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“But-she didand she is now with us. She will remain on as o
ur maid. We couldn't have gotten better.”
“Yes, you are right, my love,” Maria said.
Her eyes raked over Michael and she thought how handsome he was on this fine day that was to be the opening of the Saint Louis World's Fair. He looked quite dignified in his navy blue, pin-striped suit, worn with a pale blue pure silk shirt with a detachable collar. His diamond stickpin shone back at her from his navy blue cravat in colors of the rainbow and his eyes were twinkling in many different shades of blue.
She reached up and ran her fingers across the smoothness of his golden hair, then over the gentleness of his jaw. When a smile lifted the corners of his lips, she felt as though she was melting inside. Would he always have the same effect on her? She leaned into his embrace, sighing heavily. If anyone could make her forget the torment she had only recently gone through, Michael could. Footsteps entering the room made Maria turn with a start. Then she smiled….
“I think I've got the weddin’ gown ready for ya'all, Sweet Thing,” Mama Pearl said, moving toward Maria with an armful of what appeared to be only white lace. She then held this gathering of lace up before her and watched Maria's face light up.
“It is simply gorgeous, Mama Pearl,” Maria gasped, going to run her fingers over the lines of the gown. It was of organza and Alencon lace, studded with seed pearls. It would be worn with a lace face veil in front, and a fingertip veil in back. Also, a chapel-length train would be added on the day of the wedding, also covered with lace appliques.
“So mah Sweet Baby likes it?” Mama Pearl said, squinting her dark eyes that were already mostly hidden by the wrinkled flesh of her face.
“It's breathtaking,” Maria sighed, lifting the skirt of the gown, letting it ripple slowly back in deep gathers in Mama Pearl's arms. “I can hardly wait,” she added.
“It won't be long now.” Mama Pearl giggled. “And do ya'all think Alberto's Angelina will have such a gown? A double weddin’ sho will be somethin’ special. A weddin’ of twins marryin’ up with their loved ones. Both brides should be extraordinarily beautiful.”
“Yes. I've spoken with Angelina by phone,” Maria said. “Angelina and I don't want exact gowns, you know. So she has ordered a gown that will have tripled layers of ivory silk organza, with a chapel-length train and embroidered bodice. It will also have a pouf-sleeved jacket with a peplum and a high ruffled neckline. Her veil will be in Alencon lace and organza.”
Michael laughed heartily as he took Maria's hands in his. “How'd you memorize all of that?”
Maria blushed a bit. “Whenever it is a wedding gown being spoken of, a woman remembers each and every detail.”
“I'm so glad that Alberto and Angelina will arrive on time for the ceremony.”
“Alberto seems to have everything in order at Hawkinsville now. Once the state investigators okayed the return of the men to the coal mine, it took a load off Alberto's shoulders.”
“If anyone should know that, I should,” Michael said, kissing Maria's right hand, then releasing both, to move to the liquor cabinet. He poured himself a glass of port. “Want a glass, darling?” he asked, tilting a brow in her direction.
“No. Not really,” she murmured.
“And you, Mama Pearl?” he asked, extending a full glass in her direction.
Mama Pearl giggled a bit. “No, Mastah Hoppah. I've got chores waitin'. Just ya'all and my Sweet Baby enjoy.” She swung around, heavy-hipped in her cotton attire, and lumbered from the room.
Maria went and eased onto a deeply upholstered velveteen chair. She looked around her, seeing the expensive furnishings of this hotel suite, which she and Michael had been sharing with Mama Pearl until Michael's penthouse apartment would be finished. This hotel suite was quite comfortable, with its rich ness of furnishings and draperies. Its pale green carpet-ings stretched out from wall to wall and from room to room. The wallpaperings were of peaceful designs in pale gold, and the electric lights added a pleasurable glow to the room.
Michael settled down across from her and lighted a cigar. Then with a cigar between his fingers of one hand, and his glass of port in the other, he sighed leisurely. “Yep. Sure glad to have Mama Pearl around,” he said. “Then when we start having our children in twos, you can just sit back and relax and enjoy watching them grow.”
“In twos . . •. ?”
“You and Alberto? You're twins. Maybe we'll add another set of twins to the family.”
Maria laughed lightly. “I'm not so sure. . . .” she said.
He laughed amusedly, then said, “Do you like the idea of having a double wedding, darling?”
“Yes. It will complete the bond between Alberto and myself. Then we can make our much needed separa-tion—when he walks from the church with his wife … and I walk from the church with my husband. I think it's quite appropriate. And thank you for doing this for us all. You know that Alberto wouldn't be able to have such an expensive wedding otherwise. And the gown you have purchased for Angelina! Michael, you continue to amaze me with your kindness.”
“Well, I like happy endings,” he laughed gruffly.
“And this will be just that,” Maria said. “This will be.”
“You look quite beautiful today, darling,” Michael said thickly. “Do you know how beautiful?”
Maria glanced downward at her suit, fingering its velvet trim. She loved this Eton suit in blue broadcloth trimmed with folds of matching velvet. And then she reached up and touched the hat that she already had perched atop her head, ready for their escape into the afternoon sun. It was of a toque style with a velvet brim and a silk crown and bow. She knew that she was a picture of style, but she still hated the tightly laced corset that kept her panting for breath at times.
