The lesson continued for exactly eight more minutes, during which time the children learned the capitals of Spain and Portugal, the major geographical features of the Iberian Peninsula, and the historical significance of the region’s position as a gateway between Europe and the Atlantic world.
Then, finally, Mel closed the atlas and looked at the three faces watching her with barely contained impatience.
“Lesson complete,” she said. “You may now celebrate.”
The celebration was immediate and enthusiastic. Thistle launched herself at both of them simultaneously, somehow managing to embrace Mel and Rhys while still clutching Brutus. Anna offered formal congratulations before allowing herself tobe pulled into a family embrace. Viola held on with the quiet ferocity that characterised all her emotional expressions, her arms wrapped around Mel’s waist as though she would never let go.
And in the middle of it all, surrounded by his daughters and his future wife and one toad of uncertain temperament, Rhys felt something settle into place. Something that had been waiting his whole life to arrive.
This was family. This was home. This was everything he had been afraid to want and everything he would spend the rest of his life protecting.
The geography lesson had been completed. The proposal had been accepted. The future had officially begun.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“You look beautiful.”
Serena stood in the doorway of Mel’s bedroom, her expression carrying the warm approval of a woman who had invested considerable effort in this moment. The dress was simple by society standards, an ivory silk with minimal embellishment, but it was the finest thing Mel had ever worn, and she felt simultaneously transformed and uncertain in it.
“I look like someone pretending to be a duchess,” Mel said, studying her reflection in the mirror with critical attention.
“You look like someone who is about to become a duchess. There’s a distinction.” Serena moved into the room, adjusting a fold of fabric that did not actually need adjusting.
“The chapel is ready. The guests are seated. Rhys is pacing so aggressively that Benedict has threatened to tie him to a pew.”
“He’s nervous?”
“He’s terrified. Which is as it should be. A man who isn’t terrified on his wedding day isn’t taking the occasion seriously enough.”
Mel turned from the mirror to face her friend. Over the weeks since Serena’s first visit, their relationship had evolved from mentor and student to something closer to genuine friendship. Serena had become an unexpected ally, someonewho understood the complexities Mel was navigating and offered support without judgment.
“Thank you,” Mel said. “For everything. For coming here, for teaching me, for believing that this could work.”
“I didn’t believe it could work. I knew it would work.” Serena smiled. “You’re exactly what Rhys needs. What those children need. What this family needs. I simply helped you see what was already true.”
A knock at the door interrupted whatever Mel might have said in response. Mrs. Kemp appeared, her expression carrying the particular tension of a woman managing a household during a significant event.
“Miss Grace, the children are asking for you. They’re quite insistent.”
“Is something the matter?”
“Thistle says she needs to show you something before the ceremony. She was quite emphatic about it.”
Mel exchanged a glance with Serena, who shrugged with evident amusement.
“Best to address it now rather than have her interrupt the vows.”
They found the children in the small anteroom adjacent to the chapel, dressed in their finest clothes and vibrating with barely contained excitement. Anna had organised them into aformal receiving line, which Thistle had immediately disrupted by bouncing in place. Viola stood quietly at the end, her hands clasped before her, her expression carrying the particular intensity she displayed during significant moments.
“Miss Grace!” Thistle rushed forward, nearly colliding with Mel’s carefully arranged skirts. “I have to show you something very important.”
“What is it?”
Thistle reached into the small bag she was carrying and produced Brutus, who regarded Mel with the impassive expression common to all toads.
“I’ve dressed him for the wedding,” Thistle announced proudly.
“See? He has a bow.”
