Murderous Matrimony (Renaissance Faire Mystery) Read online

  A little crab was trying to burrow into the sand to get away from the noise and the people. I helped him by getting out of his way. I picked up a few shells and put them in my pocket.

  The wind whipped at my hair, and the sun burned my eyes. I didn’t care. I needed that moment of peace and quiet.

  It didn’t really matter about the wedding. I would have been happy living with Chase in the Dungeon without a ring—or an enchanted house. I just wanted us to be happy, and love each other. I didn’t care about anything else.

  I had to remember that today while I was standing on top of the ‘cake’ and trying to pay attention to all the people shouting orders at me. This day was for Adventureland and Renaissance Faire Village. After today, was for us.

  That’s where Chase found me a half hour later. He sat down beside me and looked out at the ocean. “Runaway bride syndrome?”

  “I don’t think so.” I glanced at him. “How did you find me?”

  “Have you looked around?” He nodded to a crowd of people with cameras surrounding us. “The radio station that’s broadcasting our wedding has been getting calls. There is a ‘Jessie Watch’ out. People are probably gambling on whether or not you’re going to be there for the wedding.”

  I laughed. People took pictures. I was used to it.

  “Are you?” He took my hand. “Because if you’re not going to be there, I’m sure not going.”

  “Yeah. I’m going to be there.”

  He helped me to my feet. “Let’s go then. We’re going to be late for our own wedding.”

  *

  At two p.m. the trumpets sounded from the castle. That was our cue.

  King Harold and Queen Olivia were escorted from the castle, followed by their retinues. Chase’s parents, and the King and Queen of Zamboulia, were escorted to their seats in the Royal Pavilion, especially created for this day.

  Following those honored guests being seated, the music changed, and a spotlight played over the entrance to the castle. It seemed a little over-the-top to me since it was very bright and sunny. The Village wedding planner explained that it was for photos. I didn’t argue.

  I walked sedately down the path from the castle, with Tony at my side, to the wedding-cake dais where I would meet Chase. I knew he was walking from the Village Square.

  “This is it,” Tony whispered. “Run away while you still can!”

  I laughed at him. “Not this time.”

  My bridesmaids followed me. A little girl, who was the daughter of one of the Lovely Laundry Ladies, was throwing flower petals on the ground in front of me.

  The trumpets continued to blare as we walked. I couldn’t hear the music that was being played by a symphony orchestra. It was hard to imagine that the music went well with the trumpets, but I kept my eyes on the prize: getting through the wedding.

  “This corset is really uncomfortable,” Daisy growled from behind me.

  “You shouldn’t have worn it.”

  “Hey! I thought it went with the outfit.”

  “Bart will like it.” I smiled.

  “He already liked it a few times.” She laughed.

  “You have to get married next.”

  “No way. You fell for that. I’m not going there.”

  We paused at the end of the walkway before ascending the ramp to the top of the dais. A loud voice read a prepared statement: “Please welcome our bride, Lady Jessie Morton, and our groom, Bailiff Chase Manhattan.”

  There was thunderous applause. I gazed out over a sea of brides and grooms in various costumes, tuxedoes, and traditional white gowns. They looked so happy. A deep happiness welled up in me too, and I started crying.

  “Keep it together,” Daisy said. “You’re not supposed to cry.”

  “Tears of joy,” Adora said from behind her.

  “Walk up the ramp,” the wedding planner said in my ear. Chase and I had both been fitted with two-way radios so we could hear their directions. They would also act as microphones when it came time for the vows.

  Tony and I started up the ramp slowly, and I finally saw Chase.

  He looked so handsome. For once, his dark hair was loose on his broad shoulders. I could see him searching for me too.

  Bart and Phil were right behind him.

  “There they are.” Daisy waved to Bart. “I hope we’re all gonna fit on that top thing without it falling down.”

  “I hope so too.”

  We reached the top of the dais where Chase and I were supposed to separate from our attendants.

  Tony smiled and put my hand in Chase’s. “Good luck you two.” He even wiped a tear from his eye.

  “Thanks.” I kissed his cheek.

  “Take good care of her, Chase.” Tony shook his hand.

  “You know I will.”

  Tony stepped aside to stand with the rest of the bridal party.

  From the top of the dais, I could see all the pirates standing on the deck of the Queen’s Revenge. The Templar Knights were out in force with their shields gleaming, and their horses fresh.

  Knights from the Field of Honor were on their horses too. They saluted us with their swords and lances.

  The cobblestones were filled with the residents of the Village. They all raised a tankard to us, and then spit on the ground to show their approval.

  “Bet they didn’t plan that!” I smiled at Chase.

  “Probably not.” He took my hand. “How are you doing?”

  “Okay so far. You?”

  “I’m good. Just ready for this to be over so we can go home.”

  “We have to make the rounds of all the parties, you know. Each guild is planning their own event.”

  “Five minutes each.” He nodded. “I have more important plans.”

  A minister, dressed in fantastic Renaissance robes, approached the podium. He looked huge on the screens that were up around the Village. He was wearing an enormous sequined hat. I couldn’t imagine how he kept it on his head.

  I looked closer. “That’s Merlin!”

  “Yeah. Apparently, he’s a minister of the Church of the Light,” Chase explained. “Don’t worry. I have a legal wedding license in my pocket.”

  “Of course you do!”

  Merlin cleared his throat and began the vows. Most of them I couldn’t understand. I said ‘I do’ when the voice in my ear said to.

  Chase put his ring on my finger. “I love you, Jessie. I always will.”

  That wasn’t the line that he was supposed to say.

  I didn’t care. “I love you, Chase. I always will.” I put my ring on his finger.

  Merlin pronounced us man and wife. Fireworks were shot off of the top of the castle. Dancers from the Stage Caravan began gyrating in wild, colorful costumes that no Renaissance Faire of the past could ever claim.

  The cannons were fired on the pirate ship until we were almost deafened by the sound.

  Shakespeare recited the ode he’d written for us, but I’d have to ask him later what it said. His microphone wasn’t working.

  Master Archer Simmons and his men shot off their flaming arrows with no problems. It was a wonderful display.

  But I barely saw it. I was dying to know what inscription Chase had put in my ring. I took it off and read it: Forever and Always.

  “Couldn’t you wait for that?” Chase asked.

  “Have you looked at yours?”

  He took off his ring. “Always and forever. Did you peek? Did the twins tell you?”

  “No.” I threw myself into his arms. “Guess this was meant to be, huh?”

  “I guess so. Did he say kiss the bride yet?”

  “He did. I was wondering when you were going to get around to it.”

  Chase kissed me, and I had the feeling that I was floating. It was amazing!

  “Jessie?”

  I opened my eyes and looked down. “We’re floating! What the—?”

  We looked at each other as screams erupted from the crowd below us. There were frantic commands in our ears as t
he wedding planner tried to decide what to do. Someone suggested calling the police.

  “Wanda?” Chase asked

  “In the ectoplasm!” Wanda appeared beside us. “Just my wedding present to the both of you on this fine day.”

  She dropped us right in the middle of the cold water of Mirror Lake. “Many happy returns!”

  And so the final photo in our wedding book was that of us surfacing from the water and being dragged onboard the pirate ship.

  All in all, a memorable day!

  About the Authors

  Joyce and Jim Lavene write bestselling mystery together. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications.

  Pseudonyms include J.J. Cook, Ellie Grant, Joye Ames and Elyssa Henry

  They live in rural North Carolina with their family, their cat, Quincy, and their rescue dog, Rudi. They enjoy photography, watercolor, gardening, long drives, and going to our local Renaissance Fair.

  Visit them at:

  www.renaissancefairemysteries.com

  www.joyceandjimlavene.com

  www.Facebook.com/JoyceandJimLavene

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJLavene

  Amazon Author Central Page: http://amazon.com/author/jlavene

  Upcoming!

  Bewitching Boots

  Book 7 in the Renaissance Faire Mysteries

  A new shoemaker comes to live in Renaissance Faire Village after a successful weekend demonstration at the Arts and Crafts Museum. His boots are to-die for – literally. Jessie befriends and defends him when he is charged with killing a fairy. She knows that his shoes and boots are magical. She doesn’t believe the gentle soul would hurt anyone. But when a second fairy is found dead wearing his shoes, it will take more than her belief in him to prove his innocence.

  Other books in series

  Book 1 – Wicked Weaves

  Book 2 – Ghastly Glass

  Book 3 – Deadly Daggers

  Book 4 – Harrowing Hats

  Book 5 – Treacherous Toys

  Book 5.5 – Perilous Pranks – a novella

  Book 6 – Murderous Matrimony

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  About the Authors