Page 12 of Best Duke Ever

At her words he picked her up and dropped to his knees.“Lenora, are you sure?”

“As nice as this performance is, I think I’ll just take my leave now—”

“You had better,” Edward said gruffly without giving Gabriel a passing glance.

“And if you see my cousin, Mirabelle, please tell her I’m fine.I’ll be out soon.”

Gabriel nodded awkwardly and exited the room.

“Edward,” she said, rubbing her head into his neck.“I love you.I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.”

“Perhaps I didn’t let you.”

“Or perhaps I’m a fool.”

“You’re no fool, Lenora.”

“Only a fool for you, Edward.”

“I love you Lenora.Please, say you’ll be mine.”

“Forever.”She kissed him.“And ever and ever.”

Epilogue

“Ican’tbelieveyoueloped and got married without me.”Edward stood beside Lenora, who had her fists on her hips, while she tapped her foot on the front steps outside her country house.

“Is that really how you’re going to greet your eldest and dearest sister?”Seraphina flashed a cajoling yet authoritative smile, as only an older sibling can do.

“Now, now, Lenora.Put your claws away.We talked about this and decided that Seraphina must have had good reason to leave usallin the dark.”Mirabelle cradled one of the barn cats and scratched him behind his ears.

“I’m not a child,” Lenora whispered loudly into Edward’s ear.

“I know, my love.Let’s just hear what she has to say.”And he put his hand on the small of her back to ease the tension he knew was there.

“What’s this?”Seraphina gestured to the closeness between them.

“I guess we all have secrets, don’t we?”Lenora pushed her lips out.And didn’t Edward just want to wrap his mouth around hers—but no.Now was not the time.

“I can attest to us all having secrets.”Sebastian’s deep male voice rang out as he rounded the carriage.“Which secrets are being shared as we speak?”

“Look at my little sister and her…”

“Betrothed.”Lenora filled in with pride, and Edward couldn’t stop the grin from breaking out on his face.

“Lenora!”Seraphina gasped.“This is wonderful news.”As she raced up to her sister, Edward beamed with happiness for his love.

“Congratulations, Edward.”Sebastian clasped one hand around his and clapped him on the shoulder.“Well done, man.You couldn’t be marrying into a better family.”

“I know.”Normally he might have just humbly accepted the congratulations, but there really was no competing with his pride at the moment.“She’s the best, isn’t she?”

“I might argue you on that one, but I’ll let you have your moment,” Sebastian laughed.

“Yes.Well, shall we go inside for tea?”Mirabelle offered.

“Where’s father?”Edward watched as Seraphina’s eyes glanced around almost as if she expected him to pop up out of nowhere.

“He’s decided to travel for the foreseeable future,” Lenora answered.“After you left, his grief almost turned to numbness.”She slipped her hands around his arm and continued, “Then Edward came into the picture and father took off, thinking he’d be alone soon.He has some grieving to do.Fortunately, we have the best cousin in the world.”She grabbed Mirabelle on the other side of her.“She’s been my chaperone while I waited for your return.”

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