Page 95 of The Best of Friends
Toss gave a quick nod. “Maybe I will call on you sometime.”
With an equally stiff and uncomfortable nod, Laurence said, “I hope you do.”
It was the last thing that was said between them before Laurence left. Toss stared at the now-closed door. “What in heaven’s name was that?”
Daria wrapped her arms around him. “With any luck,thatwas the first step toward healing your family, Toss.”
“What was it you were speaking with him about before I caught up with you?”
“I asked him if he would consider bringing Rosamond to London. Her visit could, I suggested, act as a wedding gift to you.”
Wedding gift? “I’ve been trying all day to find a private moment in which to ask you if you’d like to wait until my income is more comfortable or my membership in the Royal Society of Musicians more secure before considering things like weddings and wedding gifts and such.”
“I would far rather be together in want than separated and waiting for a life built in comfort.”
It was what he needed to know and what he’d hoped she’d say. He turned her enough in his arms to look into her beloved face once more. “It’ll be a struggle these first months, perhaps years. But if you’re willing to struggle with me, I can’t imagine being happier.”
“Neither can I.”
Toss could not prevent the sigh of relief that escaped. “I realize this moment is meant to be romantic and poetic, that I ought to say and do something so charming that people would swoon to hear about it. But, truth be told, I’m just so grateful to know we’ll be together that all I can do is stand here awkwardly hoping my fortune doesn’t run out.”
“You composed a song for me, Toss.” She brushed a light kiss to his lips. “What could be more romantic than that?”
Toss pulled her flush with him and deepened the kiss, relishing in the warmth of her embrace and how soft and sweet her lips were. His Daria, in his arms, eager to begin their life together.
Chapter Thirty-six
A fortnight was not agreat deal of time in which to plan a wedding, but holding the ceremony so soon meant Duke and Fennel were still in Town. Having them there, Daria knew, meant a great deal to her beloved Toss. As for herself, she was happy almost beyond words. She’d resigned herself to waiting years for this moment, but fate had proven remarkably kind.
She was in the guest room she’d been granted use of at Falstone House since the day she left her parents’ home. Artemis, Ellie, and Rose were there, the only three of the Huntresses still in London. Rose was helping her dress but was steadfastly refusing to attend the actual ceremony, insisting that doing so would cause more whispers than she cared to navigate. Daria wished that weren’t as true as it was. While Daria would love to have their beloved honorary sister and aunt with her in the chapel and at the celebratory breakfast, she didn’t wish to cause Rose any distress.
Daria’s parents had not been invited, but neither had they refused the match or objected when someone—Daria didn’t know who—had agreed to pay for a special license.Laurence was attending, which made everyone a little nervous. But he had agreed to bring Toss’s sister, which made his presence far more welcome than it would have been otherwise. Daria would finally get to meet Rosamond, and Toss would get to see his sister again at last.
If only Gillian were here, Daria would consider the day utterly perfect.
“I don’t know about you,” Artemis said as she made a few minute adjustments to Daria’s purple dress, “but I think the Pack still owes us a forfeit. You won the contest, yet we found Toss a musical mentor. It was, after all, your musicale that set that particular wheel in motion.”
“And your esteemed guests,” Ellie said to Artemis. “We should find something additional for them to do for us.”
Daria met Rose’s eyes in the mirror and saw the quiet amusement they had all come to enjoy so very much over the years.
“Demanding, aren’t they?” Daria said with a laugh.
“Fortunately for you, their demands were made to the Pack already.”
This was news to Daria. “They were?”
“And the Pack agreed.” Rose tied Tobias’s purple ribbon around the bouquet Daria would be carrying in the church, apparently not meaning to offer any explanation beyond what she just had.
Of all three of her companions at once, Daria asked, “What did they agree to do?”
“To make this day perfect for you.” Artemis squeezed her shoulders. “They couldn’t bring back all the Huntresses, but they knew there was one in particular you would most want with you.”
Gillian. It had to be Gillian.
“The time frame was so tight that she has only just arrived,” Artemis said. “She is quickly being freshened up and changed into a gown for the ceremony. But she’ll be here with you.”
“Truly?”
