“I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed…”
“I’d like to know one or two secrets right now,” said Jean-Pierre. “To start with, how long has she known?”
“James Clarence Spencer, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the Holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will.”
“Rosalie Arlene, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live…”
“I think,” said Stephen, “we can be sure that she’s a fully fledged member of the Team; otherwise we could never have succeeded at Monte Carlo or Oxford.”
“…so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will.”
“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”
Harvey bustled forward and took Anne’s hand and gave it to the priest.
“I James Clarence Spencer, take thee, Rosalie Arlene, to my wedded wife…”
“And what’s more, why should he recognize us when he’s only seen each of us once, and not as we really are,” continued Stephen.
“And thereto I plight thee my troth.”
“I, Rosalie Arlene, take thee, James Clarence Spencer, to my wedded husband…”
“But he must have a chance of working it out if we hang around,” said Robin.
“Not necessarily,” said Stephen. “No need to panic. Our secret has always been to catch him off home ground.”
“But now he’s on home ground,” said Jean-Pierre.
“No, he isn’t. It’s his daughter’s wedding day and it’s totally strange to the man. Naturally, we avoid him at the reception, but we don’t make it too obvious.”
“You’ll have to hold my hand,” said Robin.
“I will,” volunteered Jean-Pierre.
“Just remember to act naturally.”
“…and thereto I give thee my troth.”
Anne was quiet and shy, her voice only just reaching the astonished three at the back. James’s was clear and firm:
“With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow…”
“And with some of ours too,” said Jean-Pierre.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Let us pray,” intoned the priest.
“I know what I’m going to pray,” said Robin. “To be delivered out of the power of our enemy and from the hands of all that hate us.”
“O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind…”
“We’re near the end now,” said Stephen.