His mouth quirked into a shy grin. “How much longer?”
“I cannot say for sure.” She reached down, running her finger along the arm of the settee as she kept her gaze from his. “But I found myself going quite mad.”
He strode ahead, closing the gap between them in a flash and putting his hand to the back of her head. Owen did not even need to pull her closer for a kiss, for she immediately leaned into him. Their lips crashed together, and Owen’s free hand splayed across her back as the other gently slid from her hair down her neck. She threw her arms about his shoulders, standing on the tips of her toes as his mouth slid from her lips to her cheek, placing a lingering kiss there.
Owen pulled back, smiling. “I was rather hoping you would say that.”
“I can see.” She grinned up at him, his boyish smile lifting her heart as he gazed at her.
“Do you think you can manage being married to a merchant?”
Leah ran her finger over the corner of his lip where a small bit of rouge showed. “Well, that depends. Who is the man of mention?”
He threw his head back with a laugh before coming back and nuzzling her neck. “Do not tease me.”
“Is that not what we did the entirety of your visit?”
“Yes.” He sighed, his breath tickling her neck before he pulled back to look at her. “But this is so much more important than a silly prank. This is my future. Or rather, I hope, our future.” He toyed with her fingers, gently clasped in his hands.
“I think,” she began. “That a glassmaker would be the perfect occupation for my intended. Don’t you?”
Closing his eyes, Owen pressed his brow against hers. “Yes. I find that would suit me perfectly.”
“And this is not another of your tricks?”
He slowly turned his head, his brow rubbing against hers. “Not a chance.”
Epilogue
Owen. One year later.
Theyallstaredatthe table. “Jonas Thompson. That looks nothing like a stag.” Owen leaned against the table, shaking his head as he tried to rearrange the greenery.
“Must we even have animals?” Rose sat in a chair, looking on and judging their work thus far.
“It is our wedding day,” Owen continued. “Leah will be most disappointed if she comes to the table and not one animal shape is to be found.”
“I rather think she will not care,” Cecily said. She stood from her chair. “I had better go upstairs. Leah will not be pleased if I am not ready to go on time.” She glared at Owen and Jonas. “Don’t you think it best if you two do the same?”
Jonas waved her off. “I can be ready in ten minutes.”
“Ha!” Rose leaned her elbows on the table, propping herself up. “You spend ten minutes on your hair alone.”
“Come now. Give him some credit.” Owen walked over and put a hand to Jonas’ shoulder as if to defend him. “I’m sure it is much more like twenty minutes.”
Jonas pulled back with a smile, raising a fist. “Do not make me give you a black eye on your wedding day. Leah would never forgive either of us.”
Miranda rushed into the room, her eyes wide. “What are all of you doing? We leave for the church in less than an hour!”
“I am ready,” Graham said. He walked into the room with a decisive air of superiority, his chin tipped up.
“Of course you are,” Rose said with a scoff. She jumped from her seat, dashing out of the room, Cecily hurrying just behind her.
Owen’s heart warmed as he watched everyone go about their tasks. Not only would all these lovely people be his family in heart, but now they would be his legal family . . . forever.
Cecily leaned back through the doorway. “What are you waiting for? Go get ready,” she scolded before rushing back out.
“She must be talking to you,” Owen said to Jonas. “I was ready before I arrived.”
