“You’d die trying.” Gray felt the smile fill his face. She was going to be his. His love, his soul mate. His life.
She reached his side, and from that moment, everything was a blur. He was happy, and he hadn’t even realized he wasn’t before. But the feeling of joy filled him and never left as the day progressed.
After the service, they moved out to the street, where tables were set up and a trestle that held a banquet of food fit for a queen. To Gray’s surprise, his mother and brother stayed and sat down with the Nightingales.
“If I may have your attention.” Bram rose, tapping his glass until everyone fell silent.
Gray sat beside his wife.His wife.Her soft weight rested against him as she turned to look at her uncle, and he put his arm on the back of her chair, pulling her closer.
His wife.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate the union of Gray and Ellen. My niece is to Ivy and me our daughter, as the others are our children. The man who eventually captured her heart was going to be strong, determined, and someone we would be proud to welcome into our family. Gray is that and more. I’m not sure he is ready for us, but we are ready to embrace him.”
Everyone laughed, and Gray swallowed down more tears.
“Hardship often has us changing direction, but it also has us finding what we never knew we needed. To my family, I raise my glass and acknowledge your strength and courage. Your aunt and I love you all very much. Now, before I start crying, I would ask you all to stand with me and celebrate the newly married couple.
“To Gray and Ellen, we wish you every happiness!”
They ate and then danced in the streets.
“I thought my family was odd,” Gray heard the Duke of Raven say as he danced by with his duchess. “But I think these Nightingales and Crabbett Close residents run a close second. I find I like them all very much.”
“Do you think we should start street parties like this one?” Cambridge Sinclair asked.
Not surprisingly, every member of his family ignored him.
CHAPTERFORTY
“Come here, Mrs. Fletcher,” Gray said when they reached the front door of the home they would share, having slipped away from the wedding reception.
He’d left Ramsey deep in conversation with Nancy over the recipes for sugarplums, and Alex had been attempting to hide from Tabitha Varney.
Grabbing Ellen’s wrist, he tugged her close, then swung her up into his arms. She opened the door, and he walked inside before closing it with the heel of his boot.
“Where are your staff?”
“I gave them the night off because I wanted to be alone with you, Mrs. Fletcher.” Gray was sure he’d never tire of calling her that.
He walked to the stairs and up.
“Put me down!” Ellen gasped.
“No.” Reaching his room, he juggled her in his arms, then opened the door. His staff had lit candles, and a tray was on a cabinet full of food and glasses of champagne. The bedcovers were drawn down.
“Oh, this is lovely.”
“What can I say, I’m a romantic,” Gray said, lowering her down his body.
She giggled as she walked around the room, examining every inch.
Ellen still wore her wedding dress as she said if she was only wearing it for one day, she wanted to make the most of it. Gray stood where he was and watched her.
Everything about this woman touched something inside him. Her movements were graceful, her smile infectious. He’d found his eyes on her constantly today. She’d talked to everyone in the same friendly manner. His mother or Mrs. Greedy, it didn’t matter to Ellen.
“I like your home, Gray.”
“Your home.” He grabbed her as she passed. “Don’t be nervous, my love.”
