“When you rode into Town in a blaze to secure a special license, I knew I had no choice but to make the trek back up here again.”
“It will be nice to have you standing up with me.”
John gave him a knowing look. “You will be returning the favor shortly.”
“Yes, I will.”
As they started descending the stairs, John asked, “Do you intend to take a wedding tour?”
“I intend to abscond with Arabella the moment she says yes.”
John chuckled. “I daresay Mother would never forgive you if you missed the luncheon she has prepared in your honor.”
His mother’s voice came from the bottom of the stairs. “John is right,” she said. “I would be very angry with you if you did such a thing.”
Colin came to a stop in front of his mother. “You do not need to fret. We will stay for the luncheon, but we will depart shortly thereafter for our Scottish manor.”
“You seem to be rather eager to get Arabella alone,” John teased.
His mother swatted at John’s sleeve. “We do not talk of such things,” she chided lightly. “What happens between a man and a woman is their business.”
John smirked. “How does the bridegroom wish to spend his last few hours of freedom?”
“Work,” Colin replied.
“That is so drab and boring,” John said. “Why don’t we go into the village and drink at the pub? We haven’t done that in years.”
“Yes, and I remember the last time we went, we became so inebriated that we were barely able to make it back home.”
John chuckled. “That was a memorable evening.”
“But the next morning was miserable.”
“That it was,” John agreed.
Before he could reply, Peter ran into the entry hall with a kite in his hand. “Look what Dickson just made for me,” he shouted, holding it up with pride.
“It is impressive,” John said. “It is much more impressive than the ones that Dickson used to make for me when I was little.”
Dickson chuckled as he walked into the room. “I have had a lot more time to practice since then, sir.”
“Mother said I can’t fly it until after the wedding,” Peter said, his voice resigned.
Colin placed his hand on the boy’s thin shoulder. “You have a wise mother.”
“That I do,” Peter agreed. “Although, she does believe you spoil me terribly.”
“It is the least I can do,” Colin replied.
Dickson caught his eye and informed him, “Mr. Hardwick is waiting for you in your study.”
“Thank you,” Colin said. “If you will all excuse me, I need to speak to my solicitor for a moment.”
His mother sighed. “But it is your wedding day, son,” she said. “I would prefer if you took the day off.”
“I’m afraid this can’t wait,” Colin asserted.
With a disapproving glance, his mother replied, “Then off you go, but I won’t let you be late to your own wedding.”
