Page 80 of A Widow for the Earl

“Apologies, coming through,” Julianna’s loud voice severed the awkward silence, as she pushed past, putting herself between Beatrice and her parents. She flashed a smile at Henry and Unity. “Excuse me, but I must borrow my son and my daughter-in-law for a moment.”

Without another word, Julianna grabbed the newlyweds by the hands and pulled them into the house, leaving Beatrice’s parents to mutter things to one another. The beginnings of a quarrel, no doubt.

“What did you need us for?” Vincent asked, as Julianna brought them to a halt outside the drawing room door.

“Oh, nothing, I just could not bear to watch them speak to my dear Beatrice like that,” Julianna replied, shoving them into the drawing room. “Now, you two stay in here for… ten minutes, while I add the finishing touches to the dining table. I forgot the ribbons! I cannot let you see the room until I have arranged the ribbons!”

She hurried off, closing the drawing room door behind her. Although, Beatrice heard her cries of “Ribbons! The wretched ribbons!” long after she had departed.

“I think they are leaving,” Vincent said, walking to the window.

Beatrice joined him, slipping her arms around his waist as she leaned into him. “I think that is for the best.” She glanced up at him. “Promise me that we will never end up like them. Two people who can barely stand one another.”

He chuckled, lifting his hand to cradle her cheek. “We did that part first, so I do believe there is nothing but joy and utter contentment in our future.”

“I had not thought of it like that,” she said, laughing softly.

“And now?” he asked, brushing his thumb across her cheek.

“Now, I love you so very, very much.”

He dipped his head. “Now, I loveyouso very, very much.”

She smiled against his lips as he kissed her, neither of them caring that some guests might still be arriving and might see them through the window. She did not care if the whole world knew how much they loved one another. Indeed, shehopedthey knew. She hoped the world could see it on their faces, whenever they were together.

As the sound of “Where are those ribbons! They must be somewhere!” echoed down the corridor outside, the happy couple broke their long, lingering kiss and smiled at each other.

“You get used to her,” Vincent said, laughing.

“I adore her,” Beatrice assured, looping her arms around his neck.

They swayed together as if in a dance, gazing at one another.

“Of course, it will be twice as loud once Prudence returns,” Vincent warned. “I had hoped she would come back for thewedding, but it seems she rather likes the north. Either that or she is punishing me.”

Beatrice gently stroked the silky curls at the back of his neck. “It is undoubtedly the former. In her letters to me, she could not speak highly enough of her aunt and where she is, and the events she has attended.” She paused. “If you like, I could escort her through the London Season.”

“Next year,” he said, to her surprise. “I have other plans for the rest of this year, until the spring.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Plans? What sort of plans?”

“That is for me to know and you to find out,” he murmured with a smile, as he leaned in to kiss her once more. “All I shall tell you is that I have no work to do for several months, and I have something of a desire to do what I have never done before.”

She raised her other eyebrow, giving a low whistle. “So uncouth.”

“That is not what I meant!” he rushed to reply, laughing. “I have a desire to travel, my love. With you. An extended honeymoon, if you have no objection?”

She raised up on tiptoe, pulling his head toward her as she whispered, “No objection at all,” and kissed him softly on the lips. Indeed, she could think of nothing more wonderful.

Just then, the door flew open.

“We are ready for you now!” Julianna cried. “I found the ribbons.”

Breaking the kiss, Vincent slid Beatrice’s arm through his and cast her a pointed look. “All those months away from here,” he whispered. “I can hardly wait.”

“Nor can I,” Beatrice whispered back, for she had been ready since their first kiss in her theater to begin their life together.

Whether that was at Grayling House or Wycliffe Manor or somewhere else entirely, she did not care, so long as she was with him. For wherever he was, was her home: the one place she would always belong, at long last.

The End?