“As hanging and wiving goes by destiny, I think you’ve been dealt a great hand of fate, my friend,” Salem said as he, Etienne, Dominic, and Kendrick decamped from Carmine House and the frighteningly competent industry of womenfolk to find a bite and then survey the earthworks in the Ossuary.
Dominic had brought over Evangeline and her son to socialize, and the hen party had turned into a delighted coo over Blaze the dog. In a delightful turn of events, Elspeth had discovered he was quite willing to be petted by any sort of person, no matter their extant status.
“We both have,” Kendrick acknowledged.
“You didn’t say how pretty she was in your letter,” Salem said slyly.
“Was it relevant?”
“‘Dear Salem,’” his friend quoted, turning around and walking backwards to face all of them, “‘I realize you’re rusticating in Ireland and probably turning into a mushroom, but I have married, and my wife is throwing a ball on New Year’s Eve. You’re invited.’ You failed to state why, or that your wife was uncommonly lovely.” He smirked. “So what happened?”
“He took one look at her and lost his head,” Etienne said.
Kendrick opened his mouth and then paused. “Not…entirely inaccurate.” To this day, he remained shocked that Genevieve had spent so long unnoticed among the inhabitants of the Ossuary. Though that had partly been by design on her part. He added, in no small amount of wonder, “She makes me feel alive.”
Salem sobered. “That is not an insignificant thing. How did you meet her?”
Kendrick shrugged. “I met her in the Ossuary.”
“There must be a story there.”
“And what a story it is.” Etienne smirked. “Shall you tell him, or shall I?”
“You’re all a gossipy bunch of henwives. I’ll tell you after dinner,” Kendrick said, rolling his eyes.
Once they were all pleasantly full and had gathered in a human pub with pints of bad beer that none of them would drink, Kendrick explained how he had met Genevieve, and how the marriage had come about. “I married her to steal a march on the other bachelors,” Kendrick said, with a sidelong look at Dominic. He was studying his pint glass intently and did not look up.
“A wise and calculated move,” Salem said, “with so lovely a lady.”
Kendrick said, “She’s like a book I will never tire of reading, with new chapters to discover every night.”
Salem’s smirk morphed into genuine pleasure. “I am happy for you, my friend.”
“She’s the one you should credit with the changes in the Ossuary. She can see what needs doing in a way I never could.”
Salem nodded in understanding. “And the human boy?”
“He’s ours.” Kendrick caught Dominic’s eye as he finally looked up. “Children don’t have to be blood to be kin.”
“Dominic’s taken in two children as well,” Etienne said, following Kendrick’s gaze.
“Filled with a benevolent spirit, are you?” Salem questioned.
“Nothing quite so simple,” Etienne said. They explained to Salem the saga of Laurent and his perfidies.
Salem drummed his fingers on the table. “So are we killing him, or…?”
“He’s found a hole to hide in, unfortunately. But we hope that enough people will turn from him that he will reveal himself, or a former comrade will tell us where he bides. We hope the ball brings more goodwill on that front,” Kendrick added. “If you all could be on the watch for any potential problems that night, we would appreciate it.”
His friends agreed happily.
“I should collect Evangeline and get home.” Dominic smiled. “June is cutting a tooth, and Evangeline will want to check on her.”
“So unbelievably domestic, all of you,” Salem drawled.
“Says the dog father,” Etienne replied, adjusting his pince-nez.
“I’ll own that one.”
