Page 101 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
Elizabeth smiled through her tears and nodded.
“I am beginning to believe you are correct in that matter, Leo. You will hear no protest from these lips.”
He returned her beam and leaned forward, tenderly brushing his mouth to hers. Elizabeth’s lips parted slightly, a slow gasp of surprise falling forth to touch him until Leonard sealed her surprise fully. They held their embrace for a long, sweet moment, time falling still between them until Leonard reluctantly pulled apart, their mouths lingering until the last succulent second. His eyes opened to lock on Elizabeth’s face lovingly and she returned his gaze imploringly, the desire to feel him close still showing vividly in her eyes.
“I would much rather a kiss from your lips than a protest.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“I have the queerest sense that I have been here before,” Catherine giggled. “Why might that be?”
Elizabeth regarded Catherine through the glass of the vanity, smiling happily.
“If you are suggesting this is akin to how we were first acquainted, I quite take exception to that, Catherine. Moreover, I had rather stricken that memory from my mind.”
“Ah, now that you mention it,” Catherine teased, stroking a strand of Elizabeth’s hair through her fingers. “This is nothing akin. You make a far more beautiful bride than Lady Curry and Pembroke is much more elegant than Fife. There is no comparison.”
Both women giggled girlishly and Catherine took Elizabeth’s gloved hand, helping her to her feet.
“You are a vision in blue,” Catherine gushed but Elizabeth could hear the sincerity oozing from her tone and it filled her with warmth. Over the past months, Catherine, Elizabeth and Frances had become as close as any siblings could hope to be. They rarely went anywhere without the other and spent their evenings reading and regaling one another with silly stories.
Frances was less petulant in the wake of Percival’s death, as though she had inherently understood that something terrible had occurred and it was her place to behave.
Herbert certainly helped with her disposition,Elizabeth thought wryly.If not for him, she might still be the woman-child she has always been.
Perhaps Frances heard her sister’s thoughts for she came running into Elizabeth’s chambers, tripping over her skirts of silk and fur. Thankfully, she caught herself before her attire was damaged.
“Oh, Franny,” Elizabeth gasped. “You look beautiful!”
“As do you, Liza!” Frances chirped. The sisters peered at one another adoringly before Catherine cleared her throat.
“I do loathe to interrupt,” she told them. “But it is time.”
“Indeed,” both sisters agreed. Elizabeth felt a flush of pleasant excitement build through her body and she took hold of Frances’ arm as Catherine led the way out of her chambers.
In the hallway, David stood, dashing in a black topcoat and blue cravat to match the lady’s dresses.
“You’re unduly handsome, brother,” Elizabeth teased him and he chuckled gently. How mature he appeared, no trace of the boyishness he had brought to Pembroke all those months ago. In its place was the fine, gentlemanly way of a young man who had adapted to his role of Viscount. It pained Elizabeth that he was in Gordon while she and Frances remained at Brookside but Elizabeth had never been prouder of her brother.
No one would guess that he is a young man of less than twenty,she thought admiringly as she slipped her arm into his and Frances followed suit on his other side. Flanking him, they continued across the upper floor and toward the staircase. As they neared, the flickering of a hundred candles guided their path and the chandeliers above their heads cast dancing shadows about them.
“Liza,” Frances whispered, stopping abruptly. “Am I prepared for this?”
David and Elizabeth exchanged a nervous look. It was a grand question, one they had both asked each other dozens of times since the idea had risen.
“Franny, that is for you to decide. What does your heart tell you?”
She stared at Elizabeth with wide, guileless eyes.
“It tells me that I will make a good wife to Herbert,” she whispered. “And that I love him with all of my heart and soul.”
A tingle of warmth seeped through Elizabeth for she understood precisely how Frances felt. She, too, was about to commit her heart to the man who had saved her over and over again. Yet it was impossible not to feel nervous simultaneously.
“Then I daresay you are ready,” David offered gently. “Herbert is a good man, Franny. He loves you very much.”
A happy smile broke over Frances’ face and she nodded.
