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“They will keep their cousins on their toes, to be sure,” Helena laughed softly.

“But first,” Morgan whispered, bringing her fingers to his smiling lips, “We shall be married.”

Helena gave him a bemused look before giving him a rueful grin. He loved teasing her about her maidenhood now, taunting her for being a true bride.

“Thank youso muchfor the kind reminder,” she replied sweetly, then boldly reached out to cup his bulge.

Morgan let out a surprised wheeze as he backed her into the hallway wall.

“It is always a pleasure to remind you, my little Persephone,” he whispered wickedly, and gave her a passionate kiss.

EPILOGUE

“Is that a tear, old boy?” Morgan teased, throwing his arm around Ambrose’s neck.

“No,” Ambrose snarled, pushing Morgan’s arm off him, only to smile devilishly and pull him in for a fierce hug.

“Sure looked like a tear,” Ezra noted, smirking.

“He cried,” Duncan sighed, swirling his whiskey in his glass.

“Like a little girl,” Morgan crooned, and the three of them laughed and pushed affectionately at Ambrose as he began to curse and shove them back.

“Alright, you caught me!” Ambrose sighed. “But what do you expect? I was walking my baby sister down the aisle, after all. Did you see her smile, her exquisite dress, and the excitement radiating from within her? How could I not experience a moment of sentiment?”

“I think we were all affected,” Duncan admitted. “It was what was always meant to be. Congratulations, Morgan.”

Though the words were full of praise, all four of them noted the subtle meaning beneath them. This was the marriage Helena deserved to have. A wedding where she actually wanted to join in marriage with her husband out of love, not propriety.

“I am still very confused about how this all came to be,” Thomas stated, looking up at his adopted uncles with a suspicious eye.

“We all are, lad,” Duncan offered, clapping a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Best not to ask questions.”

“I will not have to marrymysister, will I?” Thomas asked, raising a worried brow as he looked across the room at Camilla, who was with Helena and the other women. Ezra and Duncan began to roar with laughter as Ambrose scowled and Morgan gave him a cheeky grin.

“Might I remind you for the hundredth time, dear boy, that Helena was not and never will be my sister,” Morgan pointed out.

“Still does not seem right,” Thomas muttered shaking his head.

“Tell me about it,” Ambrose muttered. “You think I wanted to see my sister married to this buffoon?”

“Speaking of the beautiful bride,” Morgan said loudly, alerting the others to Helena and their incoming wives.

“Hello, wife,” Morgan said chipperly, greeting Helena with a warm but quick kiss as she came to his side.

“Hello, husband,” Helena replied through her smile.

“Oh, darling,that dressis absolutely perfect on you,” Morgan groaned, unabashedly roaming his gaze over her. “Have I told you that yet today?”

“Only a thousand times,” Helena laughed.

It was true though, and Morgan could not get enough of seeing her in her wedding gown. He had loved her in black, but he wanted toworshipher in white. In fact, he planned to do exactly that the moment their guests left. Which, he realized, was right now.

Their vows had been exchanged, the speeches had been made, the feast had been heartily consumed, and Helena had returned from saying her goodbyes to Teresa and her family, as well as a few other guests. They were down to their original eight, and as they all gathered together, Morgan motioned over a servant to refill their champagne.

Together, their group said their goodbyes to Thomas and Camilla, all promising visits in the near future, and waited until the younger ones had departed.

“Well, my friends,” Morgan announced, looking at the faces of his loved ones, Helena wrapped tightly under his arm, “it appears the festivities have concluded. Thank you all for your support, your love, and most of all, your friendship. May we live merrily and peacefully from now on.”