“Ah, Alfred,” Bram says, smiling. “My congratulations.”
“Yes,” says Peter. “Your wife should expect a call from mine soon. And an invitation to our annual ball.”
Henry comes through the door then, and our group is complete.
And I must ask the question. It feels wrong not to do so.
“Is it alright that I am here?”
They all grin at me.
“No, leave,” Bram jokes. “Your presence is an offense.”
“We would really prefer it,” Daniel says.
“And never return,” Theo adds.
“I don’t think we need quite be so narrow in our friendship,” Peter says, his eyes shining. “And, after all, you were one of us once. That is what matters.”
“Not to mention that he was once our king of self-deprivation,” Henry quips.
I flush at that. He’s not wrong and the room rings with good-natured laughter.
“We all look forward to knowing your wife more,” Peter says.
“I know that—her reputation—” I begin.
“My wife cares nought for that,” Peter says. “And now that you are married, certainly no one here will object.”
Of course, when it comes to mixed company, my friends may still have to be delicate. Surely there are entertainments to which Lady Calloway will not be able to invite my wife. But single gentlemen have much more freedom to see who they will, and Lady Calloway enough rank to include us in much.
“Thank you,” I say. “To all of you.”
“You can thank Henry by telling him more about your wife’s pretty little friend,” Bram says, with a knowing smile.
“I—that’s—Bram?—”
I still in surprise.
Henry isstammering.
Henry never stammers.
“Matilda?”
“No,” Bram says. “The other one.”
“Evie?”
“Ah, yes, that’s the one,” Bram confirms.
“No, it isn’t,” Henry stutters out.
Daniel raises his eyebrows.
Theo looks gleeful.
And Peter’s face, of course, reveals nothing.
