Julia looked her brother in the eye. “I’ve never been more certain.”
Bromton chuckled. “You never stopped being certain of Rayne, did you?”
Julia smiled slyly. “And he thought a little ocean could keep us apart.”
The sound of a door opening echoed up from the hall. A servant announced Clarissa and Rayne.
Katherine smiled reassuringly. “I guess Rayne wasn’t so eager to be rid of you after all.”
Julia collapsed back into her sister’s arms with relief.
Hoping love would prevail was one thing, but knowing Rayne had finally chosen her, that was the real miracle.
…
Unlike Clarissa, Rayne had been shown not into the family area, but to Bromton’s study. He followed without protest, strangely confident.
He and the butler reached the door together. He stayed the butler with a hand to his arm.
“I’ll alert Bromton, Bartley.”
If he was to repair the rift between himself and Bromton, he would do so on his own terms—not as a wayward youth, summoned for a scolding, but as a brother-in-law and equal.
Bartley inclined his head and withdrew.
Rayne rapped on the door with the back of his knuckle. “Bromton?”
Bromton opened the door. And, for the first time since Bromton had landed his punch almost two years ago, Rayne was alone in a room with the man who had once been mentor, brother, and friend.
“Join me?” Bromton lifted a decanter.
“I’d like that.”
Bromton’s study hadn’t materially changed—same desk, same sconces, same curtains. Yet Rayne sensed a distinct difference in detail.
Bromton had kept this room pristine and ordered at all times, but the room was now powdered with signs of life. Glasses sat askew next to a pile of papers. A book had been left out, open. And what looked like a child’s carved boat rested on the edge of the blotter.
Much the same could be said of the marquess himself—Bromton’s vigor and presence remained but with softened edges.
“You’ve come for your wife, I presume.”
“I’m not what you wanted for her; I know.” Rayne rubbed his temple. “I’m not whatIwanted for her.”
“I believe you.” Bromton’s mouth quirked. “She’s…hard to resist once she’s made up her mind.”
Rayne’s heartbeat slowed. “Hasshe made up her mind?”
“Yes. In your favor, of course. Irrevocably.”
Rayne closed his eyes. He’d been almost certain. Then again,hewouldn’t have taken kindly to being told to leave. But she was better than he was that way.
He vowed to be better, too.
“You’re wrong, you know,” Bromton said. “I never thought you were unworthy of Julia.”
Rayne lifted a brow. “You quite clearly stated that if I ever so much as—”
“She was young, inexperienced, and you…well, to be honest, I didn’t believe you were sincerely interested—or thinking clearly, for that matter. I was furious.”
