Aurora smiled as she sank lower into her seat. Her ankles hurt from uncomfortable and overly expensive shoes, but Aurora couldn't regret it even if she tried. This was her wedding day, and any discomfort was worth it to spend her life with Elmore.
Speaking of which, she saw him poke his head through as the door creaked open. His lips formed a bright and lovely smile as he stepped inside, and the door closed softly behind him.
"Your father said I would find you up here," he whispered, as if they were in danger of being caught. They weren't, of course, upstairs in the quiet where nobody knew they were here.
Aurora stood, almost stumbling in her haste to reach him. The study suddenly felt too small in her big dress, with its puffy sleeves and billowing skirts.
"Here," Elmore said, and he was clearly trying not to laugh as he reached out. Gently, he dislodged her skirts from where they had caught on the desk leg, and then swept her into his arms.
Immediately, Aurora melted into him. She adored him more than anything, had been waitingallmorning and afternoon to hold him properly. The wedding had been beautiful and perfect, but being unable to so much as hold his hands had been torture.
He brushed a hand through her golden curls, which were worn partially loose across her shoulders.
Aurora only hummed and nudged herself even closer, enjoying the sensation of his fingers against her scalp.
"Where did you vanish off to?" she asked, referencing their separation earlier. "You were beside me and then not, I had no idea where you went."
He offered a quiet laugh as he pulled away, brows raised. "Oh, that? Well my Aunt Joan had something very interesting that I apparentlyhadto know about."
Aurora frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Apparently word has gotten out about how Lord Foley treated you. Now, don't ask me who spread the news, but he's been featured in the local gossip columns and even uninvited from a number of balls. Even if he planned to bother us again, he won't now."
Aurora smiled, but she didn't really care about Lord Foley. Once, perhaps, she would have wanted to see Lord Foley get what he deserved...and yet now, it all seemed so inconsequential. Although they would never make amends, he had apologized in his own way that night at the greenhouse opening, and Aurora had long since put it behind her.
Elmore was watching quietly now, waiting for her response. Yet she only shrugged because, really, what difference did it make?
She smiled and reached up to press a kiss to the corner of Elmore's lips. Then she wrapped her arms around his middle and murmured, "I have you, my father, and this wonderful project that's going to help so many people. What else should I care about? Lord Foley did a horrible thing, but I don't want to linger on the past. Instead, let's look forward to our future together, hmm?"
His laugh was wonderful and melodic, a sign of good things to come. "I like the sound of that," Elmore answered, "and now that we're married, there's so much to look forward to. Although...we should probably go back downstairs to our guests for now."
Oh, guests! In all honesty, she had forgotten all about the people downstairs. For a while, it really had been just her and Elmore, nobody else in the entire world. Now, though, she was embarrassed to admit the oversight.
"Let's go," she said faintly, and took Elmore's hand.
Together they returned downstairs to their wedding reception, joined the crowd of excited guests, and looked forward to what the rest of the night would hold.
Extended Epilogue
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The Duke’s Juliet - preview
Chapter 1
Nelly Woodcliff was standing by the window in a small room overlooking the common area in a village inn. The acting company had been to the Plough Inn before, in the village of Lockley. But still, she was terrified of the scene below her. With a dry throat, she swallowed hard, creating an audible gulp. All she could do was pray that her nerves would hold. The crowds gathered inside the inn, were there to be entertained at the outdoor stage in the courtyard, once the play started. For a tiny moment, she teetered on the edge of pulling out.
Surrounding her, in the same room, was the chatter of cousins, along with other close family members who were to perform in the play. They all awaited their turn to take the stage. But Nelly had cut out their babbling noise, that was something she was good at, drifting deep into her thoughts. It was a skill she had learned over the years, as part of her training.
A good actor must shut out the ambient noise around them and concentrate solely on their role.I will overcome my stage fright so I can perform on the stage, and in front of my audience.