Page 52 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
At that, Juniper giggled. “Oh my gosh, what a mess we are,” she said with a laugh, then went to the door and opened it.
Portia, who was holding a tattered and ancient-looking book, entered without looking up. “I think I may have something.” She made her way to the couch, only pausing when she hovered very close to sitting down on me. “Granik,” she said in surprise. “I didn’t realize you were there. Good. That’s good you’re here. Come look. Both of you,” she said, then motioned to Juniper to sit as Portia took the spot beside me. “This isThe Book of Beade. It’s an old book full of orcish customs. Beade was a bard who traveled widely, recording the traditions of people wherever he went. He was in the village of Foggy Brooke when an orcish couple broke off their engagement. There was a great scandal, but,” she said, and began reading aloud. “‘The would-be groom called a meeting of everyone in the village and declared himself a perpetual bachelor with no interest in marrying—ever. His actions released his would-be bride from any obligation, and because of his words, there was no stain on either of their reputations. The elders decided there was no fault or shame in honesty, and the family’s reputation went untarnished.’”
“But that would mean Granik would have to swear to never marry,” Juniper protested.
Portia nodded. “Yes. That is the conundrum of it, but it is the only example I can find that allows everyone to walk away. Any orc can declare themselves forever single, but they must abide by the choice. If they do so, there is no objection.”
“This is ridiculous,” I said, rising in irritation. “This whole mess is just… This is why I left Mossy Bottom.”
Portia handed me the book. “It is the only way out I have discovered. And now, with the wedding on…Saturday? That is what Emmalyn told me.”
Juniper nodded. “Yes. I…I even have a dress.”
“You have a dress?”
Juniper nodded.
“And a ring?”
She nodded again.
“And…” Portia paused then, her gaze going from Juniper, who still looked slightly disheveled. Her dress had been rebuttoned crookedly, a button missed.
It was then that I realized that one of my shirt tails was untucked, and my state of arousal was not entirely abated.
Portia’s quick eyes took in everything.
“Oh, no,” she groaned, then rose. “I’m so, so sorry. I should have listened to Emmalyn and the others. I’m leaving.”
“Emmalyn? What did the others say?” Juniper asked.
“Good night,” Portia replied and headed toward the door.
“Portia?” Juniper called, following her friend. “Portia, what did Emmalyn and the others say?”
But Portia didn’t answer, merely opened the door and let herself out.
“Portia,” Juniper called behind her, but Portia didn’t answer, and a moment later, I heard the garden gate swing open and then close again.
Juniper stood in the doorway, a confused expression on her face.
I came and stood behind her. “She found a way out.”
Juniper nodded.
“I… Maybe I should go too.”
“Oh,” Juniper said, then turned and looked up at me. “Go?”
“Junie, I…”
She shook her head, then took the book from my hand. “What will you do?”
“I guess I only have one choice, right?”
“Only one choice,” she replied.
“I mean, that’s the only thing I can do.”
