The Rebellious Rake (The Notorious Nightingales #4)

Chapter 32

“ A Christmas-themed wedding, Cousin, how lovely,” Gray said, stomping his feet to keep them warm. “Why did none of us think of that before?”

“That’s the spirit, Cousin. I knew you’d understand we had no wish to wait.”

“They have these places called churches,” Alex muttered, burrowing into his scarf. “And it’s only been a matter of days since you were telling me you and Flora were adversaries, and yet now you’re wedding her.”

“Love,” Ram said. “We had no reason to wait.”

“Ah, love,” Gray said, finding a smile. “I understand now, and my protests are about the conditions we are enduring rather than the fact you and Flora are marrying. I can see how perfect you are for each other, Cousin.”

“She is perfect,” Ram said.

“They are lighting the tree!” This shriek came from a child seated with the Sinclair and Raven families, who all turned out dressed for the conditions, with thick blankets over their laps, looking ready to be the last guests to leave .

A huge tree had been raised in the park for the occasion, and all the residents had spent a day decorating it. Ramsey had contributed paper chains, which he’d made with the help of Flora in between kissing her.

They’d pulled this entire thing together in a matter of days because, as Bram had told him, the Crabbett Close residents loved a wedding.

“It’s magical, really,” Alex said, slapping his leather-gloved hands together. “And we get to exchange our secret gifts later too. The person who is getting mine will be very happy, let me assure you.”

“Don’t tell me, let me guess,” Gray said. “It’s food.”

“Harsh,” Alex said.

Ram looked around at the weather. It was a dark, dismal day, and yet the spirits of everyone present were high. They’d built fires to ward off the chill at intervals around the area the guests would be. Two huge tents would seat guests and hold the food.

“Tabitha Varney has returned her attentions to Mungo, which he is not happy about,” Leo said from his place next to Alex at the head of the aisle.

Ram had had his carpet cleaned this time, seeing as it was his wedding it was being used for.

“You do know it was Fred, Anna, and Flora who put her up to that.”

“My future wife put the notorious Tabitha Varney up to pursuing me, did she? I will make her pay for that.”

“We are notorious; Tabitha is desperate. Please note the difference,” Alex said. “Did you know that the Duke and Duchess of Raven brought Lord and Lady Raine with them to your wedding?” Leo said.

“Well, it’s not like I don’t know them, and this is hardly what one would call a traditional wedding, now is it?” Ram said, looking to the door of 11 Crabbett Close for the tenth time. But still there was no Flora.

“The Crabbett Close weddings are becoming quite the talk in London. Soon we shall have to charge for admission,” Alex added. “How is your side feeling now, Ram?”

“Better.” And it was. It still pulled a bit, and would take time to heal, but he had time. He would also have Flora at his side.

“I’m trying to work out what Miss Alvin has on her head,” Gray said, staring at the woman walking down Ram’s carpet in a long, tatty gray coat.

“She is wearing a sack under that, I bet. She says it’s best for warmth,” Alex added.

“And makes her smell earthy,” Leo said.

Ram watched Mr. Greedy, in one of Bram’s old jackets, lead his wife to a pew and help her down into it. He then draped a blanket over both their legs.

“They are like family,” Ram said quietly.

“Every one of them,” Leo agreed. “This street is the best one in London.”

“Amen,” they all agreed.

Their families all filed into the front pews, which had been relocated from a church somewhere in London, as they always were. As yet, they’d never been able to work out which one. Ivy held Alice wrapped in layers of blankets.

“Is she okay?” Gray called.

“Perfect.” Harriet beamed.

“We are having a child,” Alex said. “We’d planned to wait until after the service to tell you, and yet seeing my wife’s happiness, I needed to tell you now.”

Everyone congratulated him, and Ram found himself laughing, and he realized that was because he was happy. If his fiancée arrived in the next few minutes, he’d be delirious.

Where are you, Flora ?

“Brides are late. Apparently, according to Harriet, it’s something they must be. Can’t understand it myself,” Alex said, still waving to his wife.

“Your father has arrived,” Gray said.

Ram nodded to the man he was getting to know as he was ushered down the aisle by Mr. Douglas to sit beside Ram’s mother and Flora’s sister and her family. Her mother had not come, which she seemed relieved about, and he thought that was sad.

“Close your eyes, Ram,” Gray ordered.

He did as he was told because he knew that meant Flora was here.

“Open them.”

Chester and Curaidh came first in matching green jackets with red trim. They both trotted down the aisle to the delight of the guests. Flora was next. Stunning in a dress of dove-gray velvet. She wore a black velvet cloak open, and her hair was up at the front, with the rest hanging down her back in curls. She looked like an angel. Pink cheeks, eyes sparkling, and so beautiful, he wanted to walk down the aisle to meet her.

“Did I look like that?” Leo asked.

“Pathetic?” Gray asked.

“Yes,” Alex said. “Just as besotted as Ram looks now. Your future wife, my cousin, is stunning, my friend.”

He couldn’t take his eyes away from her walking toward him on her brother’s arm. Charles was dressed in black, and he was smiling like his sister.

When they reached him, he held out Flora’s hand, and Ram took it.

“Hurt her and I’ll kill you.”

Alex snorted. “It’s the Nightingale way,” he added, looking proud of his cousin.

The service began, and silence settled on Crabbett Close. He spoke his vows clearly, as did she, and then he kissed her as his wife.

“My love.”

“I can almost not believe it, Ramsey.”

“You are mine now, and I am yours.”

They turned together to face the guests and heard the first carol begin. Looking to the road, they saw it was lined with singers. The noise made the hair on the back of his neck stand as it filled the close. It was hauntingly beautiful, and he could think of no better way to celebrate the start of his marriage to Flora.

Hugs were exchanged, and soon they were all joining in to sing.

“This tops anything we’ve ever done,” Ram heard the Duke of Raven say. “But for our next wedding, I think we should insist on carollers.”

“Flora.”

Ram turned with his wife to see Charles there.

“What has happened?” Flora asked seeing her brother’s serious expression.

“Nothing has happened, Sister. If you will come this way, I would like you to meet someone, but before you do, I want to explain.”

“What?” she demanded. His Flora was not one for patience.

“Father’s mistress passed away suddenly, which left her son homeless. Father’s lawyer notified Madeline, and she went to see him. After spending some time with him, she then brought him home with her.”

“Dear Lord, really?” Flora whispered.

“He has fitted in well and seems happy.”

Her fingers were now squeezing Ram’s hard.

“He is here, isn’t he? ”

“He is, and I’ve met him. He is a shy boy but polite, and he looks exactly like you did as a child, Flora,” Charles said. “I know your wedding day is not the time?—”

“No. It’s wonderful. I had already decided to meet him,” Flora said.

“Well then, come along.”

“What’s his name?” Ram asked.

“Benjamin.”

The boy watched them approach, and Peter, Madeline’s husband, had his hand on his shoulder. He had Flora’s eyes and hair coloring and chin. In fact, the lad could only be of her blood.

“Hello, Benjamin,” Flora said, releasing Ram’s hand to stand before her brother. “It is so very lovely to meet you. I’m glad you could come to my wedding.”

“Really?” he asked in a little solemn voice.

“Really. Because we are brother and sister, you and I. This is my husband, Ramsey.”

Ram shook the hand the boy held out to him.

“And now we shall go and celebrate. Do you like cake, Benjamin?” Ramsey asked.

He nodded eagerly.

“Excellent, I think there is plenty of that and other delicious treats. Plus, gifts under that huge tree.”

He ran off with the other children and had soon found the food tent.

“Thank you for accepting him,” Madeline said.

“He is Father’s, and while I am not happy about what he did, I welcome Benjamin into our family with open arms.”

After more hugs, they left, leaving Ram with his wife.

“You, my sweet wife, are wonderful,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“As are you, Mr. Hellion.”

“Now, let’s eat before all the cake has gone. After all, we do have Alex and Cambridge Sinclair here.”

…

Thank you for reading THE REBELLIOUS RAKE. Not ready to be done with the Notorious Nightingales yet?