“I wouldn’t count on it,” he joked.
Malcolm gestured towards the doorway. “Shall we depart and tell our parents the good news?” he asked. “I have no doubt they will be elated.”
“I suppose that would be for the best,” Enid acknowledged.
Greydon reached for her hand. “I shall call upon you later today.”
“Promise?” Enid asked.
“Nothing will be able to stop me.”
Enid stepped closer to Greydon and pressed her lips against his.
“Enid!” Malcolm shouted. “Show some restraint.”
She broke the kiss and gave her brother an unrepentant smile. “I’m afraid I am incapable of doing so.”
Malcolm sighed. “This is going to be a long three weeks, isn’t it?”
As Enid met Greydon’s amused gaze, she finally found a world where she belonged. She was home. With him. Always.
Epilogue
One month later…
With quick steps, Enid walked down the hall towards the nursery. She was dressed in a silver ballgown with a net overlay and her hair was neatly coiffed. She was ready for the ball, but she seemed to have misplaced her husband. If they didn’t hurry, they would be late to the ball that was being held in their honor.
She stopped outside of the nursery door and listened. No noise was coming from within. Perhaps Greydon wasn’t in there. But where else could he be?
Enid slowly turned the handle and opened the door. She saw Greydon had fallen asleep in the rocking chair with Marigold in his arms. It was a tender memory that she knew she would treasure, but she had to wake Greydon up.
She placed a hand on his sleeve and his eyes opened. “I fell asleep again,” he whispered.
“We must hurry or we will be late for the ball,” she said, matching his low tone.
Greydon nodded his understanding before he rose with Marigold in his arms. He gently placed the sleeping child in her bed.
They exited the nursery and Greydon closed the door behind him. “I did not mean to fall asleep.”
Enid smiled. “You never do,” she replied as they started walking down the hall. “You spoil Marigold by rocking her to sleep.”
“She deserves to be spoiled, especially since we will be leaving on our wedding tour tomorrow.”
Her smile dimmed. “I do hope she will be all right.”
“I have no doubt she will be spoiled terribly by her grandparents,” Greydon said.
“You are right, of course, but Marigold and I have never been apart.”
Greydon reached for her hand and said in a flirtatious tone, “I promise that we will find ways to occupy ourselves.”
“You are incorrigible,” she chided lightly.
They descended the stairs and headed towards the ballroom. They had just arrived at the doors when her mother’s exasperated voice came from behind them.
“There you two are,” she said, coming to a stop in front of them. “The whole townhouse has been in a frenzy as they searched for you two.”
“Greydon fell asleep in the nursery again,” Enid revealed.
