Page 26 of A Simple Scandal (Millionaires of Mayfair #3)

Twenty-Five

D ane had escorted Grace to a small retiring room off the salon, where she washed her face. When she glanced at the mirror on the wall, her eyes didn’t hide anything. She was quite a sight for a bride. She pinched her cheeks and patted the slight puffiness around her eyes. Anyone looking at her would be able to tell she had been crying. It wouldn’t surprise her if the vicar thought Dane was marrying her in a sympathetic gesture to stop her tears.

At first, the tears had been born out of the sadness she had felt when she confessed all. But then they quickly turned into tears of happiness. And it was all because of Dane. Her hand reached for her mother’s necklace, securely clasped around her neck. She still couldn’t believe that he had found it for her.

She braced her hands on the washstand and bowed her head. Her only sister had betrayed her due to an incessant need to gamble. Perhaps she had been desperate and had no other avenue to take. However, Dane’s generosity had given Hope a second chance, even though she didn’t deserve it. Grace never considered herself vindictive, and there was no denying that Hope deserved sympathy, but Grace could never imagine forgiving Hope for what she had done to her over the years.

Perhaps one day, she might find it in her heart to forgive Hope, but she would never forget her sister’s actions, including throwing her out of her own home and telling her lies about her dowry and the current Earl of Webster-Harnly. Perhaps next week, she and Dane could visit the earl. Grace wanted to rekindle her relationship with her cousin.

She sniffed and lifted her head to gaze in the mirror once more. The woman who looked back at her had transformed into someone more confident. And it was all thanks to the extraordinary man she was about to marry. She smiled at her reflection. Tonight, she would marry, and she was determined to savor every moment of it. Her only regret was that Honoria and Pippa weren’t there to witness their brother’s marriage. Both had wanted him to marry someone deserving of his love, someone who would cherish and love him in return. They would see their wish fulfilled as Grace would always love and adore him.

Murmurs and laughter came from the salon. Grace pinched her cheeks once again, then opened the door. She entered the formal salon and stopped. Honoria and Trafford, along with Pippa and Ravenscroft, stood next to Dane.

As soon as Honoria saw her, she took Pippa’s hand. “She’s here.”

Both sisters made a beeline for Grace. As soon as they were beside her, Honoria hugged her.

Grace wrapped her arms around her friend and squeezed hard. “I can’t believe you are standing in front of me.”

“Me next,” Pippa said and took Grace in her arms.

“Oh, Pippa,” Grace exclaimed. “Thank you for being here, and thank you for the dress. I know I look like a fright, but it has been quite a day.”

“Nonsense. You are a beautiful bride,” Pippa cooed.

“Dane is a lucky man,” Honoria added, then pulled Grace into her side. “Welcome to the family, Grace. Pippa and I always wanted another sister.”

Pippa leaned near as if sharing a secret. “And we always hoped that sister would be you.”

Grace felt another round of tears about to appear, but she swallowed them back. “And I’ve always wanted you both as my sisters, though I already feel that way.”

“Enough, you two. I need my bride by my side,” Dane growled.

“Pfft,” Pippa snorted. “Someone is anxious to say his vows.

“He’s been fidgeting since he entered the room.” Honoria studied her brother. “Marcus tried to calm his nerves.”

“Hugh has been teasing him relentlessly since we arrived, and Dane has not snapped at him yet,” Pippa said confidently. “A sure sign our brother is nervous.”

The conversations faded around Grace as her eyes met Dane’s. A huge smile tugged at his lips as he came forward. He was so devastatingly handsome that he stole her breath. He’d changed into a white silk formal evening coat that made his blond hair shimmer. But it was his eyes that captivated her. She had never seen them so vibrant and filled with emotion.

Without even glancing at his sisters, he took Grace’s hand and held it to his lips. “Your beauty is ethereal.”

Honoria and Pippa sighed in unison.

“I believe your husbands are waiting for you,” Dane said without looking at his sisters. “I must speak with my bride privately.”

Heat blossomed on her cheeks at the intensity of his gaze, but she wasn’t shy. It was the warmth and anticipation of saying their vows.

“This is the happiest day of my life.” He pulled her near and wrapped his arms around her. “Tell me this is what you want.”

“I have wanted you as mine from the first time I saw you.”

Dane tilted his head back, sighed, and delivered his best mischievous smile. “Thank heavens.”

Grace wrapped her arms around his. “I feel as if we’re already married.”

“I feel the same. I’ve had Mabel and John move your things here. My housekeeper has prepared a bedchamber for Theo. I thought he could live here with us. I know how much he means to you.”

“Oh, Dane.” This time, she did shed a tear. “Thank you.”

“You should also know that I bought your townhouse, and I’ve had my solicitor create a trust for you to hold your property. Your townhouse deed is in there, and so is the one I bought next to it.” He bent his head and smiled sheepishly. “The property I won from Brixworth when I was sick? It was Sommer House. That deed is in your trust as well. You have complete control over everything, and no one can ever take it away.”

She tilted her head and stared at him. “Truly? Why on earth?”

“Because I never want you to feel insecure about where you live. I know how much your own home means to you.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I also purchased a cottage in Cornwall that overlooks the ocean. It’s in the trust as well. But I thought you and I could spend holidays there together.”

“You did not have to do that.” She held on to his lapels and stared into his eyes. “My place is beside the most wonderful man in the entire British Isles.”

He frowned slightly. “Shouldn’t you have said the entire world?”

Before she could reply, the vicar cleared his throat. “Your Grace? I hate to interrupt, but I am expected at the bishop’s home in a half hour for dinner.”

Dane rolled his eyes. “He has forgotten who his largest benefactor is. Yet, I suppose he is as anxious as I am.”

“Ready if you are,” Grace murmured.

“I have been ready all my life.” Dane took her hand, and they walked to stand in front of the vicar.

Honoria and Pippa stood beside Grace, while Ravenscroft and Trafford stood by Dane’s side. As the vicar had them recite their vows, Grace said a silent prayer thanking the powers that be for Dane.

As soon as the vicar pronounced them husband and wife, Dane swept into her arms and gave her a kiss that stole her breath. She could barely hear the cheers that erupted from her family. All of her attention was focused on their kiss. It promised love, passion, and laughter for a lifetime.

“ Your Grace !” the vicar scolded.

Dane ignored him and continued to kiss her. After a few minutes, he pulled away but didn’t let go of her. “Our family wants to have dinner with us. We shall eat quickly. Then, I’ll personally escort them out. I cannot wait to have you in my chambers tonight, and every other night we have together for the rest of our lives. You are stuck with me forever, Duchess.”

“The very place I want to be.” Grace tugged him closer and lowered her voice. “You have made all my dreams come true. You are the most wonderful and loving man in the entire world .”

Dane hmphed and pulled her close. “I like that sentiment and am delighted you agree with me.” Then, the charming man winked at her. “Just wait until you find out what I have planned for us and our future. I wouldn’t want to ruin my scandalous reputation, so we should plan for a few simple ones.”

Grace returned the wink. “I cannot wait.”