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At last, Mrs. Weatherby stood. She inched around the table, moving a few items, then unrolled the scroll. Alden tried not to roll his eyes at the bold caption, “Heirs of Godwin Castle”, with a list of his, Dunstan’s, and their cousin’s names underneath. Cedric’s name was already crossed out in thick, black chalk.

“Mrs. Weatherby, the chalk!” Uncle Godwin said.

A short snort erupted from Bernadette, who quickly slapped a hand over her mouth. That quick slip nearly did Alden in as well. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing as Mrs. Weatherby removed a large piece of black chalk from her apron and handed it to Uncle Godwin.

Uncle Godwin took the chalk, then made his way down the list of names until he reached Alden’s. Then, with great pomp and circumstance, he made a sharp, black mark through Alden’s name. Once that was done, in solemn tones, he declared, “So mote it be.”

Despite the silliness of the moment, Alden had to admit that a wave of relief rushed over him, especially when his uncle rolled the scroll up again and handed it back to Mrs. Weatherby. Mrs. Weatherby nodded as she accepted the document, then turned to march it back to its place in the desk drawer.

“There you have it,” Uncle Gerald nodded, then turned a sudden smile on Bernadette. “And now, my dear, you must tell me all the details of this outstanding ball you planned for my nephew. My son, Lawrence, has written to me all about it and described it as the social event of the summer.”

“I would be happy to tell you whatever you’d like, my lord,” Bernadette said, smiling back at him.

“Good,” Uncle Gerald said. “Because Lawrence may be a faithful correspondent, but he leaves out all the juiciest details.Who was misbehaving at this party? Were there any spats? Boys, bring a chair for the newest Lady Godwin,” he added an order to the questions he had for Bernadette. “And you,” he turned to Bernadette once more. “You will call me Uncle Gerald. None of this ‘my lord’ nonsense.”

“Whatever you wish, Uncle Gerald,” Bernadette laughed, stepping forward to take the old man’s offered hand. “I think you and I will be the best of friends.”

Alden was certain she was right. As he fetched a chair for his wife, his heart was filled with love and peace. After all those years spent abroad, he finally felt as though he had come home. Not because he had returned to the family’s castle, but because he had Bernadette’s love and the rest of his life to spend with her, no matter where they were.