Chapter 28

All the Princeton girls were currently taking a stroll through the backwoods area of their property. Jack Napier was also there but he was on horseback quite some distance ahead of them.

"So how was the wedding Harl?" Cassie asked.

"Oh, it was…nice," Harley answered. "I mean I would've like to have the other members of Jack's former regiment attend with their swords drawn. Sadly though they had to move on so the only ones at the wedding were my aunt and uncle and Mister Wayne." That little bit of news shook the rest of the girls to core but especially Diana.

"Mister Wayne?" Diana questioned.

"Of course, someone had to be my dear Jacky's groomsman," Harley responded. "Oh no. I wasn't supposed to tell. And I promised so dearly."

"Well…what's it like?" Cassie asked in an attempt to change the subject. "Being married that is?"

"OH it's WONDERFUL," Harley sighed. "There's nothing that can give a girl more joy than being married. OH, Cass if only I could get you to experience this kind of joy. Maybe next time I go to visit the militia you can come with me and I can get you a husband." Cassie's eyes nearly bulged out of her head and it took her a minute to regain her composer.

"I, um, I don't know if I entirely approve your method of finding a husband," Cassie final responded.

The girls continued to talk and chat, but Diana's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about how Mister Wayne had been at Harley's wedding. Why on earth would he be there? And as Mr. Napier's groomsman none the less? He hated the man with a burning passion so why would he be at his wedding? So many questions ran through Diana's mind.

'I need to write to my aunt,' Diana thought. 'If anyone knows why he would be there, it's her.'

"Diana, Diana!" Harley exclaimed causing Diana to snap out of her daze.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Diana apologized. "Were you talking to me?"

"I was asking how your trip with Auntie Alexa was?" Harley asked.

"It was great," Diana answered. "The countryside was lovely."

"Did you visit anyone's house?" Harley questioned. "I've heard the Wayne's Manor is nearby one of the places you stayed at. Did you visit?"

"Yes and it was rather elegant," Diana responded. "I also got the opportunity to meet his sister Barbara."

"What is she like?" Cassie asked.

"From what I've heard from Jack, she's a selfish prick who thinks she's too good for 'us commoners'," Harley stated.

"Figures," Shayera muttered.

"Actually I found her to be a rather pleasant," Diana told her. "She was very polite and a lovely conversationalist. I doubt there's a mean bone in her body."

"Well I guess people can change," Harley remarked.

"Well how about we head back to the house?" Diana suggested. "I don't know about you all but I'm rather hungry."

"Well supper should be served soon," Lois reminded them. "So how about we turn around and head back?" The girls nodded.

"Hey, Jack!" Harley called. "We're heading back for supper!" He didn't respond but he did turn around and follow them back to the house.

Dear Aunt Alexa,

I am sorry to bother you but there is a question I need to be answered. Harley informed me that you, my uncle, and Mister Wayne were at her wedding. Do you have any idea why Mister Wayne was in attendance and how it plays into this whole mess? I hope this letter finds you well and that all is well with you.

Love,

Diana

Diana sent that letter before they all sat down for supper. Hades sat down at the head, Persephone sat to his left, Diana sat at his right, Jack sat in the opposite direction of Hades, Harley sat on his left, Cassie sat on his right, while Shayera and Lois sat in the middle across from each other.

"So…Jack, are you looking forward to going north?" Hades asked.

"Somewhat yes," Jack admitted. "I will miss Steve and the others but I'm looking forward to having white winters again."

"Oh, did you grow up somewhere north?" Persephone asked politely.

"Not quite, but my family often went north in the winter with the Waynes," Jack informed them.

'Way to suddenly bring them up,' Diana thought with some aggravation.

"You knew the Waynes?" Hades questioned. Jack nodded.

"Yes, my father used to work for the late Thomas Wayne," Jack stated. "I knew Bruce Wayne when he was a child. We were rather good friends, however; when his father died. God bless his soul. When Mr. Wayne, senior, died, Bruce refused to give me the parish that had been promised by his father and left me with nothing."

"That's funny, Mr. Napier," Diana started with a bit edge in her tone. "Because from what I've heard, you refused the parish and insisted that you should be given 1,000 pounds instead." Jack froze like a deer in headlights, Harley looked puzzled, and Cassie was in shock while the others tried to keep a blank slated look of politeness. However, Diana could tell that they were thrilled she had shown him up.

Diana cleared her throat and gave Jack Napier a look of fake sincerity.

"Now Jack…. that's all behind us right?" Diana said with a tone of fake sincerity and a little edge. "We're all family so how about we leave those things behind us? Okay?" Jack chuckled awkwardly before responding,

"Yes, of course." Hades shot a smirk in Diana's direction.

"So you're planning on leaving tomorrow morning, correct?" Hades asked. Jack nodded.

"Yes, sadly we cannot stay forever," Jack said with fake dramatics. "Me and my Harley need to be making our way north so we can get settled." Jack turned to her. "Isn't that right?" Harley giggled.

"Yes it is, puddin'," Harley responded. Everyone raised an eyebrow at that.

"Puddin'?" Lois asked.

"Oh, it's my pet name for him," Harley told her. "He's my puddin' and I'm his Harleypoo." Shayera looked ready to vomit and similar feelings of disgust were felt all around the table.

"Well, I'm heading off to bed," Hades announced as he stood up. "I will see you all in the morning."

"Puddin'?" Shayera exclaimed in disgust once she and the elder two were secluded in the privacy of their own room.

"I know it's cringy Shayera," Lois responded. "You do not need to repeat it."

"The one he has for is worse," Shayera added. "Harleypoo? Ugg. It makes me want to vomit."

"I know Shay, I know," Lois replied. She then looked over at Diana who was sitting on their bed. "You okay Diana?"

"Mr. Wayne was at her wedding," Diana stated. "Why would HE of all people be at her wedding and as Napier's groomsman?"

"Diana, there's no way to know until Aunt Alexa response to the letter," Lois reminded her as she sat down next to her. "Until then there's no reason to fret about."

"I suppose you're right," Diana responded.

"Aren't I always?" Lois said teasingly causing Diana to chuckle a bit.

"I will say Di, that was one heck of a burn you gave Napier," Shayera stated. "Nice and subtle."

"I enjoyed doing it," Diana responded with a smile. "Afterall since we can't physically hurt him might as well give him a few jabs to make up for all the heartache he's caused."

"Agreed," Lois started. "Though I will say, it took all my self-control to not jump up and down in my chair."

"Same here," Shayera added. "And I think Father felt the same way."

"Do you think things will calm down after they leave?" Diana asked. Shayera shrugged.

"Who knows," Shayera admitted. "Though knowing Miss Persephone, she will probably resume her role of trying to marry us off." Lois groaned.

"Let's hope not," Lois responded. "I could really use some peace and quiet after this whole mess."

"We all know how unlikely that is considering this family," Diana stated. Shayera sighed.

"Well a girl can dream, right?" Shayera said.