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He was grateful for the coat he wore, for it helped conceal his arousal. He had barely listened to the sermon, with how engrossed he was with his wife and wishing to whisk her to somewhere private where he could ravish her with no restraints.

But then he could not do that without going through the process of marrying her and enduring the wedding breakfast that would follow. He was so distracted, thinking up ways to skip the process, that he almost missed the moment when they were about to exchange vows.

“Your Grace?” the bishop called, dragging him out of his daydreams. “Do you, Richard Nathaniel Curtis, take Selina Elena Wilkins to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, in sickness and health, till death do you part?”

“I do,” Richard answered, his voice clear. His eyes were glued to Selina’s, her green eyes an entire galaxy he would not mind getting lost in.

“Do you, Selina Elena Wilkins, take Richard Nathaniel Curtis to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, in sickness and health, till death do you part?” the bishop asked Selina.

“I do,” she intoned, her voice high and clear as she smiled brightly at Richard, her eyes luminous and brimming with unshed tears.

Those were happy tears, he knew. When he thought about the hurdles they had jumped over because of his cowardice…

He thanked the good Lord that he had not missed the chance to marry the love of his life because of his stupidity.

When the bishop gave him permission to kiss his wife, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, bent his head, and took her lips in a deep kiss that conveyed his adoration in ways that words could not.

But just like all his encounters with her, he soon lost his head when she kissed him back. He devoured her mouth with no care for their audience.

It was only the sound of the bishop clearing his throat loudly that called them back to their senses, and they turned to wave to the crowd as the new Duke and Duchess of Seymour.

His former self, who was a stickler for propriety, would have been scandalized to see such a display of affection in public, but he had discovered something he loved more than the appearance of perfection—the beautiful sprite beside him that was now his wife.

Weaving through the crowd, they greeted their guests, thanking them for witnessing the happiest day of their lives.

“At long last,” Herbert said when it was his turn to greet them. “At least now we will be spared the drama.” He rolled his eyes with a smile. “I would advise you to treat her well,” he whispered to Richard conspiratorially. “Trust me when I tell you that her black moods are super gloomy.”

The whole family laughed.

“Herbert,” Selina warned, but the culprit just smiled unrepentantly with the joy that only troublesome brothers felt when they had succeeded in discomfiting their sisters.

“I will miss you so,” Diana said, drawing Selina into a tight hug. “Please write me often. The house will be dull without you.”

“I doubt that,” Selina said with a reassuring smile, taking her sister’s hands in her own. “Herbert will be there to trouble you, and as for a sister, you will have Elizabeth. Stephen will offer guidance. Besides, I believe you will make a match soon and move to your own house,” she added, drawing her into another hug before releasing her.

“And it appears I am only valued for my guidance. I do not know if I should take offense at that,” Stephen said, eliciting a laugh from her. “You look absolutely beautiful, Sister,” he added, pulling her into a hug. “I wish you every happiness.”

“Thank you,” Selina whispered with a watery smile.

She looked into his eyes and saw that they also shone with unshed tears. Stephen might not be given to emotions, but she knew that he probably felt like a proud papa walking her down the aisle and giving her away.

He quickly blinked, masking the vulnerable look, and turned to Richard.

“Congratulations!” he said, drawing him into a bear hug and slapping his shoulder in that rough way that men liked. “I do not need to remind you to be careful with my sister, do I?” he asked, arching an eyebrow in challenge.

Selina tensed up slightly at the thought that they might decide to engage in one of those matches of strength that annoyed her to no end. The last one that was done on the day her dowry was negotiated resulted in Richard coming out with a slightly swollen face where her brother’s blow had landed.

It was well healed now, but she didn’t want a repeat of it. She was going on her honeymoon, and she preferred to have her husband intact and free of pain. Just as she was about to inform her brother of her preferences, Richard capitulated.

“Yes, of course. I promise to love and protect her with all my being.”

“You better,” Stephen said, slapping his shoulder again.

Elizabeth was the last to step forward.

“Congratulations, Selina. You look absolutely beautiful,” she said with a watery smile. “Please write me often, or I will come visit unannounced. Do ask Stephen how violent pregnant ladies can be. You do not wish to incur my wrath.” She chuckled, gathering Selina into a hug.

“I will. Thank you so much,” Selina replied, feeling her eyes well with tears as she slowly realized that she was leaving her family to become one with Richard.