Forty-one
“Are you certain you don’t mind sharing your wedding day with Jonathan and me?” Evangeline asked Sophia.
“I think it’s lovely and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Her sister checked her reflection in the long oval looking glass in the corner of Evangeline’s bedchamber, turning to see the back of her pale blue gown. It was understated compared to the elaborate ballgowns she’d worn during the London Season, but the simplicity was elegant.
“I think you are lovely,” Evangeline said. “Your groom is lucky another gentleman didn’t woo you before he came to his senses.”
“Impossible,” Sophia said. “It was always Crispin for me.”
Their lady’s maid from home pinned the last of Evangeline’s curls and stood back to admire her work. “If I may speak freely…”
“You never require permission,” Evangeline said.
Joy had been with them for years, and she was like family.
“Both gentlemen are very lucky. You are kindhearted, brilliant young ladies.”
Sophia came up behind Evangeline to rest her hands on her shoulders and leaned forward to meet Evangeline’s gaze in the looking glass. “She’s attempting to soften the blow of choosing Regina over us.”
“Miss Sophia!” Joy blushed to the roots of her light brown hair.
Sophia winked at Evangeline and stood up straight. “I’m only having a bit of fun. We’re grateful you chose to stay with Regina and Aunt Beatrice. Regina will be occupied with the baby, and it is no small task keeping our aunt out of trouble.”
“It is not,” Joy mumbled.
Evangeline chuckled, recalling Sophia’s stories from their voyage to Greece.
Their aunt had bumped her head multiple times going below deck, nearly fell overboard when she tripped on a coil of rope, and entered the wrong cabin twice, surprising the ship’s surgeon during his bath.
If Evangeline didn’t know about her aunt’s poor eyesight, she might believe Aunt Beatrice had developed a tendre for the man.
True to her nature, Aunt Beatrice barged into the bedchamber without knocking. “Parson Tewksbury has arrived, and he is impatient to return to his holiday adventures.”
Joy bobbed a curtsy. “I’ve finished their toilettes, ma’am.”
“Splendid, because their future husbands would be halfway to Rome by now if they were walking a straight line instead of pacing the courtyard.”
Evangeline stood to check her own reflection.
She had chosen the white gown with yellow trim she had been wearing when she and Jonathan stopped the thief on the docks.
Last night, as they had lingered in the courtyard and discussed the future, he confessed she had reminded him of a beam of sunshine the first time he saw her.
“Is Jonathan nervous?” she asked.
“More eager now that he has Charlie’s blessing,” Aunt Beatrice said.
That morning, she and Jonathan had approached her uncle and great-aunt together to announce their intentions and request their support. She held Jonathan’s hand, and his tremors had unexpectedly calmed her nerves.
Her uncle had put Jonathan through his paces with tough questions until Aunt Beatrice interrupted.
“We trust our Evangeline to know what is right for her, don’t we Charlie? No more interrogating the nice young man.”
Uncle Charles had deferred to his aunt as he had done throughout Evangeline’s and her sisters’ childhood.
“Are you ready?” Evangeline asked Sophia.
“More than ready.”
She linked arms with Evangeline as they walked into the courtyard where Crispin and Jonathan waited for them by the fountain with the parson. Jonathan’s face lit up when he caught sight of Evangeline.
“My sunbeam,” he said.
She laughed with giddiness.
Regina came forward with two bouquets of lavender tied with twine, kissed her cheek, and handed her one of the bundles.
“It was the best I could find on short notice. Hopefully, Lord Dominic will forgive me for raiding his garden bed.”
Evangeline glanced up at his shuttered windows. “It appears he isn’t in residence at the moment. Maybe he won’t notice before they fill in again.”
“As Auntie would say, he’s a cagey one. He disappeared often while you and Jonathan were away.”
“He likely has a lover,” Evangeline said.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Sophia whispered, “but my lover is looking rather impatient.”
“Sophia.” Regina wrinkled her nose. “I don’t need that image in my head.”
“I agree,” Sophia said. “I won’t repeat it, I promise.”
Evangeline laughed softly as Regina handed a bundle of flowers to Sophia and kissed her cheek.
“Come along, ladies,” Parson Tewksbury snapped.
Jonathan aimed a quelling look his way, and his already pink face deepened to scarlet. He blotted sweat from his upper lip with a limp handkerchief and added, “Please?”
Uncle Charles took his place between Sophia and Evangeline while Regina rejoined her husband and Aunt Beatrice.
Lord Dominic’s servants had dragged dining room chairs to the courtyard for their small party of witnesses.
Little Taavetti stood next to Leda’s chair, holding her hand, but he dropped it to wave at Evangeline.
She returned his enthusiasm and promised him a sweet after the ceremony.
Xavier angled Regina’s parasol to provide her with ample shade. Witnessing his tenderness with her older sister settled any lingering reservations Evangeline had about forgiving Jonathan and trusting her instincts.
Regina and Xavier’s relationship began with a lie as well, but they had overcome it. Farrin had been behind that lie, too, manipulating Xavier just as he had manipulated Jonathan.
Uncle Charles escorted Evangeline and Sophia to stand before Parson Tewksbury.
“Who gives these ladies to be wed?”
“I do,” Uncle Charles said.
“And I,” Aunt Beatrice piped up.
Uncle Charles smiled at her. “And their great-aunt.”
He kissed Sophia’s cheek and surrendered her to Crispin before showing Evangeline the same affection.
“You have my full support, Vanna. Sir Jonathan will be a good husband.”
She hugged her uncle and thanked him. Uncle Charles had spent the afternoon with her groom, and his reassurance meant everything to her.
When Jonathan took her hand, he said, “I’ll be the best husband.”
Parson Tewksbury huffed. “Wait for the vows, sir.”
Jonathan grinned as they took their place to the left of Sophia and Margrave.
“Who will speak their vows first?”
“My sister and her groom,” Evangeline said. “She has been waiting a long time.”
Sophia had been dreaming of her wedding since she was a girl. Evangeline doubted she had ever imagined a small ceremony in a villa courtyard in Greece, but the way she beamed at her husband-to-be, this day exceeded her expectations.
As Parson Tewksbury led Sophia and Margrave through their vows, Jonathan held Evangeline’s gaze and whispered the words.
“Till death us do part,” the parson said.
She squeezed Jonathan’s hand when a shadow fell over his face. They had many happy years ahead of them. They had survived the Semkari, and Farrin was a fugitive being hunted by the Regent’s Consul. The road ahead would be smooth.
After she and Jonathan were pronounced husband and wife, she asked why he spoke their vows twice.
“I will repeat them in my heart every day, Lady Hackberry. I’m devoted to you forever.”
Once the marriages were made official, the parson was in a rush to leave.
“Well, that’s behind us,” Aunt Beatrice said, “so let’s celebrate.”
She directed everyone to move to the dining room on the first floor north wing, where the table was filled with Evangeline’s favorite local dishes—fasolada, a white bean soup with vegetables from the garden; a savory lamb pie; and braised artichokes in olive oil.
Even her favorite sweet, baklava with its thin layers of delicate pastry drizzled with honey and sprinkled with walnuts, sat on the sideboard, waiting to be served at the end of supper. She would miss the cook’s heavenly creations when they left the villa.
Evangeline turned toward her aunt. “How did you arrange this on short notice?”
“I didn’t.” Aunt Beatrice gestured toward Jonathan. “Your husband deserves the credit.”
Color dusted his face, and he shrugged. “Leda was happy to go to the market, and Mrs. Georgiou was thrilled a wedding was being held at the villa. She always hoped for a chance to cook for a crowd, but Lord Dominic shows no interest in social gatherings.”
“Is that why he’s missing this evening?” Sophia asked.
Jonathan shook his head. “It could be he doesn’t know what to do with a house full of guests? My first few weeks lodging at the villa, I dined alone every meal.”
“He kept to himself during training,” Crispin said. “He was recruited around the same time, but he was a few months ahead of Hackberry and me. I always thought he was an arrogant arse.”
“He is,” Regina and Evangeline said in unison.
After supper, they retreated to the drawing room and Regina asked about their time in the Semkari camp. “Uncle Charles said you two were convincing as traveling performers.”
“I simply sketched portraits.” Evangeline smiled at her husband across the room. “Jonathan was the star.”
Crispin stretched his arms overhead and yawned loudly. “As fascinating as it is to hear Hackberry go on and on about frame drums, it’s growing late. Are you ready to retire, Sophia?”
“I wasn’t planning to talk about drumming,” Jonathan grumbled as the couple wished everyone goodnight and exited.
“Pay him no mind, Sir Jonathan,” Regina said. “He has no manners and never did.”
Xavier stood and extended his hand to her. “He is correct, though. It was a long day, and you’re showing signs of wilting, ma chérie.”
“Speaking of rude…” Regina scowled at him in good fun but accepted his help climbing from the sofa.
Evangeline’s great-aunt and uncle also stood.
“I should see to Cupid and give Joy a reprieve,” Aunt Beatrice said. “The poor woman hasn’t rested all day.”
“Wait for me,” Evangeline said. “I need to change out of my gown.”
Jonathan gently caught her elbow before she rushed from the room. “I took the liberty of having your belongings moved to my bedchamber. Your lady’s maid packed everything.”
“Oh!”
There was a flutter deep in her stomach. She had slept next to Jonathan in the mountains, and while it had been intimate, snuggling had been necessary to stay warm. She hadn’t thought beyond the exchanging of vows.
His forehead creased. “If you prefer another night in your own chambers—”
“No, you’re my husband.” She held his hand. “Show me the way.”