“Rosalind,” Evelyn chastised. “Don’t be a sore loser.”
“Sore loser?” I asked, looking between the two of them.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Rosie said to Birdie and me. “I’m super happy that you guys are together. I’ve wanted an older sister more than anything. I just needed you guys to hold out getting together until after Oliver’s coronation.”
“Well, they didn’t, and that means you owe me, little lady.” Evelyn winked.
“Oh my God. You two are the worst,” I rolled my eyes, not meaning a word of it.
Birdie threw her head back with a hearty laugh. “Sorry, Rosie, the heart wants what it wants, when it wants. I’m sure you’ll understand one day when you get older.”
“Yeah, right. I’m never falling in love.” Rosie made a face of disgust.
Preston appeared in the doorway, quietly approaching Isobel and leaning down to speak in her ear. A smile lit her face as she nodded. Preston straightened and disappeared again.
Isobel stood. “If I may have your attention,” she began, and we all quieted. “I was hopeful that we would have another guest joining us this evening, and I have just been informed that he has arrived.”
From down the table, I heard Freya gasp and Belle and Sadie collectively shout, “Daddy!” as a tall man with thick black hair wearing a military dress uniform entered the room.
The girls shot up from the table, running to their father, who leaned down to capture them in his arms. Freya stood, her shaking hand over her mouth, looking from her husband to Isobel with wonder and inquiry in her eyes. “How…”
Isobel crossed to Freya, taking her hand and guiding her toward Dante. “After I saw you at the donation drive, I put in some inquiries and discovered that Dante’s mission was likely to wrap up this week. Leroy and I decided to do what we could to help their team get home in time to celebrate Christmas with their families.”
Tears were now streaming down Freya’s face, and at my side I could hear Birdie sniffling as well. I clasped her hand, swallowing back my own emotions as Freya now rushed into her husband’s waiting arms, their family of four grasped in a group hug.
There was barely a dry eye in the room as Dante looked over his family’s heads at Leroy and Isobel. “Thank you, Your Majesties. For myself, and on behalf of my men and women and our families; your kindness will not be forgotten.”
After everyone settled back in—a place setting appearing for Dante between his wife and daughters—and finished dinner, Isobel ushered us into the ballroom and announced that there would be music, dessert, and drinks. I sent Eugene back to the cottage with one of the butlers, then sat with Birdie as we ate our servings of crème brûlée and watched Leroy and Isobel kick off the dancing to their favorite Christmas song, “The Christmas Waltz.” As I stirred a little sugar into my coffee, I felt the chair beside me pull out.
“May I sit here?” Vince asked.
“Of course,” I answered.
“Vince! Hi!” Birdie said, her tone nervous.
I hadn’t seen Vince since the night of the party at Lexington Manor, and I hadn’t responded to any of his text messages. He had been very adamant that I was the reason Birdie had left and he wasn’t short on his feelings about it. I wasn’t sure how he would feel about Birdie and I being together, and I was worried that I might lose one of my closest friends.
“I owe you both an apology,” he started.
“What? No. I need to apologize to you,” Birdie said.
“No, you don’t. I wasn’t there for you, Bee. I was solely focused on myself and my family and not on what you truly wanted, and I’m sorry.”
“Vince, I left without even talking to you and that was awful, especially after everything you and Bronson did for me.I’msorry.”
“Thank you. Can we put this behind us?” he asked her.
“Of course.” She pulled him into a hug before he turned to me, worry lining his forehead.
“Knox, I’m so sorry for accusing you of doing something to Birdie and for questioning you. I know the kind of man you are. I should have known that you wouldn’t have acted on any feelings toward Birdie unless they were the real deal. Again, I was too focused on myself to even consider that you were hurting or upset. I’m sorry, mate.”
“It’s okay. I get that you were upset and looking out for Oliver.”
“So, we’re good?”
“Yeah, man.” I slapped him on the shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.
“So, this?” He gestured between the both of us.
