Page 67 of The Return of the Rake

“Italy?” she asked, breathless at the idea. “I have always longed to see Italy.”

“Italy then,” he said with a nod. “Sounds fine.”

“But… we’ll be back in time—?”

“In time to open the hotel,” he finished for her with a laugh. “Whatever do you take me for? Of course we will. But we’ll escape the worst of the English winter and not return until the spring. How’s that?”

“Oh, perfect!” Anne said in delight. “How simply perfect.”

King gazed down at her, an expression in his eyes that suggested he thought it was rather perfect too.

“Will you worry about Mr Marwick if we go away?” she asked him, knowing he felt responsible for the young man.

He frowned, shaking his head. “Alfie knows he needs to keep his head down for a time, and Silas Mourney is not such a fool that he’d make an enemy of me willingly. So long as Alfie stays put, he’s in no danger, I reckon. Hopefully, his sister will keep him in line.”

“She’s a remarkable woman,” Anne said reassuringly. “Far cleverer and more capable than she lets on, I think.”

“Good,” King said, swinging open the gate. It squeaked alarmingly, announcing their arrival to the residents.

A moment later, the front door opened, and the Reverend Honeywell appeared. He looked from King to Anne and back again. “I knew it!” he exclaimed, his face lighting up. “I knew it!” he crowed again, turning and hurrying into the house. “Izzy! Izzy! Fetch the champagne I put aside!”

King and Anne glanced at each other in amusement before following him inside.

“Oh, my dears, how delightful!” he said, embracing Anne as warmly as if she had been his own daughter. “I cannot tell you how happy I am for you. Anne, this is a wonderful thing. You have yourself a very fine man there, I’d swear it.”

“Steady on,” King protested, and Anne felt her heart swell with love for him as she saw the tinge of colour cresting his cheeks. “I’m the lucky one here. This poor girl is to be pitied, surely?”

“Pooh!” Honeywell exclaimed, looking disgusted by the sentiment, before turning and yelling down the stairs again. “Izzy! Champagne!”

“I’m coming, Papa!” retorted his harassed daughter, who appeared a moment later clutching an unopened champagne bottle. “Whatever is the matter? Why do you—oh!” she exclaimed upon seeing Anne and King together. Her eyes grew very wide as she stared at Anne.

“We’re to be married,” Anne explained gently, for the girl looked entirely baffled.

Izzy gave a delighted squeal and launched herself at Anne, hugging her tightly. “Oh, wonderful, wonderful news! Congratulations!” she said happily, before glancing at King and looking rather intimidated.

“Thank you for the happiness of your reaction,” King said with a warm smile. “It was very touching.”

Izzy grinned sheepishly. “You’re welcome. Oh, but Anne, you wicked creature. I had no notion. How dare you keep such secrets?” She gasped then, putting her hand to her mouth and looking suddenly crestfallen. “Oh, you’re not going away too?”

Anne shook her head, understanding at once, for both Izzy’s sisters had married this year. Splendid marriages, and happy ones too, but they had new lives now, away from Little Valentine, and Izzy missed them dreadfully.

“No, of course not,” Anne said at once. “Whoever would run the hotel? And there’s our club to consider.”

Izzy gave a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad. I cannot imagine why anyone would wish to leave Little Valentine. I shall stay here forever, with my dearest papa,” she said stoutly, taking her father’s arm.

“Ah, sweet girl. I should never be so selfish,” Honeywell said with a smile. “But I confess, I should be glad if your husband, whoever he might be, remained in the town so you might be near your old pa.”

“Whoever he might be!” Izzy repeated with a snort. “That is the question.”

“For another day,” the reverend said firmly. “Today, we have a wedding to plan. Give me that bottle, my dear.”

“Isn’t it a little early?” Anne said, laughing as the reverend led them into the front parlour.

“For champagne? Never!” replied the reverend firmly, which was answer enough.

It was several days later before King called upon the vicarage again. It had taken some persuading to get Anne to agree to let him deal with it himself, but finally she had given in.

“Jasper, my good fellow. This is a pleasant surprise,” the reverend said, getting up from behind his desk and coming to greet him.