Page 170 of To Catch A Rogue

"Don’t worry, I ain’t stayin’."

"Good." Malloryn’s smile softened. "Because I spend quite enough time arguing with you on the council. It wouldn’t end well. However, I’ve heard your protégé intends to join." Malloryn glanced at Lark. "We met earlier, I believe, though you’ll forgive me if my manners were less than impeccable. Thank you for your assistance. Gemma tells me you found the key piece of information required to find Ava and me."

"You weren’t so bad, Your Grace," Lark replied. "And it was a stroke of luck, nothing more."

"Well, to add to the general air of merriment, Ava and I would like to make an announcement," Kincaid said, glancing at Ava. "Do you think we could all charge our glasses?"

All the ladies sucked in a sharp breath. Herbert passed the decanter of blud-wein around and found a glass for Malloryn.

"Come on, Kincaid," Ingrid groaned. "The suspense is killing us."

"As soon as we arrive home," Kincaid finally continued, "we are getting married. We've set the wedding date. You're all invited. Except Byrnes. He’s only a maybe."

Byrnes snorted as a chorus of congratulations echoed around the table. "I'm going to be the best man."

"Isn't that my decision?" Kincaid argued.

"No." Byrnes looked affronted. "I had to practically sit on you to stop you from running headlong into a house full of vampires. You punched me, and I showed remarkable restraint in not retaliating. If that's not best man duties, then I don't know what is."

"Oh, that's so wonderful!" Ingrid leaned down to give Ava a hug from behind, and Gemma circled the table to add her congratulations.

"Looks like it's your turn next," Byrnes said, nudging Obsidian in the ribs.

"Hmm." Thedhampirassassin looked across the table at Charlie. "If my calculations are correct, Charlie’s known Lark longer than I’ve known Gemma. Andasher older brother, it would be remiss of me not to remind him he's dabbling with my sister's reputation. "

Charlie choked on his wine.

Lark, for some reason, smirked.

"Oh, that would be lovely," Ava said, clapping her hands together.

"I'm not the only unmarried Rogue," Charlie blurted. He gestured to Herbert.

"I'm afraid you're wrong, Master Charlie," Herbert said, with the faintest of smiles. "I don't think Mrs. Herbert would appreciate it if I glanced at another woman. It wouldn't be seemly."

"You're married?" Byrnes set his cup of wine down. "Why is this the first we've heard of this?"

"Because you've never asked," Hebert replied.

"But where is she?Whois she? We want to meet her," Byrnes declared.

"Oh, she doesn't like the bother."

Blade shook his head. "O' course 'e's married. Ain't anyone noticed the white line 'round his ring finger? Wears 'is ring 'round his neck."

"Very good, sir," Herbert replied politely. "I won't ask how you noticed that."

"Notice everythin'. Best way not to get yourself killed."

"Wait, wait, wait." Kincaid splayed his hands wide in the air, still trying to deal with the revelation. "Are you trying to say you're a Mr. Herbert? And not a Herbert McHerbert, or whatever it may be?"

"For a company of spies, you're all quite blind in some ways."

Charlie slung his arm along the back of Lark's chair as Byrnes and Kincaid started demanding more details from poor Herbert.

"You threw him to the hounds, you evil sod," Lark mused.

"Better him than me," he breathed in her ear. "I was two seconds away from getting a lecture from Gemma about making an honest woman out of you."