Thirty-seven

Zachary

When Evie and I returned to the house, we went straight to the parlor in hopes that our friends would all be present.

They were, including Jaxon, which made me all the happier.

When we entered, all faces went stock-still and glanced in our direction, some looking down at our linked hands and others at our smiling faces. Not one sound could be heard.

“We have come to share news with you all,” I hesitated and looked at Eveline.

She smiled wide. “We are getting married.”

The room practically lifted off its foundation from the energy that exploded from within. The shouts and exclamations of joy were happily celebrated and, once the felicitations were offered, they all leaped to a volley of questions. When is the wedding? Where will you live? Does Patrick know? Where will you be married?

“One moment,” I waved my free hand in the air. “Slow down, there is much to discuss.”

Eveline turned to Gwendolyn’s question first. “I don’t know when, but soon.” She peeked in my direction and winked. “Quite soon.”

I addressed the second one. “We will live wherever Eveline wants. Though, we have inherited a cottage in Saltdean from my father where we can spend our summers.” Eveline’s eyes went wide. I had not yet told her of that latest development and only chuckled at the set down I might receive later… as long as we kissed to make up, it was worth it.

She shook her head and smiled, then addressed the next question. “Yes, Patrick knows. He has already started calling Zach Papa.”

I turned to Hunter, Lucas, and Jaxon. “We can only wed when your schedules permit. You must be present. And since Helena will be finishing her confinement here, maybe Hunter and Gwendolyn will kindly agree to having a wedding here as well.” I squeezed Eveline’s hand. “And as far as when… as soon as I can acquire the special license, for I cannot wait three weeks for the banns to be read.” The men chuckled in response.

Jaxon shook his head. “Then thank goodness I had the foresight to obtain this during my absence.” Reaching into his inner pocket, he retrieved a parchment and handed it over to me.

I unraveled the quarter sheet vellum to reveal the seal of the principal registry at the bottom with Randall Thomas, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s signature at the top. The names Eveline Turner and Lord Zachary Collins appeared in the same flowing script.

Eveline’s hand flew to her mouth, and she giggled, her eyes flashing to mine with delight.

“How did you acquire this without me present?” I questioned in astonishment.

He tilted his head and chuckled. “You do know who my father is, don’t you?”

I laughed. “That’s why you were gone these last two days.”

He nodded. “I was away for business, but I had no doubt it would be sought after, and figured I could assist in one small way.”

I mouthed him the sincerest thank you.

“What is it?” Gwendolyn questioned from across the room.

I held it up and chuckled again. “It just so happens to be our special license to wed.”

“You mean now?” Lucas reached for the parchment to read.

Eveline shook her head. “But my mother and sister must be here. We will need at least two days, one day to send word by messenger and the next for them to arrive.”

Hunter lifted his glass. “Then two days it is!”

I spent the morning of our wedding pacing the study. Gwendolyn and Helena had already decorated the ballroom for the soiree they had planned before Patrick’s disappearance and Helena’s confinement to her bedchamber, so there was little for the men to do but pass time. And they humorously chose to watch me as I counted the minutes before Eveline was to be my bride.

A footman arrived at the door of the study. “A missive for Lord Jaxon.” He held the silver tray with a solitary letter on top.

Jaxon stepped forward to retrieve it.

Though the three of us gave him privacy to read the correspondence, he chose not to leave the room, and I noticed in a sidelong glance how his brows furrowed deeply in response. The news could not be good.

When Gwendolyn appeared and pulled Hunter and Lucas away to help her with a last-minute preparation, this provided an opportune moment for me to speak with Jaxon privately.

I strode to his side as he stood before the window and reread the missive. “Is everything alright, Jax?” I questioned, catching sight of the French lettering.

He flinched, having been deep in thought and clearly didn’t hear me approach. I had not intended on reading it or startling him. He folded the letter quickly and stuffed it in his inner coat pocket. “Yes, nothing to be concerned about.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “It’s your wedding day, Zachary, you should have nothing but pleasant thoughts today.” He then shook his head and chuckled. “Two of my three best mates are husbands, and the third will take the leap in…” He pulled out his pocket watch. “Three hours, twenty-two minutes, and five seconds.”

“It is only a matter of time before a woman ensnares you.” I arched a brow. “Even if you are not looking for a wife, it could sneak up on you and catch you completely unaware.”

He wrinkled his nose. “My mother has already committed me to being in London for the season and I cannot tell you how the very thought of being in a crush makes me feel as though I am facing certain execution.”

“You will be highly sought after, that is for certain.”

He blew out his lips slowly. “No. I fear I have too many personal demons for a woman to attach herself to me.”

I gripped his sleeve. “What has happened in France, Jax?”

He took a deep breath. “Let’s just say I have realized that I left some work unfinished, and it’s caught up with me.”

“Your memory has fully returned?” I questioned.

His jaw tightened and he nodded. “That’s partly why I went to London. I needed to meet with an associate.”

“Tell me,” I insisted.

“No.” He shook his head adamantly. “We will speak of this another time. You must go and get changed or your wife might take one look at your dreadful appearance and say no to the vows.”

Although he jested, I could not bring myself to laugh. Something had happened in France and my friend was clearly upset over it.

“Promise me you will tell me after we return from our wedding trip.”

We shook hands as he spoke through tight lips. “I promise.”