Page 99 of A Bloom for a Blacksmith

“Sounds as if your investment will pay off sooner than expected, sir,” Angus remarked.

“Indeed,” Darius agreed.

The coach pulled up to the Antiquarian Quill and Angus lifted Iris from the coach in the same manner Darius did only a moment later for Stella.

As Iris and Stella hurried into the shop and up to the third floor, the two men paused outside, their gaze going to the second shingle that hung beneath the one for the bookshop.

Immortal Matchmakers of Mayfair

“She didn’t even notice,” Angus murmured, referring to Stella.

“Oh, she will,” Darius replied.

“Might I ask why you wanted to include the word ‘immortal’ in the name?” Angus asked.

Darius inhaled and let the breath out in a whoosh. “It was meant to be a joke, but the hope is that every match we make will be immortal, in this life and in the next.”

Angus nodded his understanding. “I like that, sir.”

The two made their way into the bookshop, taking their time climbing to the second floor.

“I must say, you’ve made this into quite a beautiful home,” Darius remarked, settling into one of the upholstered chairs near the fireplace. Behind him, a pair of gray velvet drapes hung from rods featuring iris blooms on either end. In between them, a redwood sapling stood nearly two feet tall, the large ceramic pot in which it had been planted boosting it another foot higher.

Against the long wall opposite the fireplace, a series of black wrought iron bookshelves held Iris’s collection of books. The walls, painted to look like Carrara marble, were upstaged by the fireplace, though. The Benedetto brothers had managed to stucco and paint the brick, so the surround appeared to be carved from marble and imported from Rome.

He gave a start when his gaze went to the painting hanging above the mantel. Much as he did in the portrait in the parlor at Agremon House, Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm was directing an enigmatic expression to someone to his left.

About to ask if the portrait might have come from Agremon House, Darius thought better of it. The painting looked far better on the faux marble walls, and it was unlikely to ever come crashing down.

He turned to the blacksmith. “Do you like it here?” Darius asked.

“Oh, yes, sir. It’s so much larger than what I had at the other house,” Angus replied. “More comfortable, too. Iris knows how to cook over a fire, and she has an eye for color,” he added, motioning to the Turkish carpet. “It’s my castle.” He took the chair opposite Darius.

“Will you miss your life as a bachelor?”

Angus gave a start. “Not a bit. I only wish I had met Iris years before I did,” he claimed. “And to think, I might never have met her if you hadn’t asked me to help with her move here.”

“I am happy to hear it. I, uh, meant to ask if you’d had a chance to acquire another ring… for after you say your vows today.” He glanced at his pocket watch. If the ladies didn’t come down in the next ten minutes, they might not make it to St. Paul’s in time for the couple to say their vows before noon.

Grinning, Angus dared a glance in the direction of the stairs before he reached into his waistcoat pocket. “I went back to that jeweler in Ludgate Hill,” he said, pulling out a gold band and holding it out for Darius.

Darius took it, examining the simple ring before he realized there were words etched on the inside:

A bloom for a blacksmith • Two hearts forged as one

“Clever,” Darius remarked.

“She doesn’t know,” Angus said, quickly taking the ring back when Stella appeared on the stairs. He stuffed it into his pocket once more as his eyes rounded at the sight of Iris.

She was wearing a lavender half-mourning gown, a matching ribbon tied into a bow at the base of the bun atop her head. Lavender gloves and a shawl completed her ensemble.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Angus said, coming to his feet.

She tittered. “Hello, handsome.”

“Let’s get you two to the church,” Darius said, and stood. “Since I was the matchmaker, I intend to sign as a witness to this wedding.”

Stella scoffed, a grin lighting her face. “I do believe I deserve the credit for finding Iris,” she said.