Love and Marriage at Harpers, page 20
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Mildred’s funeral was the day prior to Beth’s wedding. It felt strange to stand in the church and listen to the burial service, watching Minnie struggle against her tears and then go home to the celebrations for Beth. However, Rachel managed to put her sorrow for Minnie to one side and join in the fun and laughter on the eve of Beth’s wedding. They had bought her several small gifts. Sally had managed to get them wholesale prices on a silver coffee pot and a china tea service. Because it had cost just over half what they would need to pay in store, they’d been able to give Beth a really good present and she was overcome.
Because Beth had shown her the silver tea service her aunt had sent her, she’d managed to match it with the coffee pot and Beth had been delighted as she saw them all together on the silver tray that went with Aunt Helen’s tea set.
‘I shall keep this for best and give it pride of place on my sideboard,’ she told them and then laughed. ‘When I have one…’
‘You can use the china one for every day,’ Sally agreed.
‘I never expected all these gifts,’ Beth had said, smiling and hugging them as she opened the parcels tied up with ribbons. ‘Thank you all so much…’
As a ‘thank you’ gift, Jack had bought all three bridesmaids a pearl necklace, which he’d purchased in New York; they were cultured pearls and large and creamy with silver clasps. All of them tried them on with their dresses and declared they were thrilled.
He’d taken Beth over to his father’s house with boxes of her stuff two evenings before the wedding, but apart from that she hadn’t seen much of him because he’d been busy with his new job.
‘I’m sorry, love,’ he’d told her. ‘But once we’re married we shall have all the time in the world…’
Jack had bought pearls for Beth too, but hers was a double strand and had a gold clasp. The necklace fitted into the square décolletage of her gown very well and when she was dressed she looked beautiful. After an evening of laughter and talk, they all went to bed and finally even Beth fell asleep.
The next morning was bright and fine, the sun shining soon after breakfast. Sally went into Harper’s for an hour, just to make sure everything was in place and their replacements knew what they were doing, but the others had a leisurely breakfast with Beth. Sally came home with a wistful look on her face and a dreamy expression in her eyes. She brought back a large box from Harper’s and inside was a dinner service to match the tea service; it was a gift from Ben Harper.
‘I suppose you told him what to buy,’ Beth said after she’d peeped inside the box at the generous gift.
‘He asked and I told him, but it was his idea to buy you a present.’ Sally’s smile was secretive and Rachel wondered what was behind that look, but Beth hardly noticed in all the excitement.
Several of the staff had clubbed together and bought Beth some table linen, but the dinner service was something she certainly hadn’t expected. Rachel was surprised that Ben Harper would give such an expensive gift to a junior minor member of staff, but he must surely have done so at Sally’s urging.
Sally hadn’t said much about her Paris trip to any of them. When Rachel asked her if she’d had a nice time, she was non-committal and simply said she’d enjoyed seeing the clothes being made. Rachel had thought she might open up a bit more as the evening wore on, but she hadn’t so she didn’t press her.
On the day of the wedding, Rachel, Sally and Maggie followed Beth down the aisle, and Rachel took her bouquet when she knelt for the blessing. She thought Beth looked very happy when she and her husband came from the vestry after signing the register. Rachel stood with the other bridesmaids and well-wishers outside to throw confetti over the bride. Sally had some rose petals and dried lavender, which smelled nice.
‘Beth looks radiant, doesn’t she?’ Sally whispered as the bride lifted her face for her new husband’s kiss and then they came down the aisle to the sound of church bells ringing and triumphant music from the organ. The happy couple clearly had eyes only for each other.
Outside the church, one of Fred’s neighbours stood with a little girl and she came forward to offer Beth a horseshoe tied up with blue ribbons for luck. Beth was given several little trinkets from friends of Fred’s family and the reception was for thirty people, almost all of whom were Jack’s friends. On Beth’s side, there were only her three friends from Harper’s and Fred, who had given her away, standing in for the father she had lost many years before. Aunt Helen was nowhere to be seen and hadn’t attended the service.
‘Where has her aunt got to?’ Rachel whispered to Sally, who shrugged. ‘She said she was looking forward to the wedding…’
‘I bet her husband has something to do with it,’ Maggie whispered. ‘I saw Beth looking round – and I reckon it’s mean, upsetting her on her wedding day.’
‘Perhaps her aunt couldn’t get here,’ Sally frowned. ‘She isn’t on the telephone or I’d ring…’
‘I’ll tell Beth that one of us will go round later and see if she’s all right,’ Rachel said.
Beth was standing with her husband, welcoming her guests to the reception. When Rachel kissed her, she looked anxious and said, ‘Have you seen my aunt?’
‘She isn’t here, Beth – but you mustn’t worry. Sally and I will go round this evening and see if she is all right…’
‘Thank you.’ Beth frowned, still clearly anxious. ‘She must be ill – or he has shut her up in her room again…’
‘Surely he wouldn’t – not on your wedding day, Beth?’
‘I’m not sure anything would stop him,’ Beth said. ‘I wish she’d never married him…’
‘Well, don’t let it spoil your wedding day, love…’ Sally advised with a smile.
‘No, I won’t,’ Beth replied, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Sally cursed Beth’s aunt for not making the effort to get there, but Rachel was sure it wasn’t her fault.
Apart from the absence of Aunt Helen, the wedding went off well, the sun shining the whole time and everyone looking smart and happy. Beth told Rachel she’d caught a glimpse of Sally’s friend, Mick, at the back of the church, though he didn’t come to the reception. He’d only met Beth once, but she told Sally and Rachel at the reception later that he’d sent her a set of pearl handled fruit knives as a gift.
‘I would never have expected a gift from your friend,’ Beth remarked. ‘I didn’t even invite him to the wedding…’
‘Mick obviously liked you,’ Sally said and shrugged. ‘He’s a good friend and I need to see him soon and explain…’
Beth questioned with a look, but Sally shook her head and whispered that she would tell her some news when she returned from her honeymoon…
When the wedding was finally over and the bride and groom had departed in a cloud of rose petals, Rachel and Sally decided to go together to find out where Aunt Helen had got to but when they reached the house where Beth’s aunt lived, the windows were closed and the curtains drawn.
‘What’s going on here?’ Sally asked Rachel. ‘Something is wrong – I’ll go and ask next door…’
‘You’re right,’ Rachel said. ‘Let’s ask next door…’
She marched round to the back of the neighbour’s house and after a while a woman came to the door. She shook her head when Rachel asked if she knew where Aunt Helen or her husband had got to.
‘I haven’t seen him for more than a week,’ the woman said. ‘Come to think of it, it might be two weeks – she was here the day before yesterday. I thought she was going to her niece’s wedding today…’
‘She didn’t arrive,’ Sally said and took a notebook from her bag, scribbling her address. ‘If she turns up, can you let me know please?’
‘Yes, all right,’ the woman said. ‘I’ll send you a letter…’
‘Thank you…’ Sally gave her two shillings for the trouble and left.
Rachel had walked round to the back of the house, but she saw no sign of anyone and the back door was locked. That in itself was a pointer, because most folk left their kitchen unlocked unless they were out.
‘There’s no one here,’ Rachel said. ‘I don’t know what to think…’
‘Beth’s aunt was here on Thursday, but the neighbour hasn’t seen Gerald for a couple of weeks…’
‘It’s odd – but it happened once before and then Aunt Helen turned up and said everything was fine.’ Rachel wrinkled her brow. ‘I can’t believe she let Beth down like that…’
‘Maggie told me she was a bit odd sometimes,’ Sally said. ‘There’s no more we can do for her at the moment, Rachel. I’ll come over again tomorrow evening and see if she’s around then…’
Rachel looked back at the house again. For a moment she thought she saw the curtain twitch and then told herself it was her imagination. Why would Beth’s aunt hide up in her bedroom? Yet why hadn’t she attended the wedding? She made the bridesmaids’ dresses and given Beth a nice gift – surely she would have wanted to be at the church if she could?
Rachel could only feel for Beth, because it must have cast a shadow over her wedding, even if she tried not to let it upset her.
‘I shouldn’t let it upset you,’ Jack said as they sat on the train that evening.
Beth had told him she was worried about Aunt Helen, but when she suggested they go round to investigate, he was reluctant.
‘There’s little you can do, Beth – besides, didn’t your friend say she would go round?’
‘Rachel and Sally were going to see if she was all right,’ Beth agreed. She knew if they’d missed the train they wouldn’t have been able to get to the hotel that evening and Jack had gone to a lot of trouble and expense to make things right for their honeymoon. They were breaking their journey to stay one night at a hotel just outside Oxford and would continue in the morning to their holiday destination. Jack had planned it all as a surprise and Beth was determined not to let her aunt ruin it for them both. ‘I think she must be unwell,’ Beth said. ‘But you’re right; I can’t do anything, Jack. I begged her to leave him…’
Jack nodded, a grim line to his mouth. ‘Your aunt is a proud and stubborn woman, Beth. We tried to help her, but she wouldn’t let us – I’m just sorry she upset you today.’
‘No, she hasn’t.’ Beth moved closer, looking up into his face. She smiled at him and took his hand, holding it to her cheek. ‘I love you, Jack, and I want to be here with you. I know that if there is anything to be done, Rachel and Sally will do it…’ She shook her head. ‘She won’t let me help her anyway…’
Jack put his arm about her, drawing her in close. He looked into her eyes. ‘Try to forget Aunt Helen and her husband and let’s enjoy ourselves for a few days. Once we’re back I’ll be working hard and we shan’t have much time for having fun…’
‘I know…’ Beth lifted her face for his kiss. ‘I am happy, Jack. Honestly, I’m really looking forward to our week at the sea…’
He smiled and kissed her softly but with an underlying passion. ‘I’ve been looking forward to this ever since we met,’ he said and she understood that he wanted the physical love that they had denied themselves. Beth had preferred to wait for marriage and Jack hadn’t wanted anything to spoil their wedding and so they’d waited, but she knew he was eager for their wedding night. She sighed and leaned into him, letting the feeling of love wash over her. Beth felt she knew Jack so well that passion and loving held no fears for her – and so it proved.
They arrived in the hotel just outside Oxford late at night and went straight to their room, having ordered a light meal in the dining car on their train. The room Jack had booked for their first night was very special, even though they would only spend a few hours there as they had to catch a train early in the morning. It had been prepared for a bride and groom, with flowers, sparkling wine, chocolates and sheets that smelled of rose petals. Yet it was Jack’s tender loving that Beth would always remember. She’d gone to him without fear and even when it hurt her a little, she’d still trusted him and felt pleasure in his relief. Jack had made love to her twice during the night and again in the morning before they rose and went down to breakfast. Beth didn’t feel the shuddering delight that he so clearly gained from their loving, but she was happy. It was nice being in bed together, cuddling and kissing and talking of the future, and she was content, glad that she was married and looking forward to the rest of their lives.
They continued their journey after breakfast at the hotel, had lunch in the dining car and arrived at their final destination in Torquay just in time for tea at three thirty. The hotel was small but comfortable and set at the top of a steep hill, which gave them wonderful views out over the sea. They changed after tea and walked down to the beach, wandering at the edge of the sea for a while in the sunshine. Jack talked of his plans to have a hotel near the sea one day and Beth nodded, letting him talk, just enjoying the sunshine and the feel of the sand between her toes.
‘You are happy, Beth?’ he asked and she nodded, smiling up at him.
‘Yes, of course I am – why do you ask?’
‘I just wondered. I thought…’ He shook his head. ‘It doesn’t matter…’
Beth laughed, broke from him and ran further up the beach. Jack came pounding after her, caught her, swept her off her feet and swung her round, kissing her passionately on the mouth as he set her down.
Beth clung to him and smiled up at him. ‘I do love you, Jack,’ she said and saw the fire in his eyes.
Later, after they’d washed and changed for the evening, they went to a show at a theatre in the town and had a pot of tea in their room when they got back. That night, Jack made love to Beth again, slowly, taking his time to bring her to a trembling awareness, and for the first time she felt more than just a warm comfort at being in his arms. She moaned softly and he held her closer.
‘You do like making love?’ he asked in her ear and she pressed herself against him for answer.
‘Yes, of course I do,’ she whispered and kissed the side of his face. ‘I love you…’
Yet she didn’t feel the overwhelming joy in their loving that he did. Beth sensed that he was a little disappointed in her responses to his lovemaking, but she didn’t know how to respond or what he needed from her. She was happy, but she knew that something was lacking when they made love, but she didn’t know what it was or what she ought to do to make it right.
Jack made love to her every night for the first five nights and then on the sixth he just yawned, said he was tired and went to sleep. Beth lay awake for a while, wondering what she’d done to upset him.
The next day was their last before they had to go back to London and they spent the morning shopping, buying small gifts to take home, and the afternoon lazing on the beach. It was a small private cove they’d found and very few people ever used it. That afternoon no one else was about and after they’d been into the water to cool themselves, Jack dried her back. He kissed her all the way down her spine and Beth shivered, giving a little moan of pleasure. She arched back against him and then turned into his arms, pressing herself into his body. He looked down at her and then laughed.
‘You really want me this time,’ he said and drew her closer, a look of delight in his eyes. ‘So now I know what turns you on, Beth…’
Beth laughed up at him and then they were lying on their towels and Jack was making love to her, but this time she went to him eagerly and suddenly it was good. Her body moved beneath his and shivered with pleasure as she gave herself up to his loving.
Afterwards, when she’d cried out and shed a few tears, Jack lay stroking her cheek. ‘I thought you didn’t really want me…’ he whispered. ‘You seemed so remote when I touched you…’
‘It’s just… I didn’t know how…’ Beth whispered back and kissed him. ‘You make me happy, Jack…’
‘Yes, I know,’ he said and looked happy and confident. ‘Let’s get dressed and have tea – and then we’ll go dancing again…’
They’d been dancing twice at the ballroom that week. Neither of them were good dancers, but the music was nice; they could hold each other and get through the slower dances and it was a nice way of spending the evenings. Beth knew that once they were home there would be little time for such things and she was pleased that she’d given Jack the response he wanted on the beach, even though she had let him think she felt more than she really did… but now she knew how to please him.
It had been a wonderful honeymoon, but she couldn’t help wondering about her aunt now and then…
Beth went to see her friends at the flat the evening after they returned to London. Jack was going to be late back and she’d told him where she was going. She took the sweets she’d brought home and found them all sitting on the sofa drinking cocoa.
‘Did you have a wonderful time?’ Sally asked. ‘You’ve got a nice colour, Beth – it was lovely weather all week…’
‘Yes, it was and we went on the beach most days,’ Beth said. ‘I had the best time… but did you discover why Aunt Helen didn’t come to the wedding?’
‘Oh Beth, I’m so sorry,’ Sally said. ‘It’s bad news, love.’
‘I’m so very sorry, Beth. We didn’t phone the hotel as we didn’t want to spoil things for you – but Helen is in the hospital,’ Rachel said, looking upset. ‘They say she must have fallen down the stairs and she lay there for a couple of days. When Sally couldn’t find her again the night after your wedding, she fetched a police constable and he broke in. He discovered her lying at the foot of the stairs unconscious. She is very ill and hasn’t recovered her senses yet and the doctors aren’t sure she ever will…’
‘Oh no!’ Beth went cold all over. ‘Poor Aunt Helen – to lie there all alone and not be able to get help…’ She felt faint suddenly and sat down.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Rachel said again. ‘Can we get you a drink, love? I know it is a terrible shock for you…’
‘But how…?’ Beth whispered. ‘What happened…’ she was shivering and felt a little sick. Poor Aunt Helen lying there while she was enjoying her honeymoon! She felt guilty, even though she knew that was silly.
