“This is ridiculous,” Warren muttered. “There’s no way this is legal or binding in any way.”
“Well, we can’t exactly go running around saying it is, but we’ll have witnesses,” Madeline added. “I don’t want you thinking for one second that you’re not an equal partner in this.”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” said Charles from her other side.
They were all bundled up in their winter clothes, trudging through the deep snow to the edge of the lake. Madeline still wore Rosalie’s borrowed clothes, her hands in the fuzzy mittens she stole on her daring escape to Alcott Hall. The hood of her thick wool cape was pulled up around her face, the rabbit-fur lining tickling her cheeks and chin.
“All ready!” Renley called with a wave.
“The lake is frozen over,” Warren grunted. “This is beyond pointless.”
“Hush,” Madeline replied. “You’re making an honest woman of me if it’s the last thing I do.”
She couldn’t contain her smile as she took in the ridiculous scene. Burke and Captain Renley had managed to drag a little rowboat out onto the lake. The only problem was that it was frozen, so the boat sat awkwardly on its side atop the ice.
“You’re not even sure it has to be in a boat,” Warren said, unable to hide his grin as Burke lost his balance and nearly toppled out.
“Yes, but Renley wasn’t sure either,” she replied. “What we do know is that, as a sea captain and a justice of the peace, he can marry us.”
Charles pursed his lips in amusement. “So…we’re going to stand in a rowboat on top of the ice and let Tom Renley marry the three of us together?”
“Exactly,” she replied, still all smiles. “Come on then. Hurry up!”
She fisted her skirts in her mittened hands, marching through the snow towards the spot where James and Burke waited. Rosalie was still too weak to leave her bed and the men wouldn’t hear of her coming out in the cold. She promised to watch from her window with Little G and the babe.
“There’s no way this is legal,” James muttered, loud enough for Madeline to hear.
“I think it’s romantic,” Burke replied. “You’re just jealous you never thought of it,” he added, jabbing James in the ribs with his elbow.
James rolled his eyes. “An officiant can’t marry himself. How was Tom supposed to marry us and perform the ceremony?”
“Well, we’ve got a vicar here,” Burke teased. “What say we pop in the boat after they’re done and you can vow your undying love to me, eh?”
Charles laughed. “Unlike the good sea captain, I don’t need the boat.”
“I’m not entirely sure I do either,” called Renley. “But we’ve gone too far now. Right, in you lot. Let’s do this before my cock freezes off. Madeline, do watch the ice.”
Warren and Charles took her by the arms, helping her cross the little patch of ice until she climbed awkwardly into the rowboat. She was nearly toppled back out again once Warren and Charles climbed in too. It was so ridiculous that they were soon all laughing.
“If anyone walks by, they’ll think we’ve gone completely ‘round the twist,” said Charles.
Warren nodded.
Madeline ignored them. “We’re ready, sir,” she said, her attention on Renley.
James and Burke waited on the shore in the snow, just a few feet behind them.
Renley flipped off his coat with a flourish, revealing himself in his captain’s uniform.
Madeline snorted, covering her mouth with a fuzzy mitten.
“Is that really necessary?” Warren muttered.
Renley smirked. “I’ve never actually married anyone before. I figured we better make a show of it in case God is watching and decides to smite me for overstepping. This is perfectly legal,” he shouted to the heavens. “I’m a sea captain, and we’re in a boat on the water!”
“Just get on with it,” Warren replied, one arm around Madeline’s waist.
“Right then,” said the captain. “I’m sure there are correct words to do this, but I’m just going to say what I feel, agreed?”
“Agreed,” said Madeline through chattering teeth.
“Agreed,” the men echoed.
“Very well then.” Captain Renley cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the face of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman,” he said, gesturing at Charles and Madeline. “And this man and this woman,” he added, pointing to Warren. “And…this man and this man.”
Madeline’s smile widened, her chill utterly forgotten.
“Marriage is an honorable estate,” Renley went on. “Instituted by God in the time of man’s great innocence…there’s more there, I believe,” he muttered, breaking character. “Something about a ‘mystical union,’” he said, glancing at Charles.
“It’s fine,” said Charles with a waved of his gloved hand.
“Skip to the vows before we all freeze to death!” called James.
“Right…umm…do you Charles…damn, what’s your full name, Bray?”
Madeline giggled as Warren sighed.
“Charles Anthony Bray,” Charles provided.
“Right. Do you take…” Renley looked to Madeline.
“Madeline Diana Louise Blaire,” she said.
“Do you take each other for man and wife?”
Madeline glanced up at Charles, her heart overflowing with nervous excitement. “I do,” she murmured.
“I do,” Charles echoed.
Renley beamed at them. “Right. And do you…”
“John Delaney Warren,” said Warren. “And yes, I take them both,” he added, his arm tightening around Madeline’s waist.
Renley smirked. “And do you two take Warren to be your husband?”
“I do,” Madeline said again.
“Of course, I do,” Charles repeated.
“Excellent.” Renley clapped his gloved hands together. “Well, by the power vested in me by the laws of England, apparently I’m allowed to say that I’ve married you. James, Burke, take notice, these three are married now. Agreed?”
“Yes, very well done,” called James impatiently, rubbing his hands together. “Can we all go back in now? I’m bloody freezing.”
“Rosalie is having tea and cake served upstairs,” added Burke. “Congratulations, you three. Many happy returns.”
Renley hopped out of the boat onto the ice, skidding and sliding the few feet back to the shore. Slinging an arm around Burke’s shoulders, the three of them began the walk back towards Alcott Hall.
Madeline glanced up from Charles to Warren, unable to hide her smile. “Well? We’re married now. How do you feel?”
Warren just huffed, but she saw the smile in his eyes, the warmth and love. He was happy, and that was all that mattered.
“You know we’ll have to go into town and do a proper church wedding,” said Charles. “We need the documentation to give to your solicitors.”
“I know,” she replied. “But this is the wedding that mattered to me. And I think it was perfect.”
Warren climbed out of the rowboat first, offering out a hand to help the other two pass over the ice back onto the thick snow.
They started their own walk back towards the great house.
“You know…I’m not all that hungry for cake,” said Warren, his steps slowing.
Madeline turned. “Oh, yes? Shall we go into Carrington now then and get the other ceremony over with?”
“We could,” he replied, a smile tipping his lips.
Charles smiled too. “Or?”
“Or we could go to the cabin and sate an entirely different kind of hunger,” Warren offered.
Madeline glanced at Charles before looking back at Warren. “Only if you tell me something first,” she replied, hands on her hips. “Now that we’re married, I’ll have no secrets between us.”
He raised a brow at her. “What, lovely? Ask me anything.”
She pursed her lips. “How did you get the scars?”
Charles chuckled. “Christ, did he tell you it was pirates?”
“Yes, and a French solider,” she replied.
Warren groaned and spun around, marching away.
It didn’t escape her notice that he marched off in the direction of his cabin. Clearly, they were not having cake. Madeline chased after him. “Why won’t you just tell me?”
“Why can’t a man have any mystery?”
She glanced over her shoulder at Charles. “Do you know what happened?”
“Of course, I do. I was there for the whole thing,” he said with a shrug.
She huffed in irritation, calling after Warren. “Well, it’s not fair if he knows and I don’t! Warren!”
But the man was still marching away.
“Come on, beautiful,” Charles said with a laugh, slinging his arm around her shoulders. “I can think of more than a few ways to get him to talk.”
“You could just tell me,” she countered.
But he shook his head. “Not a chance. Now that I know he doesn’t want to tell you, nothing will make me happier than helping you break his resolve. Between the two of us, he’ll be spilling every detail of that story before teatime.”
“What strategy do you suggest?”
“That’s easy,” he replied. “You have something he wants.”
Madeline’s cheeks heated. “Are you suggesting a trade, sir?”
Charles leaned down; his breath hot in her ear. “I’m suggesting that we fuck like rabbits in front of him and don’t let him join us until he tells you what you want to know.”
She grinned up at him. “Oh, you are devious, Mr. Bray.”
His own smile widened as he leaned down and kissed her temple. “And you love it, Mrs. Bray. Now, hurry up. We can’t have him starting without us.”
