The lengthening of the days as summer approached made it possible to hold our rehearsal at six in the evening on Friday, which worked with the minister’s schedule as well as Kurt’s plan to host a rehearsal dinner at Highview.
“To make up for the unfortunate ending of the party I held in April,” he’d told us when we’d protested that he’d already done too much.
Knowing that the hosting duties would fall on my aunt if we didn’t agree, Richard and I had acquiesced to this generous offer. After all, Kurt had a spacious dining room and could easily hire in a chef and waitstaff. There was no reason to burden Aunt Lydia. Even with help from me and my mom, handling the rehearsal dinner could be overwhelming, especially since she’d already agreed to provide cakes for the reception.
As I introduced my friend and bridesmaid Jessica Roman to everyone, I was delighted to see Sunny arrive with Delbert Frye and his dulcimers.
“Mr. Frye will be providing the music for our walk down the aisle,” I told Jessica. “It’s a little different than the usual wedding march, so I wanted us to have time to practice with him.”
“Good idea,” she said, fluffing her short hair, which was dyed the color of ripe persimmons.
With her bright hair, tattoo sleeve covering one arm, and multiple ear piercings, Jessica presented an even less typical image of a librarian than I did. She was shorter than me, with a curvaceous figure that she highlighted with tight tops, short skirts, tights, and boots. I knew that she didn’t care that people thought she looked more like a rocker chick than someone who worked in an academic library. In fact, in library school we’d been labeled “least likely to be taken for librarians” by our peers, a nickname we both found amusing.
“Now I understand why Amy can’t stop talking about you,” she told Richard when he joined us at the arbor the florist had set up at the wooded edge of his backyard.
“Really?” Richard draped his arm around my shoulders. “You think maybe she’s a little bit in love with me?”
Jessica snorted. “I expect you know she’s crazy about you. Which is probably for the best, seeing as how you’re getting married tomorrow.”
“Definitely a good thing,” Richard said with a grin.
I nudged him with my elbow. “As long as you feel the same.”
“Pretty sure I can promise that.” He pulled me close. “Among other things.”
I smiled and allowed my gaze to roam the backyard. Although the event planner’s crew was waiting until the next morning to set up the chairs and a runner, they had marked the center path with stakes so that we’d be able to practice walking down the aisle. At both ends of the aisle, the florist had placed standing urns that would be filled with flower arrangements before the wedding.
“I’m glad we decided to hold the ceremony here,” I said. “I don’t think any space could be prettier.”
“And the weather seems like it will cooperate. You lucked out with that,” Jessica said.
“I lucked out with a lot of things,” I said, slipping my arm around Richard’s waist.
Jessica looked Richard up and down. “Obviously.”
“He’s not just a pretty face either.” I wrinkled my nose as Richard looked down at me in mock dismay.
“Glad to know I’m not simply arm candy,” he said, tapping my nose with one finger.
“Although you fulfill that requirement quite well.” Jessica gave him a wink. “But don’t mind me. I appreciate good-looking people on an artistic level, but I’m really no threat.”
“Not into guys?” Richard asked with a lift of his eyebrows.
“Not into anyone. Not that way.” Jessica held out her right hand, displaying a black ring on her middle finger. “I may dress a little provocatively, but it’s all in fun. I’m actually asexual.” She fixed Richard with a speculative stare. “Hope that’s not TMI, but I thought I’d better share before you try to fix me up with one of your groomsmen or something.”
“No worries. I only have one groomsman, and he’s gay, and my best man is actually a straight woman, so you can rest easy.”
Richard’s genuine smile seemed to relax Jessica, who gave a thumbs-up gesture before dropping her hand. “Good to know. And thanks for not expressing shock or confusion.”
“Easy enough. I don’t really have any,” Richard said. “You have to remember, I work with a wide variety of artists, including dancers, designers, and musicians. If I was going to be shocked by anything, it would’ve happened many years ago. Besides, I have no interest in telling other people how to live their own lives.”
“That’s right, you’re a choreographer.” Jessica widened her brown eyes. “I bet you’ve planned some sort of fabulous groomsmen dance for the reception.”
Richard shook his head. “Again, I don’t have a whole crew. But I might have a little something planned with my best man–excuse me, best woman.”
“His dancing partner,” I told Jessica. “I think I’ve mentioned her before.”
“The gorgeous goddess over there?” Jessica pointed toward an area that bordered a rose-draped fence.
Following her gaze, I noticed that Karla was providing instructions to a small crew setting up a portable dance floor next to the risers where the band would be seated.
Karla looked up and waved. “Almost done here,” she called out, as Aunt Lydia led the minister through the rose vine–covered arch that separated her garden from Richard’s yard.
“Good, ’cause I think we’re ready to start,” I said, raising my voice so Karla and the other people milling about could hear me.
Giving me a little nod, Jessica jogged over to where Sunny was assisting Delbert with setting up the stand for his hammered dulcimer.
I slid out from under Richard’s arm and tapped him on the chest. “I need to join Sunny and Jessica and head over to Aunt Lydia’s.”
“And I need to wait here. I know.” Richard’s expression grew solemn as he studied my face for a moment. “Tomorrow it will be the real deal,” he said softly, before leaning in press a kiss against my lips.
“I know. And I’m a little scared too,” I replied, before returning his kiss. “But I want this,” I added in a whisper. “More than anything.”
“Me too.” Richard brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear. “So let’s get this rehearsal over with and move one step closer to the real thing.”
I gave him another kiss before breaking away and crossing the yard to join Sunny and Jessica.
My mom and dad were waiting on Aunt Lydia’s back porch. “We’re starting here, right?” Dad asked, as Sunny opened the door.
“You and I are. I’m getting ready here, along with Sunny and Jessica, and we’ll be walking into Richard’s yard through the archway in the fence between the two houses. Richard and Karla and Scott will dress at his house so they can walk up to the arbor from his back porch.” I glanced over at my mom. “You and Aunt Lydia will need to leave here a little earlier, so you can be seated before the music starts.”
“What about Fiona and Jim?” Mom asked, as Aunt Lydia entered from the hall.
“They just drove up,” my aunt said. “Looked to me like they were confused about where they were supposed to be, so I sent Hugh out to lead them around to Richard’s backyard.”
“I’m glad Hugh and Walt offered to act as ushers, since that was something I forgot,” I said with an apologetic smile. “I guess I thought everyone would wander in and sit down wherever, but the planner informed me that we really should have close family members escorted to their seats.”
Mom bustled over and gave me a quick hug. “It’ll all work out,” she said, with a quick glance at my father. “Now, Lydia and I had better head next door and make sure the Muirs are properly situated, among other things.”
Things progressed smoothly after that. As arranged with Sunny earlier, Delbert played a loud flourish at the end of his version of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, alerting Sunny and Jessica that he was about to launch into Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
We rehearsed the procession a few times, coached by the minister, who suggested that we slow our steps to better match the music. As Richard and I held hands under the arbor, listening to the minister’s instructions as to what would happen during each portion of the ceremony, I sneaked a glance out at the small group of people standing in the neatly trimmed yard.
My dad’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears, while my mom shared happy glances with my aunt. They’re all going to cry tomorrow, I thought. Well, maybe not Aunt Lydia, although Hugh looks like he’s trying hard to maintain his composure. And, of course, not Richard’s parents. Jim Muir just looks pained, like he’d rather be anywhere else. But Fiona …
I lowered my lashes to shadow my eyes and shot another quick glance at Richard’s mother, confirming my earlier suspicion that she actually looked pleased.
Maybe she really is happy about our marriage. The thought made me promise to engage her in a real conversation over dinner.
When we concluded the rehearsal, Richard rounded up everyone to arrange for carpooling and hand out directions to Highview.
“You go on, since you’re going to drive your parents. I’ll be along a little later,” I told him, as most of the rest of the group headed for their vehicles. “I want to freshen up and maybe change into something a little nicer.” I swept my hand through the air, indicating my plain cotton slacks and top. “This was fine for the rehearsal, but your mother and Aunt Lydia are so decked out …”
Richard lips twitched into a smile. “Feeling underdressed? I can understand that, since my mom is in her pearls, although I think you look fine.”
“Regardless, I should probably make more of an effort. I am the bride,” I said, with a smile I hoped hid my real agenda. I actually wanted one more chance to practice the rumba with Karla, who’d agreed to run through the dance one last time before we drove to Kurt’s house.
“All right. But how are you getting to the dinner? With Lydia and Hugh? Or Sunny?”
“No, Lydia and Hugh are riding with Mom and Dad, and Sunny is driving Delbert so she can transport him and his instruments safely home after the dinner,” I said, tossing this off with a glance over at Sunny, who was in on the deception. “Karla’s riding with me.”
“Okay. I’ll see you there, then. Don’t be too late.” Richard traced the line of my jaw with one finger. “We can’t start without you.”
“I promise not to take too much time. But do go ahead with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as soon as you arrive. I’m sure Kurt will insist on that, and I don’t mind.” I tipped my head to look up at him. “I should probably skip the drinks before dinner anyway. A hangover tomorrow would not be good, for my appearance as well as my head.”
Richard gave me a kiss before striding off to join his parents, who were hovering near his car.
As soon as everyone left, Karla and I headed into Aunt Lydia’s house, where I quickly changed into my poppy-print sundress and touched up my lipstick and mascara.
We planned to rehearse, without music, just running through the steps, but before I could join Karla on the back porch, the landline phone in the hall rang.
“Hi, sorry to bother you,” Brad Tucker said as soon as I answered. “I know you’re probably busy with wedding stuff, and I did try to reach you earlier on your cell phone …”
“It’s still broken, and I haven’t gotten a replacement yet.” I waved at Karla, who’d poked her head around the door that led onto the back porch. Seeing me on the phone, she placed a finger to her lips and backed off.
“Oh, right. Well, that brings me to the reason I wanted to call. Since you gave me a good tip about Honor Bryant fleeing Taylorsford, I felt you should know that we have a lead on her whereabouts. Some of my colleagues in Maryland tracked her to a hotel in Baltimore. They should have her in custody soon, which means we’ll be able to question her more thoroughly.”
“And she’s a more likely suspect now, I take it?”
“Unfortunately, yes. You know she apparently had addiction problems in the past.”
“You were the one who told me that.”
“Right. Well, now someone on Scott’s team has uncovered the fact that she actually did owe quite a bit of money to one of Esmerelda’s dealers. Apparently, some informant spilled that info just today.”
“So she really could’ve been forced to do something?” My mind raced as I remembered Honor carrying that mug at the party, as well as the mud on her boots. Perhaps she’d even been the one to harvest the aconite used to poison her boss and then deliver it to him in a mug of cognac.
“Could be. Which is why we definitely need to talk to her.”
“Interrogate her, you mean.” I twisted the phone cord around my wrist.
“Yes.” Brad’s voice had taken on the cool, professional tone he always used when seriously discussing a case.
“What about that Lance Dalbec guy?” I unwound the phone cord and glanced at my watch. Although I was anxious to hear more news on the Selvaggio case, I didn’t want to be late to my own rehearsal dinner. “I’m not sure he wasn’t also part of the murder in some way.”
“I agree he may have been involved, but unfortunately he seems to have skipped town as well. At least, we haven’t been able to track him down yet.”
“That’s too bad.” My fingers clenched the receiver. “I don’t trust the guy, especially where Kurt Kendrick is concerned. Maybe you should keep an eye on Highview for a few days.”
“Already thought of that. Which was another reason for my call. I know Kendrick is hosting your rehearsal dinner tonight and wanted to give you a heads-up. Don’t be alarmed if you observe some departmental presence in the area. We’re trying to keep our surveillance on the down low, so I hope none of the guests actually notice anything, but if they do …”
“Just tell them that it’s part of the ongoing investigation into Oscar Selvaggio’s death? Understood, Chief Deputy, sir.”
“Brad will do,” he replied, in a lighter tone. “Now I should let you go. I expect you need to get to that dinner.”
“I do, but thanks for the heads-up,” I said, before telling him good-bye.
“See you tomorrow, almost Mrs. Muir,” he added, before hanging up.
I hurried back to the porch, where I told Karla that we really didn’t have time to rehearse and would need to just hope for the best.
“You’ll do fine,” she told me, while I locked up behind us before leading her to the car I shared with my aunt. “And just remember, tomorrow you’ll have a partner you can rely on.”
As I slid into the driver’s seat, I thought about her words, realizing how accurate they were.
And not just for one dance, I thought as a wave of happiness swept over me.