“Ah yes,” Ash commented wryly. “How unpredictable the yearly appearance of the tenth of July.”
“Well,” he cleared his throat, “as a witness to the happy day, I believe my duty is to wish the two of you joy. Happy Anniversary.” He smiled fondly. “I can still recall the look on the vicar’s face when Ash burst into the church, arms filled with you, demanding an immediate wedding.”
Alicia sighed at the memory.
“Thank you, Hurtheven.” Ash placed his arm around his wife’s shoulders and pressed his lips to her hair.
“We’re grateful for your part in bringing us together,” Alicia added.
Hurtheven nodded in acknowledgement. “Truth be told,Chevwas the one to knock sense into Ash?—”
Reflexively, Ash stretched his jaw.
“—I merely pointed out the painfully obvious—my infamously reclusive friend had finally fallen in love.” Hurtheven winked at Alicia. “Has he been behaving?”
“Of course not.” Alicia smiled up at her husband. “But he’s magnificently mine and that’s all that matters to me.”
Hurtheven shifted his gaze toward the house, lending them privacy while they kissed. Someone standing in a window adjacent to the tower—the nursery?—hastily dropped a curtain.
Someone who hadnotbeen the height of a child.
A small smile played about his lips. So,hiscuriosity wasn’t the only one piqued. Maybe he hadn’t completely lost his advantage after all.
Ash cleared his throat. “What brought you back to the kitchen gardens, then?”
“An errand.” Hurtheven turned back to his friends. “I had to return Lady Felicia to her nursemaid…afterextracting her from the hedge.”
“She escaped again?” Alicia exchanged an exasperated glance with her husband.
Hurtheven frowned. “If successful escapes have become a regular occurrence, perhaps you should find a new nursemaid?”
“Please don’t suggest thatMrs. Montrosewas to blame.” Alicia appeared affronted.
“Be gentle, love,” Ash interrupted. “Hurtheven doesn’t know Mrs. Montrose walks on water around here.”
“Feediddisappear on her watch,” Hurtheven pointed out.
Alicia glanced heavenward. “Fee could escape the Tower of London’s most secure cell, if given the opportunity to try. You can’t take your eyes off that one for a minute. I can hardly blame Mrs. Montrose for something that’s been true all of Fee’s life.”
“Hardly,” Hurtheven repeated.He’dnever lost track of Fee when she was in his care.
“Join us on the lawn, then?” Ash changed the subject. “After you’ve—a-hem—washed?”
Hurtheven read Ash’s expression and silently agreed to drop the matter.For now.“Of course.”
“And stay for a day or two?” Alicia added. “Chev and Penelope plan to remain at least a fortnight. Youmuststay. You, Chev, and Ash haven’t been together for such a long time.”
Ash grasped Hurtheven’s shoulder. “We’re long past due for a meeting of the council, wouldn’t you say?”
“How about tonight?” Alicia suggested. “After all the preparations, I would welcome an early evening.”
Hurtheven glanced up to the nursery window and then back to Ash. He’d also welcome an early night. “On your anniversary?”
“Sentiment appreciated,” Ash replied. “But our practice is to celebrate on another, private date.”
Alicia exchanged an intimate look with her husband before cheerfully nodding in agreement. “That’s right. Today we reserve for an unapologetic, public display of our happiness. I can spare Ash this evening.”
“But can’t you see Hurtheven is wearied, love?” Ash asked with a grin. “He’s not as young as he once was.”
