Page 6 of The One With the Scoundrel of a Duke (Wicked Widows’ League #31)

L ATER THAT EVENING AFTER dinner, drink in hand, Audra stood with her sisters and cousins celebrating Paulina’s wedding to Broderick.

Never in her life would she have thought to see the day when her sister’s wedding would be replaced by her cousin’s.

That both parties were happy was all that mattered though, and Paulina couldn’t be glowing more than she was.

To say everyone was shocked at the turn of events was a vast understatement, but when Audra saw the love in Broderick’s eyes and the returning feelings in Paulina’s, it was nothing short of love’s infinite wisdom that had brought them together.

And then to say yes to a lifetime together in front of everyone as if no one was witnessing their moment had truly rocked through Audra’s system.

It was impossible to say how love could show up. How it could compel a couple together. But she knew she was lucky to have experienced it in her youth. It was a powerful force. A beautiful force.

And she felt beautiful now in the new dress she had borrowed from Amelia.

And even though there was nothing out of the ordinary about the dress in and of itself, it was new to her.

Form-fitting, bosom-hugging, hip-flaring, and vibrant.

That was the part of the dress that brought her the most joy.

It was pink. She had always loved pink but hadn’t worn it in years.

Her fingers curled around her glass while she took a sip, letting her eyes wander. Her glance tripped over Lucas’s eyes on her. He smirked when he caught her, and being the rake that he was, he winked at her.

She could feel the heat of the blush crawling up her neck, but it was no match for the army of ants marching to and fro in her belly. Her hand trembled and she had to divert her attention to the glass to ensure no liquid sloshed over the rim.

That man was…trouble. That was the best word for him because she really didn’t want to dive any deeper into knowledge of him.

Him and his raven colored hair and smoldering blue eyes.

But he was the type to smolder at all and sundry, so she couldn’t pay that any mind.

Especially the way he winked at her and how the gesture had forced a ripple across the room which by the time it reached her had turned into a tidal wave. No.

No to the winks.

No to him and his broad shoulders, trim waist, and powerful legs. Or what she presumed were powerful legs. Wait. No presuming.

The fluttering, the nerves, the trembling, it all came from a different origin. There was something shifting within her. She wanted to be bold, and she wanted to make it happen. She didn’t just want to sit back and wait for something to happen to her. She wanted to make her chance, not wait for it.

She just didn’t know what it would be yet.

A tinkling of the glasses pulled her attention from herself. Broderick was making a toast to his bride.

“To Paulina, I never thought love could hit like lightning, but I couldn’t be happier it did. You are the love of my life. I was born to love you, and I’ll die loving you. To you, our love, happiness, and forever.”

His bride wiped a tear from her eye as he kissed her temple. Everyone took a sip because who wouldn’t want to drink to that toast?

It was incredible how fast Paulina and Broderick had fallen for each other, but anyone could see how they lit up around each other.

And learning what little she had about Broderick, she could understand how Paulina would want to spend her life with him.

Not only was he a young, handsome duke, but he was a rogue.

His independent spirit matched Paulina’s in every way that mattered and it complemented her in the rest.

He was the type to do what he wanted because he believed in it, not because he had asked someone permission to do it. And even though he was a duke, and had an unfathomable amount of responsibilities, he chose to make his life his own. It was exceptionally commendable.

And that’s when Audra knew what she wanted to do.

Well… wanted …was a strong word. Maybe a more suitable word was that she felt compelled to do it.

In some ways that was a stronger word, but it more aptly described the pull she felt on her soul.

Much the same way wind bent branches of a tree, pushing and pulling the leaves she could sense something blowing through her that shouldn’t be resisted.

All of her life, she knew her skills as a singer but felt timid about them, always letting someone else ask her for a song.

But tonight, she would take the initiative. She would make her chance. She would put herself out there, but not for anyone’s approval, applause, or appreciation. This was for her and her cousin.

And oh—that’s when the ants started stomping. And actually, those ants were not ants anymore, she was pretty sure it was a stampede of elephants that had supplanted themselves in her gut. No matter.

That was only the sound of fear, and fear had talked long and loud enough.

So the elephants would be witnesses to her initiative. Really, the more the merrier.

She stood tall and tinkled her own glass. When all the eyes in the room turned to her expectantly, she cleared her throat lightly and spoke.

“It is not conventional to do so, but I should like to sing my toast to the bride and groom.” And then as an afterthought, she added, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it short.”

A deep voice called out, “Make it long.” And the room erupted in appreciative chuckles.

Ignoring the man that deep voice belonged to, lest she find herself distracted by him and his broad shoulders again, Audra sang.

My only wish for my cousin, my friend,

Is for your love to continue without end,

May you find blessing after blessing,

But when those delay,

May your love be ever-progressing,

To wash the dreary away

To your love and delight

To cherishing kisses goodnight

Always to love,

And what it makes of us

Audra faintly heard the smattering of claps, but what she noticed more were the tears in Paulina’s eyes. The heartfelt gratitude. The sincerity. The vulnerability and connection between her and her cousin.

That’s when she felt the small tears on her own cheeks, and wiped them away.

These were the moments life was meant for.

To feel. To be herself and to feel all that there was to feel.

Not to be afraid of feeling because it might lead to pain.

But feel. Feel the sadness. Then let it pass leaving room for another feeling to fill her up.

That’s what the song had been about. The more she could be her true self, the more she was able to connect with those she loved most. That was the only way love, of any kind, could survive.