Page 94 of A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess

“I agree, but look at what our little scheme resulted in,” Herbert crowed.

“As if you knew this would happen!” Diana countered.

Selina took her sister’s hand and gave her a soft, loving smile. “I didn’t know. I just hoped.”

Diana’s irritation faded. Love swelled in her heart as she melted in her sister’s embrace. She closed her eyes in contentment.

“Do something like that again,” she said overly sweetly, “and I will strangle you.”

Selina and Herbert burst into raucous laughter.

“No, I am utterly serious!” Diana insisted.

Selina hurried into her husband’s arms, and Herbert pulled James in an earnest hug.

Diana thought that her heart would burst with happiness. The music shifted, settling into a quieter, sweeter melody. It was then that Solomon stepped forward, his eyes warm.

“A dance, Diana?”

No, her heart could definitely swell more. The man looked so touched and moved as he took her hand and kissed it.

James came to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I was ready to ask her the same thing,” he teased.

“I think I am due a dance with my daughter,” Solomon teased back.

Diana wanted to cry at seeing them so at ease with each other, putting in the effort to mend what was torn but not destroyed. Who knew that her threads would help others, too?

“Step away, boys.” Euphemia invaded their little circle. “She won’t dance with either of you. Not before I hug her.”

“Euphemia.” Diana embraced the elderly woman.

“You are a true blessing, Diana. You poured love into our home.”

“Love was there. I merely woke it up.”

“What a nice way to say that you kicked some sense in the men of this family.”

The four of them laughed, and Diana felt like she was living a dream.

“Fine.” James pretended to relent, placing her hand in his father’s.

But before she could walk away, he leaned into her ear and whispered, “Tonight, you are all mine, after all.”

“Follow me,” James said to her when the wedding reception was still in full swing, well into the night.

Diana let him guide her through the dimly lit halls, her fingers nestled in his hand, the warmth of his touch sending a thrillthrough her even now. Even after all they had been through. Even after all that was already hers.

At the entrance, a footman stood waiting, and he handed James a thick, fur-lined cloak. James draped it around Diana’s shoulders, his fingers lingering on her collarbone—a soft, lingering touch that made her shiver.

Outside, parked in the quiet glow of lantern light, was the same curricle from that fateful night. Only now, it was wrapped in garlands of flowers, the soft petals swaying in the cool night breeze.

Diana gasped, turning to James. “Where are we going?”

He helped her up, his hands firm and possessive on her waist, then climbed in beside her and grabbed the reins.

“I need you alone.” His voice was low, rough with need.

He turned to her with the same wicked gleam in his eyes that had ruined her long before marriage ever could.

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