“Well, well, two proposals in one day.” Her stepmother clapped her hands together. “It seems we will have a busy few months.”
“Indeed, we will,” Charlotte agreed.
“And I will be your maid of honour, will I not?” Evelyn proclaimed, jumping in front of Charlotte.
Philippa elbowed her sister out of the way. “What? But what about me? You are getting married!”
“Yes, but Charlotte ismymaid of honour, so it is only fair that I am hers.” Evelyn pointed out.
“But I want to do it!”
“You will both be my maids of honour!” Charlotte stepped between her squabbling sisters, laughing at their outraged faces.
“Both of us? But how will that work?” Evelyn frowned.
“I am sure we will think of something. But for now, I think this calls for a celebration,” Charlotte’s stepmother intervened, carefully moving Charlotte’s sisters out of the way.
“I quite agree. Duke Verimore, would you care to join us for lunch?” her father asked.
“I should be delighted to,” Dominic smiled.
“Excellent, then I shall send word to the kitchens that we are to have company.” The Earl clapped his hands together excitedly.
Evelyn linked an arm through her father’s. “What is for lunch?”
“Ham,” Lady Bellmore replied.
Evelyn made a face. “Again? Surely we could have pheasant.”
“Ugh! I hate pheasant,” Philippa scowled.
“Well, I hate ham,” Evelyn scowled back.
“No, you do not.”
“I do.”
“Do not.”
Dropping behind her sisters, Charlotte linked an arm through Dominic’s and whispered, “Are you sure you want to marry into this chaos?”
“You will be marrying into my family. Besides, I rather like the chaos. And I would marry you even if your relations were nothing more than wild animals.” Dominic gently kissed Charlotte’s cheek.
She blushed furiously. “You truly are a sap.”
“I think you mean that I am your Sweetkins, my darling, most Precious Plum,” Dominic laughed.
“You are. And I love you, Sweetkins,” Charlotte agreed.
“I love you, too. Now let us celebrate.” Dominic grinned.
And together, they walked into the dining room. They might not have won his grandmother’s games, but as far as Charlotte was concerned, she had won a far more worthwhile prize anyway.
Epilogue
WHAT YOU DESERVE
(ONE MONTH LATER)
