Thinking about it brought tears to her eyes, and seeing that, Josiah gently patted her arm. He had a feeling that was what she was thinking. He was developing good instincts about her, and getting to know her well. And although he hadn’t been in her life for long, he was beginning to love her. He enjoyed sitting through the church service with her. Everything went smoothly, and when the bride and groom walked back down the aisle after the ceremony, to Mendelssohn, everyone was beaming. All sixteen bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen walked out solemnly behind them, including a five-year-old ring bearer, and a three-year-old flower girl in a white organdy dress, who forgot to strew the rose petals and just clutched them in her hand.
Annabelle and Josiah greeted friends in the throng of people in the vestibule of the church. They passed through the receiving line to congratulate the bride and groom and both sets of parents, and finally, an hour after the ceremony, everyone left the church for the reception. Annabelle wished she could go with them, she knew it was going to be a fabulous party that would go on all night, but there was no question of it for her. Josiah rode home with her in the car, and walked her into the house, as Annabelle thanked him for going with her.
“I had a wonderful time,” she said, looking ecstatic. It had been fun to catch a glimpse of all her friends, and even meet some of Josiah’s who were, of course, much older than she was, but seemed very nice.
“So did I,” he said honestly. He had been so proud to be with her. She was such a beautiful young woman.
“You should hurry, so you’re not late to the reception,” she said, as she took off her hat, kissed his cheek, and shooed him toward the door. She looked even prettier without the veil, and her mother’s earrings were blinding.
“I’m in no rush,” he said easily. “I declined the reception.” He was smiling at her.
“You did?” She looked startled. “Why? It’s going to be the wedding of the year.” Hortie’s parents had gone all out, and she didn’t want Josiah to miss it. It didn’t occur to her why he had declined.
“I’ve been to a lot of weddings of the year.” He laughed, and added, “For a lot of years. There are always others. Why would I go to the reception, when you can’t? That doesn’t seem right to me. The church service was fine. We saw lots of people. I can go to parties anytime. Why don’t we go down to the kitchen and make something to eat? I make a terrific sandwich and a mean omelette.” Neither of them had eaten dinner. The staff had disappeared for the night, and her mother was upstairs in her room, probably asleep.
“Are you serious? Don’t you think you should go to the reception?” she pressed. She felt guilty for keeping him from going.
“It would be pretty strange if I showed up after I declined.” He laughed again. “They’d think I was out of my mind, and I wouldn’t have a seat. So let’s check out what’s in your icebox, and I’ll dazzle you with my culinary skills.”
“In that suit?” He was wearing white tie and tails, with handsome mother of pearl and diamond studs and cuff links.
“I might take off the jacket, if you won’t be too shocked.” He had on the traditional white pique tie and vest, also with studs in the vest, all of which he’d had made in Paris with the top hat. He was a very handsome vision, and a perfect match for her.
“I won’t be shocked. I’ll take off my jacket too,” she said, taking off the sable-trimmed velvet jacket that matched her dress, and exposing creamy white shoulders, and a well-shaped bosom that he glanced at discreetly.
“That’s quite a dress,” he said, smiling at her in admiration.
“I’m glad you like it,” she said shyly. The evening suddenly felt very grown-up to her. Her debut ball was the only event of its kind she had ever attended. And she had very much enjoyed going to the wedding with Josiah at her side.
Annabelle led him down to the kitchen and turned on the lights. Everything was immaculate and had been left in perfect order. They checked the icebox and found eggs, butter, cooked vegetables, half a turkey, and some ham. She took most of it out and set it on the kitchen table. And then she found lettuce, and some fresh vegetables in the larder.
She set the table with the kitchen plates, in her evening gown, as Josiah took off his tailcoat and made dinner. He sliced the ham and turkey finely, made a salad, and cooked an excellent cheese omelette in a skillet. It was a delicious meal, as they sat at the kitchen table and chatted, and commented on who they’d seen. He told her little bits of gossip about some of the people she’d met, and she filled him in on some of her friends. It was a lively exchange, and they sat talking long after they finished the meal. She didn’t have the key to the wine cellar, and he said he was delighted with a glass of milk. It was the nicest evening Annabelle had had in years.
They talked about the holidays, and he said he was going to Boston to be with his family for Thanksgiving, but said he would be in New York for Christmas. She reminded herself to ask her mother if they could invite him to Christmas dinner. It was going to be a tough one for them that year. It was hard to believe that a year after her ball their life had changed so dramatically, and she said as much to him.
“You never know in life,” he said quietly. “You have to be grateful for what you have, for as long as you have it. Fate is unpredictable, and sometimes we don’t know how blessed we are until things change.”
She nodded and looked at him sadly. “I knew how blessed we were, and so did my mother. We all did. I always felt lucky to have the parents and brother that I did. I just can’t believe they’re gone,” she said quietly, and as he looked at her, he gently put a hand over hers.
“Sometimes Fate ushers some people out, and when we least expect it, others enter. You just have to believe that things will continue to be good from now on. Your life is just beginning.”
She nodded again. “But for my mother, it’s over. I don’t think she’ll ever recover.” Annabelle worried about her a great deal.
“You don’t know that,” he said gently. “Good things can happen to her too.”
“I hope so,” Annabelle said softly, and thanked him for the meal. It had been a lovely evening. He helped her put the dishes in the sink, and then she turned to him with a smile, their friendship blossoming between them. “You’re a pretty good cook.”
“Wait until you taste my souffles. I also make the stuffing at Thanksgiving,” he said proudly.
“How did you ever learn to cook?” She looked amused. None of the men in her family had ever cooked, she wasn’t even sure they knew how to find the kitchen.
He laughed in answer. “If you stay single as long as I have, you either starve or learn to feed yourself. Or go out every night, which gets exhausting. A lot of the time, I’d rather stay home and cook.”
“Me too, about the stay-at-home part. But I’m not much of a cook.”
“You don’t need to be,” he reminded her, and she looked momentarily embarrassed. She had been waited on all her life. But so had he.
“I should still learn one of these days. Maybe I will.” She had been impressed by how competent and organized he was in the kitchen.
“I can teach you a few tricks,” he volunteered, and she liked the idea.
“That sounds like fun,” she said, looking enthusiastic. She always had a good time with him.
“Just think of it as science, that will make it easier for you.” She laughed as she turned off the lights and he followed her back up the stairs. They went through two doors, and came back out in the main hall, under the chandelier. He was carrying his tailcoat, and his top hat and gloves were on the hall table. He picked them up, slipped into his tailcoat, and put the hat back on his head. He looked as elegant as ever, and no one would have suspected that he had cooked dinner.
“You look very dashing, Mr. Millbank. I had a wonderful time with you tonight.”
“Me too,” he said, and kissed her chastely on the cheek. He didn’t want to rush her, they had months still ahead of them as just friends, despite her mother’s blessing. “I’ll see you soon. Thank you for going to Hortie’s wedding with me, Annabelle. Those things can be deadly boring, unless you have someone fun to go with.”
“I think so too,” she agreed. “And the best part was talking about it in the kitchen afterward.” She giggled, and he smiled too.
“Goodnight, Annabelle,” he said, opening the door, and turned to look at her before he closed it behind him. She picked her jacket up off the chair, stuck her hat back on her head at a crazy angle, and walked up the stairs to her bedroom with a smile and an enormous yawn. She had had an excellent time, and was so glad that she and Josiah were friends.
