The Life She Wanted: A Novel(38)
All the plays they had enjoyed this summer, many of the discussions they’d had at Finley’s drugstore, revolved around Harley’s love of the theater. Pandora loved Harley’s passion for the theater. She understood that sort of passion, and it made her feel special that he included her in it.
If Harley worked at his father’s bank, he’d be miserable all the time. What would happen if at some point Harley decided it was Pandora’s fault that he’d had to abandon his dreams of becoming a producer? Could she live with herself if everything Harley did—the dinner parties they would give to entertain clients, the endless hours he would spend in a board room, the private clubs his father would make him join—was because of her?
Pandora was in love with Harley, but she couldn’t let him marry her if it meant giving up his hopes and dreams.
But if she declined his proposal, she’d lose Harley and never be able to repay her father. Willie had put his trust in Pandora, and Pandora had failed. And everything Pandora longed for—the grand estate, the children, the chance to open her own boutique—would disappear as surely as an ice sculpture melting on a summer night. Just like with Owen, Pandora would lose the man she loved. Except this time, it would be her fault.
She looked into his green eyes. Harley was so handsome. She wanted to gaze at him across the breakfast table every morning and go to sleep beside him every night.
Harley made a coughing sound; he squeezed her hand tightly. He was waiting for her to answer. Perhaps he thought the trade-off in careers was worth it if it meant they could be together. His expression was so loving and hopeful she couldn’t turn him down.
They could discuss his career later, once they were married.
“The ring is perfect,” Pandora breathed. It really was perfect. Elegant and timeless and not too large. She held out her finger. “The answer is yes.”
Harley took her in his arms, and his mouth found hers. His kiss was long and deep, and she felt warm and cherished.
“I promise I’ll be a good husband,” Harley said when he released her.
Pandora pushed her fears from her mind. She and Harley were a team now; nothing would get in the way of their happiness. The future was as bright and silvery as the moon shimmering on the Hudson.
“Let’s go inside before it gets chilly.” Harley took Pandora’s arm.
The minute they entered the French doors, Virginia swooped down on them. She glanced from Pandora’s radiant expression to her left hand.
“I wondered where you two went,” Virginia gushed. She pointed at Pandora’s hand. “Is that what I think it is?”
“I asked Pandora to marry me, and she agreed,” Harley answered for both of them.
A champagne flute was pressed into Pandora’s hand. Couples crowded around them. The men thumped Harley on the back and offered their congratulations. Pandora held up the ring for everyone to see, and all the guests clapped.
Only one person held back. Archie stood at the bar, downing a cocktail. His expression was dark and brooding. Instead of coming over to join them, he finished his drink and poured another.
Chapter Nine
March 1927, Hyde Park, New York
Pandora and Harley decided on a June wedding, to be held a few weeks after Harley’s graduation from Princeton. Pandora was so happy she kept pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She’d be able to pay her father back and take care of him when he was older. Already Willie had almost forgiven her, and he was thrilled about the wedding.
The reception would be held at Blythdale. The wedding would take up the entire weekend. They’d start with a picnic on the lawn on Friday, followed by an intimate dinner for the wedding party. There would be a prewedding breakfast on Saturday, then the church service, and then dinner and dancing in the gardens.
Adele hired the band Paul “Pops” Whiteman and his orchestra. Pandora couldn’t believe it when Adele told her. Pops Whiteman was the most popular band leader in New York. Adele said Harley was her last remaining son, and she already felt like Pandora was her daughter. She wanted them to have the best of everything.
One of the happiest parts of planning the wedding was the time Pandora spent with Adele. Pandora didn’t care that much about seating arrangements or which car would transport them to the church. But she loved Adele’s company.
They spent hours together in the morning room at Blythdale. Their conversation moved easily from centerpieces and bridal bouquets to Adele’s involvement with the settlement houses and the women working in factories.
Adele sat on a committee that met monthly at the Grand Street Settlement House to address social issues. The committee was advocating for public restrooms to be installed in the neighborhood and starting a kindergarten so that young children had somewhere to go while their mothers worked. Adele promised she’d take her to a committee meeting when Pandora returned from the honeymoon.
Adele was becoming the mother that Pandora never had. She no longer envied girls like Lillian or Lucy. Just being with Adele made her happy.
Milton Enright was kind to Pandora too. He was so relieved that Harley was joining the bank that nothing was too good for the couple. He insisted on paying for the wedding and wouldn’t take any money from Pandora’s father. Harley and Pandora could honeymoon wherever they liked, and when they returned, they would live at Blythdale until they moved into their own home.