Page 96 of Tempting Her Viscount

Epilogue

It was the new Lady Rathmore and her husband who insisted on hosting an engagement ball for Kit and Celia. After all, the newly married couple might have had a much different future if they hadn’t decided Kit and Celia wouldn’t do for their own purposes.

“I’ve never been so happy to have been rejected,” Kit said to Willa as they all stood by the entrance to greet their guests. Kit looked incredibly handsome in his evening clothes with his tartan sash draped across his chest. Celia had chosen a sapphire gown to accompany him and because she thought it a lucky color having worn it at the masquerade that changed everything.

“You must know I hold you in the highest regard.” Willa smiled. “I just didn’t want to marry you, Lord Stormont.”

“And I’m glad for it,” Celia said. “It took me quite a while to realize how much I loved him, I’m fortunate to have been given more time to come to that conclusion.”

“Your time grows to an end, my lady. If you plan to change your mind and escape this blighter, you must do so soon,” Rathmore joked.

Celia felt Kit’s hand on her waist tighten slightly as if he planned to hold her there rather than allow her to escape. As if she wanted an escape. How different this betrothal was from her last.

Her earlier fears of marriage were long forgotten as she looked forward to wedding Kit.

She patted his hand and smiled at her fiancé.

“I have no desire to run. I have exactly who I was supposed to be with all along.”

They were distracted then by the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe as they made their entrance. They were followed by the Earl and Countess Melville. Celia knew both couples had come from Scotland to attend their engagement ball and she was touched they’d make such a journey when they had little ones.

It was clear both of Kit’s friends from Heriot’s had found happiness in their wives, she could tell by all the smiles.

“Celia and I plan to spend time at Blairgowrie after we’re wed. We hope to have you come visit,” Kit offered.

Roxburghe and Melville looked at one another and laughed before Julian spoke.

“We won’t look for an invitation for quite some time. You’ll find when you get your new wife alone in the country, you’ll have other priorities than hosting guests.”

Roxburghe nodded. “Aye. It’s still a wonder to me why men see marriage as something to be avoided. I feel like a lucky bastard, indeed.”

Gray came in behind the couples and winced as he smiled. No doubt because of the cut lip and swollen black eye.

“What happened to you?” Celia worried.

“I’m fine, and it’s nothing I didn’t deserve.” He glanced toward Kit and held out his hand.

Kit shook it and pulled him in for a hug. Celia was close enough to hear her intended whisper to her brother. “You deserved a lot more, but since you’re to be my brother I didn’t want you permanently disfigured.”

It appeared whatever had happened had been dealt with and was now resolved, though she wouldn’t pretend to understand further than that.

Celia’s breath caught when she noticed their next guest. She hadn’t recognized the woman at first glance, mostly because she was dressed in a modest gown of deep rose.

“Lady Harrington, I am so glad you have come to celebrate with us.”

She smiled. “I would not miss the opportunity to extend my wish for your happiness.” To Celia she whispered, “Is it not better to have the love of one man?”

Celia nodded. “I thank you for sending him to my room that night. I feel I have you to thank for setting us on this path.”

“Destiny is a fickle wench,” she said with a smile.

“Lady Harrington, might I ask for your first dance,” Graham said with a courtly bow. “I’m afraid I missed my chance during your ball.”

The woman smiled, more genuine than Celia had seen before. Her cheeks darkened and Celia wondered what had caused a blush to touch the cheeks of the most scandalous woman in London. It was only a dance, not an assignation.

“Yes. I think I would like that,” the woman answered shyly and took Gray’s offered hand. “Whatever has happened to your face?”

“Let’s just say it was a wrong being righted.” She heard Gray’s answer as he escorted Lady Harrington to the dance floor.

“Hmm. Perhaps your brother has found someone who understands lost love,” Kit said.

It was difficult for Celia to think of her brother’s pain. Not just because she didn’t want him to live a life unfulfilled but because it made her think of how close she had come to living that same unfulfilled life. If Kit had married before she’d realized she loved him…

She pulled in a shaky breath and shook away the horrid thought. She looked up at Kit and smiled, happy she would never know that pain.

“I am so glad I realized how I felt about you before it was too late.”

“Aye. I’m glad we have a match that will bring us many years of happiness.”

When he bent to kiss her, his lips seemed to miss her cheek and land in the place below her ear that drove her wild at the same time betraying his thoughts.

“You’re thinking of starting that happiness tonight in Lord Rathmore’s study, aren’t you?” Celia whispered so only Kit could hear.

He winked in that naughty way she loved so much.

“At our earliest opportunity, countess.”