Page 84 of Storm of Bells
‘I’m getting married, Uncle.’
‘I heard.’ He studied my hand, and onebushy eyebrow rose. ‘Is that a curtain ring?’
I should probably have tried to protest theopposite. Instead, I grinned like a Cheshire cat.
‘You’re the first one to actually ask thatquestion,’ I admitted with a snicker. ‘All the others just get oddlooks on their faces and squint, trying to figure out if somethingis wrong with their eyes.’
‘Hm. So, is it?’
‘Yes.’
He gave a nod. ‘I knew I liked your man.Smart fellow. No sense in wasting money on a ring you’re only goingto wear for a few weeks anyway, right? A very smart fellowindeed.’
‘A recommendation like that from youshould probably send me running in the opposite direction.’
A few bristles of beard lifted somewherein the mass of grey. A smile? An actualsmile?
‘Probably.’
There was a moment of silence. Then…
‘So, girl, what do you want fromme?’
I gave him a look. Uncle Bufford was manythings, but stupid he was not. ‘It’s a wedding, Uncle. Familyattendance is customary.’
He considered this. ‘There’s plenty offamily downstairs. I can loan as many of them to you as you want. Iwon’t even charge much.’
‘I want you to come.’
‘What the…? Have you lost your mind,girl?’
‘I want you to give me away.’
‘Hm. I guess that answers thatquestion.’
I took a step forward. ‘I’m perfectlyserious, Uncle.’
His sharp eyes rose from the pile of moneyhe was currently counting to focus on me. ‘I can see that. What Ican’t figure out is why. Why would anyone in their right mindpossibly wantmeat their wedding?’
‘Because,’ I said and stepped forward.Ignoring every propriety drilled into me since the moment I’dentered this house, I reached across the desk and touched hisbristly cheek. He looked down at my hand as if it were aparticularly gruesome tarantula. ‘Because I want one member of myfamily besides Ella there who cares about what kind of man I marry,not just how fat his purse or how long his list of titlesis.’
Holding my uncle’s startled gaze for a longmoment, I stood there—then stepped back and grinned. ‘And becausethis might be a great business opportunity for you.’
Clearing his throat, he sat up straight inhis chair and sent a glare my way. I lowered my eyes demurely.After all, I clearly deserved his ire. How dare I be nice to himand say friendly things for no good reason? Things like this weresimply not done in good old England!
‘A great business opportunity, you say?Explain.’
‘Well, you know my fiancé…’
‘Yes?’
‘The one with hundreds of factories,trading routes stretching all over the world, and lots more moneythan you?’
My dear uncle’s eyes narrowed. ‘Yes, girl.Get to the point.’
‘His wedding won’t just be a wedding,’ Itold him, crossing my fingers behind my back. ‘Can you imagine aman like that would pass up an opportunity to invite all his mostimportant business partners and further his interests? Lots ofimportant men from all walks of life will be there.’
If you define ‘lots’ as one, that is.
