Chapter Fifty-Six
"Listen Nick, I overheard Sarah talking to you last night." Heath's voice carried an apologetic note, and he took a deep breath. They were standing in the vestry, waiting for the wedding to begin. The room was paneled in smooth dark wood up to the wainscoting, and then painted a calming shade of green. The windows, while of clear glass were framed with green glass, with the seal of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles at the top, done in multi-colored stained glass.
Nick looked at the two bears that decorated the arms, symbol of the California Republic, as he thought about his response. Last night, during his speech he had referenced the family tradition of giving your bride a pearl necklace, as he spoke about his father and brother. In his mind it wasn't anything more than an anecdote, and from what he'd been able to tell everyone else took it the same way.
Sarah though had come up to him, as the party was breaking up, and spoke to him in a curt voice. The gist was that she had not appreciated him drawing attention to her or Heath, and that he needed to be more careful in the public statements he made. Nick had been stunned at first, as he looked down at the woman who was regarding him with disdain in her small brown eyes, her thin lips drawn tightly together.
Before he could even begin to think about a reply Elspeth was suddenly next to him, and turning his attention to the departing guests. Clearly Elspeth had heard the conversation, and was saving him from answering Sarah. Nick was shocked at Sarah's words. He wondered at how she thought everything was about her. He had heard about her touchiness before, from Audra and veiled references from his Mother, but had never seen it firsthand.
Now, looking at how concerned Heath was he felt bad for his brother, and what his life must be like. Nick wondered if Heath walked on eggshells all the time, and that was why he put up with Sarah's work schedule. If she could get so spun up about a casual reference – in a speech that really had nothing to do with her – how would it be day in and out? He shook his head and decided to put it all out of sight for now.
"Don't worry about it Heath. We'd all had a good evening, and I'm sure Sarah was just giving me a hard time." Nick put his arm around his brother's shoulders, wanting to reassure him. In truth Sarah never drank anything and had no sense of humor at all. However he didn't want his brother to be bothered about the matter, petty as it was. Luckily a diversion presented itself in the form of their older brother.
"God! Sorry I am late! What an evening!" Jarrod came rushing into the room sartorially correct in his wardrobe. Nick, casting a careful eye at Jarrod's pasty complexion and puffy eyes ringed by dark circles knew that his brother had not enjoyed a restful night. The well-tailored morning jacket of fine grey wool and the intricate neck tie of perfect white linen folds ornamented with a silver tiepin that bore the Barkley was testament only to Soo Lin's talents.
"Jarrod, you look like you didn't go to bed! I thought the bridegroom was supposed to be out all night before the wedding." Heath's voice was enthusiastic, and Nick was sure that his younger brother was glad to have a change of subject. He did have to agree with Heath that Jarrod looked worse for the wear. Luckily there was a coffee cart in the corner of the room, overseen by a houseboy attached to the parsonage.
"Well after you all left me alone." Jarrod stated, as he poured himself a cup of coffee, which he drank black. He then poured another one, this time adding some cream and sugar. "I ended up keeping Cousin Andy company; he wanted to play cards." The comment was delivered with a baleful sigh, which caused Nick and Heath to look expectantly at Jarrod.
"Can that man drink? We also had the Hawaiian prince, George Third Hanover – George Hanover Third?" Jarrod shook his head, and his brother's understood the reference. They had been surprised to find out that the Hawaiian royal family took their cues from the British monarchy. The current king's given name was William Pitt, while their youngest brother was Augustus Richard. "Did you know that he has four wives? But two of them are only ceremonial? How do you do that?"
"Well maybe you have a day wife, a night wife, and two for Sunday?" Heath quipped, which caused both Nick and Jarrod to roar with laughter. "Hey Nick, if that was you it would mean four weddings like this one." He gestured toward the Nave, on the other side of the door. They had looked out earlier and seen that the pews were at full capacity.
"Oh God no! I'm not sure I'm going to survive this one. Soo gave me some stuff that was supposed to make me feel better, but it is not working." Jarrod groaned, and went to sit down on the small sofa in the corner. Heath and Nick exchanged worried looks, while the houseboy came over and refilled Jarrod's cup. The week long non-stop partying was finally getting to Jarrod, a man who Nick knew could usually outdrink any state legislator when the government was in session in Sacramento.
"While I was keeping your future cousin-in-law entertained what were you doing Nick?" Jarrod, after some more coffee managed to sit up a little straighter. Nick, who'd not been the least bit nervous about the wedding, until now, as first Heath and then Jarrod had shown themselves to be sidetracked by personal issues.
Last night, other than the brief interaction with Sarah had been great for Nick. The whole ceremony of the rehearsal dinner, with the food, drink, and gifts had been a joy. Once the party was over, he'd taken a very proper leave of Priscilla, kissing her with just enough ardor that a bridegroom should show. Once he'd said good night to her and Elspeth, he'd gone to find his mother, who was catching up with some old friends.
She and Nick went back to their suite at the hotel, where they shared cognac in leaded crystal sniffers. His mother had been in the mood to talk about her husband, and Nick - who loved hearing anything about his father – had listened happily. Victoria had also conveyed her pleasure at Nick's choice of Priscilla as his bride. Nick, as he poured the cognac for them, knew that he was blessed, in not only having the mother that he did, but that she respected him as man. He'd seen too many families where that was not the case which usually led to trouble.
For Nick his mother's blessing was the icing on the cake, and as he went to bed he truly felt like his world was aligned. His thoughts before dropping off to sleep included the image of Priscilla sharing the pillow next to him. Nick could hardly wait to see her thick honey colored hair down and loose, as her soft body was entwined with his. No, he'd woken up the next morning excited and eager for marriage; not nervous in the least. Now though, worrying about the state of his younger brother's marriage, and looking at how hung over Jarrod looked Nick felt slightly guilty for feeling as happy as he did. In his mind they were all united, and he wanted his brothers to feel the same joy that he did.
"On that subject, Brother Nick, why was I entertaining your future relation?" Jarrod sounded aggrieved, which cast a further damper on Nick's good feelings. For one moment Nick was tempted to respond that no one asked him to play cards and drink with Andy and the Hawaiian Prince. Nick had already seen that Andy could find drinking buddies, and as far as the Prince, well hell he was royalty and people flocked to that.
"After saying good night to Priscilla I escorted Mother back to the hotel, where we had a drink. She told me about when she and Father had been in Los Angeles, over twenty years ago." Nick had wanted to be clear of head for his wedding, and the night afterwards. Based on what he was seeing with Jarrod it had been a good decision. Before he could defend his actions to his mightily hungover brother Heath came to his rescue.
"Jarrod, you need to go easy on Nick. After all he wants to be in good shape for the after wedding activities." Heath gave a mischievous smile, as he looked at Nick and then Jarrod. "Plus there is the fact that he is getting married at nine o'clock in the morning; such a long day." The comment was delivered with mock sympathy, which caused his older and younger brother to laugh.
"Well after all Nick did agree to a proper English wedding." Jarrod drawled with a jaunty look at Nick. "Of course our brother agrees to anything the fair Priscilla wants. Talk about a man in love." He flashed a conspiratorial smile at Heath, who nodded in agreement. Nick was trying to figure out what to say to get the conversation moving in another direction, but the next sentence nipped that in the bud.
"I would also question the location of the honeymoon; he is not going to the lodge." Heath commented in a bland tone, the jest in his eyes making it clear the comment was a jibe. "I mean some cottage by the sea, outside of Los Angeles? Honestly why would you want the beach when you could have the mountains and the hot springs?" He added with a smirk, which Nick chose to ignore, as he seemed to be doing a great deal of this morning.
"Priscilla loves the ocean, as I do too. The cottage is very close to the water and Los Angeles, so it is not a long trip." Nick huffed, not wanting to go into his real reason for choosing the honeymoon destination that he'd had. The lodge would have meant a train ride – a long train ride- in the same car that he and Hester; ugh. He quickly pushed that out of his mind, having already decided after the debacle in the Eastern Canyon he wouldn't spend any time with Priscilla on the train until they were thoroughly intimate with each other.
"Honestly we need to focus on the ceremony. Heath, you are standing up with me, and Jarrod, you need to be there to support Mother." Nick wondered if Jarrod would be able to walk down the aisle, but then put his faith in his brother's iron will. He stomped his foot, shod in smooth black leather cowboy boots and wished he was wearing his spurs. He had been willing agree to the morning suit and cutaway jacket, but had insisted on wanting to wear boots. Priscilla had understood his request, and had admired the hand tooling of the boots that had been custom made for him.
"Well someone is feeling his oats, Jarrod." Heath stated, laughing, and Jarrod joined in happily. Nick regarded his brothers; the two men he was closest to in the world, and joined in the laughter. They were all there for each other, as they had been past, present and future; life was just fine. Yes there would be bumps in the road, but they could all handle them together. The merriment was interrupted by the arrival of the Episcopal Bishop of California, Rector of St. John's Cathedral, and the Roman Catholic Arch-Bishop. The brothers turned very serious, as they greeted the clergymen.
Meanwhile; The Bride's Room…
Victoria sat on a nicely upholstered side chair, as she watched Elspeth and Beatrice Cavendish anchor the glittering diamond tiara to Priscilla's hair and veil. The tiara was designed with floral sprays and lovers knots fashioned together in glittering stones. It was a lovely piece, though a bit much in Victoria's opinion.
However, as she regarded the dress, the pearl necklace her son had gifted, and the heirloom diamond earrings Priscilla was wearing Victoria silently admitted that in a way it really wasn't too much at all. After all Priscilla was marrying Nick, a man who never did anything quietly. Victoria silently had to chuckle that her middle son had finally found a woman who was happy and content with him.
She was also honest enough to admit that Nick was enjoying the attention his wedding was getting. Victoria had been relieved to see Priscilla take all the attention in stride. Her future daughter-in-law seemed to know how to smile nicely at the press, and not get flustered at how obnoxious some of the reporters could be. When she had asked the young woman about their actions, Priscilla had replied that they reminded her of rambunctious students.
Victoria had thought it was a nicer reply than warranted, but after all Priscilla was always a kind person. That kindness is why she was in the Bride's Room, instead of being banished to waiting in the vestibule for Jarrod to escort her down the aisle. Victoria was aware of the minor role the mother of the groom played in most wedding ceremonies. The comment 'wear beige and don't talk' was the standard advice given to the groom's mother.
"Victoria, can you help?" Her thoughts were interrupted by Priscilla who had turned to look at her with concern in her blue eyes. "We have all these orange blossoms left even after decorating the church. Phoebe already arranged a spray around my headpiece, but do you really think I need anymore?" There was a pleading note in Priscilla's voice.
Phoebe was Priscilla's best friend, the red-haired fairy who was marrying Zack Morton next month. Both she and Audra were dressed in white – in English wedding tradition – decorated with gold ribbons and pastel colored flowers. Victoria smiled at the two young women, who were standing close to Priscilla ready to back her up. For one moment she wished that Sarah was there; but she pushed that thought aside.
"I think the answer is what you want Priscilla. You look beautiful, and I like how you have incorporated your family's traditions into your wedding." Victoria gave her response wholeheartedly, being very honored that her soon to be daughter-in-law cared enough to ask her opinion.
"Maybe the extra flowers could be passed out after the wedding, when you do the processional." She referred to the ceremony when the bridal couple left the church, to the peal of the bells. They would promenade around the Old Spanish Plaza, as everyone cheered them on. "I'm sure that the flowers would be welcomed by the crowds."
"That is a lovely thought Victoria!" Priscilla's face lit up as she agreed with the suggestion, and she turned to Elspeth. "Granny, can we have the rest of the flowers put in baskets just outside of the church, so they can be passed out?" Elspeth nodded her head, and gestured to one of the three housemaids hovering by the door. She addressed them in colloquial Spanish, and they quickly took charge of the extra blossoms. Victoria was glad that she'd been able to contribute to the matter, and settled happily back into her chair
Priscilla stood up and turned to face the room, as Phoebe and Audra adjusted the dress and veil. The wedding dress of white silk satin and crystal beading was anchored by an intricately pleated fishtail train. The front panel of the skirt was embroidered with the same crystals in a floral design that echoed the bodice and square neckline. Three-quarter length sleeves – a concession to the hot climate – also bore the same fine sparkly detail.
Her veil was as equally grand, being hand wrought Irish lace, resembling mist covering a floral meadow. Victoria knew that Beatrice had loaned the tiara to Priscilla, while Elspeth had ordered the dress and veil from London, back in March, once Nick had officially proposed. Admiring how well the dress suited Priscilla – and the climate – Victoria had to give Elspeth credit for knowing what was called for.
Beatrice had told her, yesterday evening, that with four boys Priscilla's wedding was the only chance to be 'mother-of-the-bride' even if she had to share the role. Victoria for her part had been relieved to find out that Beatrice was very down to earth, and possessed a ribald streak that came out in a private setting. Having been to Europe, and dealt with puffed up aristocrats; she had been concerned about Priscilla's English relations.
"Priscilla you look so beautiful; I see your mother as I look at you." Elspeth's voice went husky, while her blue eyes, so similar to Priscilla's shone bright with unshed tears. Clearly the woman was seeing her long dead daughter, Priscilla's mother, as she looked at her granddaughter. Victoria, having never seen this side of the Scots woman, felt for what she was going through.
"Granny, Mummy is with us, as is Grandpa Henry too. Their love lives on in us; you taught me that." Priscilla reached over and hugged the older woman, who was clearly touched by the words. Victoria looked over at Audra, and couldn't even begin to fathom losing a daughter, as Elspeth had. That thought had her looking with concern at Audra, who caught her mother's eye and smiled reassuringly. Audra had been struggling all week with the nausea that often times accompanied the first months of being with child. Today though all was well, from what Victoria could see, so she turned to look back at Priscilla.
The intricate lacework of the veil offset Priscilla's creamy smooth porcelain skin, the cheeks just slightly flushed. The large blue eyes and generous, soft pink lips in a heart shaped face were picture perfect. Truly she was a beautiful bride, and Victoria knew that her son, who wore his heart on his sleeve, would be overcome with emotion when he saw her.
"Priscilla, here is your bouquet, and I have just have to state that you are lovely." Audra brought the flowers over to her soon to be sister-in-law. "I'm so glad that you wanted me to part of your wedding party." She added, and Victoria saw tears start to fill Audra's eyes. Audra blotted them away with a comment about how easily she cried, but Victoria saw Elspeth look closely at Audra's mid-section. No, thought Victoria, the Scot's woman could probably figure out the real reason for the tears.
"I love Nick so much, and you all," Priscilla gestured to Victoria and Audra "You have made me feel welcomed." She declared, going to hug first Victoria, and then Audra, before taking the bouquet.
The flowers were white roses with stephanotis flowers, intertwined with ivy, and ornamented with white satin ribbons. Victoria knew that white roses meant true love, the ivy fertility, while stephanotis meant happiness in marriage and the desire to travel. She thought the flower was a good choice, because Nick was a man who – as much as he loved his land – had always enjoyed seeing someplace new.
"My son is a very lucky man Priscilla, and I know that you will love him and care for him." Victoria smiled at the bride, knowing that she was right. That led to more hugs, before the wedding party left the room. NEED SOMETHING ELSE FOR ENDING?
