He returned her smile. “Could happen.”
The magistrate cleared his throat. “If
the couple is ready.”
Minnie gave a tiny nod. As Tag agreed to love, honor, and cherish her until death do them part, a sense of peace washed over her. She’d managed to marry as her mother requested, or rather insisted, to a man who made her bubble with joy.
“I do,” she added as they finished their vows.
“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Tag leaned over, capturing her lips with his. A cheer went up from the crowd, filling the early morning air.
Tag led her back down the garden path and into the house where a wedding breakfast awaited them.
Her hand in the crook of her husband’s arm, she closed her eyes. How had the surly duke she’d first met become the man that filled her heart?
When she opened her eyes again, however, she realized several of the guests hadn’t followed her into the room. Diana stood in the doorway, holding a note, her lips pursed.
“Diana?” she called.
Her cousin dropped her hand to the side and strode in through the doors. “It’s from Emily.”
Minnie swallowed a gasp. “What did she say? Is she all right?”
“She’s fine.” Diana huffed. “All that worry and they are taking a holiday in Scotland after their elopement.”
“Did she say why they eloped in the first place?” Tag asked as the Marquess of Malicorn came to stand beside him.
Minnie gave Tag’s friend a tight nod of greeting. Tag hadn’t invited his other friends to the wedding. He’d said the notice was too short but Minnie suspected this had something to do with the club.
Ada, Cordelia, and Grace joined the group too. Diana snorted before she answered, “She only says that she hopes we understand but they needed to follow the path of true love.”
“I think it sounds romantic,” Cordelia sighed as she pushed up her glasses.
Malicorn made a choking noise in his throat. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those ninny-headed women whose dreams are full of romance and true love?”
Cordelia straightened, attempting to look down her nose at him. “So what if I am? It’s not your concern.”
He said something under his breath that Minnie couldn’t quite catch. She gave her head a shake. It didn’t matter. “Did Emily say anything else?”
“Just that they’ll be home in a fortnight.” Diana refolded the paper, her movements jerky and short. “Does she realize she’s left us in a pickle? I mean the countess didn’t appear happy with the threat you made.”
Tag held up a hand. “We’ve got her cornered.”
“Says you.” Diana gave him a look up and down. “She’s a predator, you know. They often come out of corners fighting. And that one’s got a full set of claws.”
Malicorn grimaced. “We’ll be ready for her if she does.”
“She can’t ruin us all, can she?” Grace asked.
Ada squeaked. “I don’t think I’m meant to be a spinster.”
Tag wrapped his arm about Minnie. “One way or another, we’ll keep you ladies safe.”
Minnie inwardly winced. She was completely protected as Tag’s wife but her cousins and sisters…that was another story entirely.
Marquess of Malice