“Was she there?”

“No one was home.”

“Not even the children?”

“No, just the maid.”

“Mrs. Jenkins?”

“Yes. She informed me that the children and Mrs. Richardson had, indeed, gone out, just after you left, and more importantly . . .” He released Diana’s hand and pulled Mrs. Richardson’s note from his other pocket. “She had left you this note.”

“I don’t understand this. It is too late in the day to get married, and no banns have been read.” With shaking hands, Diana opened the letter and read out loud.

“Diana,

By the time I see you again, I should be happily married. I hadn’t thought I could find someone after my dear Mr. Richardson left this earth, but I have. I know you will be nervous about him, as he has told me as much, but I am tired of living alone, and I’m tired of the melancholy. I want to live again. In time, I’m certain you will see that I have made the correct choice.

We will return on the morrow, and I will happily introduce you to my new husband. Please be happy for us.

All my love,

Charlotte”

Diana flipped the note over, but Everton had already checked; there were no other clues on the other side. “I cannot believe Charlotte would marry without confiding in me. Did Mrs. Jenkins tell you what time they left?”

“It wasn’t until noon.”

“Then they cannot be married yet.” Nate took this note from Diana as well. “Marriages are only performed in the morning. Surely they’re waiting until tomorrow.”

Everton shook his head. If only that were true. “If he acquired a special license, they can be married anytime. They could have purposely planned to hold the wedding while we were distracted by the vote.”

“But Mr. Broadcreek has been here the whole time.” Diana rubbed her eyes. “Something about this scenario isn’t lining up. How could he have gotten married?”

A tap on Everton’s shoulder made him turn around. A page boy was holding out a note. Everton rushed to open it and discovered it was from Nelson.

I have found the happy couple. Mrs. Richardson is no more; she is now Mrs. Winston. She would like to convey her happiness and apologies to Miss Barton. Based on an encounter he had at the office, Mr. Winston was under the distinct impression that Diana didn’t approve of him. But Mrs. Winston assures me he is a childhood friend who had heard of her loss and wanted to make her happy again. Which, apparently, he has done.

Nelson

Everton handed the note to Diana. She quickly skimmed its contents. “Mr. Winston.” She shook her head. She sat down on the bench with a heavy sigh. “How frightening I must have been that day to cause him such trepidation.” Diana reached for his hand. He happily took hers. “It is a wonder I have found myself a husband.”

“He isn’t your husband yet,” Nate ground out through his teeth.