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Her husband shook his head. “You know, we managed this well enough without you here to choreograph the event.”
“Yes,” Caroline said, “but now I’m here, and I’m doing it better.”
As the guests chuckled, I took in everyone present. My soon-to-be husband, the other five Legends, Mr. Clarence, and the three women who’d moved to stand next to their husbands. All eyes were fixed on me.
“I sincerely hope you’re not expecting me to dance or perform a speech.”
When Rexford stepped forward, an air of expectation filled the room, and I found myself wanting to hold my breath. Something important was happening, but I didn’t know what.
When he stopped before me, I dipped into a curtsy. I’d already thanked him for the role he’d played in saving me and the girls, but I didn’t think I’d ever be able to repay the debt I owed him.
“Welcome to the Legends.” His voice was deep and warm, a far cry from the aloof exterior he presented to most people. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “Many aspire to this. Only a worthy few are chosen.”
He held out the box, and I took it without thinking. It looked similar to the box Greyson had given me that had contained my betrothal ring. But Rexford wouldn’t be giving me a ring.
Greyson was standing by my side now, and I looked up at him, unsure how to proceed.
“Go ahead and open it,” he said.
With a deep breath, I flipped open the lid of the black velvet box and stared down at a sovereign coin. No, not a sovereign coin.
I sucked in a breath. My hands were trembling as I plucked the coin from the bed of velvet and examined it. A six-pointed star on one side, a crown on the back. The same crown that was on their club’s calling cards. King’s.
“Is this…?” I stared in shock at the coin then looked up at Rexford. “This can’t be.”
Rexford smiled. “As I said, welcome to the Legends.”
Overwhelmed with the urge to hug him, something I’d never do since we weren’t that well acquainted, I did the next best thing and flung myself into Greyson’s arms.
His arms tightened around me. “You stormed into King’s that day, refusing to be turned away, and ended up claiming my heart. Now you’re one of us.”
As if on cue, a footman entered with a tray of champagne glasses. Greyson and I took ours first, then the footman circulated among the others.
I stared at everyone, overcome with emotion. “I don’t know what to say.” I shook my head. “I said I wasn’t going to give a speech, so I’ll keep this short. Thank you for welcoming me, for helping save the girls and the school. For being you.”
“Welcome to the family,” Fairfax said, raising his glass. “Anything you need, we’ll always be there.”
As one, they all raised their glasses and welcomed me.
I took a sip from my glass then wiped at the tear that was beginning to fall. It took me a moment to realize why I was crying. When my father had died, I’d lost my family. Yes, I still had my sister, but my stepmother had done everything in her power to drive a wedge between us, and that relationship was tenuous at best. But these people present here today, they were my family now.
I smiled at Greyson through my tears. “I love you.”
He took the glass from my hands and placed it on one of the bookshelves next to his own glass. And then he kissed me right there in front of everyone. I sank into him, the raucous applause that surrounded us music to my ears and my heart.
Epilogue
THE MAYFAIR CHRONICLE
Lord Greyson is no longer available.
* * *
Who among us is brave enough to make a play for the fairest of them all? Viscount Fairfax is fair of face, but it is said that his heart is fickle.
* * *
Some of you may be wondering about the King, who is also unattached. But I doubt a woman exists who can capture the heart of the enigmatic Marquess of Rexford. If my sources are to be believed, he does not actually possess that particular organ.
