Page 92 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke

"Just show up," Theo chipped in. "That'll be enough," he added, and his words managed to break a smile on Magnus's face.

Then, Magnus exhaled. "You'll want to tell the dowager before word leaks."

Theo groaned. "She's going to insist we marry in the cathedral with half thetonwatching."

"I think she'll survive," Cecilia said, linking her arm with Theo's. "Want to see my garden I just started?"

"Certainly." Theo pressed a kiss on her forehead.

As they walked out, Magnus called after them, "Don't think this means I like you again, Emerton."

Theo turned with a grin. "You never liked me. That's what made it fun."

The door clicked shut once they stepped outside. Cecilia looked up at Theo with a grin, stepping in and closing the distance between them.

"Well," she murmured, lifting her arms around his neck, "was that so difficult?"

This made him huff a laugh before drawing her close. "I feel like I've stumbled into an alternate reality. Your brother,agreeing. We must be under a full moon."

"I think he finally realized I'm not a girl he can protect forever," she said, voice teasing but full of meaning. "He doesn't get to dictate what I do with my heart. Or with my body."

Theo's eyes darkened at her tone. "Is that so?" he asked, inching even closer.

She leaned in, brushing her lips along his jaw. "You didn't think I'd let you leave this room without properly celebrating, did you?"

Before he could respond, her mouth claimed his, deep, warm, unmistakably possessive. He staggered back a step, stunned by the shift in her. Gone was the hesitant debutante, this woman was certain, fierce, and utterly devastating.

Sucking his bottom lip, she voiced. "You've pleased my brother. Now let me please you."

Theo's breath caught. "Cecilia, what about this garden you mentioned?"

She chuckled against his mouth. "That can wait," she mumbled, her fingers already working buttons of his waistcoat, her mouth trailing hot kisses along the column of his throat.

"I've thought about this," she whispered. "Every night since you touched me."

His hands found her waist, unsure whether to hold her still or pull her closer. "You're not… nervous?"

"Not in the slightest." Her gaze lifted to his, steady and wild all at once. "I want to worship you tonight."

He groaned at the word. "You're going to ruin me."

"Promise?" she teased.

"Promise," he returned before kissing her smile. "Now show me your bedroom."

EPILOGUE

Cecilia had always imagined her wedding day would feel like the end of something: her girlhood, her freedom, the stories she told herself late at night to keep from feeling caged.

But standing in front of the mirror in her bright silk gown, hair pinned with golden combs and her mother's pearls resting just above her collarbone, she didn't feel like anything was ending.

She felt like everything was about to begin.

Lily stood behind her, hands on her shoulders, eyes shining with barely contained emotion. "If you cry, I'll cry," she warned, her voice thick.

Cecilia laughed, smoothing her hands over her skirts, "I'm not crying." She sounded more like she was encouraging herself.

"Yet," Lily corrected with a sniff. "And just wait until you see him."