Page 85 of When the Duke Met His Match

As the others filed out of the church after them, the king bid his farewell and returned to his carriage. His powerful horse team was spurred on, and he soon rolled away from the quaint church.

His guards followed closely behind, sure not to leave him unattended.

The two of them were scarcely given a moment of reprieve, for Theophilus’ parents flocked to them with their joyous expressions.

“In all my days, I never thought I’d see such a thing unfold,” his mother beamed, giving her son a supportive hand on the arm. “The king at my son’s wedding!”

They all chuckled, just as bewildered as the newlyweds felt. His father hugged Theophilus as he sniffled, fighting back tears. Pulling apart, his hand remained on his shoulder.

“I can’t express how proud I am of you, my son. Not only did you save the king and salvage your position, but you’ve also made a name for yourself that goes beyond our family. Not to mention, you’ve done everything out of love. You have done well, Theophilus. Never forget that.”

Pride moved through Theophilus’ eyes, pushing him near tears. He nodded for his father, unable to form the proper words.

He had confided in her how he had felt in his brother’s shadow. Now, he seemed to realize just how much they loved him, surely aware of his potential. Watching it all unfold made Odette’s chest swell with admiration.

Before they could leave, Theophilus and Odette thanked each person for attending, all smiling as they received congratulations.

As Eric approached with his family in tow, Odette noticed he had cleaned himself up considerably, and a brighter light in his eyes reflected his sobriety. Theophilus had told her about how hard he had been trying to turn his life around since he was offered a significant role in the military.

He seemed nothing like the man they found outside the Red Sparrow, much to everyone’s relief.

On his way over to them, he noticed as one of Theophilus’ cousins walked by, eye seemingly caught by her for a moment. She had the same dark hair as him, yet her skin was fairer, and her eyes were a pretty green.

“What a way to be wed,” Eric said to them both, looking between them with delight. “Your story will be told for years to come.”

Theophilus accepted his handshake with a familiar comfort in his eyes, and he clapped his shoulder. “Something tells me you will be the one to tell it again and again.”

Chuckling, he nodded, smile bright. “How did you know?”

Once everyone was seen to, and the hustle and bustle began to wear her down, the two of them climbed into their carriage and were taken through the streets of London. Alone in the cabin at last, Theophilus gripped her hand tightly and pressed a sweet kiss to her forehead.

* * *

With summer around the corner, their wedding night was peaceful from where they sat outside of Theophilus’ family’s estate on a swinging seat with a canopy over their heads. Hand in hand, the couple watched as the landscape darkened, and the stars came to life above.

They had managed to slip away from the gathering inside the house, and Odette couldn’t be more grateful for the respite.

A surprisingly warm breeze moved around them, sweeping her hair back with it. She smiled over at her husband with an undying tenderness in her heart. “While I wanted it more than anything, I never thought we would pull it off.”

“Ye of little faith,” Theophilus chided, meeting her gaze with amusement laced in his hazel eyes. “But it seems everything turned out as it was meant to.”

“You were right to believe saving the king was our best hope at clearing our names and righting our wrongs. I will be forever grateful for that,” she murmured to him, leaning against his comforting shoulder.

He took her hand in his and carefully stroked her skin. “I was apprehensive of you running down that alleyway in Dover, but it led us to where we are now. We made our amends, and now we can craft our own future together and the family we both want.”

Grinning at the prospect, she let her eyes close and relaxed with the warmth of his skin against hers. “How many?”

“Children?”

She nodded, and Theophilus hummed to himself. “One would suffice for some time, yet I will not place a limit on our love since they will be a direct result of it.”

Odette giggled to herself, aware of the suggestion in his response. “So long as we are happy and in good health, the number matters naught to me.”

“Very well,” he murmured, placing another kiss against her head. “I suppose we will need to get started sooner rather than later.”

Sharing a laugh with color scattered across her cheeks, they leaned into one another, soaking in the affection and peace for as long as they could. A calm silence lingered between them, content to simply swing and admire the striking night all around them.

As Odette considered how relaxed she felt, her mind began to wander to a familiar place. Struck with a sudden idea, she sat up and met his eyes.