Page 324 of Desires of a Duke Collection

Just over twelve months later…

It was difficult to believe that an entire year had passed since the pair had fallen in love and vowed to be each other’s partners in love and life. Several things had gotten in the way of their marital bliss.

First, Robert and Elizabeth were married by special license. It had been a somber affair. CeCe did not want her wedding to be anything like what she’d witnessed that day.

Then the baron put his foot down and announced that no daughter of his would be married off in some havey-cavey affair. He demanded a three-month engagement, far longer than the typical three-week reading of the banns. A month in, CeCe’s great aunt Petunia had died, putting the entire family in black.

At this point, it was a little questionable if the happy couple would ever say their vows. Charles was perfectly happy to have a small, intimate affair. However, the Baroness had stepped in, pleading with the couple to allow her to arrange the perfect wedding day.

CeCe knew her mother had sacrificed much for Eli and herself. It was a small price to pay, if this was what would make her mother happy.

At this point, both the bride and groom were fairly chomping at the bit.

After all, Elizabeth and Robert’s rushed wedding had been nearly a year previous. So many things had changed within that space of time, but one remained constant. Charles and CeCe were desperately in love with one another.

The day had finally arrived for the lovers to tie the knot. Technically, the season had just ended, and although they were mourning, they had hardly participated in any of the festivities. With a grateful heart, the family could shed their somber wardrobes and again wear color.

Eli whistled as he approached his sister’s bedchamber. The guests had already begun to arrive for the ceremony, and there was a hum of excitement in the air. It was difficult to believe that CeCe would be a married woman. They had come into this world together and passed each milestone at one another’s side.

In some ways, Eli felt as if he were losing a part of himself. He shook his head to allow some clarity to creep in. His twin would always occupy a special place in his heart. Eli was thankful that he respected and trusted the man that would be her husband. There was only one loose thread that needed tightening.

It was time to settle their little wager.

Knocking softly, Eli was allowed entrance by their terribly distressed mother.

She automatically tipped her head up for a kiss on her cheek. “They aren’t calling for us yet, are they?” She fussed, wringing her gloves within an inch of their life.

Eli couldn’t help but admire his mother. She was still quite a beautiful woman, clearly looking too young to be the bride’s mother.

He took her shaking hands into his firm ones and kissed them.

“Mother,” he began patiently. “There is plenty of time. Take a deep breath, and please don’t fret. I’ve only come to check on you and CeCe. It’s so strange; for so long, it’s been the three of us, and after today, I suppose it will be the two of us.”

The Baroness smiled at her firstborn, her nerves settling a little. “You are such a good son, Eli. I am so grateful for my children.” Tears began to form at the corners of her eyes.

He smiled lovingly in return. “Don’t cry dearest. We aren’t truly losing CeCe. We are simply adding Charles into the mix, and he’s been around so long we hardly notice him.”

The Baroness gave him a watery smile. “Indeed. But it will be different going forward, won’t it?”

He nodded and pulled her into a warm embrace. When she regained her composure, the Baroness guided him to where CeCe stood in her wedding finery before a looking glass.

The creaminess of the satin accentuated her skin’s loveliness. Her skin was luminous, perhaps with all the love and laughter in her eyes. There was an unrepentant sparkle there that reminded Eli of the sister who had insisted fairies lived in the garden.

His heart squeezed, and to his chagrin, he felt emotion clogging the back of his throat. Her vibrant aquamarine eyes, identical to his own, met his gaze in the mirror. She was radiant. Then her lips formed that familiar smile, and Eli found himself returning the knowing grin.

“Well, it’s not too late to back out, C. So tell me, is this everything you’d wished it to be? “ He raised his left brow playfully while secretly sending his twin a teasing wink. “Because you say the word, and I can have you out of here in a trice!”

“No, you won’t!” The Baroness cried out in dismay. “You rotten boy, it’s taken me years to get her this far.”

“And several feigned illnesses,” CeCe added helpfully.

Her mother gave her a side eye, ignoring when the twins burst into giggles. It had been just the levity they’d needed to bring everyone’s nerves back down again.

“What do you say, C?” Eli held out his arm for his sister to take. “I’m proud of you, kid.”

She blushed prettily. “That was very nice of you. Thank you, Eli. It’s been a long time coming. A lot can happen in a year.”

They shot each other a knowing glance, once again conversing without words being expressed.

“Say,” Eli added. “I spoke with Charles a few moments ago.”

CeCe raised a brow in question. “Oh, and what did he have to say?”

Eli shrugged. “I did most of the talking. I told him to feed the fairies in the garden to watch for trolls near the bridge.”

CeCe’s expression grew sentimental, her mouth trembling. “Did you mention not to follow the wisps in the glen? Or that the leprechauns are tricky and won’t lead you to their pot of gold?”

Eli nodded. “I did. And do you know what his reply was, sister dear?”

CeCe’s eyes were bright with unshed tears—happy tears. “I cannot imagine, brother mine.”

“He assured me not to worry,” Eli replied softly. “He vowed that no matter what adventure or scrape you manage to fall in. He would be right there by your side. I can’t think of a man worthy to marry my sister.”

A fat tear escaped her aquamarine eyes and trailed down her cheek. Eli was quick to capture it with his thumb.

“But CeCe, I think Charles is as close to worthy as any man will ever get. I wish you every happiness, little sister.”

She threw her arms around her brother and hugged him as she did when they were children.

“You are perfectly horrid to come in here and say all those lovely things to me,” she said, wiping another tear away.

Eli grinned. “Well, it wasn’t my only goal. I’ve also come to collect on the bet. You owe me twenty pounds, C.”

“Me?” she expostulated, her tears magically drying up. “I won the bet, brother. It was you who lost. I didn’t marry last season—granted, that was largely due to Aunt Petunia.”

“You admit you forfeit the game?” Eli goaded.

“Hardly,” CeCe shot back. “You forfeited the game when you joined forces with Robert and Spencer masquerading as cupids. That should be grounds alone based on cheating.

Eli shook his head as a frown began to form. “Now see here, C. The wager was you would be married by the end of the next season. Here we are, at the end of the next season—at your wedding. Clearly, I win.”

“Well, you’ve just proven your own defeat. “ CeCe smirked wickedly. “The Season was officially over three days ago; even by your logic, you’ve lost.”

“You cheater!” Eli fired back.

“How dare you!” CeCe snorted. “You can’t call me a cheater when you cheated first!”

Her hot rejoinder could be heard halfway down the hallway.

“Enough!” Eloise bellowed, causing both of her children to pause. “Eli, stop teasing your sister. This is her wedding day. You are allowed to make two comments on her special day. The first being, ‘I’ve never seen you look lovelier.’ And the second, ‘I know you and Charles will be blissfully happy together.’”

Eli’s lip quirked up on the side as he repeated, “You’ve never looked lovelier.”

CeCe’s face was a picture of smug superiority. But it fell when the Baroness added, “CeCe, you are a grown woman. Pay your brother the bloody twenty pounds you owe him. Even a blind man could see you wouldn’t win that one. You’ve loved that boy from the moment you clapped eyes on him. Now hug and make nice because we’ve got a wedding to attend.”

**

In the years that followed, when all the festivities were nothing but a fond memory, Charles would be asked what his favorite part of this day was.

He would smile and say it wasn’t when the Baron threw a tantrum like a small child when CeCe asked Eli to walk her down the aisle in place of her absent father.

He wouldn’t recall his younger brother becoming so sloshed that he tried to plant a kiss on the vicar’s wife. While entirely inappropriate, it had been utterly hilarious when he realized his mistake. Poor Spencer had thrown himself into his studies after that—and none could have blamed him.

Charles wouldn’t mention the hauntingly lovely musical number sung by Frances, the Widow Abbott’s niece Frances. Who, much to everyone’s surprise, had a fantastic contralto voice and did not stutter once while singing.

While many of these memories were indeed worthy of remembrance, they weren’t the moments that would remain forever impressed upon his mind. The instant she appeared in the garden was the one thing that stood out and will forever be burned into his memory: his bride—his CeCe—his wife.

It was the flash of her satiny cream skirt before she rounded the corner, first coming into view. It was the curve of her neck when she glanced up and met his gaze. It was in the sensual curve of her lips as she gave him that intimate smile, the one that never failed to get his blood pumping and his heart racing. It was the curve of her slender arms as she carried the beautiful irises and geraniums. As lovely as they were, the flowers didn’t hold a candle to her.

It had been a year of waiting and wanting. And now, the day was finally here. He could take a deep breath and begin to breathe again as hard as it had been to put the wedding off for a year. He would have waited a lifetime for her, for this very moment.

Her auburn waves glinted in the sunlight; the curve of her spine was accentuated by her close-fitting gown. She was radiant, and confident. She’d had that look on her face that was purely CeCe: partly wicked, partly mysterious, and thoroughly amused. And then she tossed him that sultry grin that promised a wild ride was yet to come.

He recalled that when his children asked about their wedding day. It was in his thoughts as they celebrated each anniversary. It wasn’t the flowers, the food, the vows, or even those in attendance. It was CeCe.

would remember that he’d finally won the heart of the girl he loved most and that sometimes wishes do come true.