“You are a wizard — ”
“Sorcerer — ” Sebastian corrected.
Henri waved his hand dismissively. “This is a dangerous profession. Things explode, or turn into frogs, or behave in other unexpected and not particularly pleasant ways.”
“Only when people do not take sufficient care, sir,” Sebastian said. “I am a very careful magician.”
“And this business of being a werewolf…” Henri shook his head. “Are you housebroken? Are you going to dig up the flower beds hiding bones? Are my grandchildren going to be born with tails? Will I have to hire an obedience trainer for them? Is their first word going to be mama or woof? Is — ”
Genevieve stormed in at that moment. “Henri Beauchamps!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing?”
“Seeing if this fellow is a fit husband for my daughter,” Henri replied as she set her fists on her hips and glared at him. That was when Bella detected a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
“Well, you can stop it right this instant,” Genevieve informed him in the sort of tone reserved for ill-behaved children. “You are terrifying the poor man. He doesn’t understand your sense of humor.”
She turned to Sebastian and patted his arm.
“Now, no more of your jokes, Henri. It’s settled. He and Bella are perfect for each other, and if you keep trying to test him, you’ll only delay matters, and do you have any idea how hard it will be to plan for a winter wedding as it is? Fitting it in around the Drapers’ Ball, the skating party Lord Bellaire ordered, the Morescaeus’ Hunt Fete, the Goldsmiths’ Gala — and how I am to get proper gowns in time for all of us, much less a wedding dress that Bella will actually wear, I do not know. I am at my wit’s end!” With that, she turned and swept out.
Bella stifled a giggle. The two men looked at each other, and finally, Sebastian shrugged. “I would listen to her, if I were you,” the Duke advised.
Henri Beauchamps nodded. “I think you just proved you are wise enough to marry my daughter,” he replied, then added, “and with my blessing. Just as long as there aren’t going to be any explosions.”
“Only the ones that are on purpose,” Sebastian promised solemnly.
