Page 117 of Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Raven and Hawk, who had been eavesdropping in the corridor, darted in to take a look for themselves.
A snigger sounded from Raven. “I don’t mean to shock you, Aunt Alison, but that’s averyunladylike word coming out of your mouth.”
“My dear Weasel, I know exactly whatcodsmeans,” replied the dowager primly. “Indeed, I daresay, I know far more bad words than you do.”
Raven looked insulted. “Ha! I bet you don’t!”
“Let us not put that wager to the test,” said Charlotte as she quickly rolled up the drawing in a protective piece of oilcloth and held it out to Raven. “A special messenger is waiting for this in the kitchen. He needs to leave without delay.”
As the boys scampered off, Alison fixed her with a martial look. “And now, my dear, off you go to begin preparing for your march down the aisle.”
* * *
The march went off without a hitch, though there were a few tense moments when Skinny forgot to stomp the horse dung off his boots and was about to step into the chapel. But Alice the Eel Girl quickly corrected the oversight, and the only fragrance wafting down the aisle was that of Hawk’s beautiful floral bouquets.
As for the bride, Wrexford felt his breath catch in his throat as he turned and saw Charlotte’s radiant smile.
Love.His heartbeat quickened and its pulse seemed to thrum against the ancient stones and bring them alive with a golden glow.
“I do,” said Charlotte softly in response to the chaplain.
And that was that—they were now man and wife.
The wedding breakfast was a gloriously festive affair. With all the laughter and champagne, nobody—save for Charlotte—noticed Harper had wolfed down half a platter of sliced ham that Hawk surreptitiously placed under the table.
She made a wry face and drew Wrexford through the open French doors and out to the terrace. “I fear that the Weasels are going to plead with you to let the hound come back to London with us.”
“Our townhouse is already adding new residents,” he drawled. “The more the merrier.”
“Be careful what you wish for.”
Chuckling, he took her arm and led her down the steps and into the gardens. They walked for a bit in companionable silence, the sounds of celebration giving way to the gentle flutter of the leaves in the breeze.
“You look pensive,” he murmured after slanting a glance at her profile.
“There is much to think on,” she said. “So many things are about to change.”
“For the better, I trust.” Wrexford smiled. “Think of our marriage as opening up a whole new realm of adventures.”
“I daresay, we get into enough trouble as it is.” Charlotte slipped her arms around his waist and pulled him close. “However, since you put it that way, I can hardly wait to see what intriguing things are going to unfold.”
A laugh, low and husky, tickled against her cheek. “Well, then, let us start exploring our future. Heaven only knows what lies ahead . . .” He swept her up into his arms. “However, there’s one certainty—whatever adventures come our way, we shall be facing them together.”
