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They both protested when Alexia stood, not yet fully dressed, and waved them off

"I must pay someone a visit," she said imperiously It was late afternoon: the sun had not yet set, and there was still ht now?" sputtered Biffy "It is your wedding evening!"

"And we have only just finished ze hair!"

Miss Tarabotti could tell that these tere going to be a force to be reckoned with But so was she Alexia instructed theet her dress ready and that she would be back within the hour, so not to fret "It is not like anything can actually occur without me, is it? I have to see a friend about the sun" She took the Loontwills’ carriage without asking and went round to Lord Akeldaed town house She sailed in the front door past various drones and woke Lord Akeldama from his deadlike daytiily

"It is almost sunset," said Miss Tarabotti with a tiny smile, her hand on his shoulder "Co robe, she took the vah the splendor of his gilt house and out onto the rooftop into the waning light

Alexia rested her cheek on his shoulder, and they stood silently together and watched the sun set over the city

Lord Akelda out she would be late for her oedding Miss Tarabotti refrained froood way to end her career as a spinster

Lord Akelda the ceremony, which took place at Westminster Abby Well, he was a bit of a weeper So did Mrs Loontwill Miss Tarabotti, rather callously, figured her mama’s tears were hter Floote had given notice andwith Alexia’s father’s entire library, into Woolsey Castle that verywas hailed as aand physical beauty Best of all, as Alexia’s bridesmaid, Miss Hisselpenny was not permitted to choose her own hat The ceremony went unexpectedly smoothly, and in no time at all Miss Tarabotti found herself Lady Maccon

Afterward, everyone assembled in Hyde Park, which was admittedly unusual, but exceptions had to be made olves were involved And there certainly were a goodly number of olves Not simply Lord Maccon’s pack but all the loners, other packs, and clavigers within traveling distance had attended the celebration

Luckily, there was enoughprocedure Alexia had invested genuine involvement and time into was the food As a result, the tables set about their corner of the park fairly groaned under their burdens There were galantines of guinea fowl stuffed within aspic jelly and decorated with feathers eons in truffle gravy nesting in coils of pastry made their appearance and disappearance There were stewed oysters, fried haddock fillets in anchovy sauce, and grilled sole with peach co noted Lord Maccon’s fondness for poultry, the Loontwill cook provided woodcock pie, roast pheasant in butter sauce with peas and celery, and a brace of grouse There was a baron of beef, a forequarter of lazed with red wine, and lamb cutlets with fresh mint and broad beans--all offered on the rarer side Corner dishes included lobster salad, spinach and eggs, vegetable fritters, and baked potatoes In addition to the roouests to take home, there were rhubarb tarts, stewed cherries, fresh strawberries and purple grapes, gravy boats of clotted crea The food was declared an unqualified success, and many a plan was made to visit Woolsey Castle for luncheon once Alexia took over supervision of its kitchens

Miss Hisselpenny took the entire event as an excuse to flirt with anything s, and a few on four This seele-eyed over the repulsive Lord Aer at Professor Lyall and sent hi so ," did as ordered He insinuated himself seamlessly into the conversation between Lord Ambrose and Miss Hisselpenny, and hustled Ivy away for a waltz without anyone the wiser to his militarylike intervention tactics He then carried Ivy off to the other side of the lahich was serving as the dance floor, and introduced her to Lord Maccon’s redheaded claviger, Tunstell

Tunstell looked at Ivy

Ivy looked at Tunstell

Professor Lyall noted with satisfaction that they wore identical expressions of the stunned-donkey variety

"Tunstell," instructed the Beta, "ask Miss Hisselpenny if she would like to dance"

"Would you, um, like to, um, dance, Miss Hisselpenny?" stuttered the nor man

"Oh," said Ivy "Oh yes, please"

Professor Lyall, all forgotten, nodded to himself Then he dashed off to deal with Lord Akelda into soument on the subject of waistcoats

"Well, wife?" asked Alexia’s new husband, whisking her about the lawn

"Yes, husband?"

"Think we can officially escape yet?"

Alexia looked about nervously Everyone see the dance floor, and the"Um, I think, perhaps, not just yet" They both stopped and looked about