“Thank you,” she murmured, nervously smoothing her hand over the stiff fabric. “I wasn’t certain what to wear.”
“You’re dressed perfectly,” he assured her, taking one of her gloved hands in his own. “I’m so glad you came.”
She managed a brittle smile. “I was surprised to get the invitation.”
“Not unpleasantly, I hope.” He led her toward the sitting room. “The whole family is glad that you decided to come.”
She raised a brow. “And what about you?”
He paused and earnestly met her gaze. “I am very happy that you’re here.”
The moment they entered the sitting room, Vanessa, Serenity, and Allison crowded around her, exclaiming over the beauty of her dress and hair.
He stood back a bit, bemused, still captivated by the sight of her. If she was nervous, he couldn’t tell. She interacted with his sister and sisters-in-law with grace and humor, and something inside him settled. Everything was going to be all right. Perhaps Vanessa and Serenity had been right and all that Fiona had needed was to see how well she’d fit in with them all to understand that she had nothing to worry about, as far as his intentions and their suitability.
Lucien drew him aside, a twinkle in his eyes. “Does this make you happy?”
Morgan nodded. “Very much so.”
His older brother squeezed his shoulder. “Well, then, the rest of us are very happy as well.”
Although he knew he didn’t need their permission, he was soothed by the fact that he had it. His brothers and their families meant everything to him, and this would have been very difficult if they’d put up a fuss or acted as though Fiona did not belong here. Not that he would have changed his mind, but he was glad not to have to jump that hurdle.
After allowing the women a few moments to chat and catch up, he once again took Fiona’s arm, leading her to get a glass of wine and then drawing her into a secluded corner.
She took a few sips, gazing at him over the rim of the crystal glass. “I’m not really sure why you invited me here, Morgan.”
He shook his head, trying to play it off. “It was Serenity who invited you.”
She gave him a disbelieving look. “Perhaps, but I still think you were behind it in some way. I’ve known Serenity for a year, and she’s never invited me here before.”
He felt heat rising in his cheeks and knew he had to be honest. “I asked Serenity and Vanessa for advice on how to get back into your good graces.”
“Oh, Morgan,” she said softly, with a shake of her head. “You’ve never been out of my good graces. But surely you can see that I don’t belong here.”
“No,” he said firmly. “I don’t see that at all. In fact, everything I’ve seen tonight only convinces me that you do. My family loves you.”
She bit her lip, looking unconvinced, and this evidence of her vulnerability broke his heart. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel even worse about things between them. He’d never wanted to take her in his arms more.
“Do you want to leave?” he asked quietly. “Because if you do, I’ll take you out of here right now. We can go wherever you want and whenever you want. Just say the word.”
“I don’t want to leave.” She laughed, and the tension between them broke. “I love your family, too. They’ve become my friends. All of them. And I am honored to be here tonight. This is a treat I never thought I’d have. Thank you for thinking of this, Morgan. I really do appreciate it. Forgive my anxiety.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” he assured her. “Just let me know if you change your mind, if anything at all feels too overwhelming.”
“I will,” she said, and this time, her smile seemed genuine.
Serenity joined them again, her green eyes troubled. “Is everything all right?” she asked Fiona. “You seem troubled.”
“Everything is fine,” Fiona said, touching her arm lightly. “Thank you so much for inviting me, Serenity.”
Serenity smiled in relief. “We are thrilled to have you. Morgan has been like a new man since he’s been spending time at Brookhaven.”
Morgan shifted uncomfortably to be talked about in such a manner, but Fiona just laughed. “He’s been doing such marvelous murals on the children’s walls. You’ll have to come by and see them.”
Serenity raised a brow. “Murals? I had no idea.”
The idea of his family knowing about his art still made him a bit nervous, but Serenity actually seemed interested, and he realized that the time for hiding his passion had passed. “I’m enjoying it immensely. The children seem to like it as well.”
