Page 101 of Duchess By Accident
“Let’s go home.” Natalie murmured.
“Your wish is my command.” He swept her into his arms, and carried her towards the castle. “But only once you are warm and dry.”
“I suppose I can wait.” Natalie smiled. “For you.”
“I love you.” He kissed her again.
“I know.” She laughed, and buried her face in his neck. “I love you too.”
The sound of his laughter filled the air, his chest vibrating with the sound as she leaned against him. The rain stopped. She was home.
Epilogue
“No, do not even think about it. No!” Adrian’s yell filled the hall. “Do not do it! No!”
Natalie turned in the direction of her husband’s yell, a frown on her face. She glanced at herself in the mirror, and adjusted an earring before she turned to her sister Olivia, who was holding her newest baby in her arms.
Marie was there with her youngest child, her husband Rodger at her side. They were also looking in the direction of the yelling.
“I suppose I should go and see what trouble my husband has gotten himself into.” She stood and walked towards the door. “Would you and Marie mind checking on the boys and making sure everyone is ready. I know the nannies are with them, but when the nephews are all out in force…”
“Oh trust me little sister, I know just what a handful they are.” Marie laughed and pulled her husband with her. “I may see if I can recruit Blake and Jane to wrangle them all as well.”
“That is an excellent idea.” Natalie nodded. “They will all need to be at the church in an hour.”
“And you need to be there in half an hour.” Olivia gestured to the door. “After all, you are Peter’s best man.”
“His best woman, you mean.” Natalie laughed.
“Exactly. And he will need you to calm his nerves. I am told that grooms regularly fall to pieces on their wedding day.” Olivia glanced at her husband, Nigel, who had just popped his head through the open door.
“It is true. Especially if they are marrying someone as wonderful as you, my darling.” Nigel winked at his wife. “I have been sent to inform you that Daphne cannot find her favourite necklace, Marigold does not like her dress and –”
Natalie watched as her sister cut her husband off with a sigh. “I am sure there is a whole host of problems the girls are facing. And if I listen to you tell me them we will be here all day and nothing will be done about them.”
“Stop that at once!” Adrian yelled again, jerking Natalie back into action.
Olivia made a shooing motion, and Natalie raced in the direction of her husband’s yells. As she emerged into the hall of Emberly castle, she was met with a scene of utter chaos and farce.
A black spaniel puppy hurtled towards her, proudly holding a top hat in its mouth. Adrian dove for the puppy, but it avoided him, its whole body wriggling with excitement.
Natalie took advantage of the puppy’s distraction, and hastily scooped it into her arms. She held it away from her as it dropped the hat and tried to lick her face excitedly.
“Sooty, what exactly are you doing here?” Natalie asked while Adrian pulled himself off the floor, scowling at the small creature.
“Being a nuisance. Your daughter –”
“- my daughter?” Natalie teased.
“She is your daughter when she is in trouble.” Adrian shook his head, some of the frustration ebbing from his face as he looked at the wriggling puppy in her arms.
“I see.” Natalie handed Adrian the spaniel and carefully placed his top hat in his free hand. “And what exactly did our daughter do?”
“She wanted Stormy to be a flower dog.” Adrian sighed. “And I had to explain that he simply could not. And as if he wished to illustrate my point, he stole my hat and fled the scene.”
Natalie giggled. Adrian shook his head. “Between you, Melody and the dog, I shall never know a moment’s peace.”
“And you love it.” Natalie reached up to him, carefully adjusting his collar and cravat.
