Gina raced down the hallway of the church, Charlie and Jane on her heels. She threw open the door to the vestibule, running straight at Darcy who grabbed her. “What’s—”

“You’ve got to come quick. It’s a disaster,” Gina replied.

Darcy took in the overly large eyes on the three of them. Turning to his best friend, he said, “Bing, can you manage things for a bit?”

“Certainly.” Bing nodded. While his expression was concerned, his eyes danced with the pure happiness that had been missing during his time away from Jane Bennett. Darcy had just been commending him once more for trusting his heart and Bing had suggested it was past time Darcy did the same.

At the moment though, Jane Bennett’s face and eyes were alarmed. Gina announced that she would stay and help Bing. “It’s you who needs to go, Darcy. She’ll listen to you.” Jane added her own agreement, anchoring herself to Bing’s side.

Charlie slid his hand up to his ear, no doubt calling Eliot, as he and Darcy headed back into the church.

“Is Eliot okay?” Darcy asked.

Charlie laughed. “I’m fairly certain you’ve spoken to him more recently than I have.”

“Then what is the emergency about?”

“I honestly don’t know how to deal with this, and am so sorry to put it on you.”

“What has ha—”

Charlie pushed open the door. There, inside the room, was his mother, her groom, and Mr. Collin Collins. Darcy’s eyes went wide. Collins sat sobbing on the floor in nothing but a pair of tighty-whities.

Ms. de Bourgh, wedding gown and veil in place and looking more well-endowed than ever, was red in the face with a vein throbbing above her left eye. “You mean to tell me that this was all a farce?”

The groom, partially clothed in his suit, but with his zipper down and shirt unbuttoned, had his hands out in supplication. “Now, see here, sweetie, I didn’t think you bought into that whole exclusivity thing.”

“You’re cheating on me with Collins,” Ms. de Bourgh screamed. “We’re not even married yet and you’re already cheating on me! After all I’ve been through already? How could you do this to me?”

“Now, dear, that’s not true at all.”

“Not true? Not true? How the fuck is it not true?”

Darcy stepped away from the door. He would never be able to burn this image from his mind.

“I’ve been cheating on Collins with you,” he explained, rocking on his heels and almost smiling. “So, you see, you’ve got no reason to be upset. Better the mistress than the wife, they say.”

Collins, with a hiccup, said, “It’s true. Rupert and I are in love. We’ve been together for five years. He said he wanted an open rel-ay-ay-ay-tionship.” He turned the last word into a long, rolling sob. “I didn’t want to,” Collins gasped. “But I didn’t want to lose my Ruru. He was so excited about the wedding. I just wanted to give him a wedding present.” Again, the final word turned into a sob.

Darcy stared aghast at Collins. He’d thought the man cloying and too ready to please. Now he realized the full extent of pathetic self-loathing the man must possess to allow himself to be used by so many.

Even Charlie’s expression was one of pity for Collins. But Rupert smiled. “It was a lovely thought, Collins. Wasn’t it a lovely thought, Charlotte. Collins will do just anything for us.”

Slap. The sound of Ms. de Bourgh’s hand cracking across Rupert’s face echoed in the room. “You are the most disgusting person I’ve ever had the misfortune to know. There is no way I will marry you.”

Shock appeared in Rupert’s eyes. “But sweetness—”

“No. Not a single word from you.” Ms. de Bourgh stepped over Collins. “Darcy, dear, the wedding is off and I wish to go home. Would you order the car around?”

Darcy nodded. “Of course, Mother.”

“Good.” Ms. de Bourgh turned to Charlie, who stepped back, banging into the door. “Charlie, I am sorry to ruin all of the work you’ve put into everything.” She glared back at Rupert. “And I hate the color champagne!”

Charlie gulped.

“I need you to inform the guests that the wedding is cancelled.”

“What about the food and bar?” Charlie asked. “It will simply be thrown in the trash if nothing is done with it.”

Ms. de Bourgh waved her hand in the air. “Do whatever you will, Charlie. I am done with this whole affair.”

A nervous chuckle, cut by a quick cough, was followed by Charlie saying, “Ms. de Bourgh, it has been a privilege working with you.”

Ms. de Bourgh wound her hand through Darcy’s arm. “ You have my utmost thanks.” She glanced up at Darcy, who noted that her veneer of calm was cracking. “Take me home.”

“Yes. Charlie, please send Gina to meet us at my car.” Darcy escorted his jilted and betrayed mother out to the back of the church and into his car, grateful that the windows were heavily tinted.