Nothing should mar the joy sparkling in her eyes and the auspicious day.
“William, how long will it take to get downtown?” she asked.
“We’re not going downtown.”
“Oh?”
Kissing her hand he said, “It’s a surprise.” Chuckling, he added with a whisper into her ear, “Trust me.”
“Is this payback?”
“In a way, yes.”
The horse clip-clopped at a leisurely pace down Fifth Avenue as passersby snapped photos when the carriage rode by. “I planned dinner at Tavern on the Green afterward.”
“That’s perfect, and it’s such a beautiful day for it. Oh, this is so romantic already.” Then, Lizzy blurted in a panic, “Wait! We don’t have rings.”
“Would I miss that detail?”
“No, you wouldn’t.” She grinned.
Turning down 72ndStreet, they rode under tree canopies along Central Park’s Terrace Drive.
“I love the detour, but won’t we be late?” she asked.
“Trust. Me.” He removed the phone from his pocket, then texted someone.
“Ha ha. Sean, where are we going?” she asked.
“Beats me. I’m just on the lookout for thugs and flying pigeons.”
Lizzy twisted her lips when they turned down a winding path, and then another, wrapping around the Angel of the Waters statue, until the carriage stopped at its destination.
“This is us,” he said, stepping out. “We just have one more stop to make down this path.”
“I know where we are. You are so sentimental to want a photo op before we say ‘I do.’”
He held her hand to assist her, then kissed it before giving instructions to Sean.
“Mon Dieu! You are a princess!” Guy announced, his blue suede shoes rushing up the path toward her.
“What? Guy, what are you doing here? You should be at the courthouse waiting for us.”
“I’m only following instructions.” He clasped his hands at his chin. “Aye caramba, look at you! You’re a beauty beyond compare. If I were thirty years younger and straight, I’d wrest you from your Mr. Darcy and marry you myself!”
“Thank you, Guy. I’m so happy.”
“Of course you are. You’ve got the world on a string. AndI’msitting on the rainbow!”
From down the pathway, William heard the violins. “That’s my cue, babe. Guy will escort you.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you by the lake. Forever beginshere, sweetheart.”
“Wait! What?”
He winked, then dashed down the tree-covered path.
“Oh, my little dove. Your man has been mucho, mucho busy. Grab your bouquet and let’s get this party started,” he said with a swing and snap to his fingers.
Lizzy grabbed his hand. “Guy, wait. I have something to tell you.”
