Page 112 of The Duke's Sinful Bride

Edward leaned back in his chair, a smile on his face as he surveyed the familiar surroundings.

“This is my second time here, but it feels like my first,” he said, sipping his wine. “It’s been years since I last visited, and I understand now why you never want to leave, Yvette. The charm of Braemore is undeniable.”

Yvette chuckled softly, her gaze meeting Killian’s for a brief moment.

“I suppose you could say I’m a little spoiled by its beauty,” she replied. “It’s hard to resist the peace and quiet here, especially compared to the bustle of London.”

Everyone laughed, and Georgiana, who sat next to Edward, chimed in.

“I understand completely. There’s something about Braemore that’s hard to match. If you and Killian don’t mind, I think I’ll have to come here more often.”

Killian smiled, his usual stoic demeanor softening around his family.

“Ye’re always welcome to visit, Georgiana,” he said, his voice warm and genuine.

Yvette, feeling the contentment of their reunion, turned to Edward.

“What’s the latest news from London? Anything of note?” she asked, hoping to pass the evening in pleasant conversation.

Edward paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the story he was about to share.

“You’ll be pleased to know, Your Grace” he said, looking at Yvette with a playful glint in his eye, “that your ex-fiancé has made quite the spectacle of himself.”

Yvette’s heart skipped a beat as Edward continued.

“Apparently, Dunwick was caught in a scandal with a married lady—one who was, shall we say, a bit more than he bargained for. The lady’s husband found out, and the result was a public confrontation, followed by Lord Dunwick being thoroughly beaten by the husband. Afterward, he was forced to leave the country in shame.”

A sense of relief washed over Yvette, and she felt the tight knot of anxiety in her chest loosen. Dunwick, the man who had once tried to ruin her life, had finally received his comeuppance.

“I’m glad he got what he deserved,” Yvette murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She hadn’t realized how much she had carried that weight until now.

“That’s good news indeed,” Killian said, his voice filled with satisfaction. “One less scoundrel to worry about.”

The next day, the air was thick with excitement as preparations for Fiona’s wedding began in earnest.

The castle was brimming with activity, and Yvette found herself busy overseeing the final touches for the event. She had taken it upon herself to handle all the arrangements, a task that had kept her occupied while Killian was away.

It was a welcome distraction, but now, with the wedding so close, she could hardly believe how quickly time had passed.

She had chaperoned Fiona through the Season, guiding her through the trials of courtship and the anticipation of marriage, and now her dear friend was about to marry her own love.

Yvette felt a strange sense of accomplishment and a deep sense of joy for Fiona’s happiness. She had witnessed firsthand how Fiona’s love for her baron had blossomed, and she was thrilled to see it culminate in such a beautiful occasion.

The day of the wedding arrived, and the church in Braemore was fuller than it had ever been. Guests from London, relatives of Fiona and her fiancé, as well as Braemore’s townsfolk, filled the pews with excitement.

The air was charged with the energy of a long-awaited celebration, and Yvette could hardly contain her emotions.

As the ceremony began, Yvette found herself completely caught up in the moment. She had expected to feel the usual flutter of joy, but she hadn’t anticipated the overwhelming surge of emotion that washed over her when she saw Killian walking his sister down the aisle.

The sight of him, proud and protective, was enough to bring tears to her eyes. But it wasn’t just that. It was the sight of Fiona, her veil slightly raised as she looked at her soon-to-be husband with tears in her eyes, which sent Yvette into a flood of emotion.

She didn’t know when the tears began to fall, but before she knew it, she was a crying mess. Her vision blurred, and the warm rush of tears streamed down her cheeks. Georgiana, who sat beside her, noticed immediately and handed her a handkerchief.

“Here, Yvette,” she said softly. “Try to smile, dear. It’s a happy day, remember?”

Yvette smiled through her tears, grateful for Georgiana’s kindness.

“I know,” she whispered. “It’s just… so much emotion. I’m so happy for Fiona.”

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