“They are a beautiful couple,” Alice stated to Bette.

Bette smiled at the love the couple clearly shared.  She had heard that the most beautiful of the Kennard girls was the bride. “They are.”

“Her dress is wonderful, considering how little time the family had to make it.”

“It is a lovely dress.  Anyone would be pleased to wear it,” Bette generously replied.

“That could be you up there, you know.”

“Marry Aloysius?  He’s a sweet boy but I doubt that he has ever read a book.”

“Of course he’s read at least one book, and he’s not that much younger, but you know that I didn’t mean that.  I meant that you could have a ceremony like this any time you wanted.”

“Is that true?”

Alice  began to get excited.  “Yes.  I can arrange it before the snows fall.”

“So quickly?”

“For you, yes.”

“And the monsignor will agree.”

Alice’s forehead wrinkled.  “Why wouldn’t he?”

“I didn’t know that you could have a wedding without a groom.”

Alice sighed so loudly some heads turned to determine the source of the odd sound.  “Bette,” she whispered, “someday I am going to just give up.”

“I am happy to hear that.”

As the ceremony continued, Alice began to cry softly.

“What is wrong with you?” Bette had asked.

“I am happy for the couple.”

Bette leaned closer to Alice and whispered “You are happy for the money other families will pay you in hopes of the same success.”

Alice’s head jerked at the insult, but she then relaxed and whispered “That too.”

##

The bride and groom had led the procession to the groom’s parents’ home, surrounded by the huzzahs of the town folk who lined the streets. The couple was followed by their parents and brothers and sisters, who were also cheered, and then by those who were guests at the wedding party. 

Alice and Bette lingered at the end of the last group.

“You will have a good time.”

“I never have, Alice.”

“Then stay a little while, until after the speeches.”

Bette didn’t need Alice’s encouragement.  She would not enjoy the party, but she would not offend either family by not attending.

##

The food and sweets and wine were excellent,  despite that there had been so little time to prepare.  The Millmans had had emptied the shops of the town and all of the towns within riding distance of all of their delicacies. Several of the gentry and merchant families had given the parents delicacies from their own larder to enhance the party.  Bette had given three pounds of currents for the wedding cakes and a pound of her best oolong tea. She had also given ten bottles of port from the dozens that her grandfather had stored in the cellar decades earlier.