Page 47 of A Duke Reformed (Icy Dukes #3)

" E mma, the wedding was so beautiful," Lavinia cried, throwing herself on Emma in a lazy hug. "You looked even more beautiful."

Emma sat at her wedding breakfast, surrounded by the people she loved most in the world. The morning's ceremony still lingered in her mind. Every moment of it, so vivid, so perfect. The vows they had exchanged were more than just words. They were promises made with every uttermost sincerity.

She could hardly believe it had all come together. After everything, after the fear, the hesitation, the doubts. She had almost let it slip away.

Emma laughed, blinking away the tears that had once again started to pool in her eyes. "Thank you, Lavinia," she said, hugging her friend back. "But you have cried three times already today! Stop making me cry."

"I'm sorry," Lavinia sniffed, adjusting back into her chair. "I think it's the pregnancy. I'm all over the place. But truly, I'm so happy for you. Stubborn Emma finally gives in to love."

Emma playfully rolled her eyes at her.

"I would like to think I had something to do with it," Cecilia chimed in. "If it wasn't for me, Emma would not have met His Grace. Now, she's the Duchess of Montclaire, and she still has not thanked me."

"Hush!" Emma cautioned Cecilia, seated two seats away from Lavinia. "No one must hear that story, all right? You will take it to your grave. In a way, I'm still angry with you for what you tried to do... almost jeopardizing your future. But also... thank you. For everything."

Cecilia smiled warmly. "Now that I think about it, the three of you married dukes. You are all Duchesses. That is so amazing."

Emma and Lavinia smiled at each other. Emma wiped her eyes, laughing softly. "We've been through so much, haven't we?" she said to Lavinia. "Now look at us." Her gaze flicked to Solomon, who was standing not too far away, speaking with some of the other guests and her father.

Lavinia nudged Emma on the side and when Emma looked to her, she winked. "He's a good man. I can see it in the way he looks at you. You're safe with him."

Emma smiled, her heart swelling. "I know. I never doubted that."

Just as the words left her lips, Alice reappeared, walking toward them. "This is so beautiful, Emma," she said, taking a seat beside Lavina. "Everything about it feels perfect."

"Thank you, Alice," she answered. "Thank you both for coming."

"We wouldn't miss your wedding for the world," Alice answered. "Victor and I will be returning to Ravenmoor later today. We've decided to head back sooner than expected." She paused, clearly gathering her emotions. "But I wanted to tell you, Emma... I am proud of you. Proud of us."

Emma fought hard to keep the tears at bay. "Me too," she whispered.

You put aside your fear and chose happiness," Alice continued. "I know it hasn't been easy for you, but look at where you are now. You're marrying a man who loves you deeply and I've never seen you look as happy as you do today," Alice said. "It's fulfilling."

Emma's throat tightened, and she swallowed hard, forcing down her own emotions bubbling to the surface. "It feels right," she whispered, almost to herself. "It feels like everything I've ever wanted is here."

"I'll really miss you both," Lavinia said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Let's try to see each other as often as we can.

Perhaps we can attend the London Season every year, to keep in touch when we've stayed apart for too long, tending to our obligations.

" She smiled. "Our friendship has meant more to me than I ever realized. We cannot lose it."

Emma nodded, her heart swelling with a mixture of happiness and sadness. "I couldn't agree more. No matter where we are or what happens, we'll always have this bond."

Alice smiled warmly at Emma, gently pushing her toward the direction of Solomon. "Go on, now. It's your wedding day, Emma. Be with your husband."

Emma smiled back at her friends, feeling nostalgic so suddenly. She took a few steps forward, but then paused, glancing back at Alice and Lavinia. "Before I go... I could use some tips. For the bridal tour, I mean. I'm not entirely sure what to expect."

Alice and Lavinia exchanged a quick, knowing glance. Alice was the first to speak, and she started by shrugging her shoulders. "Well, you know...neither of us had exactly the conventional bridal tour."

Lavinia shook her head, with a teasing smile on her face. "I don't think either of us would be much help in that department, to be honest. Emma, I think you're on your own with this one."

Emma raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Really? You mean no advice at all?"

Alice and Lavinia both chuckled. "Later," they both whispered, gesturing for her to go on to meet Solomon.

A sudden wave of emotion washed over her as she made her way to Solomon. Emma took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had almost given up on this love. She had convinced herself that love could never be hers, that it was too dangerous, too consuming.

How foolish.

As Emma approached Solomon, she noticed that he was deep in conversation with her father, who was speaking so eagerly.

"... No, that's why this investment is important," she heard her father say. . "The market is still recovering, but with the right investment, we could–"

"Lord Lockhart," Solomon said with a smile.

"You don't need to worry about investments or bad markets.

As I've said before, we no longer need to focus on money.

Emma's family is my family now." He looked at Emma with a soft smile before turning back to her father.

"I have more than enough for all of us. Don't worry about investing in someone else's business.

Let's work on fixing yours. The Lockhart business. "

"It would take a lot of money to revive the family business, Your Grace."

"I think I have that," he answered, reaching for Emma and pulling her close to him. "That is the least of your worries now. Draft the plan for action, we will go over it and execute."

Her father seemed taken aback for a moment, clearly processing Solomon's words. His brow furrowed slightly, but then his expression softened. "I don't know what to say, Your Grace."

"You don't have to say anything," he responded. "But I would have to ask that you excuse me a moment to speak to my wife. I fear we haven't had a conversation since the ceremony this morning."

Howard gave a knowing nod. "Of course. Congratulations."

Emma had not seen her father smile like that before. It was as though all the wrinkles on his face had disappeared and he looked five times younger. She felt tears burn her eyes. Finally, after so many years of ruin, he was finally getting to breathe a sigh of relief.

Solomon turned to Emma, offering her his arm. "Shall we?"

Emma smiled up at him, a warmth blossoming in her chest as she took his arm. They walked toward a quiet corner of the expansive room, the noise of the celebration fading behind them as they left the group to themselves.

Once they were out of earshot from the others, Emma paused and looked up at him, her heart still fluttering from the ceremony that had just taken place hours before.

"It feels surreal, doesn't it?" she said softly, her voice tinged with awe.

"I've dreamed of this day for so long, but now that it's here, I can hardly believe it. "

Solomon brushed a lock of hair from her face as he gazed down at her. "Are you all right, my love? It seems like you have been crying," he said, worried.

Emma shook her head slowly with a smile on her face. "Only tears of joy. I'm grateful for you, Solomon. Truly."

Solomon leaned forward to hug her, burying his face in her shoulder.

"Is it terrible that I just want us to go travelling, right now?

To leave everyone behind, and just... go to a beautiful place where it's only the two of us?

" he said into her shoulders. "There's so many places I want to show you. "

Emma giggled. "It's almost over."

Solomon pulled back slightly. "Almost over, but not quite. I suppose we can spare a few more moments before we slip away from all the festivities."

Emma nodded, but then, as they approached, she squeezed his hand gently. "I'd like to speak with Dorothy before we leave. I promised her I'd make sure to have a proper talk before everything changes for her. She'll be having her debut next season. There's so much she needs to know."

"Of course, darling, take all the time you need," he answered, leaning back into the embrace.

"So, where are we going first," she asked him, unable to contain her excitement. "I cannot believe you're keeping it a secret."

"I want to surprise you," he answered. "It's not a secret, it's a surprise."

"That makes me even more curious," she said. "Where?"

Solomon chuckled. "Well, if I told you now, it wouldn't be much of a surprise, would it, Ducky?"

"You're impossible," she teased, but her heart was already racing with excitement.

He leaned in closer. "Trust me, Ducky, it'll be worth the wait."

Emma wrapped her arms around his neck. "I suppose I'll just have to be patient," she said, her smile widening. "But you must know, I'll be counting down the days."

"I'll make sure you won't have to wait too long," he promised, taking her hand in his.

"You know you can come to me for anything, right, Emma?

If anything happens, don't try to fix it yourself.

Whatever it is, come to me. My vows to you at the altar were very sincere.

I will be everyone and everything you need me to be. "

Emma nodded. "I know. I trust you with everything, Solomon."

She didn't need to look around to know the guests would be wondering where they had gone, but she didn't mind. She didn't want this moment to end, but it was time to face the world again, to let the celebrations continue. It was her wedding day after all, and there were memories yet to be made.

Hand in hand, Emma walked beside Solomon, their fingers intertwined as they walked back to rejoin the guests. The warmth of his hand in hers was a constant reminder of how much her life had changed in such a short time.

As they approached the table, she couldn't help but glance up at Solomon, feeling a swell of affection that made her heart flutter.

She was ready. Ready to start the next chapter of their life together, to experience the world with him at her side.

Ready to travel to new places, discovering new things, and building a future together, filled her with excitement.

There was so much to look forward to.

The End?