Blackie nodded and took hold of his cousin’s arm. “Let’s sit down a moment before we go back to the manor to change our clothes.” He led her to a pew.

“I want ye to know something. I’ve spoken to Lord Lassiter about Michael missing ye, and not being in the best of health. He understands completely. He said I can bring him back with me when I return from Ireland. He was most generous and added that Michael can live here, work on making these gardens grander.”

“Oh, Blackie, how wonderful. Thank ye! Thank ye!” She leaned into him, hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek. “Michael has been so lonely without me.” She laughed. “Ye knows what twins are like: we have ter be together. Sort of joined at the hip, we are.”

“So ye’ve told me times and again. It’s wonderful ye can be here today at Miss Moira’s wedding to Lord Adrian.”

“I would be happy anyway; I like her. She always was so nice, when she was working for Mrs. Wilson.”

“Aye, she was that, I agree.” Blackie chuckled, and said quietly, “When I first met her I was always suspicious of her, so a bit wary.”

“Why would you be like that?” Siobhan asked, sounding taken aback. Her brows came together in a frown, and she shook her head, baffled.

“Because I knew she weren’t like us, ye and me and Finn. We’re working-class folk. I knew deep in me bones that Moira Aherne was patrician, totally different. I didn’t understand why she was, well, playing it down. Ye knows what I mean, pretending to be like us.”

Siobhan nodded. “Whatever, she’s always been friendly to me when we spent time together.”

“Aye, she is friendly, but don’t mistake friendliness for friendship. Most aristocrats have a gift for being friendly, but it’s never their friendship they’re giving. And that’s just the way they are.”

“Do ye really believe that, Blackie?” she asked, skepticism in her tone. “I think Lord Lassiter has been a friend to you, a real friend. Look at the work he’s given you and your uncle.”

“Yer right, he has been a mentor, a patron, ’tis true, sure and it is. But ye see, Siobhan, Lord Lassiter is different ter most aristocrats. He’s a rarity. Nobody like him that I know of, and that’s a fact.”

“I’m glad you appreciate His Lordship.”

Blackie nodded. “I do, I promise ye.” He stood up. “Best we get back ter the manor and change.” He glanced at the altar again. “Miss Moira wanted all white flowers like we did for Lord Lassiter’s marriage in March. And we’ve certainly done that, don’t ye think? Done her proud?”

“We have, and we’ve had a much better choice of blooms because it’s May. She’ll be nicely surprised.”