The newly married couple were either teased or honoured by those in attendance, and sometimes a little of both in the same breath. Towards the end of the meal, Mary spoke up, “It seems that it was common knowledge that today would be your wedding day in the Otherworld, even before William thought of it! I was informed of your impending wedding last night as I slept, but I did not wish to spoil the surprise for anyone else! “But now, it is regretfully my duty to inform you all that this union must not be made public—not at the present time at least. Everyone outside of our party must continue to believe that Elizabeth and William are only betrothed.” Elizabeth sensed her husband stiffen in the chair beside her. Ruffled by the news, still she had to smile slightly at the newness of calling William her husband, if only in her thoughts. “I wish this restriction had been mentioned before I had informed my staff!”
