Page 29 of Bride in Blue
“Oh,” she said. Inside the box was the dress from the mercantile window. It was even more beautiful than from behind the glass.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
Cassie lifted the dress out of the package and stood, letting the box fall to the floor. She held the dress up to her and twisted back and forth so the skirt flared around her ankles.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anything so beautiful.”
“So, you do like it?” Max asked.
Cassie laid the dress back down on the sofa and quickly wrapped her arms around Max’s neck. “I more than like it. I love it.”
“I’m glad. I saw it and immediately thought of you. I had it put aside when I heard about the theater in town.”
“But you bought fabric.”
“You needed another dress. Your father I was able to dress from the haberdashery. Unfortunately, we don’t sell women’s goods.”
“You are too good to me,” she said leaning to give him a peck on the cheek.
Max must have seen her intention as he turned his face, capturing her lips with his own. Cassie had never been kissed. She had heard about it from the girls in the building. She had even witnessed her brother sneak a kiss in the hallway.
Now she knew why. It was addictive.
His lips pressed against hers, and she felt his beard tickle her chin. He broke the kiss and looked at her. Cassie saw his eyes look like molten gold.
She wondered if he could hear her heart beating out of her chest. He leaned down to give her another quick peck when there was a knock on the door.
Max let her go. “You should probably start heating up bath water. We need to be there at 5 o’clock sharp.” The knock sounded again. “I’ll go get that.” He took a few steps backwards before turning on his heel and disappearing out of the room.
Cassie lifted the dress back up. It was everything she hoped for and more. A long skirt with extra fabric that could be tied up in a bustle. The collar and the cording around the sleeves was dark blue velvet, which was a stark contrast to the light blue fabric.
She picked up the box to store her cut fabric in. and was heading up to her room to get washed when she heard the Scottish brogue carry through the hallway.
“Maximillian Blue, what is this I hear about ye livin’ here with a woman ye t’arn’t married to?”
Cassie stood in front of Reverend Bing. She was wearing the blue dress that Max had given her. It fit perfectly, and she felt beautiful as the blue fabric hugged her.
Mrs. Brown and her father stood off to the side as witnesses. Once the ceremony was over, they would head to the theater for the performance.
Max tried to explain that there were chaperones living at the house, but Reverend Bing insisted that Max do the honorable thing. He expected to see them at the church before heading to the theater.
She quickly bathed and dressed herself in her new dress. Mrs. Brown assisted her in curling her hair. It hung in ringlets down her back instead of up as she normally would wear it. She even let Cassie borrow her rouge, blending a little dab into each check and on her lips.
Her father found her some flowers for a small bouquet. Turns out he picked them from the garden next door.
The woman was naturally upset, but when he explained he didn’t realize it was her bush (since it straddled both small yards) and explained the purpose, she was more than hospitable to offer up some other flowers as well.
She had never seen her father looking so fine. He wore a dark suit with velvet lapels and collar. His pants were a light brown, and he even had a new pair of boots that shined so bright she could see her reflection in them.
But he was nothing compared to the man about to become her husband. Max changed into a white shirt and a dark jacket with matching pants. He had a cravat she recognized as being in the last shipment from New York.
Cassie passed her flowers over to Mrs. Brown so Max could take her hand. “You look beautiful,” he said to her.
“I feel beautiful.” Cassie repeated the vows and watched as Max slid a simple gold band on her finger.
When the ceremony was done, he leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips, signifying they were now married. Her father gathered them both up in an embrace.
“Congratulations, girlie. I couldn’t be happier for you.” He planted a kiss on Cassie’s cheek and shook Max’s hand.
