Page 120 of The Earl's Reluctant Artist

“I suspect Evermere will soon celebrate another wedding,” he murmured.

Eliza raised her brow, amused. “You think so?”

“I have seen that look in a man’s eyes once before … my own, when I first looked at you.”

Her breath caught, but she smiled, squeezing his hand. “Then perhaps you are right.”

Villagers moved to clear a space in the center of the makeshift dancefloor, where a circle formed and more joined in the dancing. Trays of bread, roasted meats, and pitchers of alepassed from hand to hand. A boy no older than six stumbled into Tristan’s side, clutching a sugared bun.

“Sorry, my lord!” the child squeaked, face smeared with sugar.

Tristan ruffled his hair. “No harm done. Just be sure you save some for the others.”

The boy nodded furiously and ran off again, leaving Eliza laughing softly.

The duke sat a little apart beneath the wide oak tree, but even he allowed himself a smile, his cane propped against the bench. Villagers had gathered around him, offering him cups and drawing him into their talk as though he were one of them, not their duke. The sight warmed Eliza’s heart in a way she hadn’t expected.

Lanterns swung higher as twilight deepened. Someone called for a toast, and cups rose into the fading light.

“To Lord and Lady Vale!”

The cheer that followed lifted into the sky, rolling through the crowd. Eliza’s cheeks warmed at the sound, her heart full. Tristan met her gaze, the flicker of lanterns dancing in his eyes.

As the music softened, they slipped away from the crowd for a moment, walking the quieter path along the garden edge. The hum of voices trailed after them, fading beneath the chirp of night insects.

“I have a question,” Eliza asked, her voice low. “Do you ever wonder if we would have found our way without all the trials?”

Tristan’s jaw tightened as he considered. Then he shook his head. “No. Because it was the trials that led me to you.”

Her throat tightened, words tangling in her chest. “Then we are both fortunate. We did not just endure … we found love.”

He stopped, turning to face her fully. The lantern light caught his features, gentled them. He leaned forward, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that felt just as steady as the feeling of joy in her heart.

“In each other’s arms,” he whispered against her mouth. “Always.”

THE END?