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“I hope one day they might be my family too. I believe I would rather enjoy having seven brothers.”

Hereyes grew impossibly round, and her pretty mouth parted.

“Owen?” Uncertainty flickered across Althelia’s face, and she licked her lower lip. “Are you saying you want to…marry me?”

“Yes, my dearest love.” He brushed a finger across her lips, reverent and adoring.

“I want to marry you, Althelia, above all else. I love you. I adore you. I know it’s too soon, but we can wait as long as you need to, if you’ll have a by-blow clod such as me. I’ll never be refined or handsome or possess a sunny disposition. ButI vow to cherish you every minute of every day for as long as I live, and when I shake off this mortal coil, my soul shall yearn for yours until we meet again.”

Tearsshimmered in her eyes.

“Oh, Owen. It’snot too soon. I love you too. Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”

They’dreached the ballroom’s open doors.

Likely, every Westbrook peered out the opening, but Owen didn’t care.

Hegathered Althelia into his arms and sealed their troth with a kiss so scorching, it threatened to melt the nearly one foot of snow.

AsOwen savored her kisses, the dowager’s raspy voice, filled with mirth and joy, carried into the crisp December night.

“We were right, Eva. It seems we’ve another wedding to plan.”

“Hurry up, you two.” Leonidas’s amused voice shattered the romantic moment. “We have a tree to decorate.”