He took the chair James waved him into.
“I cannot thank you all enough for what you have done for both me and Baron.”
“You are family, it is our way to protect those of our blood,” James said.
“Thank you also for what you have done for Gus. He was alone after I left him but came here and found you all. I am grateful to you for that.”
“We just watched over him until you arrived,” Dev said.
His throat felt tight as he continued. “Your acceptance of me, even though I did not make it easy—”
“Compared to Max, Rory, and Maddie, you were a saint,” James said.
“You welcomed me into your family,” Ash continued. “I can never thank you enough for that. I was alone for so long, it took me a while to realize I no longer wanted that.”
“Welcome home, cousin,” James said softly, then hugged Ash hard.
“And you want to marry my sister, I suppose?” Devon said.
“I do.”
He spent time with the two men, talking, and then when he had said everything he needed to, he excused himself to go back to his room. He walked the hall and wondered which room was Dorrie’s. He wanted to see her, touch her, and tell her what lay in his heart. Instead he returned to his room.
Warmth from the fire hit him, but it was the woman seated before it who drew him.
“Dorrie.” Her name was a ragged sigh. She wore a nightdress, her hair loose. He dropped to his knees before her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She cupped his cheeks.
“Be my wife, Dorrie. You are already my life. You make me want to be part of this family. You make me believe in happiness and the future.”
“I knew you were going to be my Raven. It just took you a while to understand I was your Sinclair.”
He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. She was his, for tonight, tomorrow, and always.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
Ash had insisted they return to Raven Mountain to marry. He wanted Mrs. Radcliff to attend and doubted she’d come to London to do so. Six months after he’d arrived in London, he was walking the cliffs with his brother before he made his way down to the church to marry his love.
“It was very sly of Mr. and Mrs. Tudor Smythe not to tell Max that they also owned the house at the rear of their property. Not technically on our street, but Max is fixing that by creating a long drive past our house,” Gus said.
“He’s been renovating it without anyone’s knowledge. He gave me the keys last night,” Ash said.
“He is a cunning man, Max Huntington, for all he is one of the quiet ones.”
They stood, shoulders brushing, looking at the swirling seas below. Gulls swooped and cried, and its rugged beauty was breathtaking.
“Can you believe we are here and have all this, brother?” Ash said.
“Almost more happiness than is comfortable?”
“Exactly. Sometimes I wake up and forget what I now have.”
“What you will always have.”
“Aye,” Ash said. “I love her so much, it is a terrifying thing.”
“I think it is more terrifying because you were without love for so long. There is a fear that it will be taken from you.”
