Page 84 of A Duke's Lustful Portrait
“I’m sorry, Hector, I really am.”
Reaching the front of the church, Hector gave Sebastian a friendly slap on the back. “I know. I suspected something like this would happen when I left. I knew you would never be able to rest until you had avenged your mother’s death.”
“But I shouldn’t have used your goodwill to do it. That was wrong.”
Hector tilted his head to the side. “Perhaps, but the outcome was more positive than I could ever have dreamed of. Finally, the Lord’s Society is no more, and London is a cleaner, safer place. That’s all down to you, Sebastian, so I really can’t be that angry at all.”
Sebastian felt relief flow through him, and he lowered himself onto a pew.
“Sinclair is in prison now.”
“I’d heard. What an excellent result.” Hector sat next to him, beaming with pride at this man who had become his son.
“He’s been given a life sentence,” Sebastian continued. “And the society has been entirely disbanded. From what I hear, they are also prosecuting the other founding members, as well as some of the more active but lower members. I couldn’t have done it without you, Hector. Thank you for everything.”
“And thank you, Sebastian. My life was void of emotion before you arrived in it. You made our little household a family, and I’ll be eternally grateful for the happiness you have brought my wife and me. I only wish she was still with us to see this day.”
Sebastian was overcome with emotion and gratitude. To tamper it, he looked around and seemed to notice where he was, remembering what was happening.
“I’m getting married today,” he said as if it were a surprise even to him. It was, in a way. He’d never expected to find love.
Hector laughed again and joined him on the pew. “I know, son. That’s why I returned. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. And to make it all the more fun, I hear it’s Edward Sinclair’s daughter!”
Sebastian’s cheeks reddened again. “Yes. That rather confused things for a while.”
“I have no doubt it did! But if you love each other, that’s all that matters. I cannot wait to meet her.”
“You won’t have long,” the priest said from behind the altar, looking up from his Bible. At the same time, the organ player began, and a shadow fell over the doors to the church.
Sebastian and Hector jumped to their feet, both peering at the doorway. The sun was bright and strong, so much so that his future wife was a mere silhouette.
Hector leaned over to whisper in his ear. “The mystery continues.”
Sebastian refrained from rolling his eyes, but he allowed a smirk to play on his lips as he watched his bride walk down the aisle with Priscilla, slowly coming into focus. He couldn’t think of a single other person he would want to be in attendance. Everything was perfect.
“Good morning,” she said as she reached him. She handed her posy of peonies and sweet peas to Priscilla.
“I didn’t think it was possible to see you even more beautiful,” he said by way of greeting. “And yet here you stand, a vision in front of me.”
She beamed at his compliment and seeing her joy filled his heart.
“You must be Lady Arabella,” Hector said from behind him.
Sebastian looked over his shoulder and scowled. “Later,” he hissed. “I’m getting married.”
Hector laughed and stepped back, but when Sebastian turned back to Arabella, she had a questioning look.
“It’s the Duke of Ravenswood,” he said, laughing himself. “I’ll explain later, but really, Arabella, I cannot stand not being married to you for another second!”
***
The ceremony was as beautiful as any of them had imagined, and the intimate setting made it all the more personal. As a child, Arabella had dreamed of a big wedding with thousands of guests and a huge wedding breakfast. But after all that had happened in recent months, being with Sebastian, Priscilla, and the strange Duke of Ravenswood, who had appeared from nowhere, was absolutely perfect.
They returned to Westment Manor, where the cook had prepared a feast for them. They ate in the conservatory, which the maids had decorated with ribbons and flowers. They’d lit candles all around the edge, and the flames flickered in the reflection of the glass. It was divine.
“I suppose all this is yours now,” Arabella teased over dinner. “As my husband, I mean. You’ll have command over the estate.”
“Indeed,” he replied nonchalantly. “It’s the only reason I married you.”
