Heavenstone 02 - Secret Whispers

strawberry. Women were given stems of roses, and ushers guided people to the kiosks and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The orchestra began playing, and even if I had to admit it myself, the machinery of this grand wedding came to life and began to coordinate with perfection.
    The arrival of the governor and his wife in a helicopter caused a new surge of excitement. He came with Senator Brice and his wife. Other Kentucky celebrities and well-known businesspeople began to stream in afterward. Ethan jokingly said that we should have had someone at the microphone announcing them the way they did at the royal courts in Europe.
    “Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So, the Earl of Cable Television, or Mr. and Mrs. Jet Set.”
    I laughed at his imitations, which he was careful to do out of Lucille’s earshot.
    The tailor at the Heaven-stone Store had done a wonderful job on his tuxedo. He looked dazzlingly handsome. Part of his first day had involved going to a hairstylist, which was something else Lucille had arranged. I saw how he caught the attention of other women and felt pangs of jealousy when he nodded and smiled back at them. I was sure they were all wondering who he was and how he had come to be my escort. Maybe I was imagining it, but I thought the tongues that wagged were all wagging about us, about me, more than they were about Lucille.I was sure I heard someone say, “Money can buy anything,” but when I turned sharply to look, no one was gazing our way.
    Lucille made sure the event was on schedule. Those assigned to collect us for the procession shot out precisely when she had ordered it, and we gathered in the house to get our last-minute instructions. I studied Uncle Perry’s face to see if he would finally show some unhappiness about being replaced as best man, but he smiled and winked at me and looked quite relaxed and happy. Outside, the eighteen hundred guests were seated, and the music Lucille had chosen for the procession began. Daddy, Senator Brice—who, at Lucille’s request, had come in his military uniform—and the minister walked out first to take their positions at the altar. Daddy turned back before he left, but I wasn’t sure he was looking for me.
    “He’s not,” Cassie whispered. “He can’t see anyone but her right now.”
    I said nothing, nor did I turn my head. When it came time for me and the others to walk out, I moved like a robot, my eyes down. I knew where Ethan would be sitting and did turn to look at him. He gave me a thumbs-up, and I finally smiled. Everyone rose when Lucille and her father stepped out to walk down the aisle. Give the devil her due, I thought. She looked beautiful and as stately and elegant as the first time I had set eyes on her. I was sure everyone was thinking, That’s what a mistress of Heaven-stone should look like.
    The absolute precision of the ceremony was marred by only one thing, and only I knew why. Untilthat moment, not a single person was out of step, and no one misspoke. The minister’s voice cracked sharply and loudly enough for everyone to hear each word. Senator Brice handed Daddy the wedding ring, and when the time came for him to place it on Lucille’s finger, his fingers looked as if they trembled, and the ring slipped out and bounced on the ground. There was a hush, a collective gasp. Senator Brice moved quickly to pick it up and hand it to Daddy again. This time, he moved it gracefully onto Lucille’s finger.
    Only I saw what had really happened.
    Cassie was beside Daddy, and when he had extended his hand the first time, she had shaken his arm. After the ring fell, she looked at me and smiled.
    Immediately after the ceremony, the partying began. Everyone went to the tables. Lucille had arranged for Ethan to sit with me at the long dais that included her relatives, the governor and his wife, and Senator Brice and his wife. I saw how wide-eyed Ethan was at the sight of all of these important political figures right beside him. He was also drinking quite a bit, which worried me. The only way to slow him down was to get up and dance, and we did so right after Daddy and Lucille had their first dance. To my surprise, before it ended, Lucille’s father danced with her, and Daddy beckoned to me.
    “Go on,” Ethan urged.
    I rose and joined him on the dance floor. I hadn’t danced with him since I was a little girl.
    “Well, what do you think, Semantha? Did Lucille plan a winning affair or what?”
    “It’s overwhelming, Daddy.”
    “I hope