Cutler 03 - Twilight's Child

up and enjoy the dancing while they feasted.
    Jimmy and I got up and danced twice, and then Philip requested a dance. I looked at Jimmy. His eyes narrowed, but he nodded gently, and I accepted.
    "I have to hand it to Mother," he said while he held me close to him, "she outdid herself this time. I've never seen such an affair at the hotel. You can be sure Grandmother wouldn't have spent this much."
    "Mother doesn't know a thing about money and costs, nor could she care."
    "Spoken like a true Cutler," he said, smiling.
    "Stop saying that, Philip. I'm just trying to be realistic. I see the plus and minus columns every day," I replied. He looked impressed.
    "Anyway," he said, "I'm glad she didn't spare the expense. I can't think of anyone I'd like to see enjoy it more than you.
    "I wonder," he continued, "if my wedding will be anything like this. I expect it might."
    "Have you become formally engaged?" I asked.
    "Not yet, but soon," he said. "My fiancée’s parents are very wealthy."
    "I'm happy for you, Philip."
    "Of course," he said, swinging me to the side, "money isn't important if you're not with the one you want to be with."
    "But you are, aren't you, Philip?" I pursued.
    "You know, I'll always wish it was you and I, Dawn," he replied. His eyes were soft, limpid pools of desire.
    "Well, we both know that can't and never will be. So there's no sense talking about it, is there?"
    "No, you're right," he said. "It's only painful to do so." When the dance ended I asked him if he would go look in on Randolph.
    "See what's keeping him," I asked.
    "Your wish is my command," he replied, bowing like a dutiful servant, and he left. Before I could return to the dais the music started again, and I felt myself being turned. I looked up into Bronson Alcott's eyes.
    "May I have this next dance?" he asked. I looked toward the dais. Jimmy was talking to some of the hotel staff. "Yes," I said. He took hold of me firmly, and we began. "You know," he said, "I'm quite envious of James. He's landed the best catch at the shore."
    "It's the other way around, Mr. Alcott. I've landed the best catch."
    He laughed.
    "Please, call me Bronson," he said again. "I don't like feeling older than you."
    "No wonder you and my mother get along so well," I said petulantly. His smile widened. "She never wants to act her age either."
    He roared and swung me around. I had to admit to myself that in his arms I did feel like a princess. He was so graceful. Our dancing caught the attention of a number of the guests, many of whom stopped dancing themselves to watch us. Before long it seemed as if the entire wedding party was staring our way, especially Mother, who wore the most unusual look on her face—a mixture of jealousy and sadness. When the number ended there was some applause.
    "We're a hit," Bronson said. "Thank you."
    "Thank you," I said, and I hurried back to Jimmy, who looked overwhelmed.
    "I can't wait to get out of here," I whispered, "and be on our honeymoon."
    He brightened and kissed me softly. Then Sissy brought Christie to us, and we took her out on the dance floor and held her between us as we danced and enjoyed the music.
    Philip returned to tell me that Randolph had fallen asleep on the sofa in his office.
    "I didn't have the heart to wake him," he said.
    "Maybe it is for the best," I admitted.
    Suddenly the band stopped playing and the emcee came to the microphone.
    "Many of you know," he began, "that our beautiful bride is a very talented singer. Perhaps we can coax her into coming up here and singing at her own wedding."
    "Oh, no," I cried. But the guests all cheered. I looked helplessly at Jimmy and Trisha.
    "Go ahead," he said.
    "Yes, show them what a Sarah Bernhardt student can do," Trisha added excitedly.
    "Oh, Jimmy . . ." Reluctantly, I let myself be led to the microphone. The band waited for instructions. I remembered an old love song Momma Longchamp used to hum sometimes. To my surprise, the band knew it, too. They started playing, and I began.
    "I'm confessing that I love you . . ."
    The guests grew quite attentive. Many swayed to the melody. When I was finished there was thunderous applause. I looked at Jimmy and saw him beaming with pride. To his right Bronson Alcott sat staring at me with a wide smile. Mother fluttered about, accepting congratulations from everyone near her. I hurried back to Jimmy's side.
    Shortly afterward the wedding cake was wheeled out, and Jimmy and I had to go down to do the traditional cutting.