Three weeks later, on a rainy Saturday in May, the sun peeked through the clouds as though ordained by the maker of the rain himself, shining down on the small group of people standing in the Duke of Caversham’s garden. And miraculously, for the exact amount of time it took the minister to read the Rite of Marriage from the Book of Common Prayer, the rain did not fall.

It did not begin again until after the minister pronounced Harold Manners-Sutton and Phoebe Grenard man and wife. Then pronounced his friend Reginald Burnham and Francine Walters man and wife. The renewed drizzle chased them all indoors, and just as the corks popped on the champagne bottles, a boom of thunder rattled the windows and doors just as the heavens opened again. Harry grinned at Reggie. “That’s Wally. He’s arrived.”

One month ago, when he and Reggie had stepped off the ship at the dockyard new South Shield with the box containing Wally’s personal possessions, Harry never imagined he would be getting married on this day—and to his friend’s sister, no less!

Harry wasn’t a superstitious person, nor a very religious one either. But over the past few days he’d often wished his father were here to give him advice, or that his mother might have lived to meet and know his bride. However, today he did not long for their presence for he was certain that the bit of sunshine beaming down just as they were repeating their vows—that sunshine was his parents blessing their union. And now, with the thunder, Wally had added his blessing to the day.

After the duke, Reggie’s father, and various guests offered toasts to the happy couples, and Harry’s uncle, the Archbishop blessed everyone within reach, the two bridegrooms finally got a minute to talk.

“When do you leave for Edinburgh?” Reggie asked.

“We have time. My classes don’t begin until mid-September. I’m thinking of taking Cav up on his offer to stay at his hunting box north of Aberdeen. According to Amelia The Box, as they call it, is very remote and romantic. And Cav says the shooting and fishing are superb.”

“Ah, so there’s something for the both of you,” Reggie mused, as he watched Francie re-enter the room with Phoebe. “My God, Harry, they are incredibly beautiful, are they not?”

Harry grunted his agreement. The two women walking toward them—Francie in blue and silver, and Phoebe in a pale lemon and silver—were, indeed, beautiful ladies. “Who knew Wally had such charming women in his family?”

“You were lucky she wasn’t taken from you,” Reggie said.

Harry still got emotional when he thought of the night he could have lost Phoebe forever. “I completely agree.”

“And how soon do you sail for Bermuda?” he asked Reggie, changing the subject.

“Day after tomorrow, morning tide,” Reggie replied. “Francie wants to spend the day shopping tomorrow.” He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Somehow, someway, I will need to find that reserve of patience people say exists.”

Harry laughed, then said to him. “Reg, it’s not on the outside my friend, it’s on the inside. I know you don’t like looking there, but that’s where it is.”

“Where what is?” Phoebe asked, beaming at him as the two ladies came up to their two husbands. The look in her eye, a sparkling gleam filled with joy and desire, had his manhood rising. He wanted nothing more than to leave this party, go up to their room and make love to Phoebe, now his new bride.

Reggie quickly deflected from that question, unwilling to talk about his own flaws. “We were talking about where to shop for your bonnet tomorrow. Harry knows these things, don’t ask why.”

“Oh my,” Phoebe said, eyes twinkling with amusement. “I almost want to ask.”

Reggie shook his head, his face serious, but his tone very much light and playful. “Oh, it’s best you didn’t. I’m afraid it might change your opinion of him. And that wouldn’t be good.” Reggie kissed Phoebe’s gloved hand. “Besides, you’ve already married him. I’m not taking him back.”

Francie sidled up to Reggie and tucked her arm in his. “Sweetheart, you have not seen me when I’m burned from the sun. I get cantankerous—argumentative even.”

“No different than you are every other day, I suppose.” Reggie winked at her.

She immediately smacked his forearm with her free hand. Then she gave him a sweet smile, one that Harry suspected hid a mischievous mind. “Have I told you that I believe in husbands and wives keeping separate bedrooms? I do, you know.”

Reggie grinned wickedly at Harry. “I see I must find us smaller lodgings. After all, we were so happy in Cleadon, when you weren’t pointing your pistol at me.”

A bolt of lightning in the distance, accompanied by a long, rolling growl of thunder alerted the two grooms to their heavenly friend’s approval.

Harry burst into laughter, followed by Phoebe, Reggie, and Francie. Their raucous good humor drew the stares of all the older people in the room to the two newly wedded couples who were well on their way to living joyfully ever after.