Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

With Tarquin out of the picture, the crowd grew bold and brash. They traded barbs like kids trading baseball cards, each comment sharper and less polite than the last.

Elysia, frowning deeply, watched them with a quiet disdain, choosing to rise above the noise.

Her heart ached for Tarquin!

The Bradford clan was notorious for their sharp tongues and sharper claws. She couldn't even begin to imagine the kind of torment Tarquin must have endured as a child at their hands!

Once the hubbub died down, Elysia finally spoke up, her voice cutting through the silence. She pointedly asked each of them, "And what's your name? You, you, and you..... and you over there. Let's have it. I'll be remembering.”

The instigators of the harsh words frowned, suspicious and wary, "And why exactly do you want to know our names?"

"To make sure I don't mix up the names when it's time to cut out some tongues," Elysia replied, her tone icy.

their lips sealed shut in fear and anger. They remembered all too well Tarquin's warning about

my son, I don't need your judgments or

all high and mighty

a whip, Elysia retorted, "Why don't you go ahead and try marrying

"You..."

a comeback, she suddenly felt an unbearable itching sensation. She scratched at her face, her neck, her arms, her legs... It was as if her entire body was under siege by an

scratching furiously, a chorus

us?!" one of them managed to

to stand tall. I can make you itch, I can make you cry, and I can make you bedridden. So, I'd watch my mouth if I were you. No badmouthing my son, myself,

overwhelmed by the itching, forgot all about their quarrel with Elysia and

been watching the entire spectacle unfold, looked from the retreating figures of the Bradford women back to Elysia,

you want to say?" Elysia turned

I not itching?" Verity inquired, genuinely

standing by my side; you weren't exposed to the irritant, so