Pru laughed, because Francine was the exact opposite of that. Raphael finally extracted himself from her parents, shook hands with the groom’s parents and hugged up beside Francine in front of the bride and groom.
“Congratulations, Prudence and Antonio. I hope your life together is filled with joy and laughter,” her royal fiancé said.
Francine was having a hard time being angry with Raphael for not telling her the whole truth. Admitting to herself that she hadn’t shared her whole truth, either, she softened. He hadn’t even been mad when she said another man’s name after they made love.
Antonio said, “Thanks. It looks like you’ll be joining my entrance into the married-man club later today yourself.”
Raphael smiled widely and nodded. “Looks like it.”
Pru took Francine’s hands in hers, twisting their joined fingers to see the royal Boudreaux violet diamond better. “Your engagement ring is exquisite, Francine.”
“Thank you.”I wonder if I get to keep it.
Next up in line was, of course, her sister Ardelia and another possible battle ensued. “Hello, Francine. I’m uncertain if I should recognize you or not.” Her gaze wandered from Francine’s face and down the line to where their parents chatted with Raphael’s father and brother. They were likely getting an earful about the coming surprise wedding.
“Well, since I’m getting married during the dinner service at Mother’s insistence, I gather I’m back in the family.”
Ardelia’s gaze glittered, whether in jealousy or anticipation of a coming social humiliation, Francine wasn’t certain. She wasn’t certain who was more likely to embarrass her and Raphael, her mother or her eldest sister. Ardelia’s husband, Percival, was a short, squat, balding man who was also very rich and very entitled, much like her eldest sister. He spoke fervently with another guest ahead of them in line, not paying any attention to either Ardelia or anyone else.
A memory of her eldest sister’s extravagant wedding came into her mind. The bride and groom had both expressed a very loud, embarrassing hissy fit at the reception line when a guest had accidentally stepped on the edge of Ardelia’s dress. The poor guest had departed the reception then and there, clearly humiliated, as Ardelia and her groom both smiled in satisfaction.
Francine hadn’t witnessed the incident, as she’d been hiding among a throng of servants headed to their assigned tables, but Lucy and Axel had been close by, seeing the whole foolish event. She had long ago decided Ardelia and her husband, Percival, deserved each other.
Raphael joined her once more. This time, he settled his arm around her shoulders to keep her close. “Ardelia,” he said, nodding once at her.
“Luther,” she replied.
“I go by Raphael now.”
“Do you?” Ardelia shrugged, sounding entirely unconcerned about him or what he wanted to be called.
Francine sent a questioning look at Raphael while her sister’s eyes fixed on the front of the receiving line. She hadn’t known the two were acquainted.
“I did some work for your sister once,” Raphael said by way of explanation. “But it was a while back.”
Francine’s eyes narrowed in surprise. She asked Ardelia, “You hired a bounty hunter? What for?”
“None of your business,” her sister hissed, grabbing her arm and squeezing hard. Francine snatched her arm away. Ardelia turned her venom on Raphael. “And you’d better not tell, either.”
“Of course not. I’m a man of my word.”
His word. Was he capable of keeping his word? That, of course, was debatable in light of what she’d just learned. She had to stuff her doubts way down inside to keep her fragile countenance acceptable for this venue.
Relax. He deserves a chance to explain.
Her biggest worry was that he would be the one to halt the pending surprise wedding. Francine didn’t want to stop it. Even knowing he hadn’t told her the whole truth about who he was, she believed he was a good guy. She was falling in love with him. She knew, given the chance, she would gladly and gratefully marry him. What did that say about her? That, for a second time in her life, she was too trusting. Was she letting her escalating love for this man get in the way of her reason?
Today had proven to be more surprising and difficult than expected and now she had to contend with Raphael not being entirely forthcoming about who he was. That, and the unplanned wedding at the end of this reception, had thrown her.
Seriously, what could go wrong next? As soon as the thought appeared in her mind, she should have banished it and cast a spell of forgiveness to keep any and all demons away.
Francine moved and Raphael stayed with her, nodding and smiling at the rest of the family members and attendants in the receiving line, including Lucy, Axel, Drucilla and her new husband.
Ushers waited at the end of the line to seat them at assigned tables. Apparently, it wasn’t a first-come, first-served sort of reception.
Problematic, as she’d prefer to sit next to Lucy and Axel, but whatever. Perhaps not knowing their lunch companions would make things easier.
Raphael hugged up close and said softly in her ear, “While I sense your annoyance with me and deserve your supreme irritation, we still need to present a united front, not only for—”
