"WE SHOULD HAVE them wed here," Matthew announced.

I gave a brief burst of amused laughter. And then I shook my head as Matthew remained silent. "Oh my god. You're serious."

"I am. We should host their wedding tomorrow."

What was this husband of mine thinking? What could possibly motivate him to suggest something like that? "Matthew, we cannot. I'm positive they'd like to be married on their own."

"You saw how young that girl was, she can't be more seventeen. I know for a fact her betrothed must be just as young, or her parents wouldn't have objected to the marriage. Why else would a kitchen maid's parents object to their daughter being wed to a house boy? Which means they're young, without parental support, and without money. Do you really think they can afford a wedding?"

I couldn't argue with that train of logic. They were undoubtedly without much means. "They probably weren't looking for a big wedding anyway. Just a chapel and a license," I rebutted.

"All of which costs a pretty penny," Matthew pointed out.

"I'm sure they have that figured out, Matthew. If they wanted to get married for this long and all that stood in the way was the dowry, then I'm sure they've saved up money for a license."

Matthew's eyes twinkled. "Are you telling me all this girl deserves is a meager ceremony and slip of paper?"

I rolled my eyes. "Dont pretended you care about this girl. All you want to do is annoy your mother."

"I never claimed my intentions were anything but. We can't all be as kind-hearted as you. Still, it doesn't make my case any less true."

My husband was wrong. My motivation had not been driven simply out of a kind heart. When I looked at Jade, a girl of seventeen on the cusp of marriage, I saw myself. I saw the scared, sixteen-year old girl squeezed into a dress and thrust in the arms of an unloving stranger. I had had pomp, ceremony, and riches but no love. She had love and no money. Why hadn't I deserved a love marriage? Why didn't she deserve some money? So, even though I should completely dismiss the idea of offering another kindness to the young pair, I couldn't make myself do it. Instead, I stayed silent.

"She won't be your mother-in-law for much longer, you know. You won't have to suffer the consequences of this good deed," Matthew went on.

I stayed quiet a little longer, pretending to weigh my options as if I had not already been persuaded. "Fine. We'll call the couple and ask them if they'd like us to sponsor their wedding. If they want, we arrange a discrete ceremony. If not..."

"Done," Matthew said. "I'll go get them." Within a few short minutes, he arrived with Tommy and Jade in tow. How he'd located two servants and brought them here with little notice was beyond my imagination. Jade looked incredibly nervous. Tommy looked incredibly suspicious.

"Hello," I said warmly. "I'm sure my husband told you why we wanted to see you."

"Actually, Tommy said in a thick country accent, he didn't say a word."

My eyes skirted briefly to Matthew before landing back on the pair. "This morning Lady Thomas offered to pay Jade's dowry so the two of you can get married."

"Yes, I heard," Tommy said. Jade judged him in the ribs.

"Stop being rude," she hissed.

"I just don't understand it," Tommy burst out. "You're too unsuspecting for your own good, love. Employers don't hand out something this generous to their employees unless they've done something wrong."

"Trust me, it wasn't your mistress' idea," I replied. "I was the one who suggested paying for it myself. Lady Thomas did it because..."I paused here, not wanting to directly accuse Mary of showboating "It was the right thing to do."

"And why did you want to do it?" Tommy asked, his face contorted with mistrust. "Did Mr. Whitfield assault my betrothed? Is this some sort scheme to hush her?"

"Tommy!" Jade cried. Matthew jaw was set. The houseboy was starting to strike his nerves.

"Nothing terrible has happened. It was only an idea of mine," I assured him.

"And why should I believe you?"

"Because I know a little something about evil men—it's why I wear this veil. I've been burned, beaten, and abused by them most of my life. So, I would never, ever, protect one. Believe me when I say, the dowry is a gift to take or leave just like my next proposal."

Tommy's stony features softened. "I'm sorry to be so accusatory, ma'am. But, it's just the two of us now. My family's never been any good, and I'm still eighteen, so they can hold my wages if I don't give 'em a dowry. I have to look out for us and stupidity is too expensive for Jade and me."

"He's very, very, sorry," Jade added. She was staring daggers at her husband-to-be. "I am too."

"I understand." And I truly did.

He cracked a charming smile. "What was this next proposal, madame?"

"I'm sure the two of you have something worked out already, but if you like, Mr. Whitfield and I could arrange something small for you."

"Something small?" Tommy's brows creased in confusion.

"A wedding," I clarified.

"We couldn't possibly..." Jade started, but she was interrupted by a yelp of joy from her fiancée.

"Yes, yes, yes! We'd be delighted!" Tommy exclaimed.

Jade shook her head. "You've already been to kind, Mrs. Whitfield. We couldn't possibly let you do this."

"Yes, we can," Tommy said. "And we will."

"You've already been rude enough," Jade spat at her husband. "This...have some class, Tommy. This is too much."

Tommy swung an arm around his betrothed and leaned in close. "Your father said I'd never be able to provide for you because I was too young. I will be damned if I prove him right. You, my darling, deserve the world. And here is the wedding of your dreams, on a silver platter. I will not let you say no. We're doing this."

Jade pulled away from his her husband, flushed to the core, and clearly embarrassed. But she was elated too. Excitement was buzzing in the air. "How will this work, madame?" she asked sheepishly.

🥀

The four of us decided on a simple ceremony the following night, after all staff members were relieved. It would take place in the gardens, bright with lanterns and large candles, complete with the Brisbane Manor staff (their closest friends apparently) and a modest string band. Both Matthew and I excused ourselves to go on a walk when we returned to our hosts. It wasn't a lie, anyway. The walk from the main house to the manor's chapel was extensive. The priest was a bit reluctant to comply, seeing as how Lord Thomas was head of household and hadn't approached him directly. But Matthew's authority and charm won out, and we found ourselves facing only the problem of a band.

"How are going to give them one? The roads are too dangerous to travel and we're a ways away from a nearby town," I said as we made our way back to the main house.

"I was thinking that too," Matthew pondered. He gave me a devilish grin. "Don't you play the fiddle?"

Given our circumstances, nothing my husband suggested should surprise me. Nevertheless, I still left myself open to shock. "You're suggesting that I make a wedding band of one?"

"Goodness, no. Not one, two. I know how to play the cello, and I'm very good at it."

I shook my head at the incredulity of the idea. "I haven't touched a fiddle in ages." I'd been a natural at the instrument during my playing years. "We'd need to practice."

"Of course. We wouldn't want choppy notes to ruin a wedding."

So it was decided. When we returned to Lord and Lady Thomas and requested instruments and sheet music, they did their best to hide pleased smiles. We practiced continuously with a sliver of conversation here and there. Eventually, a servant interrupted us.

"Dinner is being served in twenty minutes," she announced.

We ceased our playing to glance from her to the window. It couldn't possibly be dinner time. Why, breakfast had just been an hour ago. The setting sun told a different story. "Thank you," I told her. "Goodness," I said to Matthew."

"Goodness, indeed," Matthew echoed. "I was positively lost in it."

"As was I." I set my fiddle and bow in my case. "How did you know I played the fiddle? I never told you that."

"Your uncle told me during the marriage negotiations. 'She is pleasant, agreeable, and plays the fiddle.' Those were his exact words."

"A complete lie," I laughed.

"Somewhat," Matthew drawled. "You're extraordinary." I felt myself grow hot. "At the fiddle," he added.

"And you are a wonder with that cello."

Matthew spared me a heart-fluttering wink. "Told you I was."

I locked up my case and arranged my sheet papers. As soon as I stood up, I was hit with a wave of dizziness. The adrenaline that fueled my practice session had long since evaporated, and fatigue set in my bones. "I'm exhausted."

Matthew seconded my statement with a grunt of his own. We spent a good many minutes stretching before trudging to the dining room.

"We could hear you all the way from here," Mary greeted. "The both of you sounded wonderful. I'm surprised my son remembers how to play."

"I'm surprised you forgot I was a prodigy," he returned. After several minutes of conversation, it was he who finally breached the important subject. When he announced (without apology for disregarding their say in the matter) that we would be hosting the wedding of the kitchenmaid and houseboy, Mary and Archie didn't breath a word. It wasn't because they were upset and pretending to hide it. It was because they couldn't contain exuberant smiles.

"If that's what it takes," Mary said. We didn't bother to ask for clarification on her statement, because we knew the implication behind her statement. If that's what it takes to reconcile you two. I chose to ignore the meaning, and so did Matthew. He circled the conversation back to the wedding arrangements.

"It sounds very exciting," Archie remarked. He looked between the two of us with knowing eyes. "I can't wait to attend."

🥀

That night I could hardly sleep a wink. My body was alive with nervous energy and excitement. For whatever reason, it felt like I was the one donning a wedding veil tomorrow. At breakfast, I could hardly keep track of the conversation. When Matthew and I decided on a brief rehearsal the next day, he looked over me with knowing eyes. "Did you sleep?"

I chewed my lip. "Is it obvious?"

"No," he replied softly. "I just wanted to know if I was the only one."

The day passed with a speed of a snail. I languished through every conversation, every next breath, every tick of the clock. When the sun finally fell and signaled an hour till the ceremony, it felt like a million years had past. Even though the servants tried to persuade us otherwise, Matthew and I couldn't help but assist in preparing the final arrangements. By some miracle, some of the Brisbane staff had arranged a braid of white roses overtop some trees as an archway for the alter. We lined an aisle of grass with a trail of white tulips and lanterns. As if sensing the festivities of the night, throngs of fireflies buzzed in the air, deepening the romance of the night. Archie and Mary arrived with perfect punctuality and several of the staff members followed suit, followed by a beaming Tommy. He looked striking in a cream suit that I suspected was several times over his annual salary.

"Is that yours?" I whispered to Matthew.

He was polishing his bow with resin, avoiding my gaze. "Wedding gift."

I grinned. "Maybe this isn't just about upsetting your mother."

He didn't have time to formulate a response. Jade was in view in a simple peach dress, with Anne at her heels. We started our wedding song at once. I was very sorry in that moment that we served as the wedding band, and my eyes were forced to read sheet music instead of watch her walk across the aisle. Once the priest began a standard wedding speech, our song ceased. It took him a couple minutes to finally reach the best part. "Do you, Jade Orwell, take Tommy Lanks to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I was drawn by mysterious magnetism to my husband's face. He was already staring at me.

"I do."

His eyes were darkening with each passing second.

"Do you, Tommy Lanks, take Jade to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

I opened my mouth, even though I knew I had nothing to say. I don't remember how to breathe, I thought.

"I do."

"I now pronounce you, man and wife."

Our moment passed, and we returned to reality. Matthew and I began to play as the couple descended down the aisle. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see white petals being thrown in the air. We played for a little over a half hour, before two middle-aged servants interrupted us.

"We really do insist you let us intrude, Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield," a balding man said.

"Yes," his companion seconded. "We thank you on behalf of the happy couple and the entire Brisbane Major staff. But it's time the two of you dance as well."

"We really don't mind," I said.

"Besides, Matthew chimed in, who will play?"

"We will and we're not taking no for answer. You've played lovely songs so far, polite ones. But you don't know any real jaunty tunes. The ones we play at our weddings and parties that never grace noble balls."

Matthew and I relented easily. I didn't mind having glass of champagne after making this day possible. As soon as we gave up our instruments, the two servants didn't disappoint. They immediately started a lively song. The wedding party gathered at the end of the aisle erupted in a foreign dance. I watched them with wonder.

"May I have this dance?" I glanced at Matthew, who held out an extended hand.

I laughed. "I don't have the first idea how to dance like that and neither do you. We'll embarrass ourselves."

"Then, let's embarrass ourselves."

It was more jerking around, spinning, and laughter than dancing. I knew we must've looked incredibly stupid to the servants. But I didn't care. The only thing that existed was Matthew and me. I couldn't guess how much time had passed before a glass was clinked to interrupt the festivities. It caught the two of us in a backward embrace with Matthew's hands snugly around my waist. He didn't move them. Tommy was holding a glass of champagne in front of the dance floor, with an arm draped around a beaming Jade. "Attention beloved guests, he boomed, thank you for making this wedding possible. We couldn't have done it without you." He pointed his glass toward Matthew and I. "A special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield for masterminding the whole event." The dance floor erupted in a roar of applause.

"We couldn't have done it without you," Jade added with teary eyes.

"It was nothing," I said.

"No, it meant everything," Jade hiccuped. "You've made us both so happy, Mrs. Whitfield."

"It was nothing," I repeated sheepishly.

"It was everything," Tommy contradicted. "But, alas, it is a quarter till midnight and the night must come to an end. We all know Lord and Lady Thomas will give no reprieve tomorrow. So, I strongly suggest we turn in." There were collective sighs everywhere, but we all knew it was the truth. The dowry and a wedding on Brisbane grounds had been a kindness, but it was over. There wouldn't be patience for sluggish servants tomorrow. Matthew and I, the only people with no responsibilities the next day, offered to blow out the

candles and put out the lanterns. We didn't take no for an answer. A few servants stayed for ten minutes to help with the task, but recognized the favor for what it was, and went to their quarters.

It was easy work. We'd arrived at the last two candles at the altar in just over a half hour. "You were right," I said, as I extinguished my flame.

"About what?"

"The kitchen maid and the houseboy. They're always fraternizing," I clarified.

"And now they're married."

"And now they're married," I echoed. "In another life, you wanted to be a houseboy."

"I would certainly be a houseboy." Matthew stood only a few steps away from me. He closed the distance between us, abandoning his lantern. "And you would be the kitchen maid."

"I would." The sparse orange light was making me brave. "It's almost like it's our wedding day."

"One could say it is our wedding day," he agreed.

"Married under candles and fireflies, the maid and her love," I whispered.

Matthew said nothing.

"You should kiss your bride."

Matthew's jaw tightened, the signature tell of his frustration. "We should go inside."

"Matthew..."

"I promised, Rose. If we stay here any longer, I won't be able to control myself."

"Then, don't."

Matthew's hands curled into fists at his side. "You know I cannot."

"This is the end, Matthew," my voice nearly broke as I said the words. "Tomorrow we leave to our separate homes. The divorce papers will be finished and signed by the end of next week and this..." I paused to reach out and take his hand. "This will be gone forever. I know what I made you promise but Matthew... I want to say goodbye. Let me say goodbye."

"We should go inside," he repeated in a whisper. I said nothing, fearing tears might fall from his rejection. "But you're not the only one who wants to say good-bye."