"Thank you," Ashley said. "Keep the dogs from it."
He nodded his acknowledgment.
Returning to the house, Ashley went to the dining room. It had already been set up. The table was covered with a white silk damask cloth embroidered with multicolored silk flowers along its border. "Where did this come from?" she asked Byrnes.
"It's been stored in the linen chest since your mother married your father," he answered her. "Hasn't been used since. We had to wash it and iron it to get the wrinkles out of it from all those years being folded up. I'd forgotten all about it, but you know how sentimental Mrs. B. is. She remembered, and thought it should be on the table today."
"The flower arrangement is spectacular," Ashley noted, approving the big cut-crystal bowl of purple, lavender, pink, and white dahlias, and greens.
"Did them myself," Byrnes said. "We're using the Royal Worcester and the Waterford tonight. Do you want the Gorham Fairfax or the Reed and Barton 1810?"
"Use the Fairfax. I like it better with the Royal Worcester," Ashley said. Then she left the dining room. There was absolutely nothing for her to do. The garden was ready. Byrnes had everything in hand in the house, and if she dared to venture into the kitchen she would hurt Mrs. B.'s feelings. She had canceled her regular Saturday massage, but she did have a noon appointment at Prime Cuts for a manicure and a pedicure. She glanced at the grandfather clock in the hall as it began to strike, and saw it was eleven forty-five. Ashley raced to her car.
At Prime Cuts she found herself surrounded by women she knew. Tiffany Pietro d'Angelo was there, along with Carla Johnson and Nora Buckley. They smiled at her con-spiratorially. Emily Shanski, now Emily Devlin, delivered in late June of her first child, was in a wicker chaise getting a pedicure while the baby slept in a basket by her side.
"You look great for someone who just had a baby," Ashley said.
"You think so?" Emily said with a rueful smile. "I still feel like a bit of a cow about to calve." She chuckled. "When you get married one day-and you will, despite your previous misfortunes-look out for those extra romantic moments that sneak up on you. Writing a novel is far easier than being preggers, I can assure you."
"Yeah." Carla Johnson laughed. "Those sudden pleasures can really get you."
The other women all laughed knowingly. Each one of them was a subscriber to the Channel, but they were also happy, even the widowed Nora.
"Well," Ashley said, "I've never written a novel, but I suppose one day I might have a baby. When I do I'll let you know if the shop is harder." She smiled at them. Why was it that Nora Buckley seemed to grow more beautiful and younger-looking as each day went by? Ashley remembered a few years back, when Nora would never have ventured into her shop. She would just stand outside the windows looking sad and worn. But today she was one of Ashley's best customers, and the more suggestive a garment was, the better Nora liked it, though who she wore those lacy nothings for, Ashley didn't know. But then Nora, a widow, had always been a very private woman-except for that brief time when her husband was arrested and died in the lockup overnight.
A manicure table became available, and the pedicurist, having finished with Emily Devlin, moved over to do Ashley's feet as her hands were being tended to. By one thirty she was driving back up to Kimbrough Hall. She wanted a bath. Her nerves were becoming more jangled with each passing moment. A bath would soothe her, she decided as she poured oil of lilies into the hot water. Her cell rang, and she flipped it open. "Ashley here."
"We're on our way," Ryan's voice said. Then he lowered it. "What are you doing right now, Ash?"
"I'm in the bathtub," she said softly.
"Next time I'll be with you," he told her. "See you soon."
Ashley closed her eyes and imagined it. Yes, the tub could fit two easily. Her hand moved down between her legs, and she began playing with her clit. It didn't take long for her to come. Oh, yes! She needed to be fucked. She needed it badly, and so did he. Tonight could well turn out to be explosive. Ashley got out of her tub and stepped into the shower to rinse off. Then, drying herself off, she went to lie down for a brief while. Her clock was set for three forty-five, and she awoke immediately as it began to beep. She felt relaxed and refreshed now, but she lay quietly for a few minutes more. Then she went to get dressed. Her bridegroom and new family would be arriving, and then the few guests. Under the circumstances it wasn't necessary that she go down and greet them. Besides, they all knew one another. She slipped on her bra and panties. They were cream silk and lace, unlike her usual plain silk. Well, it was an occasion, she reasoned with herself. Her legs were smooth and tan, and she didn't bother with stockings. She was wearing pretty cream-colored leather sandals on her feet. She did her makeup, such as it was: a little bit of green eye shadow, some blush, a pink lipstick. Then she slipped into her dress, which buttoned in the back with two pearl buttons she was just able to reach herself. Looking at herself in the full-length mirror, she was pleased. The calf-length dress was lovely. Reaching for her hairbrush, she fluffed her short hair. Then she affixed her mother's antique pearl earrings in her ears. A knock sounded on her door and she called, "Come in."
Byrnes stepped through. He was dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, and a blue-and-white polka-dot silk tie. He was carrying a small bouquet, which he handed to her. "I believe we are ready, Miss Ashley," he said with a smile. "Oh, the wife said to make certain you wore your sapphire ring. You need something blue. Mr. Ryan's mother has left you the something old and borrowed." Reaching into his pocket, he drew out a small antique gold cross on a thin chain. "Mrs. Mulcahy said she hopes you'll wear it, and she'll tell you all about it later. Would you like me to fasten it about your neck?"
"Please," Ashley said, and watched as the little cross settled on her chest just above the neckline of her dress. "I guess we're ready then," she told Byrnes.
He escorted her downstairs and through the house out into the gardens. Tony had been right: The trellis was now ? awash in late-afternoon sunlight. She heard the bridal march as she slowly proceeded down the short aisle, preceded by Mrs. Byrnes in a lovely floral lavender silk dress. Mrs. B. was carrying a small bouquet of purple, lavender, and white dahlias. Ashley's nosegay was made up of small lavender roses, white freesia, and ivy. She wondered where the music was coming from, but then the music stopped magically as they reached the trellis where Ryan stood waiting with Ray Pietro d'Angelo and Judge Palmer. Byrnes proudly answered, "I do," when asked who gave the bride.
It was happening! Ashley thought. It was really happening this time! She was getting married. Married to a handsome, sexy guy she barely knew. But strangely, she wasn't worried. Fate sometimes actually did take a hand in your life, and it didn't have to be forever if they decided that they hated it. And then she thought that was a lousy attitude to have as you were being married. Maybe it would work out. Maybe there would be more between them than just sex. Maybe. Just maybe.
She hardly listened to what was being said, managing only to reply, "I do," at the appropriate place. She and Ryan had not had to go down to town hall to apply for their wedding license. Judge Palmer had made out the license himself to help them preserve their privacy. Ashley hadn't wanted anyone to know she was getting married before the fact. And if she and Ryan had gone to get that license, the Egret Pointe Gazette would have had it on the front page Thursday, when the paper came out. As Judge Palmer pronounced them man and wife under the laws of the state, Ashley realized she was no longer the bad-luck bride. She was a married woman.
"You may kiss your bride, Mr. Mulcahy," Judge Palmer said with a smile.
And he kissed her. Oh, yes, he kissed her-a long, demanding, hot kiss that sent the color flooding her cheeks. And when he released her and looked into her eyes, Ashley felt her legs go weak. She grabbed at his arm, and he smiled down at her.