She bit her lower lip. “It is—”
“It’s not fine,” he rasped. “You suffered, and you did so alone. You cried out to be seen, and we let you cry alone. Content to let you destroy yourself rather than have to acknowledge what you’d suffered and what you’d lived through.”
A little sob escaped her, and Wayland wrapped an arm about her shoulders.
Jeremy stretched an arm toward her. “That isn’t why I’ve come. That isn’t why we’re here. To bring you more sadness. We wish . . . to share your joy. To witness your union. However, if you’d rather we leave—”
“No!” she cried out. “I . . . I would like that. I would like for you to be here. All of you.” Her gaze slipped over to their parents. “If . . . that is something you want as well.”
Her mother dashed a lone tear from her cheek. “I’d like that very much, Anna.”
Anna.
That name she’d called Annalee when she’d been just a girl. Before Peterloo.
Harlow grinned. “Come along, then; we are holding up the ceremony!” And releasing Annalee, she hurried over to catch her parents and began dragging them forward, out toward the gardens.
As the trio passed by, Jeremy lingered.
The moment their parents and sister had gone, he stretched out a palm toward Wayland.
Wayland, who immediately took that offering, shook the other man’s hand.
“You were always a better man and protector and friend to Annalee than I ever was. And I will be forever grateful to you,” Jeremy said, and with that, he left.
Wayland remained. He trailed a fingertip along Annalee’s cheek. “Are you all right?”
She smiled. “I am.” And for the first time in the longest time, she was. There was a joy that was deep. A hope that was real. And a future that was bright.
“Are you ready to live together happily, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part?”
Looping her arms about his neck, she drew herself close once more. “There is nothing I want more, Lord Darlington,” she breathed against his mouth.
His eyes darkened, and his lashes swept low, forming an inky-black hood. He kissed her deeply, taking her breath away, stealing a sigh that he swallowed, and setting butterflies to dancing throughout her chest and belly.
Sinking back on her heels, she reluctantly ended the kiss. “Off you go, Lord Darlington. So we can begin the future.”
He touched a fingertip smartly against his brow.
She followed him with her gaze as he went, taking the walk that soon she’d travel, waving at their guests as he went. Even the hostile members of the Mismatch Society, who still distrusted all men and glowered. And yet, those ladies softened as he continued on. Because he had that effect on everyone. Annalee touched her brow against the edge of the door panel, the glass panes reflecting back her contented smile.
At last he reached the vicar’s side, and Annalee straightened.
Down the length of the satin runner that had been laid out as a makeshift aisle, her gaze met his, and across the way, they shared the private smile they’d always known.
They would be together.
For as long as they both should live.
And this time, there would be no separating them.
And with that, Annalee started forward, to meet Wayland and the rest of their future—together.
Acknowledgments
To my endlessly patient, always supportive editor, Alison Dasho. I’m grateful to you for always supporting my vision and trusting me to tell the story that is speaking to me. Having an editor who possesses your level of trust is such a gift.
About the Author
Photo © 2016 Kimberly Rocha
Christi Caldwell is the USA Today bestselling author of numerous series, including Wantons of Waverton, Lost Lords of London, Sinful Brides, Wicked Wallflowers, and Heart of a Duke. She blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love—ones where even the most perfect heroes and heroines had imperfections. She learned to enjoy torturing her couples before they earned their well-deserved happily ever after.
Christi lives in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, where she spends her time writing and baking with her twin girls and courageous son. Fans who want to keep up with the latest news and information can sign up for her newsletter at www.ChristiCaldwell.com.