Page 7 of Ever After

Levi rolls his eyes. “I don’t know why you don’t like it.”

“There are far too many characters in it, Levi. I can’t cope with that many people at eight in the evening. Especially when they’re all either fucking or fighting each other. It gets confusing.”

Levi turns back to the viscount. “A car is too much of a present, Tarquin.”

The little man brightens. He’s very fond of Levi. “Never that,” he says staunchly. “You’re my family, my boy. I can’t tell you how honoured I am that you have let me into your group and embraced me. I’ve never been happier, and you must allow me to express that happiness.” Levi drags him into a hug, and Tarquin looks startled for a second before he smiles. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Thank you,” I say, offering him a smile rather than a hug. I’m not keen on hugging anyone unless its Levi or Will. Tarquin’s a funny little man but I adore him. He’s endlessly quirky and I love those sorts of people.

He pats my cheek. “Dear boy,” he says affectionately. “Dear talented boy.” He brightens. “Maybe we could do a seance after the wedding. I have heard tales of hauntings in this building. It goes back to Georgian times.”

“Nope,” I say quickly. “I’ve read etiquette books, and nowhere do they slot talking to the dead in with eating vol-au-vents and having the first dance.”

He nods sadly. “Good point.”

He walks over to Tom, calling to everyone to go in. The group wanders off, leaving us alone.

Levi turns to me. “You have read wedding etiquette books? You?”

I shrug. “I’d probably call it skimming, but I definitely remember the mention of vol-au-vents.”

He laughs and holds out his hand. “Ready to get married?”

I take it and squeeze. “Always, if it’s to you,” I say softly.

The wedding is being held in a small room that looks down on a manicured garden. It has a high ceiling and is painted a warm yellow. Flowers are everywhere, thanks to Levi’s insistence on waving his credit card around, and their sweet scent fills the room.

Our registrar waves to us. “It’s a lovely day to get married,” she calls.

We’d insisted we didn’t want anyone walking down the aisle. We wanted it casual, where we simply rocked up and did the deed. Minimum fuss was our action place. Levi seems to have ignored this motto when it comes to floristry, but the room smells nice, so I’m ignoring his transgression.

Levi approaches the registrar, and I’m just about to follow him when the door opens behind me. I turn and stop dead. Declan stands there dressed in an immaculate navy suit with a red rose in the lapel. He looks at me and gives me a crooked smile.

“You’re here,” I say.

My father gives me a lazy salute. “Of course. Isn’t my boy getting married? What father would miss such an auspicious day?”

“Erm, you.” When he chuckles, I ask, “How did you know?”

He taps his nose. “Ah, I keep my eye on you, Blue Billings. I said I would, and I keep my promises.”

“That isn’t even remotely creepy.” I automatically search for Levi. It’s something I always do no matter where we are. He’s looking over at us with a concerned expression on his face, and I nod to confirm I’m alright.

I turn back to Declan. “So, you arrived to celebrate my wedding?”

“Yes, I presume my invitation was lost in the post.”

I snort. “Something like that. More to do with which prison his majesty’s pleasure was keeping you in.” I hesitate. “Thank you for coming,” I finally say. I’m actually a bit unsure about his presence. I haven’t set eyes on him since the affair at Ingram Hall so it’s a huge surprise to see him here in his capacity as my father. At the same time I know I am grateful that he’s come. It feels nice to have someone here who’s come just for me.

His face softens. It’s a tiny amount that someone else might not spot, but I’m well versed in a poker face. “I won’t be here afterwards.”

“Law still after you?”

He shrugs. “We have an ongoing affair of mutual fascination.”

I bite my lip to hold in a smile. “Well, we don’t want any rozzers at the wedding, so off you pop.”

He smiles and then hesitates. “Is she here?” he asks.