Jack raised his eyebrows.“Wrong?”
Harry laughed. “We all can be onoccasion.”
Jack slapped Harry on the back. “Whyare we discussing this now? This is your wedding day.” He glancedat Erina. “And your lovely bride will have need of youshortly.”
Erina moved among the guests pausingto speak to each one. Earlier, she had come to greet Jack and thankhim for coming. She’d given him a detailed account of their trip toIreland, some of which had him laughing, but learning of the momentHarry was shot, sent a chill down his spine. He sent up a prayer ofthanks for his dearest friend standing beside him well andhappy.
Despite her warm manner, Erina seemeda little subdued for a bride. “You might have to tread carefullywith your lady wife.”
Harry’s expression turned grave.“Erina suffers from some silly notion that I don’t loveher.”
“But you do?”
“I’m mad about her. Fellfor her almost from the first. But she didn’t want me back then, soI decided to wait it out, hoping she’d change her mind. I’m notentirely sure she has.” He stroked his chin. “Erina is a littlelike a wild bird. She believes marriage will cage her.”
“You’ve told her you loveher of course?”
Harry shook his head. “I thought I’dease into it gradually.”
Jack’s eyes widened in disbelief.“That ball in your shoulder must have shaken your brains, Harry.You are usually such a perceptive fellow.”
“Not so perceptive as itturned out. We had a bad beginning. I was a bit of a fool inthinking I wanted Florence Beckworth for my wife. Florence knewwhat she wanted, however. Women always have a better compass whenit comes to these things, don’t you think? She and the vicar wouldbe perfect for each other. I wonder if they managed to persuade herparents of it.” Harry shrugged. “So, you see, it would have soundedinsincere to turn around and declare my feelings earlier. Erinawould not have believed me. And that would’ve been the end of it.Words don’t mean much in the scheme of things. Better for me toshow her.” He looked over at his bride. “Which I am eager todo.”
Jack followed the direction of hisgaze to where Erina, a vision in white, stood talking to the vicar.She plucked a leaf from her bouquet with nervous fingers. “I wishyou all the good fortune in the world, my friend.”
“Thank you. Now tell mewhat you’ve discovered during the hunt for Butterstone’smurderer.”
Jack obliged, though he suspectedHarry’s thoughts were elsewhere. And rightly so. Jack found himselfa little envious of his friend. Whether it was to enjoy weddedbliss or a passionate fiery relationship, the married state hadnever seemed so appealing.
In the ballroom, after a welcomebreakfast of hot chocolate, ham and bacon, kidneys, eggs, and atasty selection of breads, Jack watched Erina and Harry cut thewedding cake before they were toasted with champagne. LordRountree’s brief speech brought tears to his daughter’s eyes, SirAmbrose Feather’s was just as warm if a trifle more verbose. Harryreddened with pleasure at his fulsome words. Jack realized SirAmbrose was very fond of his son. With a sad pull at his heart, itcaused Jack to think of his own father. A wise and generous manalways, fond of a good pun. And they had shared many over theyears.
The small orchestra struck up a waltzand Harry led Erina onto the floor. She appeared happier in hisarms, laughing at something he said. Jack thought they moved welltogether, which was a good sign. Weddings always made him a littlepensive. His mother, denied a life with the man she loved, and hisfather cursed with an unhappy marriage.
When the rest of the guests took tothe floor, Jack bowed before Lord Rountree’s sister, Erina’s AuntAbbie, who had the remarkable ability to converse without pausethroughout.
~~~
As they danced, Harry smiled andsqueezed her hand. “You look very beautiful, Erina.”
“Thank you, Harry.” Shegazed from his chestnut hair to his crisp cravat with the sapphiretiepin, to his dove gray suit with the white camellia in his buttonhole. “How clever of you and Jack to both dress in gray. You lookedvery handsome standing at the altar.”
Harry widened his eyes. “You noticedJack? Your eyes weren’t only for me?”
She laughed.
They were married! It had happened sofast that Erina wanted to pinch herself. She studied his handsomeface for some sign that he loved her. His gaze was warm and filledwith promise, which made her whole body tingle inanticipation.
But Harry was Harry. Consistent ineverything he did. He handled all situations with surprising calmand efficiency. They were so different. She was impetuous andvolatile by comparison. Might that mean this marriage meant littleto him? Was he capable of strong passion? She certainly hoped so.Just being close to him made her want to throw her arms around hisneck and press her lips to his. But she held back, afraid that herardent nature might repulse him, or even worse amuse him. And shemustn’t forget that he’d been forced to marry her. She dropped hergaze.
Harry’s hand tightened on hers causingher to look at him. His eyes caught and held hers. “Are you tired,sweetheart?”
“Heavens no. I am taking inevery detail of this special day so that I might remember italways.”
“An excellent affair. Youraunt is to be commended.”
“Yes, she worked very hardto make it so and with very little time in which to do it. I amextremely grateful to her. She was thrilled with your gift.” Harryhad presented Aunt Abbie with a beautiful diamond and ruby brooch.Erina admired the diamond wedding ring Harry had slipped on herfinger during the ceremony.
“The first of many. I planto shower you with pretty trinkets and gowns when inParis.”
