As soon as they left the privacy of their carriage, they were once again the happy couple that they wanted everyone to believe. However, Nicholas refrained from opening his mouth to speak to his wife. He focused his attention instead on walking and to the other people – lords, ladies, friends, and the house staff – who greeted the newlyweds as they walked towards the ballroom. 

The grand ballroom was as he envisioned it to be. The room was bright with the morning light, the tables were set in perfection with centerpieces so divine and the lined up in precise arrangement. Flowers were present in strategically artistic locations, on columns, windowpanes, and even the ceiling. He had nothing to do with the reception breakfast, but he was impressed by what the Abbotts did. 

People were already present and were enjoying their time mingling with each other when they entered the venue. He already saw Tim with one of their associates. By that time, it was already clear to him that he needed help and there was no way of getting any without attracting unnecessary attention. They couldn’t disclose his current situation to the general public in fear that the cloaked man from the other night, whoever he may be, might suspect Mr. Rochford as the blue-eyed disguised noble man from the previous night. It was too risky, which was why Bennett was willing to cancel the wedding that morning if Nick’s ego was not as huge as it was. 

Claire was quick to disentangle herself from him to find her friends and relatives. Nick followed close behind, but was intercepted by the Marquess of Bristol and the Baron Ashburton who were among the gentlemen who he gambled with at White’s. A pair he didn’t really want to converse with, but they seemed to enjoy his company.

“Isn’t she a lovely bride, Mr. Rochford,” mused the marquess.

“She is, indeed,” added Baron Ashburton. “If her reputation has not been tainted with the scandal, I might have asked for her hand.”

Smiling weakly, Nick patted the baron lightly on the shoulder. “Ah, my lord. You see how I am favored by fortune not only in placing bets, but also in matters involving women.” 

“I heard her father was in a hurry to marry her off. Poor girl, even her family is ashamed of her. You must, Nicholas, keep your eye on that one at all times or she will drag you down.”

“I beg your pardon, my lord,” Nick tilted his head to the side, his smile turning cold. He was a head taller than the marquess, but the noble man clearly had the advantage of his title. “I will have to ask you to stop referring to my wife with such thoughtless remarks or--”

“Nick!”

Timothy walked up to the three of them. “What time will you be leaving with your wife?” Then, seeming to notice the other gentlemen for the first time, he bowed slightly and greeted the two.
“Ah! Timothy. Let me introduce you to Lord Hervey, Marquess of Bristol. And this other good looking gentleman is my fried, Lord Baring, Baron Ashburton.” He stole a glance at Claire who was speaking with her friends not too far from him. “We will not waste the daylight, dear cousin. As soon as she has changed into her traveling dress, I suppose we are ready to leave. Why did you ask?” He narrowed his eyes at his friend.

“The horses needed some rest. Apparently there was a mis--”

It was at that time that Claire called him to come with her. “Much as I would like to stay, my new master calls,” he joked leaving the two lords laughing and Timothy staring at him with a look that says Nicholas was a fool and it was not Tim’s fault if he fell dead before the day ended.

Nick knew that, but he had already started the game, he might as well finish it. One hand pressed on his injury as if for support, he stood beside Claire. His eyes were filled with warmth as he looked at her. “What is it, my dear?” he asked, placing his free hand on the small of her back as he led them both to the wedding cake. “What you wanted is indeed not traditional. I will buy all the cakes you want later, just let this one slide.”

When they reached the table, she looked up at him with a smile playing on her lips. She was smiling, but it felt like she just stabbed him in the heart with a knife. It was better when they were not together, then they could separately pretend to love the other person. It was infinitely more difficult to pretend when they stood so close together. [i]“Do you like fruit cake?”[/i] she asked, but immediately took it back as she spoke behind a gloved hand. [i]”Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to talk of something so…pointless and silly. I know you aren’t dandy or like me.[/i]

Claire said it in a light-hearted voice, but he sensed the venom in her words. Well then. He ignored the last sentences. What he did as a response was to gently take the hand she used to cover her lips and in front of the important people in London, brushed his lips against her knuckles. At the same time, he extended his other hand to the maidservant holding the knife. When he raised his head to look into her emerald eyes, a playful smile was on his lips. Then he pressed the knife’s handle on the palm of her hand and closed her fingers over it. “The cake, Mrs. Rochford.”

No more whispered flirting, she said, which was why he was not whispering. He was flirting with her with his actions. Nick let go of her hand and allowed her to cut the cake then they sat in their designated table to actually have breakfast. Their parents and entourage sat on the same long table with the couple at the center.

“I have planned for us to go to Paris,” he said talking to her, hoping she would answer. “However, if you wish to be somewhere else…” Perhaps she didn’t want to leave too. He hoped she didn’t want to leave London as much as he. There was work to be done in London. They now have one of the spies who needed to be questioned and Nick was excited to hear his secrets.