Page 85 of A Duke's Lustful Portrait
“Sebastian,” Hector hissed. “You’re not meant to bethathonest on your wedding day.”
Priscilla put a calm hand on Hector’s arm. “She would have given it to him if he’d admitted it yesterday. I’ve never seen anyone so hopelessly in love in my life.”
Hector raised his wine glass in the air. “Then I propose a toast. To the happiest couple in the northern hemisphere!”
“If not the world,” Priscilla added.
Sebastian raised his glass, too, but he gazed into his new wife’s eyes. “No,” he said softly. “The universe.”
“The universe!” they said together, clinking their glasses.
“Sebastian, I don’t believe I’ve yet been formally introduced to your wife,” Hector said.
“Well, your presence certainly took me by surprise,” Arabella said, understanding now where Sebastian’s love to tease came from.
“Hector, this is my wife, Lady Arabella … What do we call you now? Smith?” He shook his head. “This is Lady Arabella. My Lady, this is my … my … father?” He threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. “Good Lord, who would have thought this so difficult?”
The four burst into joyful laughter.
“Titles don’t matter,” Hector said. “I’ll be Hector to you from now on, and, as my daughter-in-law, you shall be Arabella. There is no reason to forgo familiarity simply because we have just met.”
“Bold but fair,” Priscilla agreed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you properly, Arabella. I’d say Sebastian has told me all about you, but of course, I haven’t spoken to him in months. Alas, he has a lot of catching up to do.” Hector chuckled, but Sebastian shook his head.
“I’m afraid it will have to wait,” he said.
Arabella groaned. “What is it now?”
“Come with me,” he said with a grin. He got to his feet and offered her his hand. “I’ve got something to show you. In fact, all of you come with me.”
She glared at him. “This had better be a surprise rather than a secret.”
“The best surprise you could wish for,” Priscilla said from behind her.
So Grandmother is in on it, too.
Sebastian led her outside to where the carriage waited. It, too, had been decorated with flowers and ribbons, just as the house had. In the back, Arabella could see trunks stacked and ready, plus a bottle of champagne and a picnic basket. The coachman sat tall and proud at the front, wearing a pristine suit and perfectly white gloves.
Arabella stared at it, then she turned to Sebastian. “Are we going on a trip?”
He grinned and picked her up, swinging her around. “We’re going on a honeymoon, darling.”
“But where?”
“Where do you think? We’re going to France!”
“And you’re leaving now,” Priscilla said. “The ship is due to leave port in only a few hours.”
Sebastian put Arabella down, and she gaped at her grandmother. “Now? Right away?”
Priscilla smiled and nodded, but as she did so, tears began to well in her eyes. “Yes, sweet girl, and you deserve every bit of happiness it will bring you.”
Arabella wrapped her grandmother in her arms, hugging her tighter than she ever had done before. “Oh, Grandmother, I’m going to miss you terribly.”
“Don’t be silly,” Priscilla said through her tears. “You’ll be back in a few months, and if you’re not, you won’t be able to keep me away!”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Arabella,” Hector said, stepping forward and taking her hand. “I’m staying here with Priscilla to keep her company while you’re gone.”
