Page 34 of The Honorable Rogue (The Notorious Nightingales #5)

Waiting for Violet to arrive, Charles stood with Ram, Leo, Alex, Theo, and Ambrose.

“With all that money, we could have actually had a wedding in a church or on the grounds of Pavlov’s home, which now belongs to us… or did until you lot of do-gooders set it up for orphans, widows, the homeless, and anyone else who needs a place to sleep.”

“It’s the right thing to do, Alex. There is more money than we need in that fortune,” Charles said as he looked down the aisle.

“Which we are doing more good with,” Alex said.

“I donated my carpet to the Crabbett Close community,” Ram said. “It seemed the right thing to do.”

“But what I want to know is where they get the pews from,” Leo said, looking at the rows of seats filling up with guests.

“From what I gather, Mr. Peeky’s cousin is in the clergy, and they come from his church,” Ram said.

“So if there is a congregation on the day of our weddings, they sit on the floor?” Charles asked .

“I don’t know all the details,” Ram said.

“Don’t look now, but Lady Chippington is smiling at you, Charles,” Leo whispered.

“My mother is a fickle creature,” Ambrose said. “Now that your family has found the Pavlov money and owns that monstrosity that is housing half of London’s homeless, Charles is suddenly an excellent future son-in-law. If you could see your way to purchasing a title, that would sweeten the pot.”

“I’m marrying her today, Rosie. Surely the deal is done?” Charles said, using the name that he knew would annoy his future brother-in-law. “Besides you were given a large amount of money too, as was Tilly.”

“Some of which I invested into the locomotive factory. Tilly, however, has been setting up a club for women.”

“Good lord, really?” Alex asked.

“Apparently it will be a place to discuss topics like literature, art, and social issues. Plus, there will be reading… lots of reading Violet told me,” Ambrose added.

“How wonderful. I’m sure the women in our family will be lining up to become members,” Leo said.

“Does Charles have a nickname?” Ambrose asked. “I feel seeing as he knows mine, I should be afforded the same privilege.”

Alex and Leo thought about that, and Charles said, “I wouldn’t if I were you, as I remember what we called you as children.”

“No nickname,” Alex said quickly.

Charles smiled at his little brother, Benjamin, who sat in the front row with Madeline and her family. He’d sent him the astronomy book, after Mr. Peeky’s nephew had read it, and when he’d arrived two days ago, he and Charles had talked in depth about it. They were forging a bond, and he would make sure to nurture that .

“I think the rotunda is a nice touch, don’t you?” Alex said.

The lawyers decided their claim to the money was valid, but it had taken many months, which gave the family a lot of time to determine what to do with it.

It had been Harriet who said some of it must go to the Crabbett Close residents. The locals had not wanted for much. Mr. Greedy wanted a small room attached to his house at the rear for his medicines. Mr. Alvin, a piano, and no one had known he could play. Mavis had asked for a new bed. Tabitha had bought new dresses, and her mother, a comfortable new chair for beside the fire. Each of the residents had received something, and Bram had given Mr. Acton a sum of money, so it meant his family could live comfortably with him.

“Mr. Greedy can now stand on the rotunda and speak, and everyone can hear,” Ram said.

It had been Ivy who went into Appleblossoms Bakers one day and overheard the owner saying he was selling it and Nitpicks Trinkets and Treasures next door. The family had purchased them, and the Crabbett Close residents were now running them.

“Mr. Appleblossom is coming again tomorrow, as Mrs. Douglas does not quite have the apricotine recipe right,” Ram said.

“Did we miss something? I don’t believe anyone mentioned I needed to dress like a woodland creature,” Ambrose said out the side of his mouth.

Mr. and Miss Alvin were wearing green. His jacket appeared knitted, and a large flower was on the left breast. On his head was a tall hat with a green ribbon. Mr. Greedy wore Bram’s old jacket, but around his neck was a green knitted scarf with a knitted flower.

“There appears to be a great deal of green wool about the place,” Ambrose added .

“Mr. Acton was gifted it after the family purchased the factory.”

Leo and Bram had negotiated with the owner, offering a sum he could not refuse. They’d then removed the management. It was now run by the Nightingale family, with help from a few of the workers who had been there for some time. As it was Mr. Acton’s sons that had brought about this change for the workers, he was now treated as something of a hero.

“Ah, I thought there must be a reason. After all, everyone in Crabbett Close shares everything,” Ambrose said.

Violet’s family had welcomed Charles and his. The prospect of her daughter marrying outside the church horrified Lady Chippington. However, in this, both Charles and Violet had stood firm. Tradition was tradition, after all. She had been less disapproving when she knew the Raven-Sinclair family would also be in attendance. Plus, Lord and Lady Raine were now seated in the last row, and considering neither Charles nor Violet had invited them, that was a mystery.

“Close your eyes, Cousin,” Alex said.

He did, but they sprang open when he heard the first screech.

“Christ, what is that noise?” Charles asked as music started.

“Clemmie wanted to thank your family for all you’ve done, so he learned the violin especially to serenade Violet down the aisle,” Ram said with a perfectly straight face.

“But the man sings like an angel, so why not do that?” Charles hissed.

“It’s a mystery,” Ram added.

Chester and Curaidh, who both wore red scarves, threw back their heads and howled. The noise was deafening as Violet appeared .

Charles blocked out everything but her, his girl, standing there in the palest lavender, looking like an angel. Her shoulders were shaking as she started down the aisle to Clemmie’s violin. With her were her sisters, Tilly, and Flora. Plus, Anna and Lottie walked first, carrying baskets of rose petals they were flinging at guests instead of down the aisle, looking cute in lemon dresses.

“The Duke of Raven has lost it completely and is laughing into his duchess’s shoulder,” Charles heard Ambrose say.

Violet was like a vision walking toward him, and he wondered how he’d existed without her in his life.

She was funny, sweet, and determined. He’d learned so much about her in the last two months, as she had him. She’d filled all the places inside him he’d not known needed her love. He’d told her that it was important they kept Tobias’s memory alive, and talking about him would do that. Violet had wept all over him then.

Clemmie’s violin let out a violent screech as she reached him, and when her father lifted her veil, he saw she was laughing… hysterically.

“Control yourself, woman,” Charles whispered, turning to stand at her side. “We are about to be married.”

Ambrose snorted, Leo giggled, and soon the entire wedding party was trying to muffle their laughter.

To the vicar’s credit, he did not lose his stride and began the service when Clemmie was finished. The locals applauded loudly.

They exchanged their vows with her shoulder touching his, and Charles was aware of every breath she drew. In her, he’d found what he never thought he would. Someone who would be his best friend and the woman he loved.

“I love you,” he said when she turned to face him.

“Just kiss her so we can get on with the important part,” Cam muttered .

Laughing, he did just that.

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

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