Gabe placed a hand on her spine and nudged her forward.
“D-Do you want to see the locket and birthmark?” she said, her voice high-pitched.
“No.” Louis shook his head. “You have the identical look of our mother; there is no doubt in my mind.”
It was when the tears started to fall silently down the man’s cheeks that Dimity’s shoulders softened and she stepped into his arms.
“Dear Lord, little sister, I cannot tell you how long I have wanted to do this.”
Charles watched the reunion as if carved from stone. Louis kissed his sister’s cheeks and then just looked at her face.
“Ah, Charlotte, it is my very great pleasure to meet you again after so very long. But now meet your other brother.”
She turned to stand before Charles, and the likeness between them was striking.
“Hello, Charles.”
He touched her cheek, and Gabe saw the fingers trembled.
“I’m so sorry we lost you, soeur.” The words were hoarse.
“That’s all right. We’ve found each other now.”
Gabe felt his body relax as Charles Saint-Bonnard gently folded his sister into his arms and wept. Slipping out the door, he found Fairfax and asked him for refreshments.
“Where did you go, Gabe?” Dimity met him upon his return.
“Just ordering some food, my love, as my brothers will join yours shortly. They will no doubt be hungry.”
“I have brothers, Gabe.”
“I know. Do you want to introduce me to them?”
She towed him forward and introduced him as Gabriel. He hid his smile; most would introduce him as the Earl of Raine, but not his sweet, unpretentious Dimity.
Their families met, and the Duchess of Yardly arrived wearing a hideous shade of puce, and soon the room was full of laughter and love. Walter and Romulus waited patiently for crumbs to be dropped.
Gabe stepped to Dimity’s side, pulling her close.
“I love you,” he whispered into her ear.
“And I love you, my pompous earl.”
In that moment, he doubted he could be happier.
* * *
