The Sign of Death
Page 27
She considered him for a moment, an idea popping into her head. “Since you brought it up, however …”
“Yes?”
“On one condition.”
He raised his brows. “Only one? I am getting off easy.”
* * *
William and Amy returned to the drawing room to the expectant looks on most of the guests’ faces. He held up her left hand to show off the beautiful diamond-and-ruby ring he’d slipped on her finger. “She said yes.”
They were immediately surrounded by family and friends, all offering congratulations and well wishes.
“We must plan the wedding,” Aunt Margaret said. “How soon do you want it?” She turned to William. Apparently it was assumed that he didn’t want to wait too long to experience all that marriage had to offer.
“I leave that up to my betrothed.” There. That should give him a few points with his bride-to-be.
Lord Winchester wandered in William’s direction and slapped him on the back. “Welcome to the family, son. You are marrying the finest woman in Bath.”
William smiled at Amy. “I know.”
“I might dispute that, but I remember what a powerful punch my sister can throw.” Michael kissed Amy on the cheek and shook William’s hand. “Best wishes to both of you.”
After a few minutes, dinner was announced, and they all proceeded into the dining room. William strolled along with Amy on his arm, feeling quite proud of himself. He had felt no panic at all when he arrived at the jewelry store to purchase Amy’s ring two days earlier. Mother had reminded him that he’d inherited jewelry from both his grandmothers, but he’d wanted something new for Amy.
She could wear the other jewelry if she wished, but he wanted his ring to be for her and only her.
Mother had done an excellent job in planning the dinner. Although he had promised he would look over her menu choices, with all that had happened since, he’d never had a chance—or truth be known, the desire—to peruse the paper she kept handing him.
They dined on a clear-gravy soup, stewed eels, fricandeau of veal with spinach, roast capon, mashed potatoes with broccoli, Nesselrode pudding, fruit, nuts, and cheese.
The conversation was lively, and he was glad to see how happy Amy appeared to be, speaking of the upcoming wedding. Once in a while she would glance down at her hand, then look over at him and smile.
Yes. This felt right.
As soon as the dishes had been removed and only the tray of fruit, cheese, and nuts remained along with brandy for the men and tea for the ladies, Mr. Colbert stood and cleared his throat, reminiscent of the book club meetings. “May I have your attention, please?” He smiled down at Mother and took her hand.
What the devil?
“I would like to make another happy announcement. Lady Wethington has granted me the pleasure and honor of accepting my offer of marriage.”
William almost swallowed his tongue. Marriage? He swung his attention to his mother, who was blushing. Blushing! Sitting next to him, Amy grabbed his hand. “Please don’t spoil this moment for them.”
William took a deep breath. She was right. Mother was not only blushing but looking at Mr. Colbert as if he had hung the moon, and the man was looking at her the same way.
William wiped his mouth with his napkin, stood, and held up his wineglass. “Although I wish I had known about this before an announcement was made—”
“William,” Amy whispered.
“—I would like to offer my congratulations and best wishes to my mother and Mr. Colbert.” He managed to eke out a smile. “Welcome to the family.”
Mr. Colbert beamed, and William looked over at his mother, who mouthed thank you before showing everyone the beautiful diamond ring on her finger.
“It appears we have two weddings to plan,” Aunt Margaret said as she joined in the toast.
Amy looked at her aunt and then her brother. “With two more to go.” She dipped her head and lifted her glass, then linked her fingers with William’s under the table.
EPILOGUE
The crowds had already gathered at the Atkinson & Tucker bookstore for the much-awaited book fair. Two local authors had taken their seats at tables awaiting customers who had purchased their books for signing.
A third table piled high with stacks of books sat in the very center of the store with the sign E. D. BURTON.
No one sat there.
Amy and William strolled up to the store, hand in hand, and stopped to chat with the two local authors. They also greeted the O’Neill sisters, Lady Wethington and Mr. Colbert, and Mr. Davidson with his ever-present friend, Mr. Rawlings, along with others from the book club.
Mr. Rawlings winked at her.
William nodded to Miss Sterling and Lord Temple and his daughter, Lady Abigail. The store manager, Mr. Dobish, stood in the middle of the chaos and frantically looked around.
The crowd behind them was growing restless, several of them asking about E. D. Burton.
Mr. Dobish cleared his throat and raised his hands to gain the crowd’s attention. “Have no fear, ladies and gentlemen; I was assured by a representative of the publisher that Mr. E. D. Burton will definitely appear this evening.” He checked his timepiece. “We just need to give him a bit more time.”
Amy and William grinned at each other. He bowed to her, took her arm, and walked her to the table with the E. D. Burton sign on it. “My lady.” He pulled out the chair and she sat, placing her folded hands on the table.
William cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you my lovely fiancée, Lady Amy Lovell, also known as Mr. E. D. Burton, murder mystery author extraordinaire.”
The crowd erupted, everyone speaking at once.
Mr. Rawlings sauntered up to them and extended his hand. “Lady Amy, I am the representative of Chatto and Windus for all of Somerset County. It is a pleasure to meet you on a professional basis.”
Amy grinned. “It is nice to meet you in a professional capacity also, Mr. Rawlings.” She took his hand and gave it a sharp squeeze. No one would accuse her of being a mousy woman.
William bent to speak in Amy’s ear. “I have met your one condition, my lady. Plan the wedding.” He winked. “I will plan the honeymoon.”
ALSO AVAILABLE BY CALLIE HUTTON
Victorian Book Club Mysteries
A Study in Murder
Scottish Heart Series
His Rebellious Lass
A Scot to Wed
Noble Heart Series
For the Love of the Viscount
For the Love of the Marquess
For the Love of the Baron
For the Love of the Lady
For the Love of the Duke
For the Love of the Gentleman
Prisoners of Love Series
Adelaide
Cinnamon
Becky
Miranda
Lords and Ladies in Love Series
Seducing the Marquess
Marrying the Wrong Earl
Denying the Duke
Wagering for Miss Blake
Captivating the Earl
American Mail-Order Brides
Julie: Bride of New York
Surprise Brides
Caleb
McCoy Brothers Series
Daniel’s Desire
Stephen’s Bride
Oklahoma Lovers Series
A Run for Love
A Prescription for Love
A Chance to Love Again
A Wife for Christmas
Anyplace but Here
A Dogtown Christmas
Marriage Mart Mayhem Series
The Elusive Wife
The Duke’s Quandary
The Lady’s Disgrace
The Baron’s Betrayal
The Highlander’s Choice
The Highlander’s Accidental Marriage
The Earl’s Return
Merry Misfits of Bath Series
The Doctor and the Libertine
The Arti
st and the Rake
Lady Pamela and the Gambler
The Courtesan’s Daughter and the Gentleman
The Bookseller and the Earl
Other Novels
Heirlooms of the Heart
Miss Merry’s Christmas
An Angel in the Mail
Emma’s Journey
A Tumble through Time
The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
USA Today bestselling author Callie Hutton has penned more than thirty-five historical romance books, and writes humorous and spicy Regency with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). Callie lives in Oklahoma with two rescue dogs and her top cheerleader husband of many years. Her family also includes her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law. And her four year old twin grandsons “The Twinadoes.”
This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real or actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Colleen Greene
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Crooked Lane Books and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-64385-582-0
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-64385-583-7
Cover design by Bruce Emmett
Printed in the United States.
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Crooked Lane Books
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First Edition: April 2021
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