Page 97 of In Want of a Wife
The sun was shining.It was a beautiful August morning. And Lily was going to be late to her third wedding.
"He better not think I am going to jilt him," she mumbled, climbing into the second hackney Kate summoned for them.
"He won't, darling," Charlotte cooed reassuringly as she climbed in beside Lily. "Oh, I think this is my favorite dress of yours yet."
She blushed, picking at the detailed hem of ribbons and lace. "My stepmother will hate it. Too practical."
"Yes, but I think more so because it lacks her desired stuffed fowl accessory."
"I wasn't about to wear a stuffed duck on my head."
"Oh, but your father would have loved it."
Lily shrugged, fighting back a grin as her heart thumped in her chest. She hated to be late and, until now, had always been on time for her weddings. And since she had hoped this one would stick, she would like to be at the church promptly.
"Rafe isn't going anywhere."
That wasn't entirely true. It was early yet in the venture with Mr. Hawkins, but Rafe had secured several investors along with a nice office by the Thames. Lily had visited him there with a picnic lunch with Charlotte, who had graciously chaperoned the visit. Until she suddenly fell ill with a headache at the perfect time.
It was a nice office, and he looked especially handsome strutting across the place with papers in his hands and a pencil tucked behind his ear as he worked at the draft table.
She could have watched him forever commanding that room.
"There you go again with that silly smile," Kate teased.
Lily only stuck her tongue out before peeking out the window. "Did they move the church? Why is this taking so long?"
"He can't be married without you," Charlotte said with a laugh. "He will be there as well as your family and his family and your friends. And they will wait because we all wish for you to be happy. And he loves you more than scones."
Hmm, that was debatable given the time of day, but Lily was inclined to agree. Since returning to London and asking her to marry him, it felt as if they were properly courting. And Lily, though never one to be overly sentimental, certainly enjoyed the flowers and notes and strolls through St. James Park.
They waited three weeks to marry, mostly so they could inform their families and arrange for travel.
"Your father is coming, is he not?" Charlotte asked as if reading Lily's mind.
"Yes, Rafe and Admiral Ackerman dined with him two nights ago.”
"And he was... kind toward Rafe?"
Lily scrunched her nose. "It will be a friendly relationship. I won't wait for Papa to suddenly refer to Rafe as his son, but he is at least speaking to him."
"And is he talking to you as well?" Kate prompted.
"We had tea yesterday. It was as if I never left. " She scratched her cheek and swatted away a loose curl. “I believe Admiral Ackerman might have helped smooth matters over. Father told me he didn't wish to speak of it, only that he wished I would be happy.”
"And you are," Kate teased again before becoming sober. "I have decided I will never marry. One rake was one too many, and now everyone avoids me as if I am the plague here in town."
"That will pass," Charlotte urged.
"It’s been over a year now. I am inclined to believe I have been well and truly ruined. And I am humbled that you both have still welcomed me into your lives after such a scandal.”
Lily rested her head against Kate’s shoulder, dear Kate who was all at once so irritatingly endearing and cursed with a wild streak that scared most everyone in society. “I will never leave you.”
Kate hitched her shoulder, playfully bumping Lily’s head up. “You are getting married, darling.”
She glanced up at her friends, her heart so unexpectedly full. “Yes, but I’ve loved you both for much longer. And I will never abandon you.” Lily jerked up from the bench seat. “Oh, the church! We’re here. Should I hop out?”
“While heartfelt, your declaration didn’t even last a minute, dear,” Charlotte teased. “I want nothing more for you to find happiness.” She adjusted her bonnet and tugged at her gloves as if she were throwing on armor.
