Page 103 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Eleanor watched the smooth transaction in disbelief. “You really have a man for everything.”

Derek smiled. “I told you, but there is something I have told you yet.”

Eleanor cocked her head to the side. “What is that?”

“I love you.”

Eleanor leaned up on her tip toes to capture his mouth again.

“That is one thing I will never tire of hearing, Your Grace.”

Derek raised an eyebrow. “After all we’ve been through, I think it’s finally time you officially call me by Christian name.”

Eleanor smiled. “It would be my honor, Your… Derek.”

Derek leaned down and kissed her once again.

There was applause and still some gasps and murmurs, but Eleanor couldn’t care less. Derek was right. Let the gossips do with this what they will. She was out of the marriage mart and was finally going to have the life she wanted all along.

She broke the kiss and gestured towards the back of the church. “I think it’s time we leave.”

Derek took in the chaos around him. “I think you’re right.”

The couple joined hands and ran to the back of the church. When they got outside, they found Charlotte waiting by the carriages. Beatrice and Sarah were already in one.

“Ah. I figured you two would want a quick getaway, so I took the liberty of calling for the carriages. The girls and I will take this one. You and Eleanor take the one behind ours.”

Eleanor hugged and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thank you, Mama. I had faith,” she whispered.

Charlotte laid a hand on Eleanor’s cheek. “I knew it would work out for you. Now, go on, get inside before those gossipmongers realize you’ve slipped outside.”

Eleanor climbed into the carriage. She turned to see Charlotte whisper something to Derek before she entered her carriage.Her statement gave Derek pause before he climbed into the carriage.

“What did my mother whisper to you?”

Derek shook his head and smiled. “She said I wasn’t fooling anyone, and she was right when she said you would be upset if I didn’t show up to your wedding.”

Derek and Eleanor looked at each other, baffled.

“You think she knew about us?” Eleanor asked as the carriage pulled away.

Derek shrugged. “Well, she’s not the first one to tell me my heart is louder than my mouth when it comes to you. Perhaps she did.”

Eleanor smiled. “I’m glad you came.”

“I’m glad you stopped the wedding before I got there. I was afraid I was going to be late. I promise not to be late to the next one,” Derek said with a wink that placed the final piece of Eleanor’s heart back into position.

EPILOGUE

Eleanor and Charlotte stood in the vestibule waiting for the priest’s cue to start walking. Eleanor couldn’t help but steel glances down the aisle towards Derek. When she looked back to her mother, she found Charlotte staring at her in a peculiar way.

“What is it? Did I mess my hair?” Her hand came up to pat the curls that were precariously pinned around her head.

Charlotte shook her head, her eyes filling with tears.

“Mama, what is it?” Eleanor reached out and grabbed her mother’s hand.

Charlotte pulled away, embarrassed. “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just…” Charlotte sighed and brought her hand up to caress Eleanor’s cheek. “This is how I envisioned your wedding day. You look so relaxed and happy. It’s like this was always meant to be.”

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