Murderous Matrimony(33)

“I was afraid something like this would happen.” He closed the door with a grim expression on his handsome face. “Now Detective Almond thinks I’m involved with hiding Manny, and withholding information. We didn’t gain anything.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think about him ordering pizza. I suppose the police told them to call if Manny’s name came up.”

He sank down on the bed, soaking wet and exhausted. “That’s okay. You couldn’t have known. He’s your friend. You wanted to protect him.”

“Detective Almond will get over it. He doesn’t have much choice since no one else wants to be Bailiff here.”

“That’s true.” He smiled. “I have a job no one else would have in a crazy place haunted by a mean ghost. I guess this means Manny probably isn’t a sorcerer.”

“Probably not.” I sat on the bed beside him. “You know you’re getting everything wet, right?”

“I suppose.” He frowned, prepared to get up.

“You should at least get out of these clothes.” I pulled on his soaking shirt until it came out of his pants.

“Yeah?” I saw hope in his blue eyes. “Wanda isn’t here?”

“Not right now. Quick before that changes.”

*

It was raining again the next day, and even cooler. Fall weather seemed to be settling in.

That meant traffic on the cobblestones would be limited today. It also meant nothing much was going on. Chase and I had both slept through the night without his radio going off—or Wanda rearing her ugly head. It was wonderful.

“I guess Wanda left us alone last night.” Chase put his arm around me and I snuggled closer.

“I haven’t seen her since Madame Lucinda banished her. Maybe she’s gone for good.”

He kissed me. “I hope so. It’s not easy competing with a ghost for your time.”

“Do you have to see Detective Almond today?”

“Yeah. He’s not too happy with me.” He rubbed the dark stubble on his chin. “That means I have to put on civilian clothes.”

“You look good either way,” I assured him with a big smile.

“You too.” He rubbed his nose on mine and then kissed me.

I kissed his chin. “Thanks. “

“Just think, in less than two weeks, we’ll be married. I’m excited. Are you?”

“Except for the ridiculously large wedding, the dress fittings, and going to see Renee and Rene about the ring, I’m delirious.”

“What about just being with me for the rest of your life?” He stared into my eyes. “Are you good with that?”

I wrapped my arms around him. “That part, Sir Bailiff, goes without saying.”

Chase got up, showered, and put on jeans and a Ren Faire T-shirt before he went to see Detective Almond. He promised to find out what was going on with Manny while he was there.

I kissed him goodbye, thinking how handsome and sexy he looked even in his street clothes. I was a lucky woman to have Chase, and be able to share my Renaissance passion with him.

I promised myself that I’d try not to complain about the wedding anymore. It was just one day. We’d have the rest of our lives together. Who cared if that one day would be on the Internet forever? Somehow, we’d still find a way to make it our own.

That thought was good, but likely to change several times during the day.

The fitting for my wedding gown went fine. The dress was mostly finished. Beth Daniels, the owner of Stylish Frocks, had taken personal charge of all of the clothes for our wedding. The shop provided costumes for all the residents of the Village as well as visitors.

Beth had me try on the gown once more with the veil and train. The gown was beautiful—pink and white velvet with gold trim. The veil was handmade lace shot through with gold threads. The train was as long as I was tall. It was made of white and gold tulle that glistened when I moved.

This was actually the second gown Beth had made for me. The first gown had been in shades of purple, red, and blue. It had been the same as the one Queen Olivia had planned to wear. Something had to change.

“I don’t know about that neckline,” Beth complained, pulling at it a little. “I’m not happy with it. I still have time to work on it.”

I looked at the heart-shaped neckline that was trimmed in gold. “What’s wrong with it?”

“I don’t know. Ask me again in a few days.”

Beth and two of her assistants helped me remove the heavy dress. I watched them replace it on the headless mannequin. It was so stiff, it could almost stand up by itself.

Tony showed up with two of my bridesmaids. Beth worked on their outfits, assuring my brother that he’d be wearing black velvet with gold trim. Chase’s groomsmen were wearing light blue with gold trim, just like my ladies.