Ash looked at his brother.
“I’m not worthy of this, but I will take it with both hands and never let go.”
Gus faced him, eyes dark and intent.
“Who then is more worthy than you? A man who is loyal to his family. A man who helped save a village and loves my wife’s twin with a fierceness that she will never be without. A brother whom I admire and love. Never think that because you were forced to survive through no fault of your own, Ash, you are unworthy. What you did and were made you stronger.”
He hugged his brother close. “I am proud of you, Gus.”
“As I am of you, Ash. Now let’s go and marry you to your love.”
…
Ash stood in the small church with Gus and Baron. Guests filled the pews, and Mrs. Radcliff sat in the second row, smiling at him proudly. He’d hugged her when she arrived and told her she looked lovely in her putrid yellow dress and bright green velvet bonnet covered in flowers.
“We are investing in the railroad next.”
“Pardon?” Ash looked at Baron. Shoulders back, face calm, he was dressed the same as the brothers in deep gray trousers, gray-and-black-striped waistcoat, and black jacket.
“I spoke with Benjamin Hetherington. He convinced me.”
“And we are discussing this now, when I’m about to be married?”
“You are nervous. It will help you calm down,” Baron said.
Gus snorted and then said, “I agree, actually. I have already started investing with Ben. It is a sound move, Ash.”
Baron still needed to be on the sea, so occasionally he took theFreedomto France or Italy, filled with supplies that clients had ordered, while Ash stayed in London.
Ash had been swept into the family businesses and was investing and buying property along with the others. Gus had also lured him to teach a class on Roman mythology once a week, which he loved.
He listened with one ear as Baron and Gus discussed Benjamin Hetherington’s business offer while he watched the church door for Dorrie.
He was still not entirely comfortable with what she and her siblings did in their investigative business but knew there was little he could do about it. His love for his future wife had grown into a powerful thing. She was, simply put, vital to his existence. He thought of her as the light to his dark. She was healing him.
He still carried demons from his past. Memories that she was slowly replacing with new ones. She had boundless energy and thirst for knowledge and an endless supply of love and patience for her family, and she was his.
Tomorrow he would wake up with her in his arms. The thought had him smiling. Mrs. Radcliff smiled back.
Warwick appeared in the doorway and nodded to Emily Brunt, who was seated at the piano. She was unrecognizable from the sad and bruised timid woman he’d met months before. Her husband was locked away and would never be released. She had actually smiled at him when he’d greeted her. Dorrie had told him she was living alone and happy to be so. The village had gathered around her and tidied the inside of her house and fitted it with new furniture. The Sinclair and Raven families made sure she had enough money to live. She had yet to stop thanking them.
“And here she comes.” Gus nudged Ash in the ribs.
He found Isabella, Hannah, Claire, Beth, Fleur, and Daisy inside the door, all dressed in pink with flowers in their hair. Before the older girls were Merry and Katherine, also in pink, holding small baskets.
“I wager that Merry will hit Katherine over the head with her basket before they reach us,” Gus whispered.
“I’ll take that bet, as I’m fairly sure it will be Katherine.”
He watched the little girls start walking, then lock eyes on him, Gus, and Baron. Seconds later they were running, flowers going everywhere.
“Walk!” Lilly and James bellowed at the same time from their positions in the front pews either side of the aisle.
The girls slowed, and the guests sighed as they joined hands and smiled angelically—a façade, as the family assembled knew.
When Dorrie moved through the door, he lost the ability to breathe.
“Inhale, then exhale,” Gus whispered. “She is stunning, brother.”
