Page 58 of A Duke's Overlooked Spinster

“In a few hours, son,” Robert told him warmly, lifting him up and hugging him. “First, we are going to eat a good meal. You do like cake?” He frowned.

“Cake!” Henry exploded, a delighted grin lighting his face. “I like cake!”

“Good.” Robert chuckled. Sarah bent down to ruffle Buttons’ ears. The big silk bow had twisted a little and seemed to be irritating him, so she moved it to the back and lifted him up, kissing his fur and then setting him carefully on his muddy little paws before he did some damage to the white gown. A few smudges of dirt on the hem were no bother, but she preferred not to be covered in patches of mud.

“Good morning, little fellow,” Robert said with a chuckle, ruffling Buttons’ ears. The little dog yipped and ran in a circle and then he and Henry took off again through the garden, running towards the house.

They reached the dining-room, where the table had been set for a light luncheon. Sarah and Robert joined hands, and he led her to their place at the center of the long table. Slowly, the guests started to arrive.

“Congratulations!” Victoria exclaimed, embracing Sarah. Sarah breathed in the rosewater scent of her and her heart filled with warmth. She had never had a sister, but now, it seemed, she had three. Victoria was certainly like a sister, Caroline had always been like a sister, and Philipa, too, seemed eager to be friends. She hurried over to Sarah, embracing her with a shriek of delight.

“Congratulations!”

Sarah smiled and hugged her close. Charles and James were next, bowing low. Then Caroline hugged Sarah. Sarah held her tight, her eyes filling with tears as she held her.

“Thank you, Caroline,” she said softly. “Thank you for everything.”

“I did nothing, dear,” Caroline said warmly.

“That is not true,” Sarah said, fighting back her tears. Caroline chuckled.

“Yes, it is, dear. I did not make any of that happen.” She held her gaze. “Love did that all on its own.”

Sarah nodded. “Yes. Yes, that is true.”

The room was filling up. The duchess had arrived, and she went to sit with James and Victoria. Sarah cast a grateful glance in Victoria’s direction. Mrs. Wellman escorted Henry in, and Buttons ran after him. Robert gestured to Mrs. Wellman to let Buttons come in. Sarah noticed the duchess glaring, but Robert ignored her. Buttons, it seemed, was allowed to be whereverHenry was. And that meant he would be wherever they were, too.

Caroline and Edward took their places at the head and foot of the table, and they all sat while the meal was served.

The food was delicious, and the conversation around the table was light and amusing. The duchess was talking to Victoria and Sarah heard the name “Marina”, but she ignored it. Victoria had already told her the story—Lady Marina was already being courted by a wealthy viscount, and her parents approved heartily. Sarah could not help but feel glad for the woman, but she swiftly forgot about her. She chuckled as Charles related some of the stories from their childhood that he and his brother had shared. Robert had not, it seemed, been exaggerating—they really were blessed to have survived their exploits to grow up. She laughed at their wild adventures.

When the meal was cleared away, some of the guests chose to take a turn about the grounds, while the others—the ones who would not be traveling straight away—went up to the guest-chambers to rest.

Sarah took Robert’s hand, and they walked out into the garden. Henry and Buttons followed them, running around the front lawn while they strolled down the shade-cool paths. Sarah’s heart was soaring as they walked down a leafy path towards a fountain.

“It was a beautiful day,” Robert murmured as they walked into the cool shade of a flower garden. A fountain with a stone bowl produced a pleasant tinkling sound as a thin plume of water cascaded from it. A bird sang somewhere nearby, clearly drawn by the promise of water.

“It was,” Sarah agreed, pausing to gaze up at him. She smiled. He smiled back.

“I am happy,” Robert said softly. He reached up and rested a hand on her hair. She had asked Abigail to remove the veil forher before they came outdoors, and she wore a garland and her hair was drawn into a soft bun. He smiled into her eyes. She rested her hand on his shoulder and smiled back.

“So am I,” she murmured. “So happy.” She swallowed hard, knowing she might start to cry again.

“I don’t have a handkerchief,” Robert said with a grin.

Sarah burst out laughing. “I still have one of yours,” she said with a chuckle.

They both laughed and Robert leaned forward, his hands laced around her waist.

“You are a funny, remarkable woman,” he said softly, in that resonant voice that made her heart flip over. “I love you so very, very much.”

“And you are a wonderful, dear man,” Sarah said, gazing up at him, her heart too full to be able to find words. “I love you so very, very much.”

He smiled and bent forward and pressed his lips against hers. Sarah wrapped her arms around him and held him tight, shutting her eyes as she leaned against him. She held him close, joy bubbling in her heart.

They stood together, their arms around each other and their hearts full of love and excitement at the journey ahead.

The End