Page 86 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride

“Why not?” Magnus cried. “Seeing us together as they so often have, no doubt they wish they had this too.” He then shrugged. “It’s hard being this perfect, isn’t it. But somebody has to do it.”

She eyed him and shook her head, secretly agreeing with his outlandish claims. Where she and Magnus were indeed responsible for Evelyn and Theodore coming together, she too liked to think they took some inspiration from a marriage that was the living embodiment of perfect.

And with that thought, Diana leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek. He smiled as the gesture, squeezing one hand in his while resting the other lovingly on her belly.

It promised to be a good day.

That was where they were headed now, to a chapel not far from the estate where Evelyn and Theodore were set to be bound in wholly matrimony for the rest of their lives. A romance that had felt odd at the time, a little random truth be told, but Diana now knew to be a match made in heaven because if anyone could handle Evelyn it was Theodore. And the same went for him!

It was to be a small ceremony and when they arrived, Diana was relieved to see that they were right on time. The carriage pulled up out the front of the chapel, allowing the four of them to climb down and take their places.

Magnus rushed off to find Theodore, for he would be standing with him at the altar. Diana, however, took the girls inside and found them their seats, as she was then due to join Evelyn and wish her luck before things got underway.

Before she had the chance, however, her mother appeared before her.

“Diana,” she said politely. “You look lovely.”

“Mother,” Diana said with equal politeness. “I was hoping you would be here today.”

“Oh?”

“Come now,” Diana chuckled. “I know how much this means to you. After my sisters and then me, this right here is surely your crowning achievement?”

Her mother shook her head. “For once, I don’t think it is right for me to claim the honors of this particular union. I’m just happy that Evelyn found someone who cares for her.”

If her mother had said those words six months ago, Diana might not have believed her – her mother had never cared for such things. But these last six months had seen a change in the woman which Diana could not help but note. She had grown softer, it seemed. Not quite so antagonistic. Perhaps it was old age getting to her? Or perhaps it was a realization that her work was finally done, that she could relax, and that being on good terms with her daughters was more important than social contrivances and caring what others thought.

“I need to find Evelyn,” Diana said. “But...” She smiled, reached out, and touched her mother on the arm. “Will you be joining us after? For the breakfast?”

“I wasn’t sure if I was invited.”

“Mother...” Diana smiled. “Of course you are. After all you have done,” she added with a wink.

Her mother shook her head but smiled too. “I would not miss it. Now go, no doubt Evelyn is in a panic.” She looked past Diana at the two girls. “I will keep an eye on them. And I promise to be nice.”

“You? Nice? Impossible,” Diana teased.

She made sure to tell the girls to behave, and then she ducked through the chapel toward the back rooms where she found Evelyn tucked away, double checking her dress and hair and make-up before the ceremony was set to start.

“There you are!” Evelyn cried the second Diana stepped into the room. “Where have you been!”

Diana hurried across the room. “Sorry I am late, Magnus was --”

“My hair, how does it look! My dress, is it too frumpy? My make-up? Does it match!” She grabbed Diana by the arms and dragged her toward the mirror. “Everything needs to be perfect, Diana!”

“Evelyn, you really need to calm down --”

“How can I possibly be calm? What if I walk out there looking a fright and Lord Northwood takes one look at me and changes his mind? What then? What then!”

Diana looked flatly at her friend. “Do you really think that will happen?”

“It might!”

“Well, then I guess he isn’t the one for you.”

“Diana! Do not say such things!”

“I will say them.” She nodded rightly. “I will say them because I know there is no chance of that happening. The man loves you, Evelyn. Anyone with two eyes can see that. Why, you could walk out there dressed in a sack and he would be smitten. You know it as well as I do.”

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