“Something like it,” said Anthony. “Lark and I wanted to state before our friends and God that we are committed to one another and promise to be faithful and love each other and raiseHenry together. We know it’s a bit unorthodox and you may have moral objections. If that’s the case, you may leave.”
No one stood to leave.
Lark smiled. “Then let’s do this.”
It was a lovely ceremony. Lark and Anthony stood facing each other and holding hands and Lord Edgmont gave a beautiful speech about love and commitment. Perhaps because Lord Edgmont was no longer a vicar, this ceremony had no formal status, but it hardly mattered. What mattered was that Anthony and Lark were in love and making a promise to each other, one that everyone bearing witness would honor. Fletcher held and squeezed Louisa’s hand throughout the ceremony, deeply moved. And, as with any wedding, Anthony and Lark kissed at the end of it. Fletcher marveled that this was taking place at all, but at least they had the privacy of Anthony’s estate to have this moment.
That night, Anthony hosted a feast with a string quartet playing music, so Fletcher got to dance with his wife as Anthony and Lark danced with each other, too. It all felt very much like a wedding, and the unspoken consensus seemed to be to treat it as such.
Fletcher confronted Lark near the refreshment table about halfway through the dancing. “Congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you. I feel a little bad for luring you all here under false pretenses.” Lark grinned. “Except I don’t feel bad at all.”
“What are you planning to do now? Will you stay here in Kent?”
“Before we left to come here, I bought the house adjacent to Anthony’s in London from his elderly neighbor. It will takesome time to clean up the place. I still have to sell my old house and move all my things. But it’s basically our pretense. I shall live with Anthony but keep the adjacent house for appearances, basically.” Lark shrugged. “Anthony wants to cut a door to attach our houses. Or build a secret passage.”
Fletcher smiled at that. “Oh, you should definitely build a secret passage. If he wants help with that, I volunteer my services.”
Lark laughed. But then he said, “I have no idea if any of this will work. I do hope to be in London for at least part of the season so that I can see all my friends, but we’re safe here in Kent, too. The staff is all familiar with the situation. Anthony gave everyone a raise, which I’m sure smoothed over any ruffled feathers.”
“Likely true.”
“We’re probably doomed, but… I love him. So here we are.”
“Well, good luck. And thank you for inviting us. This has really been a wonderful three days. I can’t think of a more fun party I’ve attended.”
“I’m glad. I didn’t see the need to stand on ceremony and tradition since we have all been friends so long and I’ve never been much for tradition anyway.”
“If only all house parties were this informal.”
Lark smiled. “If only.”
As Fletcher and Louisa went to bed that night, they chatted about the day. Anthony had put them in a lovely room that was a bit ostentatiously decorated. The four-poster bed with a damas canopy over it was not to Fletcher’s taste, but it seemedin character for Anthony, who didn’t seem to do anything by half measures.
Louisa said, “It really was a lovely ceremony. I’m so happy for Lark and Anthony.”
“I am, too, though it’s going to be difficult for them. They will have to keep their relationship a secret. They may spend less time in London during the Season.” That was one thing Fletcher felt sad about. He and his closest friends were all married and starting families now and would likely have less time for each other. He hoped they would, at least, continue to meet at their club in London during the season. He cared a great deal for his friends and their families and would hate to lose that.
“Promise me something, Fletcher,” Louisa said, turning down the bedding.
“Anything.”
“If we have a child who prefers his or her own sex, we will love that child unconditionally.”
Fletcher walked over and kissed the top of Louisa’s head. “Of course. We will love all of our children unconditionally. They will not want for anything.” He found it suspicious that she kept bringing this up. “Are you certain you are not—”
“I don’tknow. It’s too soon to know anything. But I have a suspicion.”
“Do you?”
“It may just be in my head, which is why I didn’t say anything. But we did…have relations…well,frequently, while we were on the Continent, and I suppose I suspect that… But I don’t actuallyknow, so it’s all just speculation at this point.”
“We could, you know, have relations right now. Just to make sure.”
Louisa laughed and put her arms around Fletcher’s neck. “I love you.”
Fletcher grinned. “I know. I love you.”
