Caroline drew me into a hug. “I am so happy for you.”
“What is this?” I said, pulling back and looking at Clifton.
His smile was tender. “It’s our wedding breakfast. We never had one, and Caroline insisted.”
The thoughtful gesture was so unexpected, tears stung my eyes. Clifton’s behavior earlier made sense now. He’d known all along.
“It’s also a birthday celebration,” Caroline said. “Your husband said on the day the two of you eloped, it was your birthday.” She pushed at my shoulder lightly. “You never mentioned it was almost your birthday.”
I felt a little abashed. “I didn’t see the point. It wasn’t as though I was going to have a celebration.”
Clifton was grinning now. “You got me as a gift.”
Everyone broke out into laughter.
One by one, they came forward to wish us a long and happy life. The last was Rexford, who held out a small black velvet box.
“I love this part,” I heard Victoria whispering to Caroline.
Curious as to what could be inside, I took the box and opened it carefully. I was so overwhelmed with emotion, my hands had started to shake.
I stared at the contents in disbelief. Nestled inside a bed of black satin was a gold medallion. I knew exactly what it was since I’d spotted a similar one prominently displayed in my husband’s study.
“Is this actually…” I looked up at Rexford. “This can’t be for me.”
He took my hand and bowed over it. “Welcome to the Legends.”
I was crying now. Looking around at everyone who’d gathered here to show me I was welcome in their tightly knit group, understanding hit me square in the chest. This wonderful group of men and women were my family now. There had been a small hole in my heart that I hadn’t known existed until that moment. Clifton had filled much of it, but a small corner was still mourning the fact that after learning about my aunt’s betrayal, I no longer had a family.
I’d been wrong.
Victoria hugged me, and Caroline threw her arms around the two of us.
“Welcome to the Legendary Wives of the Ton,” Victoria said.
The three of us burst into laughter.
“Three Legends have found love,” Caroline said. “Who could have imagined it?”
Her statement hit me like a blow to the belly.
“No,” I said, careful not to look at my husband. “It’s not like that at all. What Clifton and I have is a practical arrangement.”
My eyes began to sting again, and I closed them tightly, willing the tears not to fall.
“Diana.”
I took a deep breath and turned to look at my husband. He stood in front of a window, and light shone around him like a halo. It occurred to me then that he was like the sun and I would be content to spend my life basking in the glow of his regard. It would have to be enough.
He closed the distance between us and took both of my hands in his.
“Caroline is correct. Three Legends have found love.”
I stood there, speechless for a moment. Surely I’d misconstrued what he was saying.
He cupped my face between his hands. “I’ve fallen in love with you. And if I’m not mistaken…” He raised one brow.
That was all I needed. I threw myself into his arms, basking in the way he held me close. “I can’t believe this is happening,” I said, pulling back to smile at him. “Of course I love you. I didn’t dare hope you felt the same.”
