Chapter 4 – A Wedding and an Introduction (1915)
"I'm so nervous Esme. Everyone is going to be looking at me…do you think it will rain? I don't want it to rain, although I have heard that rain on your wedding day is meant to be good luck…the feathers on the ladies' hats though! You don't want rain to ruin people's best hats at your wedding…what if the afternoon tea isn't good? Mama and the aunts and I have been baking and baking, and there's going to be sandwiches and some cold salads, I hope people like it…"
My mouth was full of hairpins and all I could do was interject indistinct mumbles into Lucy's rambling monologue, but that was all she wanted. Lucy, my closest friend, was about to get married, and as I tried to pin her flyaway curls into some order all she really needed was my ear.
At last I was nearly done. I added three more hairpins in an effort to control the uncontrollable, and then fastened flowers into place to hide the multitude of metal hairpins I had stabbed into the curls. "There you are. It looks lovely!"
Lucy beamed at our reflection in the mirror. "Thank you! You've performed a miracle, my hair actually looks tidy for once…I don't think Nicholas will recognise me!"
I laughed, and quickly smoothed out my own hair before pinning my own spray of blossoms into place. My hair was much more manageable than Lucy's and I thought I was looking particularly pretty with my caramel curls clustered about my head and the pink bridesmaid dress. "We should go down," I said, handing Lucy her bouquet. "They'll be waiting for you."
The two of us headed downstairs, where her father was waiting to drive us to the church. Her mother and the multitude of relatives had already gone, and the house was quiet.
"All ready then?" her father asked, standing up and folding his paper. He smiled affectionately at his daughter. "You look right pretty today, Lucy my girl."
Lucy hugged him and we all climbed into the trap. Lucy had said she was nervous, but she seemed anything but as the two of us sat in the seat and she giggled and talked.
"Nicholas has some cousins that I want to introduce you to," Lucy said to me, with a familiar gleam in her eye. "I met them at the dinner last night, and there's one in particular… His parents used to live in the district, he's good looking and he has an office job, and he's really at an age where you'd think he'd be married, so…"
"Lucy!" I exclaimed, laughing in exasperation. "Why do you insist that I have to go searching for someone to marry? You know that I'm happy as I am! I like my books and helping Mr Sanderson with the little ones at the school and my charity knitting for the Ladies Auxiliary, and I'm perfectly content to remain a spinster. Perhaps I'll even get some cats," I added teasingly.
Lucy rolled her eyes. "But you'd make such a good wife and mother, and I know it's what your parents want. You just have to be realistic about the options…you can't keep holding out for someone who's going to measure up to your ideal of the perfect man! You know that one is never coming back."
My lips tightened. I wished I'd never even mentioned Dr Cullen to Lucy! I knew he was never coming back, and it wasn't as though I really thought that a cultured and educated man like him would be looking for a country girl wife even if he did. I had never entertained any serious thoughts about Dr Cullen and I, but at the same time his kindness and my enjoyment of the time we'd spent together when I was sixteen had stayed with me since. And maybe the men I met as a woman didn't quite measure up to that one golden man I had met when I was sixteen, but why should I settle for less? I hadn't been lying when I said to Lucy that I was happy being an unmarried girl.
"At least promise me you'll give him a chance," Lucy said with a sigh, and I rolled my eyes but nodded assent as we drew up in front of the churchyard.
The wedding was sweet, and I was happy for Lucy and Nicholas as they made their vows. They'd been friends since childhood and I was sure they'd have a very happy life together. I was also glad that they would make their home in a little cottage on Nicholas' parents' farm, which Nicholas ran with his father. It was common on our district to marry early, and most of the other girls who had gone through school with Lucy and I were married and moved away by then. It was comforting to think that Lucy and I would be able to continue our friendship.
An afternoon tea was held in the church hall after the wedding. As Lucy was kissed and congratulated and fussed over by everyone who had come to see her married, I helped out by carrying cups of tea and plates of food. I didn't mind. I enjoyed getting a chance to talk to people and I also had many compliments on my bridesmaid dress, which was flattering. At last everyone was served though, and I filled a plate for myself and sat down at an empty table to enjoy it with a cup of tea.
The table wasn't empty for long. Only moments later Lucy came tripping over to me, her face flushed with excitement and her hair escaping from the pins and fluffing out like a halo around her face. Behind her was a man with neat brown hair and a small moustache, holding his hat in one hand and balancing a cup and saucer in the other.
"Esme! There you are!" Lucy exclaimed. "I want you to meet someone. This is Charles Evenson, Nicholas' cousin. I think your father knows his father too. Charles, this is my best friend and bridesmaid, Esme Platt."
Charles nodded at me. "Nice to meet you Esme," he said, offering a hand.
I quickly brushed the crumbs off my hands and grasped his hand firmly. "You too."
Charles looked to be several years older than I was, but there were laughter lines around his eyes as he smiled at me and I didn't mind when he asked if he could sit with me to drink his tea. Lucy hugged me tightly and whispered, "Give him a chance!" in my ear before she flitted off again.
"You're Nicholas' cousin?" I said into the sudden silence.
"Yes, our mothers are sisters," Charles replied. "Actually, my family used to farm out this way too, on the Thurston Road. My parents sold the farm and moved into town several years ago."
Oh, those Evensons. They had had one of the most profitable farms in the district and had sold it to the Millers, the family of my friend Amanda. In fact I remembered that the youngest Evenson boy had been in school when I began- Joseph or James, I wasn't sure of the name, but he had been one of the big boys that we first year girls were scared of. I thought that my father and Mr Evenson had been friends too.
"I think I was in school with your brother?" I said questioningly. "He was one of the older boys…"
"James," Charles filled in. "He works in the bank now."
I could feel his eyes on me, and he was looking interested when I risked a quick, sidelong glance. He seemed nice, and I offered him my plate of food and he thanked me as he took a sandwich triangle.
"What do you do with yourself, Esme?"
"The usual things," I said cheerfully. "I like reading and drawing, and I help Mother with the house and the farm. Our garden is doing particularly well this year. I help Mr Sanderson at the school too, teaching some of the little ones. He said they're doing very well with me."
I couldn't help the tone of pride in my voice. I loved my work at the school, helping teach the first grades and doing some craft and sewing classes with the older girls. I still hoped that my parents would see what a good job I was doing and accept that I really did want to teach and give me their blessing. So far they had remained steadfast in their opinion that it wasn't a suitable occupation for me, but in the meantime I was gaining valuable experience and having a wonderful time.
"It sounds like you keep yourself busy," Charles said lightly.
"It's easy when you like what you're doing." I drank the last of my tea and looked at him curiously. "What do you do with yourself then?"
Charles laughed. "I work a lot," he admitted. "I'm an accounts manager at a manufacturing plant and I've been putting in long hours, although I recently earned a promotion which was a welcome reward. I bought a house last year and I've been doing a lot of work on that too- it was barely fit for habitation when I bought it, but it's much improved now."
"What did you have to do with your house?" I asked. My interest in architecture and design hadn't faded with years, and I was interested in what renovation and changes he might have felt necessary for a city house.
"Do you really want to know?" Charles questioned.
I nodded quickly. "Yes, I really do."
Charles seemed amused at my interest. "I intend for it to be completely modern," he told me. "I've wired it for electricity and installed the most up-to-date kitchen. I had to do a lot of structural work on it, as the floors had rotted through and some of the walls were damaged, but that's finished and I have new flooring laid throughout, and new wallpaper hung. I screened in the back porch so there would be a place for plants and to sit in the summer. I've not had time to do much in the garden, but I have plans and if I get the stonework done before winter I think I'll be ready to plant in the spring."
"You did all that work yourself?" I was impressed.
Charles nodded. "Yes. I had some help with the electric wiring from a friend who's had a little experience with it, but most of it was done on my own." He grinned at me. "I may be an account manager now, but I grew up on a farm and learned to use my hands!"
I smiled. "Of course you would have. I know my father would remember your family."
Charles glanced across the room. "Perhaps I'll have to speak to him. My father couldn't come today, but he asked me to give people his regards."
"I'm sure Mother and Father would like to hear how they are now." I ate the last little cream pastry and without thinking licked the powdered sugar from my fingers, realising too late that Charles was watching me. I blushed red and hid my hands my lap. "Oh dear, I seem to have forgotten my manners. Please forgive me."
Charles chuckled. "Don't give it another thought."
I shook my head ruefully. "At least Mother didn't see me…she thinks I behave like a barbarian sometimes! But really, those little pastries were good. You should have had some."
"Maybe I should." Charles looked across at the buffet table and then back at me. "If you promise to wait here for me I'll bring you some more?"
"I won't go anywhere."
Charles was barely halfway across the room before my mother was standing at my elbow. "Esme Anne, who is that gentleman you're talking to?" she demanded.
I wasn't sure whether she was disapproving or excited that I was actually talking to a man. Probably excited. My friend Lucy wasn't the only one who thought I should be more focused on finding a husband!
"Charles Evenson," I answered. "He's Nicholas' cousin, and his parents used to live in the area."
"I remember the family," Mother said, looking at him thoughtfully. "He must be the second son. The oldest son worked the farm with Mr Evenson until he was killed, and that was when they sold the property and moved to town."
My mother had an encyclopaedic knowledge of everyone who had ever resided in our area and everything that had happened in their lives. She wasn't exactly a gossip, she was just…interested in people? Either way she sounded quite pleased when she added, "He's from a good family Esme. Are you enjoying yourself with him?"
I refrained from the impatient sigh I could feel building up. "It's nothing, Mother. Really. Lucy introduced us and he's talking to be polite, I'm sure."
At that moment Charles reappeared, holding a plate of pastries and cakes, a fresh cup of tea in his other hand. He gave me the teacup, placed the plate on the table, and then turned his smile on my mother, holding out his hand.
"Mrs Platt? Charles Evenson, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Mother shook his hand. "You too. I remember your parents. They're well?"
I tuned out their conversation, more interested in the delicacies on the plate than I was in their discussion of people I didn't know. I thought I might be making a bit of a pig of myself, but in the end I shrugged it off. Lucy and her mother certainly could bake, and it would be a shame to see any of that delicious food go to waste!
Charles and my mother eventually said goodbye and Charles sat down beside me. "Your mother is a lovely woman," he said.
I grinned and pushed the plate towards him. "Thank you for these…you'd better have some before I eat them all!"
Charles' eyes crinkled up and he took one of the little cherry tartlets and stuffed it into his mouth. "I wouldn't want that!" he joked when he'd swallowed it.
We shared the remainder of the food, talking amiably. He told me about the company he worked for, who produced furniture, and about his job there. He asked about my family and what work I did on the farm, and I told him about our large kitchen garden and the laying hens.
I didn't really keep track of time, and I was surprised when I heard the call for everyone to go outside and see the wedding couple off. Charles offered me his arm and with a slight hesitation I took his elbow and the two of us walked outside to the crowd.
Lucy looked radiant as she stood by the carriage door, smiling and blowing kisses to her tearful mother and sisters. Nicholas was beaming as he held her hand to help her up. I waved as I caught her eye and then, with unerring aim, Lucy threw her bouquet at me. I caught it automatically, before the laughter and cheers reminded me of what a caught bridal bouquet meant, and then I nearly dropped it in embarrassment. I was glad when the carriage began to move, and everyone was too busy waving at the departing bride and groom to look at me.
"Well done," Charles said in my ear. "That was a good catch."
I buried my nose in the sweet blossoms and didn't answer him. It was such a silly tradition and I had no real desire to get married, but even so…
"I'd like to see you again Esme," Charles said. "Would that be agreeable to you?"
Surprised at his directness, I looked up and met his eyes. "Well…yes, I'd like that."
Charles smiled at me and touched my elbow lightly. "Thank you. If you'll excuse me I need to be going, and I would like a word with your father before I do."
"Of course. I will…well, I guess I'll see you again?"
Charles smiled and gave me a quick wink. "Very soon, I hope."
I watched him stride across to my father and shake his hand, noting how confidently he held himself and how assured he was as he introduced himself. As I watched I idly twirled the bouquet until I felt a sharp jab into my thumb.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed, looking down to see where a thorn from one of the roses' stems had pierced my thumb. They were supposed to have been all removed…I guessed they must have missed one. The bead of blood welling up from my skin was dark red, and without a second thought I licked it away and then scraped the thorn from the stem with my thumbnail. There. It was gone, and once again I admired the prettiness of the flowers, smelling their sweet, cloying scent.
