John had decided that as bizarre as it sounded, it did put William in with the gang and in a position to investigate from the inside.
“I rather think that's what they have in mind,” commented William dryly.
After a great deal of discussion, he reluctantly agreed and plans were made.
“You have your staff to help keep your family safe, and we will be monitoring from outside the house,” John promised.
A Wedding
The door was opened by a priest in a black suit.
“Come in, come in! You must be Miss Krause and Mr. Belden. I’m Father Grey.”
William winced internally when he saw John Grey in his borrowed clerical collar, but maintained a placid demeanor to the world. His bride-to-be stiffened slightly, but the would-be cleric dropped her a slight wink, turning his face away from her groom.
She relaxed and snapped, “Well, let's get on with this!”
John nodded gravely and asked, “Would you like the full nuptial mass or just an abbreviated wedding service?”
Harriet glared, then sniffed and proclaimed in her best genteel voice, “I believe the basic ceremony will be sufficient unto this day.”
The priest nodded to a gentleman standing to the side.
“I wasn't sure if you would remember to bring a witness, so I asked Mr. Smith to observe for us.”
“As you can see,” ground out Harriet waspishly, “I have brought my brother, Karl, as a witness.”
“Wonderful! Then we can have two witnesses to your ceremony to make it all right and tight. Shall we proceed?”
She stiffened, ready to object, but realized it would only make her look foolish in the eyes of this well-meaning imbecile. Nodding her head slightly, she acquiesced, tugging her fiancé forward to stand in front of the cleric.
“Will you take this man to be your husband?” He began at once.
Harriet glanced coyly over at William batting her eyes.
“I will,” she cooed.
“And do you take this woman to wife?”
“I do,” he responded curtly.
The priest raised his head and looked around.
“Any objections?” He paused and, when no response was forthcoming, continued, “You are now man and wife.”
He smiled beneficently at the couple. No rings had been exchanged and no invitation for a marital kiss. William smiled to himself, seeing Harriet's glance at his lips and then at her actual husband standing behind them.
Of course, she thought, he doesn't know that! He still believes Karl is my brother. But just as well. Karl would not have been pleased if I kissed another man in front of him.
With only the four sentences to go through, the ceremony was rapidly concluded and paperwork signed all around. A copy of the signed certificate was then handed ceremoniously to the groom, who quickly tucked it into his breast pocket before Harriet's grasping hand could snatch it from him.
“I am now your husband, my dear, and perfectly capable of taking care of all of your affairs from now on,” he said quietly.
He was rewarded with a plastic smile for the onlookers and a glare directed to him, which he blandly ignored, inviting everyone to a wedding breakfast.
~~~
Regretfully declining, Father Grey explained he was on his way to a deathbed and must ease a soul into heaven, but wished them well and offered his blessings. William was dying to kick his friend in the ankle at this point, but the charade continued.
Mr. Smith, too, offered his regrets, as he gently crowded Karl away from the couple and toward the priest who had moved to the back of the room as if to get his coat.
Turning so all three were facing away from the bride and groom, Father Grey held out his hand, palm up.
“Just as you requested,” said John, “short and sweet and to the point, with no kiss.”
Karl's mouth turned up at that but then he stiffened and got down to business.
“What happened to Lucky?”
“Father Lucky was riding a streak and asked me to cover for him. I’ve done it before.”
Karl still glared, but reached into his pocket and withdrew an envelope. Father Grey took his time opening it and counting the bills within, and then held out his hand.
“Lucky warned me you’d try this and told me to remind you if you tried to welsh on him again it was going to cost you.”
Karl grimaced but pulled the balance of the agreed sum from his pocket. Fingering the bill, as he had the others, he slipped it in the envelope and held out his hand again.
Karl glared in outrage. He didn’t even know this clown! Who was he to try a shakedown!
Father Grey drew back his hand and snapped it open again.
“Now, Cutter!”
Karl looked up into flat, expressionless, ice-cold eyes that seemed to skewer his soul. He didn’t know who this character was, but he meant business. How had Lucky gotten involved with someone like this? He felt a shiver of fear he didn’t wish to acknowledge and reached back into his pocket for another bill. He’d hoped to be able to bluff Lucky but this stiff was having no part of it.
Again verifying the bill was legal tender, Father Grey added it to the envelope which he slipped into his jacket’s inner pocket.
“Don’t even think of trying that game again, my friend,” came a soft, sibilant whisper, as Father Grey made a show of shaking hands first with Karl, with an extra firmness, and then with Mr. Smith, whose own smile fell far short of his eyes.
Thoroughly cowed, Karl offered a slight bow to each of the gentlemen and returned to Harriet’s side.
~~~
William Belden escorted his new bride and her brother to a nearby restaurant where they enjoyed a light repast. Well, clearly Harriet and her so-called brother were enjoying the meal.
