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When the vicar finally pronounced them husband and wife, James leaned toward her and kissed her gently. The church erupted into applause, and Olivia laughed against his lips before pulling back to look at the faces of her family.

She had spent so much of her life believing that she was the sister who did not quite fit, the daughter who was too difficult, too reckless, too much. Yet here they were, all gathered to witness her happiness.

James slipped an arm around her waist as they turned toward the congregation, and Olivia leaned against him.

"Are you happy?" he whispered.

She looked up at him, unable to stop smiling. "More than I have ever been." He kissed her temple and held her close.

The wedding breakfast at Delves London House was everything Olivia could have wished for, and yet it felt almost dreamlike as she entered the long dining room with James beside her.

The chamber had been transformed for the occasion, its tall windows dressed with ivory silk curtains and garlands of fresh greenery woven through the gilt sconces and carved moldings. White roses, pale pink carnations, and sprays of delicate greenery filled silver urns along the center of the table, while fine porcelain, polished silver, and crystal glasses glittered beneath the candlelight. The long table was covered in crisp white linen and decorated with small arrangements of flowers.

Olivia looked around at the laughter, the flowers and the people she loved, and thought that perhaps happiness did not need to be grand to be complete.

James seemed determined to remind her that she was no longer merely his duchess but his wife. Every time they found themselves briefly alone, he managed to steal a touch.

When Olivia passed behind his chair, his fingers caught hers for a moment, when she reached for a glass, his hand settled lightly against her waist, and when the conversation became particularly lively, he leaned toward her simply to murmur something intended only for her.

At one point Olivia glanced around the table before whispering, "You are becoming terribly bold, Your Grace."

James's eyes gleamed with amusement as he took a sip of wine. "I have been married to you properly for several hours," he replied quietly. "I believe I have earned the right."

Olivia fought a smile. "Several hours?" she whispered. "Then I fear you have become impatient."

His mouth curved. "I have been patient for considerably longer than several hours. Which was no easy feat with how beautiful you are."

Heat rushed into Olivia's cheeks, and she quickly turned her attention toward Bethany, who was watching them with an unmistakably knowing smile.

"Do not look at me like that," Olivia warned, trying to appear dignified.

Bethany laughed. "I have said nothing."

"You did not need to," Olivia replied, and James chuckled beside her.

Olivia could scarcely believe how easily he teased her now. The guarded man who had once seemed determined to keep every emotion locked away had become playful when they were together, and each little gesture made her heart swell with gratitude.

Later, when the guests had moved into the drawing room, James found Olivia standing beside one of the tall windows overlooking the garden. He came to her side and slipped his hand into hers.

"There is something I wanted to ask you," he said, his expression becoming more thoughtful.

Olivia looked up at him. "What is it?"

James hesitated before speaking. "Your parents."

Olivia's smile faded slightly, though she did not pull her hand away.

"Would you ever wish to reconnect with them?" he asked.

Olivia stared through the window for a moment, thinking of her mother's cold words and her father's silence. For years, she had imagined that cutting them from her life would be the only way to protect herself, but she no longer felt the same desperate need to prove that she could survive without them.

"If they came back unchanged, then no," she said quietly. "I cannot return to being the girl who had to earn her mother's affection."

James squeezed her hand. Olivia turned toward him and continued, "But if they showed genuine remorse, and if they truly changed this time, I would be willing to welcome them back into my life."

James nodded, his expression gentle. "Then that is what we shall do. Whatever makes you happy."

Olivia's heart warmed at the simplicity of his answer. He was not telling her what she should forgive or whom she should love, he was simply promising to stand beside her whatever she chose.