Page 82 of A Duke Reformed
Solomon pulled her into his arms, this time holding her tighter than he ever had. Her body fit perfectly against his. He closed his eyes, letting the silence stretch between them... feeling her heartbeat against his chest.
The future was within reach. A new era of happiness.
He could barely wait.
EPILOGUE
"Emma, the wedding was so beautiful," Lavinia cried, throwing herself on Emma in a lazy hug. "You looked even more beautiful."
Emma sat at her wedding breakfast, surrounded by the people she loved most in the world. The morning's ceremony still lingered in her mind. Every moment of it, so vivid, so perfect. The vows they had exchanged were more than just words. They were promises made with every uttermost sincerity.
She could hardly believe it had all come together. After everything, after the fear, the hesitation, the doubts. She had almost let it slip away.
Emma laughed, blinking away the tears that had once again started to pool in her eyes. "Thank you, Lavinia," she said, hugging her friend back. "But you have cried three times already today! Stop making me cry."
"I'm sorry," Lavinia sniffed, adjusting back into her chair. "I think it's the pregnancy. I'm all over the place. But truly, I'm so happy for you. Stubborn Emma finally gives in to love."
Emma playfully rolled her eyes at her.
"I would like to think I had something to do with it," Cecilia chimed in. "If it wasn't for me, Emma would not have met His Grace. Now, she's the Duchess of Montclaire, and she still has not thanked me."
"Hush!" Emma cautioned Cecilia, seated two seats away from Lavinia. "No one must hear that story, all right? You will take it to your grave. In a way, I'm still angry with you for what you tried to do... almost jeopardizing your future. But also... thank you. For everything."
Cecilia smiled warmly. "Now that I think about it, the three of you married dukes. You are all Duchesses. That is so amazing."
Emma and Lavinia smiled at each other. Emma wiped her eyes, laughing softly. "We've been through so much, haven't we?" she said to Lavinia. "Now look at us." Her gaze flicked to Solomon, who was standing not too far away, speaking with some of the other guests and her father.
Lavinia nudged Emma on the side and when Emma looked to her, she winked. "He's a good man. I can see it in the way he looks at you. You're safe with him."
Emma smiled, her heart swelling. "I know. I never doubted that."
Just as the words left her lips, Alice reappeared, walking toward them. "This is so beautiful, Emma," she said, taking a seat beside Lavina. "Everything about it feels perfect."
"Thank you, Alice," she answered. "Thank you both for coming."
"We wouldn't miss your wedding for the world," Alice answered. "Victor and I will be returning to Ravenmoor later today. We've decided to head back sooner than expected." She paused, clearly gathering her emotions. "But I wanted to tell you, Emma... I am proud of you. Proud of us."
Emma fought hard to keep the tears at bay. "Me too," she whispered.
You put aside your fear and chose happiness," Alice continued. "I know it hasn't been easy for you, but look at where you are now. You're marrying a man who loves you deeply and I've never seen you look as happy as you do today," Alice said. "It's fulfilling."
Emma's throat tightened, and she swallowed hard, forcing down her own emotions bubbling to the surface. "It feels right," she whispered, almost to herself. "It feels like everything I've ever wanted is here."
"I'll really miss you both," Lavinia said, her voice thick with emotion. "Let's try to see each other as often as we can. Perhaps we can attend the London Season every year, to keep in touch when we've stayed apart for too long, tending to our obligations." She smiled. "Our friendship has meant more to me than I ever realized. We cannot lose it."
Emma nodded, her heart swelling with a mixture of happiness and sadness. "I couldn't agree more. No matter where we are or what happens, we'll always have this bond."
Alice smiled warmly at Emma, gently pushing her toward the direction of Solomon. "Go on, now. It's your wedding day, Emma. Be with your husband."
Emma smiled back at her friends, feeling nostalgic so suddenly. She took a few steps forward, but then paused, glancing back at Alice and Lavinia. "Before I go... I could use some tips. For the bridal tour, I mean. I'm not entirely sure what to expect."
Alice and Lavinia exchanged a quick, knowing glance. Alice was the first to speak, and she started by shrugging her shoulders. "Well, you know...neither of us had exactly the conventional bridal tour."
Lavinia shook her head, with a teasing smile on her face. "I don't think either of us would be much help in that department, to be honest. Emma, I think you're on your own with this one."
Emma raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Really? You mean no advice at all?"
Alice and Lavinia both chuckled. "Later," they both whispered, gesturing for her to go on to meet Solomon.
