Together, westepped off the last stair and searched around the early morningcrowd for our crew. Our friends. My eyes found the back of Lottie’sblonde head and I made a b-line across the floor toward where shesat at a table with the rest of them.
“Good morning,everybody,” I greeted, standing at the end of the narrow table.They all looked up from their food and regarded us curiously.“Henry and I have some news.”
“Christ, itbetter be good news,” Finn moaned. I saw then, the evidence of asevere hangover on all their faces and I felt bad for what I wasabout to ask of them. “Not sure we’re fit t’handle a crisis this early in the marnin’.”
I laughed andturned to Henry.
“No, I assureyou Finnigan,” Henry said. “It’s good news. No crisis here.Except…” He gave the floor back to me, unsure how to proceed.
I held up myhand that sported the gorgeous emerald stone and waggled myfingers. “We’re getting married.” I pursed my lips in excitementand then added, “Today.”
Their eyeswidened, and Finn called out loudly.
“Aye, ‘tisabout time ye two did it!” he stood and came around the table,slapping Henry on the back before scooping me up in a clumsyembrace. “Congratulations, Lass.”
I laughed andhugged him back. My friend. I loved him dearly. If it weren’t forFinn and his protective ways, I may not have ever gotten the chanceto get to know Captain Devil Eyed Barrett. He vouched for me whenno one else would. Took me under his wing and made sure I had aplace aboard The Devil’s Heart. I owed him my life.
“I, um, I washoping you’d give me away,” I said by way of asking.
The giant Scoterupted with a massive chuckle. “You want the likes of me walkin’ye down the aisle?”
“Well, not anaisle,” I told him. “We’ve decided to get married aboard the ship.It’s the closest thing to home we all have, and I can’t think of abetter place to do it. It’s been our home for so long.”
Everyoneseemed to approve of the idea and Finn’s brightened face calmedwith a sense of pride. “Of course, I’ll walk ye down the aisle.It’d be me pleasure.”
He released meback to the ground and Lottie took his place, wrapping her delicatearms around my neck and pulling me close. She whispered in my ear.“I’m so happy for you.”
Lottie pulledaway and we exchanged a tearful glance. I mouthed the words‘thank you’ and she sat back down. My friend tried tobe discreet, but I caught the swift movement of her foot as itkicked Gus’s leg underneath the table. He awkwardly cleared histhroat and stood, shaking Henry’s hand with a curt nod.
“Congratulations, both of you. This is excellent news.” He stoppedto adjust his wide leather belt. “So, what is it you need?”
“I’ll needyour help to find a local priest who can perform the ceremony onsuch short notice,” Henry told his oldest friend, claspinghim by the shoulder. “And I’dhoped you’d stand with me.”
“I’d behonored,” Gus replied and smiled, a genuine expression thatactually reached his eyes.
My heartwarmed at the exchange.
“Lottie, I’llneed your help finding a dress.” The image of my gorgeous eveninggown lying in heaps and piecesupstairs flashed through my mind. “I just don’t have anythingsuitable.”
Her eyebrowarched, and she snickered. “Another trip to Madam Guthrie,then?”
I let out asmall laugh and nodded. She would be the best choice. “Finn, canyou round up the boys? Let them know? And perhaps get them to helpclean up the deck?”
“Aye, aye,Captain!” Finn replied half mockingly. But I knew he’d get the jobdone.
***
With belliesfull of hearty breakfasts, we all set out with our duties. Lottieand I took a carriage to Madam Guthrie’s and entered the quirkyclothing store. I wasn’t in the least bit surprised to find herready and waiting for us. As if the old woman knew we werecoming.
“Ah, goodmorning, my lovely ladies,” she greeted, sipping tea from adelicate piece of china. Today herwispy grey hair was twisted up with a white silk turban. “Did youenjoy the party last night?”
“It waswonderful,” Lottie replied. “The food was excellent. And I may havedrank a little too much wine. My body pays the price thismorning.”
Madam Guthrielet out a low cackle of laughter and set her tea down on a small,round table for a refill. She glanced up as her long bony fingers gripped the teapot. “Care for a cup of tea, ladies?”
“No, we’refine, thank you,” I told her. “We’re here for a dress.”
“A dress?” shesaid with a guffaw. “I do believe I sent you on your way with agorgeous garment just yesterday, did I not?” Her eyes examined myface and teased me somehow, with the possibility of knowing.Knowing that the very dress she spoke of laid on the floor back atThe Kraken’s Den.
I felt theskin of my cheeks turn red. “It’s, uh, not quite what I need fortoday.”
“Oh? What sortof dress are you hoping to find, then?” She began slowly walkingthrough the store, sipping her hot tea and adjusting things onshelves with her free hand.
“Somethingsuitable to get married in?” I told her.
Madam Guthriespun around, a sense of purpose splashed across her face, and sheset down the teacup. “A wedding,you say?”
“Yes, can youhelp me?” I asked her, and side-eyed a quiet Lottie who stood dutifully next to me.“On short notice again? I’ll pay you extra.”
She shook herhead and waved me off. “Nonsense. Dressing brides is one of myfavorite things to do. I’d be honored.” A pleased grin widenedacross her wrinkled face. “And I have just the thing.”
“Wait!” Icalled after her as she scuttled through the many rows of clothing.“It can’t be too fancy!”
“I know!” shecalled
