Page 76 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise

"Let us not talk of that man," Emily said, taking Ava's hand in hers, "Today is a happy day—though I am sad to lose you again."

"You have not lost me," Ava replied, "I shall be back in London in a few weeks, and then we can—"

"Spend all our days together," Emily finished for her, before calling teasingly to Kilbride, "I hope that's alright with you, brother dearest."

"Sounds smashing," Raff replied, with an easy smile. Though when Emily turned to speak with her father, he added in a low aside; "I don't mind sharing you during the day, but all your nights will be spent with me."

"All my nights," Ava agreed, "For the rest of our lives."

A footman arrived to place dense fruit cake—hastily procured from Gunter's, Ava suspected—upon the table, which Ava and Raff cut together, and once that was eaten, the breakfast was over.

Soon it was time for the newlywed couple to bid their guests goodbye. As Ava descended the steps to the waiting carriage, she glanced back at her new family, gathered at the doorway, all waving, some crying, and was overcome with emotion.

"Don't cry," Raff whispered to her, once they were safely ensconced in the carriage, reaching out a gloved finger to wipe away her tears.

"I'm crying because I'm happy," Ava said with a watery laugh, "A few weeks ago I had no family—and now I have more than I can count."

"Perhaps soon," Raff added, drawing her toward him, so that she lay against his chest, "You shall have even more."

Her husband laid his hand on Ava's stomach, to signify his meaning, and for a moment she thought she would burst with happiness.

Goodbye London, Ava thought, as the carriage trundled through the streets of the capital, and goodbye loneliness.