Page 73 of Haunted Hearts

“Now, wait a minute, Uncle.” Robert walked to the front of the room. “You no longer have a say in this. I am my father’s heir and also Lord of Alderwood Castle now. And I say, if the baron agrees, then the betrothal can be broken so my sister Lillith and Sir Blaze can marry.”

“Oh, thank you, Robert!” Lillith ran to her brother and hugged him. But when she looked over to Serena and saw how sad she looked, she knew this wasn’t right. “Nay. I can’t do it,” she said, standing up straight. “It wouldn’t be right.”

“What did you say, Lilly?” Blaze rushed over. “It’s all taken care of. Now we can get married. Why are you changing your mind?”

“I’m sorry, Blaze. It breaks my heart to say this, but it’s not fair to Serena,” said Lillith. “She wants to get married just as much as I do. Plus, I know she’s grown fond of you, Blaze.”

“Nay, Sister, it’s fine,” said Serena, wiping tears from her eyes. “I know how in love you two are. I don’t want to stand between you.” Her mother put her arm around her to comfort her.

“I have a solution,” said Edward.

“What is it, Baron?” asked the earl.

“Let me marry the lovely, Lady Serena.” He bowed and took Serena’s hand and kissed it.

“Really? You want to marry me?” asked Serena through her tears.

“I have had the pleasure of visiting and getting to know both the Ladies Bonnel lately, and I must say that each is just as charming. I would be honored to marry either one of them.”

“Oh, Serena, what do you say?” asked Lillith, holding her breath, hoping Serena would agree to marry the baron.

“I would be honored to marry you, Baron Bancroft.” Serena stopped crying and started smiling as she curtsied to the man.

The priest cleared his throat. “Will there still be a wedding or not, my lords?”

“Nay. There will be two weddings,” said Blaze, taking Lillith’s hand and leading her over to the priest. Serena couldn’t stop smiling as she stood next to Lillith taking her hand and standing next to Baron Edward Bancroft.

“Oh, Sister, We’re both getting married,” Serena whispered to Lillith. “This is a dream come true.”

The ceremony was quick and simple, and before Lillith realized it, she was Blaze’s wife.

“Since I didn’t know I’d be getting married today, I don’t have a ring for you yet, Lilly,” Blaze told her.

“I have this one for now.” Lillith held up the toy ring from the cake that she was still wearing.

“Let me kiss you, my wife,” said Blaze, taking her into his arms and kissing her deeply. Then he looked out to everyone in the great hall and made an announcement. “There will be a grand wedding feast to celebrate the double weddings today and everyone is invited.”

Cheers went up and the musicians started playing music while the servants hurried around to prepare a feast.

“I can’t believe it,” Blaze said, still hugging Lillith. “Everything worked out. Who would have even guessed this could happen?”

“It was in the cards,” said Minerva, congratulating them both with hugs.

“The cards?” asked Lillith. “But I had a horrible reading,” she whispered.

“The death card meant the death of an old betrothal, and the other cards showed the start of a new one,” she explained.

“And that fool card was me, going on a journey,” chuckled Blaze. “I’m just happy how it ended.”

“My father knew this would happen,” said Lillith. “He knew and he told me from the grave last night.”

“I believe you,” said Blaze, kissing her on the nose. “But let’s not talk about that anymore until the earl and baron leaves, shall we?”

“Congratulations, Lord and Lady Payne. Orvyn walked up with Milo. Orvyn was smiling from ear to ear as he shook Blaze’s hand.

“Earl Birmingham,” Blaze called out. “Can I steal Orvyn from you? I need a good stablemaster, and he has been more than I could ever ask for.”

“It’s fine with me, Payne, the earl called back, busy drinking wine and talking with Robert.