Page 74 of Her Wicked Duke
“Please, do call me Alexander. I believe we will be getting more acquainted.”
She giggled as she threw herself into his arms.
He kissed the top of her head, pulling her close. “I do believe I have some rewards to collect,” he whispered, laughing quietly.
“Oh, really? What might they be?”
“Oh, the mostscandalousthings. I could not possibly sully this beautiful room by voicing them too loudly.”
Anne went on her tiptoes, offering her ear to him. And when he whispered wonderfully filthy promises to her, she blushed and pulled him down to kiss her.
Epilogue
The following month, when the summer began slipping over spring, Anne basked in the sun. The last of the mild weather was blanketed by seasonal heat. As much as she loved the spring and how everything burst to life after winter, she loved the sun even more.
She spun outside the church where she and Alexander were due to be wed, loving the warmth on her arms. Her wedding dress was a beautiful piece with panels of silk and lace.
Her husband-to-be was inside, no doubt looking dashing in his fine suit, and she itched to be at his side. They had spent weeks preparing for this day. Now, it was here.
Christian stood at her side. “You are sure about him, Sister?”
“As I have assured youmanytimes, Christian, yes. I am sure. As sure as he is about me.”
Her brother only rolled his eyes playfully. “I never thought I’d see my best friend and my little sister getting married. Never did I evensuspect?—”
“Let us not dampen my wedding day with this sort of talk,” Anne said hurriedly. “Alexander and I love each other. That is all there is to it. We have fought enough battles to be here, have we not?”
Christian only gave her a proud smile as he embraced her one last time. Inside, the music began, a stunning harp piece accompanied by a piano.
“I’m proud of you, Anne,” Christian said as they walked through the church doors, and all eyes turned to her.
Anne patted his arm for reassurance.
On the left side of the altar, her sister and Georgia stood as her bridesmaids. Georgia’s ring sparkled in the light filtering through the stained glass windows, and Mary was slowly recovering from the scandal that had forced her to flee town a month ago.
Alexander was standing on the right side of the altar. His hair was swept back from his forehead, exposing those beautiful blue eyes that had bewitched her from the first day she had met him. A bright smile tugged at his full lips, and he straightened his jacket, giving her a once-over.
“He could save the bedroom eyes for later, at least,” Christian muttered. “Some things don’t change.”
I think he has changed a lot—at least from the rake I once heard tales of. My husband-to-be is learning, and he is kind and deserves a lot more credit for healing and changing to be worthy of a life with me.
Christian handed her over to him while looking him in the eye. “If you hurt her again?—”
“Yes, yes.” Alexander sighed. “You have threatened me extensively, Christian. And I still do owe you a punch, so do try not to be a bother on our wedding day.”
Christian just shook his head.
Anne grinned at her brother, delighted at their banter.
In the front row, her mother and father held hands, smiling up at her. On the other side, the Dowager Duchess looked quite impressed and satisfied. Everything had, indeed, turned out the way she and Annette had once talked about over that afternoon tea.
Further back were the ladies who had gossiped about Anne and Alexander, likely thinking they had been right in their lies. They had not. Only the two of them needed to remember that.
The music died down, and Anne stood next to Alexander as he took both of her hands in his.
How far we have come.
He gave her a charmingly beautiful smile, and her stomach fluttered.
