply go to their rooms and turn on their heaters or get beneath the covers.”
”Not a chance,” Caroline reb.u.t.ted. ”Anybody who is anybody wouldn't miss this for the world.”
Lydia laughed. ”I've been a bridesmaid a couple of times. This hardly compares. I hope I won't fall down the staircase.”
”Don't worry. There's not a chance of that.”
Seeing the astonishment on Lydia's face, she laughed. ”We have everything under control. We'll tell you every move to make, and all you need do is obey. After all, tonight you'll promise to love and cherish for the rest of your life and,” she emphasized, ”obey.”
Lydia laughed with her and said, ”I could manage a couple of those.”
18.
The wedding, Sunday evening, 10:00 p.m., April 14, 1912 Shortly before 10:00 p.m. Lydia, in the white wedding dress and veil, wondered if she would ever breathe normally again as she rode up in the elevator with Caroline.
”Stay close,” Caroline instructed as they stepped onto the upper deck. The band played a tune Lydia didn't recognize.
”Stand behind me,” Caroline said, ”and you can peek around.”
The sight was unbelievable. Below the staircase, more than three hundred people-it seemed the entire first-cla.s.s-were adorned more elaborately than at the formal dinners. Jewels glistened more brightly than the chandeliers. Men stood in formal wear, gloves, white s.h.i.+rts, vests, and white bow ties.
Across the way, beyond the staircase, several people stood in a doorway facing her, and she knew John was there. Collette, a beautiful, widely acclaimed singer who had been pointed out to Lydia, walked to the edge of the railing near the clock.
The band played ”Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” Collette's beautiful voice seemed to rise up to the gla.s.s dome, over the guests on the deck, and out across the sea.
Even from a distance Lydia's gaze at John in the doorway said, I'm in love with you. He answered the words, Say you love me too, with an ever-so-slight dip of his head, and a smile curved his beautiful lips.
When Collette finished the song, Harriett appeared and quietly described the singer's gown to Lydia. Then she did the same for the captain, who walked from the opposite room to stand on the landing in front of the clock. He wore a white Edwardian tuxedo with miniature medals on his jacket and rank braid on the cuffs.
The band played ”Be My Love,” and Craven strolled across the deck and stood to the left of the captain. Craven looked perfect in his formal wear, but Lydia allowed him only a glance. John was the object of her attention.
Lydia's eyes did not veer from John as he took his place on the landing, in front of the s.p.a.ce between the captain and Craven. He stood with his side to the staircase, waiting for her.
The onlookers seemed to fade away as if the only reality were she and John. She thought her heart might burst.
But reality made an appearance in the form of young Henry, when he caused a slight commotion. Lady Lavinia tapped his shoulder, and he moved forward. He looked adorable in his formal suit, tails, and white bow tie, and holding a white satin cus.h.i.+on with ta.s.sels at each corner.
Lavinia coughed lightly. Henry stopped, looked back, then walked backwards and took his place beside Craven.
A few amused murmurs sounded. Caroline whispered, ”That's what an audience looks for. That moment when a child delights them with a light moment amid the seriousness. Reminds us we're human.”
Lydia needed that. She was feeling like a princess.
”Now it's my turn,” Caroline said. The band played, and she leisurely moved across the deck in her elegant pink and rose gown and gleaming jewels. She took her place near the right side of the captain. Lydia saw the look of delight on her face.
Lydia knew this wasn't the usual order of wedding procession. But, as many said, nothing on the t.i.tanic was like anything in that other world out there.
”Now you, beautiful girl,” Harriett prompted, and Phoebe began her slow steps along the deck, holding a white basket and dropping an occasional pink rose petal, the color of her satin and lace dress. The blush of youth adorned her cheeks. Her every gesture was perfect, and not a single s.h.i.+ny black curl moved.
A moment of silence followed. Glancing down, past the elaborate railing of iron scrollwork, Lydia glimpsed the happy, smiling faces of those who wanted to celebrate with her and John. Farther back were staff members and s.h.i.+p officers.
She ordered her tears not to fall.
Harriett handed her a bouquet of pink, red, and white roses tied with a satin bow and said, ”Breathe, dear.” The band began to play ”The Bridal Chorus.”
She hardly saw anyone, but kept her eyes on John, facing her. She reached him and took his outstretched hand. They stood for a moment looking at each other with their sides to the audience.
”The bouquet,” Caroline whispered, and she handed it to her. She and John faced the captain.
”Who gives this woman to be wed?”
”We do,” sounded a few feminine and a couple of masculine voices in unison. Lydia suppressed a nervous giggle. They'd rehea.r.s.ed a few things without her knowledge.
”Dearly beloved,” Captain Smith said solemnly. Lydia felt the light squeeze of John's fingers.
The only other time she held her breath was during the part about objections being stated or one should forever hold his peace.
He . . . did.
At the appropriate time, little Henry held out the cus.h.i.+on on which gleamed two golden wedding bands. One was Caroline's. John must have gotten the other one from the jeweler.
She could hardly believe the words, ”I now p.r.o.nounce you husband and wife.”
There was a pause.
No applause?