Marybelle walks with Oberon, giggling all the while. The first wedding in The Toasty Mink was lovely, but the second one will be even better! She considers all the possible settings in York that they could hold their full wedding reception: perhaps a majestic cathedral or a grand manor hall on the city’s outskirts.
Marybelle chatters to Oberon, thinking aloud about all her ideas: the font type for the elaborate invitations they will send to family and her sophisticated city friends and anyone else on the guest list— all her design, of course! The possible decorations and colour schemes of the wedding, white roses with red accent pieces, or maybe red roses with white accent pieces. The type of furniture they could choose for their new place, perhaps walnut or mahogany frames for their upholstery.
Oberon listens, nodding many times and saying mmm-hmms, as well as lavish affectionate words such as, “We’ll get the best we can afford, my radiant flower” and “All the stars shine on you” and “You are more lovely than a dream, my dear.”
If only Vincent could see Marybelle now. She mentions plans for orchestrating his downfall, and Oberon gladly indulges. Marybelle smiles and returns affection in kind, calling Oberon her dashing gentleman and more cunning than the handsomest fox, as they discuss many deliciously dastardly possibilities: blackmail, an investment scheme, ooh, they will talk about details in the privacy of their new home.
“Of course, darling,” Marybelle says, looking at some of the other people around them. They clutch bags of their few belongings and flickering lanterns, frowns on their faces, shuffling through the rainy dark.
In the light of their steady lantern, Oberon helps Marybelle over some muddy terrain. She thinks about what the subject of her next painting should be, maybe the sun amidst a stormy sky which reflects both their situation and the love she and Oberon have found in it.