Breksby lowered his voice. “Then I must speak to you, when you return from your wedding voyage, about the gift we discussed.”

Patrick stared at him for a moment. Oh yes, the scepter. Patrick bowed again. “I am at your disposal, naturally.”

Breksby rubbed his hands together. “Good, good. We’ve had just a spot of bother over it. Just a nuisance, really. But I thought I should drop a hint in your ear.”

What on earth was the old gaffer talking about? If they couldn’t make enough rubies stick to the confounded scepter, what was it to him? Patrick bowed again. “I will attend you as soon as I return,” he promised.

By the time Patrick finally made it back to the pillar, Sophie and Braddon had disappeared. Patrick stood for a moment, scanning the crowd while avoiding the curious eyes of gossips. Sophie was nowhere to be seen. Just then his sister-in-law appeared at his side.

“Sophie has gone to tidy herself,” Charlotte said pertly, smiling up at Patrick.

He felt a surge of irritation. Was he so obvious? “I thought she’d run off with my groomsman,” he said, his tone sarcastic.

Charlotte’s smile deepened. “Ah, the zeal of the newly-wed husband.” She laughed. “I expect I could disappear from a ballroom for an hour or so and Alex wouldn’t even note my absence!”

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” her husband growled with mock ferociousness, appearing beside her and wrapping one arm around her waist.

“Oh Lord,” Patrick said with a groan. “Uncle Richard has arrived.”

Sure enough, their uncle had thrown off his bishop’s robes and emerged in all splendor to honor his nephew’s wedding. In the ceremonial glory of ecclesiastic garb, Richard Foakes took on the dignity of office, but in evening clothes he appeared a most awkward fop in white and gold, wearing a cherry and silver waistcoat and facings.

“Is he wearing a cravat string?” Charlotte whispered in awed tones.

“He wants only a sword knot to be a perfect dandy of some fifty years ago,” her husband said, chortling.

Patrick began making his way toward the door, Alex and Charlotte behind him. Before they could reach the ballroom doors, however, Sophie appeared in the doorway behind Bishop Foakes. To Patrick’s secret pleasure, she greeted his uncle with a charming and unaffected smile. By the time Patrick reached her, the bishop was smiling like a cat in the cream and chuckling gently to himself.