Chapter 13: Wedding Plans
Phryne knows that her dress must be very special. She wants it to be special for herself of course, but in this instance she cares a great deal about what Jack will think. She wants this dress to be something he will never forget. Jack deserves a very special dress. She also knows she will use the House of Fleuri rather than have a gown imported. Renee and Simone would be devastated otherwise. After these decisions though, she is stumped as to what she wants. Phryne sets up an appointment with the sisters to begin working plans for her dress and the bridesmaids. Phryne has several dress design appointments and is able to make decisions on the attendant dresses but not the wedding dress.
Phryne goes to the House of Fleuri for yet another appointment to decide on her wedding gown; Dot in tow, and Mac planning to meet them there. Dot and Mac will attempt to help Phryne with her decisions and also have their wedding outfits fitted. Phryne cares not a fig about the current conventions related to wedding dresses; what is important to her is that Jack be enthralled by her dress. The attendant dresses are much easier decisions for her. On a previous visit to the shop she decided on emerald green for Dot and Mac. It is one of her favorite colors and both women will look lovely in it. Dottie will be in a simple dropped waist emerald green satin dress with a matching lace overlay and cream collar. For Mac she worked with Renee on designing a silk pantsuit in matching emerald green with cream accents. Using Mac's love of menswear as a guide they achieve a design she thinks Mac will enjoy while not scandalizing Aunt Prudence. It is a very simple cut and Phryne believes it will be quite elegant. For Jane, Phryne selects a dress in cream cotton that will look pretty with her hair and complexion. It has a plethora of emerald green ribbons at the sleeves and banding the dress at the hemline. All the ladies will wear cream colored patent leather Mary Jane style shoes.
Rather than listen to Aunt Prudence's lectures on her wearing white or red or any other color in the rainbow that she might select, Phryne decides to be slightly conservative; her gown will be a cream that matches the color of Jane's dress and everyone's shoes and accents. Surely Aunt Prudence can't find fault with a cream colored dress. Phryne is indecisive on the design of the dress. Does she want satin, lace, velvet, silk? Form fitting or dropped waist? Long or short sleeves? She sighs at her indecision still unsure of the direction she wants to go. When she and Dot reach the shop, Mac is pacing the sidewalk. "It's about time," she mutters as they enter the shop.
While Doc and Mac are taken to the fitting room to take measurements for their ensembles, Phryne begins looking at wedding dress designs yet again. She hears Mac give a shout of delight, and knows she is excited to be wearing pants to the wedding. Phryne smiles indulgently, happy her oldest friend likes her design. Phryne continues to look through the catalogs, but nothing is wowing her. Mac and Dot come out and also look at the catalogs, but they too are not finding the dress that they can see Phryne Fisher walking down the aisle wearing. Both of the Fleuri sisters begin to ask questions of Phryne trying to see if they can pull what she really wants out of her. Finally Phryne says in frustration, "I want a dress that Jack will be enthralled with. A dress that he will consider lethal." Renee asks, "Do you have any dresses now that you think he places in the lethal category. "Well," Phryne replies thoughtfully, the dresses in her collection flickering across her mind, "the only one he has actually been obviously enthralled with is Lady Archdale's ball gown. He actually called it lethal, and he was afraid to stay for a night cap."
Phryne smiles naughtily, making her decision at last if the designers agree and possibly even if they do not, saying, "Ladies how do you think that dress will translate as a wedding dress?" The Fleuri sisters seem nonplussed, but after thinking for a few minutes and having a conversation between them, they smile broadly at Phryne and Simone says "Let's get to work. This is quite a challenging design." After further discussion and some sketching, they decide the dress will be of cream silk, the overlay will be handmade lace in matching cream. The beading will be emeralds for the larger stones, pearls and other crystals in the cream family. Phryne decides that the bow and train must be in emerald green to match Dot's, Mac's and Jane's dresses.
Everyone loves this idea. "The dress will be exquisite," says Simone with a smile. "I think the Inspector will find it most lethal," Renee adds with a mischievous grin. Phryne's eyes are sparkling and she is smiling. "Now ladies," she says cheerfully, "I will need lingerie along the same lines; lethal and dangerous!" Laughing as they finish with a decision on the wedding night lingerie the ladies discuss other wedding related topics. Phryne decides that she will wear a live flower from the flowers she selects for the bridal bouquet in her hair rather than have a headpiece like she did for the ball gown. She isn't sure yet of the flowers, but now that the wedding gown is on order, she can focus on some of the other details. "Thank you for all of your help today ladies," Phryne says, "I love the direction we are going with my dress!"
Next on her list are decisions regarding flowers. Phryne can import any type of flower that money can buy, but she is partial to native Australian blooms. After looking at many different flowers in various colors, she decides that she will go with pink and white which will complement the emerald green and cream very nicely. She selects Pink Grevillea for the main flowers in her bouquet and for the flower in her hair. She also selects Green-Comb Spider Orchids, Black Tongue Orchids, Pink Hyacinth Orchids and a mix of creamy native blooms and greenery to fill out the bouquets. Dot, Mac and Jane each pick a different flower from Phryne's bouquet to carry in their bouquet. Mac selects the Green-Comb Spider Orchids. Dottie selects the Black Tongue Orchids and Jane selects the Pink Grevillea. The men's boutonnières will be the Pink Hyacinth Orchids. Phryne selects the Pink Hyacinth Orchids as an ode the first time Jack truly saved her life. It was during their Ruddy Gore investigation and she had smelled Hyacinths just before the sand bag fell. Phryne believes that Jack will appreciate her choice to use the Pink Hyacinths for the men.
Needing to decide on a location for the wedding, Jack and Phryne sit in the parlor window seat and discuss places for the ceremony. "What about Queenscliff?" asks Phryne thinking a seaside wedding sounds quaint. "How about the Ballarat train?" Jack asks his voice full of laughter, "You were magnificent on top of that train, and kidnapping Jane was a stroke of genius." Phryne grins appreciatively at his comment, "I assure you it was most inconvenient Inspector, but I am so glad I did," she quips back at him. They share a look of mutual understanding regarding what Jane has brought to both of their lives. They talk more about various places and they decide against a church wedding as his divorced status is a problem for most ministers. Phryne could make a generous donation to whichever church they choose, but they want a place where they both feel comfortable and accepted.
As they continue mulling over where they might have the ceremony, Phryne muses back over the challenge of finding a minister or priest to marry them. Phryne and Jack knew it isn't going to be easy to find a minister to marry them, but Phryne doesn't want to go to the courthouse. Dot asked Father Grogan about marrying them and to her disappointment, but not surprise, Father Grogan refused. Phryne wasn't surprised because Father Grogan clearly disapproves of her. On a hunch, Phryne and Jack approached Father O'Leary to see if he would be willing to marry them. "Under normal circumstances," he had said kindly, "it is unlikely that I would officiate for Protestants and a divorced man; however I will make an exception in your case. I am so appreciative that you were able to capture of Murdoch Foyle after his brutal killing of Theresa Cavalli." Phryne and Jack were very glad that Father O'Leary understood their desire to be married somewhere besides the courthouse.
"What about the Royal Botanic Gardens?" suggests Jack bringing Phryne out of her reverie. She considers this idea, "The gardens are lovely, but they have no special significance to the two of us," she says thoughtfully. Interested in this sentimental Phryne he teases, "Shall I see if the Pandarus is available?" Phryne rolls her eyes at this comment. They lapse into comfortable silence, each of them considering various locations that they have in common. Jack is first to speak again, "I think we should see if Mrs. Stanley will allow us to use her gardens. The gardens themselves are very beautiful, and I vaguely remember a lovely evening with Cleopatra undoing my buttons and thinking I would make a passable Mark Antony," his eyes glint appreciatively at the memory. "Just one gaudy night Cleopatra said, and I agreed, until we were rudely interrupted by Murdoch Foyle," Jack says his expression darkening dangerously. Jack thinks Foyle can't hang quickly enough, but doesn't say this out loud as he doesn't want to upset Phryne. He continues, "I know your Aunt Prudence doesn't totally approve of me, but perhaps for you she will agree to host the wedding." His voice trails off as he catches Phryne's incredulous expression.
"Jack, you beautiful man, that is the perfect location and solution! Arthur can be at the wedding if we have it there," she says delightedly. "And by the way, it's me Aunt P disapproves of. She worries I will corrupt you. Yes, she would prefer a title, but she knows that isn't me – I am a Collingwood girl at heart," she pauses in her speech. "I hope that isn't a problem for you," her voice trails off concern and uncertainty etching her features. Immediately Jack closes the distance between them saying, "This Richmond boy happens to love that Collingwood girl," and pulling her into his arms and stroking her cap of silky hair he kisses her on the top of her head. Phryne sighs contentedly putting her arms around his middle, feeling safe and cherished in the circle of his arms. "I love you Jack," she says quietly tightening her hold on him. Jack smiles down at her his eyes twinkling, "I love you too Miss Fisher." Reluctantly Phryne draws away from Jack to make a call to Aunt P.
Phryne invites Aunt Prudence to a lunch the next day with all of the girls to discuss wedding plans. As they eat Mr. Butler's delectable salad, Aunt Prudence asks the million dollar question, "Since you insist on marrying your dour inspector, where are you having the ceremony?" "Well, Aunt P," Phryne responds urged on by the looks Mac and Dot are sending her, "We don't seem able to agree with each other except on one location." She swallows convulsively, suddenly nervous. "Well?" Aunt P encourages looking curious, "You aren't thinking of having the wedding at the police station are you? Phryne smiles and answers with a slight tremble in her voice, "No, not the station although it did cross my mind to have the ceremony there. It's Jack's idea actually, but I agree that it is the perfect location. Aunt Prudence we would like to have our wedding in the gardens at your estate." Phryne holds her breath hoping for acceptance.
"Really Phryne you don't have to act like this is the Inspector's idea. I know he doesn't care for me. I have been rather hard on him," Aunt Prudence responds giving Phryne a hard look. "On my honor Aunt P," Phryne shoots back, "It is Jack's idea, and I think it's perfect. Arthur will be able to attend now; if you agree that is." Giving Phryne a look of excitement, Aunt P says delightedly, "It will be an honor to host. It is what I hoped to do, but was loathe to suggest it lest you accepted out of a sense of obligation rather than desire." Coming around the table and hugging her Aunt Phryne says, "Thank you Aunt P. This is wonderful news." Continuing to speak she says gently, "You and Jack need to chat, don't you think?" giving her a smile. Aunt Prudence nods and says regally, "Tea at my house tomorrow. You, Dot and Jane can visit with Arthur while the Inspector and I come to an understanding."
With the venue decided upon, the girls begin seriously planning the wedding. By the end of lunch and a few cups of tea, they have written out the dinner menu, made decisions regarding much of the music which will include Let's Misbehave and Always along with other favorites, the layout of tables and chairs and where they will say their vows. As they start on the guest list Phryne says "Jack and I want this to be a private affair with close friends and family only, not a social event," giving Aunt Prudence a very firm look, which Prudence ruefully acknowledges. The guest list will include Lin Chung and Camellia; Regina Charlesworth; Jane's Mother, Anna Ross; Phryne's parents; Raymond and Clara Hirsh; Veronique Sarcelle; Jack's parents; Jack's sister and her family; Jack's Uncle Ted, Aunt Prudence and Arthur; Cousin Guy and Isabella; Cec; Bert; Jack's team from the station and of course, Dr. Taylor, Silvia Warrington and David Johnson.
When Jack comes over that evening, he reviews the guest list the ladies developed at lunch. He has no issues with the list, and does not add to it. Phryne leaves the decisions regarding groomsmen to Jack, her only request being that Mr. Butler be in the wedding party. Jack is happy for Mr. Butler to be involved. Jack plans for the following people to be his groomsmen: His Father, Hugh Collins, Mr. Butler and his nephew. He has asked his Father to be his Best Man. Constable Collins will escort Dot, of course. Mr. Butler will escort Mac, and his nephew will act as Jane's escort. Jack is content with the selection of his groomsmen. These men are some of his favorite people, and he is proud to have them stand with him as he publicly pledges himself to Phryne.
There are many things to attend to during the weeks leading up to the wedding including a honeymoon decision and several murder investigations. Jack takes full responsibility for the honeymoon plans. He decides on at least one and possibly two nights at the Windsor as this is where he discovered Miss Fisher would likely attempt to infiltrate his crime scenes, and his life was irrevocably changed by Mac's announcement of her oldest friend's newest enterprise. It seems only fitting that they begin their marriage, their new partnership, at the Windsor. Their wedding night decision made, Jack gives thought to where to spend the rest of their honeymoon.
Jack thinks about Queenscliff and Ballarat, but he is not convinced those are the locations for them. Gippsland crosses his mind and the more he considers it the more Gippsland takes root in his mind as the place for them. It is a breathtaking location. There are lakes to explore and forests; plenty to do if they are bored, although Jack plans to spend most of their time making up for his physical restraint of the last many months. The thought of lazy days making love with Phryne heats his blood. He allows himself a few moments of anticipation remembering how she feels in his arms and contemplating what it will be like to not to have to say no to his desires. He knows it will be heavenly, although he does from time to time wonder about his relative inexperience and if he will please her. Jack keeps the honeymoon plans a secret so he can surprise her, and no matter how many times she tries to catch him unawares and get the information out of him, "After all Jack, how will I know what to pack," she asks on numerous occasions, she is unable to extract the information. Each time she asks he responds blithely, "Don't worry Miss Fisher; you will not need much in the way of clothes." He enjoys teasing her and enjoys knowing that she is thinking about their honeymoon also. He will enlist Dot's help at some point, but not until the last moment as he expects Dot will not be as immune to Miss Fisher's interrogative techniques.
Another decision the two of them need to make is determining what to do with Jack's cottage. After dinner one evening later in the week, Jack and Phryne discuss what to do with his cottage. Should they keep it and rent it out or should they sell it? Tentatively Phryne asks, "Jack, what do you think about offering the cottage to Cec and Alice?" Jack is quiet considering the question. "I think that is an excellent idea Miss Fisher," he says with conviction. Phryne rewards him with a radiant smile. "I'll talk to Cec tomorrow," says Jack giving her a come hither look from his bedroom eyes, his pupils dilating with desire. Phryne moves into his arms kissing him softly and saying, "I love you Detective Inspector Jack Robinson, and I can hardly wait to be yours in every way we can dream up." Jack responds by kissing her more thoroughly, his tongue hungrily exploring her soft mouth and tangling with her tongue. He is undone; she tastes so good to him, like sunshine and life. Groaning softly he pulls her closer to him, his hands gentle but insistent in pressing her tightly to him. Phryne responds, pressing closer to him moaning her need for him and kissing him back, communicating her surrender very clearly. Jack's hands are splayed across her back and tangled in her hair, his long fingers touching her intimately. Jack shudders knowing he has to stop now or break his vow to wait until she is legally bound to him. He forces himself to stop kissing her, easing her away from him loving the slightly swollen pink of her lips and look of total surrender on her face. He drops a kiss on her head and says, "Good night Miss Fisher." "Goodnight Inspector," she says dreamily. He leaves knowing he will feel extra lonely that night and suspects she will as well.
Jack talks to Cec and Cec decides to take the cottage, excited that he and Alice can now make plans to get married. Jack reports back to Phryne on the results of his discussion with Cec. Since the cottage decision is made, Jack and Phryne decide Jack will move his things to the St Kilda house before the wedding so Cec can move into Jack's cottage. The final week before the wedding, Phryne comes to Jack's cottage to help him pack. She has not been inside his house; he always comes to her. She is curious of course; she finds the cottage charming and tells him so. Jack has excellent taste which is no surprise to Phryne. His home is warm and inviting. She decides "intimate" is the appropriate descriptor. She wanders into his bedroom noting the single bed and smiling to herself at his honorable intentions. "Jack, you do know you can bring whatever you like; we will incorporate it into our home," she calls to him. He comes up behind her and pulls her close, kissing her neck and saying "Thank you Phryne. That means a great deal to me." Resting his chin on the top of her head, "I only want my books and my desk. The desk was my grandparents," he says in a low deep voice, "Cec can have the rest or sell or donate what he and Alice don't want." Phryne nods turning around to kiss him, "Let's get packing then," her voice warm with promise.
They spend an enjoyable few hours carefully packing his books, clothes and some family pictures to send to their house. Phryne is fascinated by the fact that she no longer thinks of the St Kilda house as hers. She smiles to herself at the realization of just how integrated Jack is in her life and how this thought no longer brings panic, but peace. Taking a last sweep through the house, checking drawers for any missed items, Phryne opens the drawer of Jack's bedside table and discovers some additional pictures. She sits down on the edge of the bed to look through them, and what she finds brings a wide grin to her face. Along with some family pictures Jack has all of the photographs Hugh took the day Jack "arrested" her for break and enter during the Green Mill investigation. "Phryne," calls Jack, "I'll just finish up in the bedroom." Phryne sees that there is a picture of them at the football game. The photographer captured Jack placing the scarf around her neck, the tenderness of the gaze each was giving the other immortalized on paper. She gasps lightly. She had no idea they were being photographed that day or that they were that obvious in their regard for each other, although she acknowledges their minds took longer to figure out what their hearts already knew. Phryne sits there totally gob smacked.
She is still staring mutely at the picture when Jack enters the room. He stops abruptly, "I didn't mean for you to see those," he says his voice laced with embarrassment, but coming to sit beside her nonetheless. "Jack," Phryne breathes in a slightly guilty voice, "I am sorry. I should have asked before I started checking drawers in your bedroom." Taking her small hand in his, he shakes his head saying, "Don't be remorseful, it only confuses me. Seriously Phryne it's alright. I should have packed the pictures earlier if I was really concerned about you seeing them. Maybe I wanted you to find them. I'm not sure I could have shown them to you. Bringing them here represented my deep desire for you even as I tried to keep you at arm's length." He plucks the pictures out of her hand, saying in a small almost defeated voice, "Things were really bad with Rosie by the point these "arrest" pictures were taken, and these pictures brought a smile to my face and lifted my spirits. I tried not to look at them. I felt I was betraying Rosie, but I was drawn to the life that exudes from them. When the divorce became final I brought them home. I fell asleep looking at them many times," he confesses squeezing her hand convulsively. He continues softly, "The football picture came from a newspaper photographer I know. It was the first time I truly realized that I was falling for you and maybe you were falling too. This picture gave me hope and the desire to be patient."
"Oh Jack," Phryne says squeezing his hand, "I'm sorry it took me so long to solve the puzzle of us." Brushing kisses along his jaw, she says softly, "Let's go home Inspector." Jack replies in his firmest voice, "As lovely as that sounds, I will go to a hotel, Phryne. I don't trust us to be alone together in the house now that I am recovered from the attack." Phryne sighs in exasperation, "Jack my parents are arriving tomorrow so we have plenty of chaperones to deter us, and we will be very busy with the final wedding preparations. I give you my promise not to push you before the wedding." "Thank you Miss Fisher," Jack says knowing she is a woman of her word, "In that case I will give in and stay in one of the guest rooms rather than a hotel. I want to be close to you." Phryne gives him another kiss which Jack takes his time returning, kissing her until both sets of hands are restlessly moving, seeking to draw the other closer before finally taking the last of the boxes to the car and heading home. Home, we're going home Jack thinks contentedly looking forward to things to come a slight smile softening his handsome face.