attention.
How very civilized, Brandt thought. If it had been left up to his great uncle Wyatt, he doubted whether the two women wouldâve ever met. He felt the utmost respect for Jordan and Aziza in bringing the two families together.
The wedding party proceeded out of the expansive foyer to the elevator that would take them to the solarium, where they would spend the next hour posing for photographs. Meanwhile, the guests were escorted into the ballroom where cocktails and hors dâoeuvres awaited them before they were seated for a seven-course dinner. The menu included filet mignon, Alaskan salmon, lobster tails, stone rock crab and carving stations with roast turkey, prime rib and trays of foie gras and caviar.
Brandt escorted his mother to an area of the ballroom that had been set up like a large parlor with sofas, settees, floral arrangements, candles and enormous floor pillows and ottomans scattered around the marble floor. He led his mother to a settee, and sat down next to her. He watched Leona Burroughs-Wainwrightâs impassive expression. His mother didnât smile during dinner, when the many toasts were made, or when wedding cake was cut and passed around to the guests.
âWhatâs bothering you, Mom?â
Leona forced a smile. âWhat makes you think something is bothering me?â
His eyebrows lifted a fraction. âFirst of all youâreanswering a question with a question, and secondly you look as if youâve just lost Smooches.â
âBite your tongue, Brandt Wainwright. My baby may have a few years on her, but the vet said thereâs still a lot of life in her.â
Brandt rolled his eyes. Smooches was overweight, visually impaired and eighteen years old. Seemingly the only thing the toy poodle lived for was low-fat treats. âIf itâs not Smooches, then why the long face?â
Leona patted her coiffed silver hair. âI would have liked it if you were the one getting married tonight instead of Jordan.â
He shot his mother an incredulous stare. âDonât tell me you have your nose out of joint because Christiane married off one of her children before you did?â
âJordan and Aziza know Clarissaâs wedding is scheduled for the fall, so why couldnât they have waited until next year? Itâs not as if Aziza is pregnant.â
âWhether Zee is pregnant or not has nothing to do with you,â Brandt chastised in a soft tone. âThey didnât need to check with you to get the go-ahead.â
Leona pouted, a gesture that never failed to get her whatever she wanted. âHow do you expect me to compete with thisâ¦this extravaganza? When I contacted Signature Bridals more than a year ago I was told they have a two-year waiting list. Jordan gets engaged in February and yet he manages to get them to plan his wedding.â
âThatâs because Jordan and Zee know Tessa Sanborn personally.â
Leona turned to her eldest son. âYouâre just like your father. You have an answer for everything.â
âThe difference is you donât like my answers,â Brandt countered. Leaning to his right, he kissed his motherâs cheek. âClarissa will have a beautiful wedding. Youâve waited a long time to marry off your daughter, so come November it will be your turn to be the mother-of-the-bride. And what a magnificent mother-of-the-bride youâll be.â
Leonaâs expression brightened. âDo you really think so?â
Brandt smiled. âI know so.â
He couldnât understand how a woman whoâd managed to marry one of New Yorkâs most eligible bachelors and had given him four children whom he adored continued to compete with her in-laws for status. Most of the Wainwright men had married women whoâd gone to finishing school, had coming-out parties, were in the Social Register and had attended elite colleges. Leona had been the exception, and most times