Page 2 of Murder in Matrimony
Winifred jumped out of her chair, the tartlet falling on the floor. “You’re getting married!”
And there it was.From the mouth of babes …
“Yes!” Madge joined her, clasping her hands and jumping up and down. “We are!”
Forgetting his attempt at seriousness, Captain Fitz chuckled, and Amelia couldn’t help but smile, too. Marriage was happy news, and despite having her own romance preempted, she was delighted for the captain and her sister.
Amelia stood and hugged Madge. “Congratulations.”
Simon took the captain’s hand and gave it a hearty shake.
Only Tabitha remained silent. Eventually she said, “Congratulations to you both. I must say the news isn’t entirely unexpected. I imagine you will be married next June.”
“Oh, no.” Madge shook her head, and several pieces of auburn hair dislodged from a hasty coiffure. She would have left it habitually undone if their mother had allowed her. Hairpins she considered a menace, heels were intolerable, and woe betide the person who suggested tightlacing. “We cannot wait that long. We want to be married this month.”
“This month,” Tabitha repeated.
“This month?” Simon questioned.
“This month!” Winifred squealed.
Amelia closed her eyes and counted to ten, then twenty. Leave it to Madge to expect miracles and her older sister to perform them. Yet she was leaving for Mells tomorrow … Perhaps she would take her ardent nuptial plans with her. “I don’t know if Mama will be able to plan something that quickly.The traveling season is winding down, but still, the demands at the Feathered Nest are plenty.”
Captain Fitz and Madge exchanged a secret look.
“Actually, Lady Amesbury, my family lives in London, and we are considering marrying here.” Captain Fitz swallowed. “It would mean a lot to my mother, and as you all say, family is so important.”
Madge’s eyes darted in Amelia’s direction, and Amelia raised her lips in what she hoped was a smile and not a snarl. If Captain Fitz wanted the wedding in London, it meant the duty of hosting would fall upon her. They certainly could not ask his parents to host, and Amelia was Madge’s only family in town.
“I think it’s a capital idea!” Winifred exclaimed. “I’ve never been to a wedding. I’ve never been to anything at all.”
“Now will be your chance.” Madge gave Winifred’s small hands a squeeze. “I’d like for everyone to join us.” She turned to Amelia. “And we would like you and Lord Bainbridge to be our principal bridesmaid and bride groomsman.”
“We would be honored.” Simon’s voice brimmed with pride.
Amelia felt the same pride. Her little sister could be difficult and, being five years younger and an unexpected delight to their parents, a wee bit spoiled. But she was also one of her favorite people on earth. With her two older sisters, Penelope and Sarah, Amelia always felt their authority, and perhaps their censure, but with Madge, a comradery existed that she would always cherish. “I’ll talk to the vicar in the morning.”
Madge let out a deep breath. “Would you, Amelia?”
Amelia smiled. “Of course. I insist you have the wedding breakfast here.”
“Truly?” Madge’s eyes glistened with tears.
“Truly.”
“And Father and Mother?”
“I will send for them,” promised Amelia.
“And Penelope and Sarah?”
“The entire family, if you wish.”
“Thank you, Amelia.” Madge hugged her tightly. “I’m so glad because I wrote and told them already.”
TWO
Dear Lady Agony,
