Jack grinned. “Lady Erina makes a beautiful bride. I suspect she will prove a stimulating partner in life.”
“She’ll shake up a dull, old dog like me,” Harry said. “Be careful, Jack, love is in the air. It may prove contagious. How is the lovely Lady Althea?”
“She has returned to her home in the Cotswolds.” Jack couldn’t have put his feelings into words if he’d tried. But he knew he’d never find Althea’s equal again. “You’ll be the first to know, should I ever decide to marry.”
“Somehow, that has a nasty final ring to it.”
A hollow sensation settled in Jack’s chest. He wouldn’t allow himself to hope for something that was as elusive as a rainbow. “Life isn’t always so simple. And marriage isn’t foreveryone, Harry.”
“No. But I sense it would be good for you.” Harry shook his head. “I don’t intend to force my opinions on you, however. I shall wait patiently until the parson’s mousetrap snaps you up.”
“Where are you going to spend your honeymoon?” Jack asked, wishing for a change of topic.
“Father has a tidy place here in Kent. Only twenty-five miles as the crow flies. We are to make it our country house. I grew up there, you know. It was after my mother died that Father just upped sticks and moved to the mausoleum he lives in now. Erina and I will spend a week there and then return to London and on to Paris.”
‘Country house’? It would be a mansion, more likely, Jack thought. Sir Ambrose Feather’s wealth was legendary. “Sounds like the perfect place. Good country for hunting and fishing.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“Grant, Miles, and Tim wished to convey their congratulations. They are eager to give you a belated bachelor dinner when you return to London.”
“Good grief.” Harry huffed out a laugh. “I hope they forget.”
“I doubt it. They have long memories for such things. And time to prepare something special.”
His face took on a green tinge. “Now you are frightening me.”
“I’ll make sure they don’t get too carried away. We can’t have them sending you back to your bride in a poor state.”
Harry leveled a glance at him. “But will you be there, Jack?”
“I hope to be, but you shall deal nicely on your own, I suspect.” Jack chuckled. “Lady Erina described how efficiently you dealt with a fellow called Gormley in Ireland.”
“Nasty fellow had it coming. Good thing he’s in prison.” Harry raised his eyebrows. “The road still calls to you? I rather thought that a certain lady might keep you here.”
“I admit that Lady Althea is in my thoughts. And that’s where she must remain for several reasons, the first being she’s grieving the lossof her father. I was referring more to the concern I have about her uncle, Lord Caindale. But I shall endeavor to be there for your bachelor dinner. After that, I have business in the north that will take me away for a time.”
“And then?”
Jack shrugged. “Ireland, perhaps. Bit unclear at the moment, Harry. Wish I could say otherwise.”
“As long as it isn’t you who ruins your chance of a happy life, Jack.”
“You believe I would?”
“I don’t know. I hope not, but I fear you might. You always did have an overdeveloped sense of honor.”
“I suppose I overcompensated for my birth.”
“You may be wrong about this.”
Jack widened his eyes, a smile teasing his lips. “‘Wrong’?”
Harry laughed. “We all can be on occasion.”
Jack slapped Harry on the back. “Why are we discussing it now? This is your wedding day.” He glanced at Lady Erina. “And your lovely bride will have need of you shortly.”
She moved among the guests, pausing to speak to each one. Earlier, she had greeted Jack and thanked him for coming. She’d given him a detailed account of their trip to Ireland, some of which had had him laughing, but learning of the moment Harry had been shot had sent a chill down his spine. He’d sent up a prayer of thanks for his dearest friend standing beside him today, well and happy.
