Chapter 1 #2
She frowned but didn’t respond as we made our way through the different stands and groups of people in winter attire.
We passed Charlotte Collins’s stand, where she sold candles carved in the shape of snowflakes.
Mayor Pembroke strode around in her frost-marked cloak that shimmered like mist when the sun hit it.
Her skirt had tiny icicles attached that clinked together.
“There they are! The couple of the hour! Everyone is talking about you.” Bradley, my best friend, came up to us wearing a large coat, earmuffs, and skinny jeans. A fellow vampire and bandmate, I’d texted him that we were on our way back.
“Hey Bradley,” I said. “How are things?”
“Considering people are killing off members of the Grey Doors, I’m not doing so great.” Bradley was the lead guitarist in our band. He looked around as if he thought that at any moment someone might pop out from behind a stand and plunge a stake into his heart.
“We solved that,” I said. “I mean Lydia solved it.”
His eyes grew bigger. “How do you mean, solved?”
“We found the culprit and made sure they couldn’t murder again,” Lydia said.
He nodded. “That’s a relief. I’m glad you found the killer. But I’m still sad we lost Alex and Tim.” He wiped a hand across his forehead. “Who was it?”
I looked around us at the crowd and lowered my voice. “I’ll tell you later.”
Bradley nodded, letting it drop. He picked up on the way Lydia had draped her hand over my arm, not so conspicuously showing off her ring. “And felicitations on your marriage! I’m sure Lydia was the loveliest bride. I want to hear all about it.”
Lydia smiled and opened her mouth to respond. No doubt to give him every tiny detail.
“Another time.” I turned to Lydia. “Do you see your family?”
“I’ll check. I’m sure they’re here.” She squinted, searching through the crowd of people.
“Lydia!” Kitty shouted from beside a large stand filled with baked goods.
“Kitty! I’m home!” Lydia slid over to Kitty, and the two embraced like they hadn’t seen each other just last week.
Kitty stood among her sisters and mother, who had gathered to sell their wares. Great, the entire family was here, save for the father who remained too ill to attend from a magical sickness called Moonrot. Lydia had mentioned that his Moonrot had gotten worse and he slept most days.
I turned to Bradley. “How is everyone in the Midnight Kitchen Society taking everything?”
My friend sighed and glanced over to where a man in a long dark coat glared at us.
He stood in a group of four other people, all casting disapproving glances my way.
I was surprised to see my ex, Sephira, among them.
She glowered at Lydia with unabashed loathing, her overdone nails ripping tiny holes in the sleeve of her coat.
“I’m going to be honest, some weren’t too happy about it.
I mean Sephira, of course, but Mason also,” Bradley said, indicating the man in the long coat.
“There are rules, Wickham, and those rules are in place for a reason. I warned them you were coming back after I received your text to prepare them.”
Of course there were rules, but I’d never signed up for life as a vampire.
I eyed the group of people in their somber-toned garments and long faces and almost shook my head.
They gathered around a group sign at a stand that read “The Midnight Kitchen Society.” Pastries and other food sat for sale at their booth.
It looked as if Alice had made her traditional death by chocolate coffin cakes.
I held in a sigh. They were worried about me?
The little group of vampires verged on the obvious.
It was a miracle that no one had discovered them yet.
“I’ll talk to them. You guys are still meeting on Wednesday nights? ”
“Like clockwork.”
I nodded to Bradley. “I’ll be there.”
“Lydia! Where is your man? I must talk to him!” Mrs. Bennet’s words rang over the crowd. Lydia gestured my way, and Mrs. Bennet pinpointed her laser vision on me.
“I’ve gotta run,” I said to my friend.
He stepped close and dropped his voice. “Hey, I wanted to tell you. There’s a rumor among the vampires that your sire has had someone here in town keeping an eye on you. Reporting to him what is going on.”
I tore my gaze from Mrs. Bennet to stare at him, my gut churning. “Reporting what? For what reason?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. But you can guarantee he knows about her.” Bradley nodded toward Lydia. Then he lifted his hand in a wave. “See you later.”
My sire was in prison, but it seemed that he had a long reach. I glanced at Lydia, a sinking feeling in my stomach. Trying to push aside my concern over Bradley’s little bombshell, I took a deep breath and headed for my new mother-in-law.
“Ah, there is your husband!” Mrs. Bennet bustled over and grasped my hand. “What a fine handsome one he is!”
“Thank you,” I said, even though this wasn’t my first interaction with Mrs. Bennet.
“I always had a feeling Lydia would marry well, and you’re such a wonderful choice. Much better than that rude, silent Darcy, who thinks he’s too good to mingle with the townspeople.”
I’d experienced her fawning before, but now that I was Lydia’s husband, she seemed to lay it on extra thick.
“Oh, and I’m aware of how he has mistreated you in the past,” Mrs. Bennet continued.
The rumors about me and Darcy had grown wild, and I wasn’t sure what she’d heard.
She pressed my hand. “Come join us at our stand, and let’s get to know each other better.”
Mrs. Bennet pulled me over to the booth filled with warm pastries that rose and fell gently as if they were breathing. Cupcakes iced with sparkling frost gave off a soft hum. She pulled up a stool. “Sit, sit!” she exclaimed.
I did as I was told while Kitty dragged Lydia off to the side where all four of her sisters gathered around her. I watched them out of the corner of my eye.
Lydia beamed at them. “Everyone thought Jane would be the first to get married. Isn’t it hilarious that it was me, the youngest?”
“We’re glad you’re home, Lydia,” Jane said, not cracking a smile, her tone filled with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” Lydia asked, wrapping her arm around her sister’s waist. “Wickham is wonderful. I can’t wait for you to get to know him better.”
Despite Lydia standing a good distance away, I made out their conversation clearly because of my enhanced hearing. Mrs. Bennet prattled on. She paused a moment, asked me a question, and I murmured a brief response before she continued her praises.
“Why wouldn’t you be?” Lizzy threw her hands in the air. “You ran off with a man you hardly know and got married to him without telling any of us. Of course we were worried!”
“Lizzy, don’t be silly. Everything is fine. Better than fine. Have you seen my ring?” Lydia lifted her hand to show off the small rock on her finger. “Maybe I can set all of you up with guys like Wickham. Each of you will have someone by Valentine's Day.”
Mary shook her head, Kitty looked mortified, and Lizzy snorted and said, “No thanks.”
“... and not only are you fae, but you’re a famous rockstar no less!” Mrs. Bennet said in front of me. “Lydia is going to love living such a glamorous life. I admit I’m a bit envious.”
I simply nodded, focusing on Lydia’s conversation with her sisters.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Jane pressed.
“Do you really want to stay married to him?” Kitty asked, moving a little closer.
Lydia gazed around at their serious faces. “What is this? An intervention?” Lydia’s voice displayed her annoyance. “I’m married. That isn’t something you just undo.”
“Actually,” Mary said, followed by the crack of a book opening and pages ruffling. “You can get a marriage annulled within a certain amount of time if you think it was a mistake. I have all the information right here.”
“The only ones who think this is a mistake are my sisters. All of you? Kitty?”
“Like Jane said, I want to be positive this is what you want—”
“Yes, it’s what I want. I’m George Wickham’s wife. Who wouldn’t want that?”
Grim determination followed by relief settled inside me. Her sisters were this way because they loved her. Even they realized I ruined everything that I touched. But I had gotten the information I had come here to discover:
Lydia would have good support when I let her go.
And she’d be free of me.
The sisters continued bickering while Mrs. Bennet wiped away a tear from her eye. “I’m just so glad that she’s finally wed and happy.”
Wed and happy. A sour taste filled my mouth. “Thank you for being so welcoming despite the less than ideal circumstances of our marriage.”
“Yes, I will have to talk to Lydia about that. It was very cruel of her not to invite us to the wedding, but that doesn’t mean you’re not welcome to stop by our place anytime. You’re part of the family now.”
Lydia continued to argue with her sisters. “Wickham has been nothing but kind to me, and I’m certain he’d never hurt me. I’m sorry he chose me over you, Lizzy, but maybe you don’t know him as well as you think.”
I should probably end things before Lydia ruined her relationship with her sisters over me. When Mrs. Bennet spoke again, I placed a hand on the booth and rose, startling her. “Forgive me, but it has been a long drive, and Lydia and I should head to my place.”
“You mean our place?” Lydia asked as she stomped over, fired up. Her eyes flashed like a storm, brilliant and fierce. She grasped my arm. “Come, Wickham. We’ll return when my sisters have learned how to be happy for me.”
She threw a glare over her shoulder at her siblings, who’d followed her to the booth. I met Lizzy’s disgusted gaze.
I grimaced and averted my eyes. I deserved that look. I gave them a small wave. “Nice seeing everyone.”
And with that, we left the Cupid’s Confections booth much quicker than expected.