Cora stood up on trembling legs. Ethan wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her up. “Then speak and leave, for I have no intention of enduring your company either.”
David, Harry, and Finn had stopped playing. David held Finn’s hand, and Harry stood in front of him, shielding him from Jacob with his cricket bat at the ready.
“It would be in your interest to drop your absurd request for an annulment.” Jacob didn’t spare the slightest bit of attention to David. “If you push, I’ll push back.” Without any further words, he pivoted and left. His black coat billowed behind him like a dark banner.
Cora snuggled closer to Ethan, needing his strength. “What did he mean?” she asked.
“Nothing we weren’t prepared to hear,” Ethan said.
The moment Ethanhad given Cora the ring should have been one to rejoice and commit to memory. The symbol of a new beginning for them. Roxbury had tainted it with his poison. For once, Ethan’s optimism had been shaken.
He sat in the chair in his study with Cora curled up on his lap. She hadn’t smiled once since the encounter with Roxbury, and he hated that Roxbury had robbed them of their joy.
He stroked her back and kissed the top of her head. “Whatever he unleashes against us, we’ll fight it together. We’re a family. He’s a lonely, pathetic man who doesn’t have anyone. He can’t possibly be stronger than we are.”
“I agree, but Jacob is also ruthless and cruel. We wouldn’t do certain things because we’re decent. He isn’t. He won’t have anyscruples about bribing, manipulating, or using other people to get what he wants. I don’t trust him. I’ve seen him furious, but he was beyond that. We provoked him, and he’ll lash back.”
“Let him. We’ll fight back. I’m not afraid of him.”
She rested her head on his chest. “And I’m tired of him in my life.”
“Ethan, your ladyship.” Finn barged inside, shoving the door hard enough to make it hit the wall. He nearly lost his balance on his wooden leg as he rushed to give them a folder. “It’s arrived from the court.”
He froze. Cora remained still.
“Open it,” Ethan said, holding Cora tightly.
So far, he’d been confident about their future, but he couldn’t deny a hint of concern as he watched the innocent-looking folder that might make him the happiest man in the empire.
“Why me? Oh, bother.” Finn ripped the envelope and skimmed the document. His happiness burst out. “It’s done. You won. You’ve got the annulment. You aren’t married anymore.” He waved the documents as if they were one of those flags people used to greet the queen on the street.
It took a moment for Ethan to understand he didn’t need to be worried anymore. They won. Roxbury’s cruelty had lost. Cora and David were free.
“Thank heavens.” Ethan sagged in the armchair, squeezing Cora against him. No one would take her away from him. She would be his wife. They would share their lives. He had a family.
Cora raised her fists as David would do.
Finn stuck his head out of the door and yelled, “We won. Everyone. We won.”
David rushed into the room and leapt into Ethan’s arms, climbing over his mother and making a mess of limbs, kisses, and clothes.
“Mama.”
Ethan scattered kisses on Cora’s cheeks and David’s face, laughing and shouting at the same time. His family was in his arms.
Mrs. Parker cried in her handkerchief, and Harry ran around, hooting and shooting small firecrackers in the room. One porcelain vase fell prey to Harry’s enthusiasm. Red sparks flew towards the ceiling as the loud bangs covered the noise of London’s traffic, Mrs. Parker’s protests, and Finn chasing his son.
But this time, Ethan didn’t scold him.
twenty-five
ETHAN COULDN’T THINK of a better place to celebrate their legal victory than the Royal Veterans’ Society. Finn, Harry, Lady Kingsley, her brother, and all the people who worked with him were gathered in the main hall. One large gathering of all the people he cared about. Lady Kingsley had sided with Ethan against Roxbury’s motion. The chances Roxbury could win that case were rather slim. Cora looked ecstatic. The permanent flush on her cheeks exalted her lovely freckles. David didn’t stop smiling or laughing.
Ethan lost count of how many congratulations and toasts he’d received and exchanged with his friends. The main hall of the centre had been adorned with festoons and flowers. Cakes and sandwiches competed for space on the long table. A simple feast, but the love he felt for his family was powerful.
“Is it true you’re engaged to be married, Commander?” Fraser asked.
“May I see what’s under the eye patch, Mr. Fraser?” Harry asked.
