Julian said, "The news is out. If he sees it, he'll be here soon."
They both knew who "he" was.
Isabel just grunted in response.
"What do you want to do about the wedding?" Julian asked.
Isabel frowned. "Why do we need a wedding?"
"If we're going to put on a show, it has to be perfect," Julian reasoned. "Besides, you were going to marry me anyway."
Isabel had agreed to marry Julian.
She thought simply getting the marriage certificate would be enough.
It would fulfill her promise to old Mr. Reed.
She hadn't considered a ceremony.
She had once dreamed of a wedding with Adrian.
But with Julian, it didn't seem necessary.
"Isn't being legally married more useful than a wedding?"
"You have a point," Julian said, avoiding the issues he'd encountered with the marriage license. He decided to stall. "But since we're going to spend our lives together, people should know we're a couple. Otherwise, if someone tries to bully you, you'll be at a disadvantage."
"Marrying me is dangerous enough as it is. Hiding our relationship would only make it worse for you."
Isabel considered his point and saw the logic. "I don't have a problem with you announcing it, but please, keep it simple. I'm so tired."
She had other things to do and just couldn't muster the energy.
Julian smiled. "Of course. You focus on your research, and I'll handle the wedding. All you have to do is show up in a wedding dress so people don't think I got left at the altar. For that, I would be eternally grateful."
Isabel ignored his jesting.
...
The party didn't end until the early hours of the morning.
Mr. Ashford, in his excitement, had drunk a great deal, and Mrs. Ashford was taking care of him.
Miles, after seeing off the last of the guests with some of the older family members, found Julian. "Are you two staying the night?"
"Of course we are," Julian replied. "It wouldn't look right for their daughter to leave on her first day back, not with so many eyes on us."
Miles went to prepare a room himself.
He only prepared one.
He was rewarded with a kick from Julian. "Very funny, aren't you?"
Miles just laughed. "I'm just teasing. Isabel, you get some rest. Julian, come with me."

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