Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray by Dorothy Love Read Free Book Online

doubted my ability to be selfless where my husband’s happiness was concerned. I was, as I have said, accustomed to getting my own way. Renowned among my friends and family for my disregard of convention. Admittedly, I had fallen into a terrible habit of arriving late to important engagements. And more than once I had turned up somewhere important without the proper attire, much to my mother’s dismay.
    Such things mattered little to me, but Robert was a military officer, an engineer accustomed to precision, order, and punctuality. He was a delightful suitor—charming and affectionate—but what if we were too different to live together for the rest of our lives?
    Someone knocked at my door, and then Angela burst in, her eyes bright with amusement. “Mary! Your preacher has arrived soaked to the skin, and there are no clothes but your father’s to dress him in!”
    Three of my other attendants crowded into my room, all of them stifling laughter.
    “I caught a glimpse of the poor half-drowned reverend, and I must say he looks quite comical,” Angela said. “But don’t worry, his robes will cover the fact that your father’s breeches come barely to his ankles.”
    Then Mother arrived to help me get dressed. My gown was exquisitely made and perfectly fitted to my small frame, but compared to my beautiful and vivacious bridesmaids I felt like a wren among a flock of exotic birds.
    Mother finished doing up the buttons and turned me around. “What’s the matter, child?”
    “Nothing. It’s just that Robert is so handsome and I’m so plain. I fear I won’t be a credit to him tonight.”
    Mother patted my cheek. “Stop your fretting. Whatever a girl may be the day before her wedding, or however she may appear on the day after, on her wedding day she is always beautiful. Now don’t keep Robert waiting.”
    The bridesmaids assembled in the upper hallway. We walked down the stairs single file and into the candlelit parlor where Robert stood next to Smith. His groomsmen were lined up behind him, their faces solemn in the candlelight.
    Robert winked and reached for my hand, and Dr. Keith began the service. Later I could recall nothing of it except the reading of scripture and Robert’s chaste kiss after we said our vows.
    Our friends crowded around us, offering kisses and congratulations. Supper was served, after which Aunt Nelly took her place at the piano and the dancing commenced.
    Robert swept me into his arms. “Well, Molly, the deed is done. How does it feel to be Mrs. Lee?”
    He was a head taller than I, and I had to pull away to look up into his eyes. “Why, it feels just fine, Lieutenant.”
    “You’re not sorry you didn’t marry Sam Houston? I heard he was quite taken with you.”
    “Heavens! Sam Houston is nearly forty. And anyway, he married someone else.”
    “I heard she left him right after their I-dos, poor devil.” Robert twirled me around. “Promise never to leave me, Molly. I could not bear it.”
    “I never wanted anyone but you.”
    “I never expected you would be mine, and see how it turned out. Your parents have given us a lovely celebration,” he murmured. “Our wedding is certain to be long remembered.”
    Smith tapped my husband’s shoulder. “Mind if I dance with your bride, Robert?”
    Smith took me in his arms. “You make a lovely bride, Mary.”
    “Thank you. You make a handsome best man.”
    He smiled. “Aren’t you just a wee bit sorry you married my little brother when you could have had me?”
    “You never were serious about marriage, Smith Lee, and you know it.”
    The song ended and our guests gathered hats and shawls, summoned their carriages, and went home. Papa and Mother and our wedding attendants made themselves scarce as the evening waned.
    Robert took my hand. “Shall we retire for the evening, Mrs. Lee?”
    We went upstairs to the room that had been prepared for us. The lamps were lit, and the yellow flames guttered softly in the rain-cooled breeze that