Page 85 of Her Duke’s Secret

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Married for the second time? You’ve barely been married for six months.”

“Just before we left for Ireland, we had a second ceremony in the back garden, with only our friends and family. It was lovely. You were the only one missing.”

He sighed. “I am sorry that I’ve missed both of your weddings. But that simply means you’ll have to renew your vows once more so I can be in attendance. You could make it a yearly event.”

She laughed. “I do not think that Harry will want to arrange a wedding ceremony once per year.”

“What do I hear about wedding ceremonies?”

They turned to see Harry standing there. He had come out of the house quietly, and neither of them had heard him.

“I was just telling my dear sister that I managed to miss both of her weddings. The two of you shall have to get married once more, this time with me in attendance. I suggested a yearly ceremony, but my sister disagrees.”

“Well, perhaps every five years?” Harry suggested, and Arabella realized he was serious. “I think it would be a lovely tradition. It would remind us of our vows, certainly, and we could add personalized vows each time.”

“I think that would be a lovely idea,” she agreed.

“Well, look at that,” Alexander remarked. “You’ve barely arrived, and already my ideas have improved conditions.”

“You have improved quite a lot,” Harry said, his tone serious now. “I can’t tell you how grateful we are that you’ve taken in Helen.”

“Of course. To tell you the truth, it is as much for my benefit as it is for hers. I’ve felt terribly guilty for leaving home when I did, leaving my sisters behind. If I can protect Helen from her father, perhaps it will help me get over my guilt.”

They stood quietly for a moment, lost in their thoughts, until Alexander snapped his fingers. “Well, I must go find young Miss Helen because I have something special to show her. I’ve taken it upon myself to arrange a tour of the estate for her. You’re welcome to join if you like, but I’m afraid we’ll have to take a second carriage. I do not think Miss Helen, myself, and Mrs. Hollingsworth will all fit in.”

“That is quite all right, Alexander. Take the two of them—they’re eager to see more of the estate. We will join later.”

Alexander nodded before leaving.

“Harry, I don’t know how to thank you. It feels so good to see my brother again. I was afraid this whole time that I would be angry when I saw him, but I’m relieved. Relieved that he seems happy and healthy and that he has done well for himself.”

“Sometimes we have expectations about certain situations, and then things turn out quite differently. I did not say it out loud, but I was quite worried about crossing the sea. I thought I wasgoing to be terrified and haunted by thoughts of my parents, but I wasn’t. I felt a strange sense of peace.”

“Closure. A book I read referred to it as closure. We have these things that haunt us all our lives, but then when we confront them, we’re able to let those fears and worries go.”

Harry took her hand and kissed it. “You are right. I’m glad that I had you with me to confront this particular fear and that I could be here for you as well.”

She stepped closer and embraced him, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight with her head pressed against his chest.

“I am so grateful that I have you,” she whispered.

“And I you,” he replied, kissing the top of her head. “This is the beginning for us. Soon, we will bring the whole family together.”

“I would love it if Emma and Hanna could come here, but I do not think Father will allow it. We will have to wait until they are married.”

She felt his cheek brush against the top of her head.

“I know it. But one day, we will all be reunited. Your siblings, you and Helen, and I will all be in the same place. We will not have to worry about my uncle or your father, and all will be well. But until then, we must enjoy what we do have.”

Arabella looked up at him. “Do you think Helen will be safe here? He won’t find her?”

“I do not know that he will come looking for her.” Harry paused, and Arabella could sense the weight of his thoughts.

Then, as if deciding to let go of the worry, he leaned down and kissed her deeply, wrapping her in his warmth and love.

When they finally pulled apart, Arabella’s eyes shone with a newfound confidence. “Harry,” she began, her voice trembling with emotion. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

He looked at her, furrowing his brow in concern. “What is it, my love?”

She smiled softly, placing a hand on her belly. “I’m with child.”

Harry’s eyes widened with joy, and he pulled her into another embrace, lifting her off the ground. “We’re going to have a family,” he whispered, tears of happiness shimmering in his eyes.

“Yes, we are,” Arabella murmured, her heart overflowing with love. “Our beginning is even more wonderful than I could have imagined.”

The End?