Page 55 of The Devil’s Lair

Tobias’s smile is warm and encouraging, and as I move into place, my bare arm brushes his suit jacket. Conscious of his aversion to touch, I shuffle a few inches to my left.

“You look lovely,” he murmurs. “Thank you for this, for agreeing to be my wife.” He nods at the minister, and the official ceremony begins.

After a few minutes, it’s time for the vows. I labored over mine, and I’m still not sure they’re exactly what I want to say, but they’re all I’ve got. I never have been great with speeches, and I’m doubly glad this is an intimate affair.

Tobias turns to face me, his expression open and honest, his features the kind of handsome that make grown women weep. If the love I once believed in hadn’t been destroyed by marriage to Marcus, Tobias is the kind of man I’d fall for. He’s patient, kind, understanding, with more compassion in his little finger than Marcus had in his entire body.

“Rebecca, I’m not going to stand here and pretend this marriage is something it’s not. Despite the dreadful circumstances which brought us here, I’m grateful we met. We’ve built a solid friendship, and with time, I know we can deepen our connection. Our union isn’t conventional, but I believe it’s about something far more important than convention; it’s about respect, compassion, and understanding. I promise you and Isla will never stand alone again. You have my protection, my home, and my loyalty for as long as we both live.”

His words punch a hole in my chest and flood it with warmth. My throat clogs with emotion, and I have to swallow three times before I can speak.

“Once upon a time, I believed in fairy tales and happily ever afters. Unfortunately, that belief soon died and, for a time, I thought good people didn’t exist. Then you came along and rebuilt my faith. In you I have found a companion, a friend, and that’s more than I could ever have hoped for. I’m not whole, and I don’t know that I ever will be, but you have given me peace and safety, and for that, I give you my undying and everlasting gratitude.”

We exchange rings, and Tobias’s family break out into applause. There’s no kissing, no touching, yet when Tobias swoops Isla into his arms and settles her on his hip, I swear the bond between us strengthens.

He may not be capable of loving me, and I’m glad we won’t have that kind of relationship, but there isn’t a doubt in my mind that he loves Isla. In the time we’ve known him, he’s been more of a father to her than her own ever was in the first four years of her life.

There I go again. Marcus, Marcus, Marcus. I wish I could reach into my brain, claw out every memory of that man, and set them on fire.

“You okay?”

I smooth the frown that’s made an appearance and smile up at my new husband. “More than okay.”

“I’ll be a good husband to you, Rebecca, and the best father I can be to Isla. I promise.”

“You’ll make a wonderful father.”

He beams as though I’ve given him the greatest compliment ever. We get into the car, and it takes us back to Oakleigh. On the journey, Tobias explains that when his three brothers married, they held a gigantic wedding reception, with around five hundred guests. He must read the relief on my face that ours will be a more muted affair, because he laughs.

“You’re so expressive. Worst nightmare ever, huh?”

“Yeah.”

The staff are lined up outside Oakleigh when the car draws to a stop. I shoot a questioning look at Tobias.

“Another tradition. They like to turn out to welcome the new member of the family. My advice is to just roll with it.”

Applause breaks out as the three of us make our way into the house. It’s both embarrassing and kind of sweet. I’d always imagined the super rich to be standoffish with their staff, maybe even a little cruel. Yet I haven’t seen any evidence of a single De Vil treating the staff members with anything other than respect and, in some cases, friendship. It backs up what I read about Tobias and his family when I researched them.

Raucous laughter and conversation fill the formal dining room as we sit down to a delicious lunch. Any awkwardness I might have felt melts away. I’m a part of this. I’m actually a part of a loving family for the first time in my life.

I can hardly believe it.

As the dessert dishes are cleared away, Isla yawns for the third straight time. All the excitement of the day must be catching up to her.

“I’m going to take Isla upstairs for a nap.” I push back my chair and pick her up. “Would you like to come with me and help put her to bed?”

Tobias nods. “I’d love to, if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course it’s okay. You’re her family now.”

Based on his reaction, I could not have given him a better compliment. He tosses his napkin on the table and gets up. “Dad, we’re off. Isla’s tired.”

“No problem, son.” Charles brandishes a half-drunk glass of champagne in the air. “To your health, both of you. Welcome to the family, Rebecca.”

We say our goodbyes, and Tobias carries Isla upstairs. As soon as she’s tucked into bed, she promptly falls asleep. We stand there watching over her, the silence comforting rather than heavy.

“Can I ask you something?” I whisper.