Page 96 of A Duchess to Unravel
“I knew beneath that polite exterior that you did not like me from the very beginning,” he teased.
To his surprise, Tristan actually let out a laugh.
“Yes, well, not many can see past my facade. Perhaps that’s why I did not like you to begin with. I could tell you truly saw me,” he replied.
Alistair raised a brow.
“We are brothers-in-law, Tristan,” he stated. “If there are secret burdens you carry, you can trust me with them. My protection extends beyond Theo and to you, you know.”
Tristan let go of his hand and took a step back.
“Just focus on making my sister happy,” he said, heading toward the door. “She’d be rather upset if I have to hurt you after all.”
Even though there was a teasing tone in Tristan’s voice, his eyes glittered with warning as he gave Alistair one last look, then left as Theo came back.
“I have sent a messenger to the house to prepare a bed for you on the first floor,” she told him, coming to his side. “The surgeon, Dominic, and Hugo will be in shortly to move you to the carriage. They all insisted they stay through the evening, so we will have some house guests.”
“As long as you will be there too, you can move me anywhere you want,” Alistair replied, holding her hand.
Her smile was full of love as she looked down at him.
“I will,” she replied, leaning down to kiss his lips. “I promise.”
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER
“He seems to be quite recovered,” Ophelia stated.
In the crowded, music-filled ballroom of the castle, Theo turned in the direction of Ophelia’s gaze. As usual, butterflies fluttered in her stomach as her eyes landed on her handsome giant of a husband Like her, he was surrounded by friends. Hugo, Everett, Dominic, and even Tristan, were all smiling and laughing as they conversed with Alistair.
“He is indeed,” Theo replied with a smirk, recalling the wonderfully sinful pleasures they’d partaken in the night before. “Which is well and good, seeing as we are to be leaving for Scotland in a month.”
“The surgeon said he was ready for such a journey?” Amelia asked.
“Oh, do tell me that you two will be coming back,” Seraphina added.
“The surgeon said he has healed quite fast,” Theo said to Amelia, “And yes, Seraphina, we are to return to England within the year.”
She turned to Seraphina and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“I know I stole your opportunity to get to know your cousin better,” Theo said apologetically, “But he and I have discussed the matter, and we would like to extend you and your family the invitation to come stay with us for a month in the winter.”
She waved an arm around the room and added, “We do have the space after all. Everyone could come.”
“Oh,” Seraphina sighed, her smile genuine as she hugged Theo. “I really would like that. Thank you, Theo. That lifts my spirits greatly!”
Giggling, Theo hugged her back.
“We are all grateful for Alistair’s recovery, darling, but how are you doing?” Amelia asked, her tone tentative.
Out of all of them, Amelia was the one that could most closely relate to what Theo went through. She had also been the one that stayed the closest to Theo throughout the last month.
“The nightmares still come on quite vividly,” Theo murmured, her smile dampening, “Sometimes it takes Alistair quite a whileto pull me out of them. But I am grateful he is there to do so. I do not believe I would fare well sleeping alone.”
“I understand,” Amelia whispered, stroking a hand over Theo’s shoulder. “My nightmares were also quite extensive after my father sold me. Worse still after Roland tried to take me. Having Dominic by my side is still a great comfort.”
Theo nodded in understanding, hugging her friend extra tight. Now more than ever, she understood why Dominic had taken Amelia on an extensive honeymoon. She’d needed time to recover.
