She stared up into her husband’s eyes. “I am the most fortunate of ladies to have found you.”
“And I the most fortunate gentleman.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her lightly. “I love you.”
“I know.” It had taken her so long to believe she was worth loving. Now his love sank into her bones, her very being. “I love you too. Forever.”
“And ever.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
T
hree hours later, only Vivian’s and Rupert’s friends and a small collection of other guests were left at Stanstead House. The weather was warm and dry as they gathered at a table near one of the terrace doors.
“Well, this is the end of it.” Huntley glanced at each couple in turn. “Who would have thought that this would be the outcome of our wager at Beaumont’s wedding?” He touched his glass of champagne to Serena’s. “We have all married extremely well.”
“I give credit to Marcus for starting this off. If it wasn’t for him and Phoebe deciding they’d suit, I would not have met Serena.” Robert Beaumont raised his glass. “A toast to finding the right mate.”
“And children,” Will Wivenly added, gazing besottedly at his wife, Eugénie.
“Absolutely, children.” Kit Featherton grinned at Mary. “We must get together often, as our sons and daughters will be of an age.”
“To the wager.” Rupert raised his glass. “For some reason I think it helped us.”
Nick and Silvia had joined them. He grinned down at his wife. “I don’t know anything about a wager, but I think there might be one more wedding before the New Year.”
“Who would that be?” Kit asked, his arm around Mary.
Nick motioned with his head to the other side of the room. “Who is that with Hawksworth?”
They all glanced over, but Kit said, “My sister? Hmm, that would be a good match.”
Mary punched him playfully on the arm. “I forbid you to say a word to your grandmother. Besides, they do not look as if they are having a pleasant conversation.”
“I think it might be too late.” Phoebe pulled a face, directing their attention to another group of guests.
Sitting not far from where Miss Featherton and Lord Hawksworth appeared to be having a heated conversation, Kit and Mary’s grandmothers, Lady Beaumont, Lady Bellamny, and Clara alternated between sipping wine, glancing at the young couple, and talking.
“Surely they wouldn’t.” Kit drained his glass and poured another.
Mary groaned. “They are in for it now.”
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
LYRICAL PRESS BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
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Copyright © 2015 by Ella Quinn
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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First Electronic Edition: July 2015
eISBN-13: 978-1-60183-458-4
eISBN-10: 1-60183-458-6
ISBN: 978-1-6018-3458-4