In those seconds all of Bruce's reservations had fled. 'You mean that?'
'I'll prove it. Let's get married tonight. The minute that minister has finished marrying your sister and Alan, let's grab him and make him marry us too.' 'Karen, that's perfect!'
He rose to his feet, pulling her up with him, and embraced her, smothering her with kisses. 'Come on,' he said, 'let's find the minister.'
He tried to take her hand to leave the Moorish Room, but she remained firmly planted, refusing to go.
'Not so fast,' she said, 'not yet.'
He stood before Karen. 'Why not? What's wrong?'
Karen smiled sweetly. 'I don't think you should marry a virgin. I think on your wedding night you should enjoy an experienced woman. Don't you?'
Confused, Bruce hesitated. 'Well, really, I don't know.'
'I know,' said Karen. 'Believe me, Bruce, it would be better. No fumbling, no tension, if we're both experienced. After that, from our wedding night on, it will get better and better.'
'You mean that, don't you?'
'I mean it. I'm ready. I still have my bedroom. Don't you want to make a virgin happy?'
He kissed her. 'You bet I do.' He took her hand. 'Right now.'
Slipping away from the banquet guests slowly filling the Everleigh Club, Karen and Bruce made their way to her room.
Once inside, Karen locked the door. There was only one lamp shining dimly. The rest of the room was dark.
Without a word they began to undress.
He was the first to strip and to stand nude. Standing apart from him, she dropped the last of her clothes.
His eyes widened as he took her in. 'My God, I've never seen anyone so beautiful.'
She stared at him. 'I've never seen a man undressed before…'
He went to her and pressing his body against hers, he could feel her heart thumping.
Taking her hand, he led her to the bed.
'You know what to do?' he asked softly.
'I think so.'
She lifted herself on to the bed, and settled on her back, frightened and thrilled.
Lying close, Bruce kissed her on the mouth, ran kisses down her cheek and neck, until his lips found her nipples.
Her nipples hardened and his tongue on them began to arouse her. As he moved above her body, her hand went to the back of his head. 'Please – please – oh, please, don't wait,' she gasped. 'I can't stand this. Please do it. Do it now.'
He guided his hardened penis downward, and slowly, slowly he entered her.
'Ahhh,' she said. 'Ahhh – deeper, deeper.'
He went in all the way, going slowly.
Once he stopped, drew himself back, and glanced down at the bed sheet.
'Darling, you're not a virgin anymore,' he said, and added, 'You're an experienced woman.'
'Make me more experienced,' she breathed. And they went on.
Half an hour later, composed and fully dressed, they held hands, in love, and walked away from the bedroom.
The downstairs hallway was empty and quiet. From the muted sounds of conversation and laughter somewhere in the Club, they realized that almost everyone had gathered in the Gold Room.
Karen and Bruce made their way to the entrance, and they saw Cathleen in her white satin and lace wedding gown and Alan standing before a tall Lutheran minister, while the guests – including Prince Henry of Prussia – watched the conclusion of the wedding. Minna and Aida were beaming at the bride, and Armbruster and his wife stood behind the groom.
'Alan Armbruster,' the minister intoned, 'wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?'
'I will,' said Alan.
'Cathleen Lester, wilt thou have this man to be they wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?'
'I will,' Cathleen replied in a firm serious voice.
The minister bent towards them and whispered something.
Alan took Cathleen's right hand and spoke. 'I, Alan Armbruster, take thee, Cathleen Lester, to be my wedded wife, and plight thee my troth, till death us do part.'
Then Cathleen raised her voice to speak. 'I, Cathleen Lester, take thee, Alan Armbruster, to be my wedded husband, and plight thee my troth, till death us do part.'
The minister said, 'The ring, please.'
Harold Armbruster took the blue velvet box out of his pocket, snapped it open, removed the wedding band, and handed it to his son.
Alan placed the ring on the fourth finger of Cathleen's left hand, and he stated, 'Receive this ring as a token of wedded love and troth.'
The minister directed, 'Join your right hands.'
Cathleen and Alan took each other's right hand as the minister covered them with his own, and announced, 'Forasmuch as Alan Armbruster and Cathleen Lester have consented together in holy wedlock, and have declared the same before God and in the presence of this company, I pronounce them man and wife. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.'
Cathleen lifted her veil, and went into Alan's arms as he gave her a prolonged kiss.
Music struck up from somewhere in the Gold Room, and the guests gathered in small groups joined in with applause and cheers.
Watching, Karen tugged at Bruce's sleeve. 'Our turn next.'
'Right now,' said Bruce.
'In the Moorish Room where we can be alone with the minister – and Minna and Aida as our witnesses – if the minister will do it.'
'He will,' promised Bruce. He strode into the centre of the Gold Room, got the attention of the minister, and whispered to him.
The minister listened, looked up at Bruce, then at Karen, and vigorously nodded his assent.
It was half-past eleven in the evening by the time everyone had taken a place at the long table of the Everleigh Club.
At the very centre of the banquet table, erect and beaming with pleasure, sat Prince Henry himself. On the right side of him sat Minna in her freshly done Gibson hairdo, Arm-bruster, Cathleen, and Alan. At the left side sat Aida, Mayor Harrison, Karen, and Bruce.
From the far end of the restaurant, the musicians had begun to play the day's favourites – 'On the Banks of the Wabash ', 'A Bicycle Built for Two', and 'I'm Afraid To Go Home in the Dark'.
Waiters were filing in, carrying the first dish, a garnished Bodense felchen trout.
Mayor Harrison pushed back his chair and stood up to unfurl a sheet of paper. He read a brief address welcoming Prince Henry of Prussia to Chicago, the gem city of the Midwest prairie.
No one listened. The babble of voices continued gaily and loudly, as the Everleigh girls clinked their goblets of champagne and became better acquainted with the male guests beside them.
'Wonderful, wonderful,' said Prince Henry to Minna. 'A most remarkable and memorable evening. I am happy that you could do this for me.'
'Your Highness, I'd do anything for you,' Minna said. 'You're a true gentleman, and I will always be delighted to do anything you ask.'
'You are a most gracious lady,' said the prince.
Aware of Armbruster beside her, Minna turned fully towards Prince Henry. 'Your Highness,' she began, 'you told me you were pleased I could do this for you.'
'Of course,' said Prince Henry. 'Indeed, I meant it.'
'Then I would like to request a favour of you,' said Minna.