Julian nodded toward the paper. “Read it.”
Daphne pulled it close with a shaking hand. “You must read it too, Rafe.”
Rafe sat back down and read over her shoulder.
My dearest sister Daphne,
I asked Julian to give this to you after you and Cavendish had finally come to your senses and decided to remain married. I would never have allowed the marriage in the first place if I hadn’t thought Cavendish the best man for you and you the best lady for him. It was obvious since I met him that you and he would suit. I know he’ll make our family proud and you two will be happy together. Not to mention produce some fine-looking children.
Daphne blushed. Rafe grinned at her.
As I’m certain you’ve guessed, it wasn’t entirely necessary for you and Cavendish to marry before you set off on the mission, but I suspected it would keep you two together long enough to realize that you were well matched. If you’re reading this, you have discerned as much. Please know you have my blessing and I can only hope Julian agrees with me. I expect he will. He’s wise, our brother. Best wishes for a happy life together, Daphne. With all my love to you and your new husband.
Yours,
Donald
Daphne’s eyes brimmed with tears. She turned her face up to her brother. “Do you, Julian? Do you agree?”
Julian gave them a wide grin. “Wholeheartedly.”
“And so do I,” Cass added with a nod.
Rafe stood again and Julian held out his hand. Rafe shook it heartily. Both men were smiling.
“But how did you get this letter, Julian?” Daphne asked. “Whendid you get it?”
“Someone from the War Office sent it over,” Julian explained. “Seems our brother had a premonition. I think he always knew he wouldn’t return from France. He knew you both well enough to know you’d capture the men who killed him and he knew you two were meant to be together.”
“I never realized how intelligent Donald was,” Lucy said, dabbing at her eyes and handing a spare handkerchief to Daphne.
“He seems like he was both intelligent and kind,” Derek added.
“He was both,” Daphne said, wiping away her tears. “I loved him so much.” She stood and hugged her brother.
Julian hugged her back. “So did I. So did I.”
Rafe and Daphne sat down again while Cass took charge of the silence. “Well, now. Enough crying. This should be a happy occasion. Donald would want as much.”
They all nodded.
“Agreed,” Julian said. “We must plan how we’ll go about making your marriage appear to have been planned all along. We’ll have a wedding for appearance’s sake.”
“And Mother’s sake,” Daphne added.
“Precisely. We’ll pretend as if the first marriage never happened,” Julian said.
“I don’t care what we do as long as we can tell everyone we’re married.” Daphne squeezed Rafe’s hand.
Rafe kissed her atop the head. “Don’t worry, darling, no one will ever pull us apart. Besides, we already—”
“Ah, ah, ah,” Julian said, putting up a hand, palm first. “Please spare me.”
Rafe gave him a devilish grin and so did Daphne. Cass giggled.
“I was only going to say that we already got permission from the War Office to use theTrue Lovefor our honeymoon. We’re sailing off,” Rafe said.
“To France?” Lucy asked.
