Dressed like any other gentleman in trousers, coat, and hat, and without his livery, he looked so very different. But he rose and grinned as they approached, and there was the brother she knew and loved.
“Henry!” she cried out, rushing toward him.
Henry took her in a warm, brotherly embrace. “Sister.”
She released him, laughing with delight, shocked and pleased beyond measure at the surprise Everett had given her. “You are looking well. What are you doing here? I had no notion you were coming to London.”
Henry nodded toward Everett, who stood behind on the path, watching their reunion with a smile of his own. “His Gracebrought me here. I just arrived this afternoon at the rail station and came here at once to see you.”
“How wonderful! I’m so happy you are here. How long shall you stay?”
“For as long as he likes,” Everett said firmly. “I’ve told Henry that I am happy to help him settle into any occupation that interests him here in London. I suspect it will take some time for him to decide, and we shall be honored to have him as our guest.”
“Oh, Everett,” she breathed, overwhelmed with happiness and love.
He gave her a wry grin. “It’s the least I can do, given everything that has happened.”
“I am grateful for your generosity, Your Grace,” Henry added. “It is certainly more than I ever hoped for or expected, given the circumstance of my birth.”
“As I said, it’s the least I can do for family,” Everett told him. “Thank you for humoring me in surprising your sister.”
Henry nodded, still smiling. “Thank you both.”
Sybil squeezed his sleeve fondly. “I hope you will like it here in London. I dreamed of this day, but I hadn’t realized it would come so soon.”
“I’m beholden to you and to His Grace. This is an opportunity most men such as myself could only dream of having.”
“It is the opportunity that was denied you,” she countered, thinking of their father and his endless cruelty. “But we shall rectify that now, from this moment on.”
“We should allow you to see to the unpacking of your trunks and let you get settled into your new quarters now,” Everett said. “See that you join us for dinner. Our mothers will be overjoyed to have you at the table.”
“I’d be honored, thank you.”
With that, Henry ventured down the path, back to the town house.
He had scarcely gone when Sybil was back in Everett’s arms where she belonged, holding him tightly. “That was the loveliest surprise anyone has ever given me. Thank you, Everett. I am indebted to you.”
“Not indebted.”
“Yes, indebted. Not many husbands would allow their wife’s illegitimate sibling to live with them.”
“I don’t give a damn if he was born on the wrong side of the blanket.” He swept his hands up and down the small of her back in an adoring caress. “He’s your family, and that makes him mine too.”
“I love you.” She rose on her toes.
“And I love you,” Everett told her.
She kissed him.
Kissed him as her heart rejoiced.
Kissed him until they were both breathless, and a cold rain began to fall.
And then she kissed him some more, this husband she loved beyond measure.
How lucky she was to be his duchess. How lucky they were to be together.
EPILOGUE
