Page 66 of The Duke of Scandal

“I hated him,” Olivia told him. “He was a cruel and thoughtless man who thought only of an heir that he never got from me. I have only ever loved one man. My father paid him to leave me alone. He was forced to the Americas. My one chance at happiness, gone because of a man who thought more of duty to family, than of love. I would not see the same happen to my daughter.”

Edward looked at Rebecca, as though seeing her for the first time. Then at Lucius.

“I thought you a scoundrel, chasing after Rebecca’s inheritance. But, you are a good man. A brave one. I am not sure about you but…”

Edward looked at Harriet who smiled encouragingly.

“I am willing to take the time to get to know you. I myself have fallen in love with a woman whose social rank is inferior to mine. I once thought that would be the greatest sin I could commit. Now, I would fight any man who dares say that Harriet is inferior to me.”

“And I would fight any man who tells me he is my superior,” Lucius said fiercely. “Though I do not expect a Duke to agree.”

“No. I do not,” Edward said, face hardening.

Again, he looked at Harriet and the steel in his eyes softened. “But, I am willing to talk. You have earned that and more. We will talk and we will see what common ground exists between us.”

Edward put out a hand. Lucius grasped it without hesitating. He grinned boyishly and Harriet caught the faint hint of a smile from Edward in return. Olivia launched herself past them to hug Rebecca, breaking down into uncontrollable sobs. Harriet felt tears prick at her own eyes. The rifts were far from healed, but that journey was now well underway. Rebecca would need time to understand why she had grown up without her true mother. Edward would need time to accept his sister’s marriage. Simon would need time to find someone to replace Harriet in his heart.

And Harriet? She had her Duke. Her mother’s crazy plan had actually worked out for the best. She and Edward had been through storms together. They had overcome the prejudices that society had bred into them, seeing past its expectations of how men and women of gentle birth behaved. They had learned to see each other, not as two people of unequal rank, but two halves of the same heart. It had been a romantic adventure for her, the exotic Duke, a far-fetched dream that she could never realize. Then the illicit lover. Then the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

The last step in that journey had been the moment he got to his knees and asked for her hand. Now Rebecca was found, Edward was beginning to learn to love his new brother. Or at least to see him as the good man he was. He was speaking to Rebecca and Olivia now, one arm around each of them, talking earnestly. His head came up and he saw Harriet watching. A smile passed between them. Then, just as she thought he was going to cross the room to her side, he walked to Lucius. The two men stood for a long moment, heads together. Then Lucius nodded gravely and they shook hands.

Finally, Edward came to Harriet. He pulled the blanket around her shoulders more tightly, smoothing her wet hair from her face and kissing her. Harriet smiled into the kiss, savoring his taste and warmth. When he broke away, she was breathless. Over his shoulder, she could see her mother smiling fondly and fanning herself vigorously. Olivia and Rebecca stood arm in arm, watching Edward with their own smiles of familial affection.

“I noticed a rather nice church in Grindley when he passed through there. It is not as grand as the chapel at Wrexham but it is much closer. Rebecca is willing to act as your maid of honor. Lucius has agreed to give you away.”

It took Harriet a moment to comprehend what he was saying.

“I always said that I would look to my own marriage when I had secured Rebecca’s future. Well, she has begun that process without me it seems. She is married. Now, I must look to my own happiness. Our own happiness. I will speak to the vicar this evening and we can be married by…tomorrow?”

Harriet almost knocked him off his feet as she threw herself at him. He hugged her and picked her up, off her feet, spinning her in his arms. A grand adventure indeed. And a happy ending for all.

The End?

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

Do you want to readHarriet and Edward’s happy ending? Thenclick hereor use this link:https://grovechronicles.com/duke-scandal-extended-epilogue-pageto read an enchanting, short story with the two of them!

ALSO BY TESSA BROOKMAN

Thank you for readingThe Duke of Scandal!

If you liked it, I would highly appreciate if you couldclick here to leave a review. It means everything to me and this way, I can know what you liked and didn’t like so I can write better stories. For you.

And thank you for being part of this exciting journey.

Also by Tessa Brookman

Seductive Wallflowers Series:

The Duke and the Spoiled Wallflower

A Virgin for the Beastly Duke

Lost Dukes of London Series:

The Lost Duke and his Staggering Duchess

The Dukes of Danger Series

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