“Maybe you’ll find it,” Harry said.

“Perhaps. If you’ll excuse me.” Piper gestured to her magazines and we both nodded.

“Of course, sorry to hold you up,” Harry said. He took my arm and we moved aside to let her pass. “We’ll see you later.”

As soon as she was out of hearing range, I said, “That was the most awkward conversation I’ve ever had.”

“Painful even,” he said.

“Do you think it’s because we mentioned her mother?” I asked.

“Maybe, but I don’t see why,” he said. “I think it’s the natural weirdness of what this weekend was supposed to be and what it’s become.”

“Good point,” I said. “How could anything be normal under the circumstances?”

We climbed the stairs, hoping that Viv had more luck during her visit with Piper than we did. Despite the number of miles I walked with Bella every day, the castle stairs still left me a bit winded. I paused at the top and motioned for Harry to wait while I caught my breath.

He leaned against the wall beside the door to one of the salons and checked his phone for messages. I heard a faint giggle and glanced at Harry, wondering if he had heard the same thing. Harry looked up at me and put his finger over his lips. He pointed to the door beside him. It was open just a smidge and we peeked inside, with me crouching low and Harry leaning over me.

It was Quentin, the best man, and Trisha, the angry bridesmaid. They were sprawled on the furniture, which was upholstered in a deep rich red. A bottle of wine and a half-full glass were in front of Trisha, while an expensive bottle of Macallan whiskey sat beside Quentin, who was smoking.

I was quite certain the castle had a no-smoking policy inside, with a designated outside area for smokers, but I let it go. I wanted to hear what they said while they commenced day drinking.

Trisha giggled again at something Quentin muttered. His voice was slurred. It was clear that he was drunk. I couldn’t really fault him, given that his best friend was dead. If it were me, I’d be drunk, too.

“How rich are you, Trisha the fair?” Quentin asked.

“It’s vulgar to ask about a person’s finances,” she said. She reached for her glass, sipped her drink and then laughed. “But to answer your question, you could never afford me.”

“Because I’m as poor as Dooney was?” he asked. “You didn’t seem to mind that he was broke.”

“That’s because Dooney’s family is still high society and he offers a girl status, which has a price beyond measure,” she said.

“Piper May is going to have to lower her standards then,” he said. He drained his drink and dropped his cigarette into the empty glass, letting the remaining ice cubes put it out.