Gerald was tall, blond and handsome, and a complete bloody disaster no matter what he did, and everyone knew it but him. The Family had been trying to find a place for him all his life, with absolutely no success. Too dumb to be entrusted with the important stuff, but too senior to be just ignored. Gerald, on the other hand, was the Family mistake. "This is a wedding, after all, not the dentist's." "Do try and at least look cheerful," said William to young Robert. "Did you want to say something, William? No? I didn't think so. "I wouldn't know."Īdrienne rounded on him, and he fell back a step. Robert looked at her and then at Adrienne with something like shock. The long white wedding gown made her look very fragile, like a delicate porcelain figure standing alone on a shelf. She was sixteen years old and very pretty, with hints of a more mature beauty to come. She jumped up the moment they entered, then stood quietly with eyes modestly downcast. And there, among the antiques like a single flower in a garden of weeds, sat Letitia Shreck, his bride-to-be. They passed through the outskirts of the crowd, followed all the way by scandalized whispers, and then through a side door that led into a quiet sitting room decorated with antiques of considerable age and complete hideousness. It seemed like the safest thing to do, if he ever wanted his hand back. "Keep on encouraging him like that, and we'll have to drive him to the altar with whips," said a loud, carrying voice.Īnd she took him by the hand in a viselike grip and led him off through the crowd. Especially since William and Gerald kept explaining it to him. But he was old enough to understand politics and know his duty. One moment the Shrecks were a deadly enemy to be fought on every occasion, and now here he was marrying one. He was still trying to get used to how much his world had changed. He was average height, as fighting fit as years of military training could make him, and at seventeen old enough to marry, but not old enough to object to the marriage. "And then you can settle down to getting to know your bride," said Gerald. And of course, if something should go wrong, Robert was the most expendable member of the Family at present. In order to keep Robert and his branch of the Family from becoming a laughingstock, a marriage had been hastily arranged that would serve the dual purpose of establishing Robert in society and help close the gap between the Campbells and the Shrecks. Mostly because it was so damn embarrassing. Robert's father had been the Campbell's younger brother, who died three months previously in an accident the Family still didn't like to talk about. The groom, Robert Campbell, was currently being supported and encouraged by his cousin Finlay's brothers, William and Gerald Campbell. Her intended prey didn't even realize she was coming. She stalked off through the crowd, opening up a path for herself through sheer strength of personality. Someone has to tell them the facts of life." Now, if you'll excuse me, I really ought to have a word with our nervous bride and groom. Personally, I wouldn't be without one, especially when it conies to picking up the tab. Husbands can be boring, irksome and a general pain in the ass, but you have to have one if you want to get on in society. Your father monopolizes your time far too much. "It's time you were looking for a husband for yourself, my dear. She looked back at Evangeline, who had to fight to keep from flinching. "Damn right you wouldn't," said Adrienne. William flinched visibly, and was still trying to find the right words with which to introduce Adrienne when she stepped forward, brushing him aside and smiled at Robert. Robert and William Campbell looked up to see standing before them Adrienne Campbell, large as life and twice as loud. Fortunately for you, they couldn't keep me out of a wedding this important. Personally, I've never been embarrassed in my life. Mostly they try and keep me away from public functions on the grounds I embarrass them. I'm the one you've probably been warned about, and you should believe every word. ARMY NAVY STREAKER HOW TOThe only advice I could really use is how to get out of this." ARMY NAVY STREAKER FREEEveryone's been very free with their advice. "A lot of people have already talked to me about that.
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