Chapter 21 #2
He knew he was. His toilette had been chosen with infinite care today, as always.
King inclined his head. “Thank you. Tell me, how is a dunderhead like Riverdale fortunate enough to surround himself with such beauty?”
“Because I am deuced lucky,” Riverdale announced blithely as he breezed into the drawing room.
“Old chum,” he greeted his friend.
They exchanged pleasantries and took tea together. It was a boring call, almost unremarkable, really. Until Riverdale and the duchess left the drawing room with the promise that they would soon return in a few minutes’ time, and Lady Verity turned to him with an expectant look.
“I have already told everyone our happy news,” she said, smiling.
“Happy news?” he repeated, thoroughly confused.
“That we are engaged to be married,” she said brightly.
King’s teacup slipped from his fingers and crashed to the floor.
“Let’s take a turn in the gardens whilst King and Verity have their chat,” Everett suggested as he escorted Sybil away from the drawing room.
She was surprised.
“But it’s rather chilly and damp out today, isn’t it?” she protested. “Besides, I thought you wanted to remain nearby in case Kingham decided to be anything less than a gentleman with Verity.”
“There’s something I would like to show you there,” her husband said, a small smile flirting with his lips as he guided them to the door leading into the small garden.
“I’ve just had a new garden bench installed on account of how much you enjoy sitting in the garden in fair weather, and I want to see what you think of it. ”
“I do enjoy the gardens,” she admitted, charmed despite the suspicions rising within her. “I hadn’t thought you noticed.”
“I notice everything about you, my darling wife.”
Warmth suffused her. Everett had become an incredibly attentive husband since the fire. Now that there were no more secrets between them, everything had changed for the better.
“It is said that rakes make the best husbands,” she murmured, “and I am inclined to agree it’s true.”
“I’m hardly a rake any longer, now that I have you,” he pointed out, opening the door and gesturing for her to go ahead of him. “I haven’t had eyes for anyone else since I met you.”
“That is just as well, for if you did, I would be forced to dump another pitcher of water on your head,” she remarked slyly.
To think that their happiness had begun that day, when she had sought him out in hurt and anger, believing the worst of him, whilst unbeknownst to Sybil, he had also been believing the worst of her.
“I do believe I deserved the water pitcher that day,” he allowed, offering her his arm once more.
She took it, settling her hand into the crook of his elbow as they meandered down a gravel-lined path that led through the rosebushes. “You have made up for it, husband.”
“I do hope to make up for it just a bit more,” he said mysteriously.
They rounded a bend in the path, and Sybil instantly understood the hidden meaning in his words. It wasn’t just a new bench that had been installed in the gardens. It was her brother.
Dressed like any other gentleman in trousers, coat, and hat, and without his livery, he looked so very different. But he rose and grinned as they approached, and there was the brother she knew and loved.
“Henry!” she cried out, rushing toward him.
Henry took her in a warm, brotherly embrace. “Sister.”
She released him, laughing with delight, shocked and pleased beyond measure at the surprise Everett had given her. “You are looking well. What are you doing here? I had no notion you were coming to London.”
Henry nodded toward Everett, who stood behind on the path, watching their reunion with a smile of his own. “His Grace brought me here. I just arrived this afternoon at the rail station and came here at once to see you.”
“How wonderful! I’m so happy you are here. How long shall you stay?”
“For as long as he likes,” Everett said firmly. “I’ve told Henry that I am happy to help him settle into any occupation that interests him here in London. I suspect it will take some time for him to decide, and we shall be honored to have him as our guest.”
“Oh, Everett,” she breathed, overwhelmed with happiness and love.
He gave her a wry grin. “It’s the least I can do, given everything that has happened.”
“I am grateful for your generosity, Your Grace,” Henry added. “It is certainly more than I ever hoped for or expected, given the circumstance of my birth.”
“As I said, it’s the least I can do for family,” Everett told him. “Thank you for humoring me in surprising your sister.”
Henry nodded, still smiling. “Thank you both.”
Sybil squeezed his sleeve fondly. “I hope you will like it here in London. I dreamed of this day, but I hadn’t realized it would come so soon.”
“I’m beholden to you and to His Grace. This is an opportunity most men such as myself could only dream of having.”
“It is the opportunity that was denied you,” she countered, thinking of their father and his endless cruelty. “But we shall rectify that now, from this moment on.”
“We should allow you to see to the unpacking of your trunks and let you get settled into your new quarters now,” Everett said. “See that you join us for dinner. Our mothers will be overjoyed to have you at the table.”
“I’d be honored, thank you.”
With that, Henry ventured down the path, back to the town house.
He had scarcely gone when Sybil was back in Everett’s arms where she belonged, holding him tightly. “That was the loveliest surprise anyone has ever given me. Thank you, Everett. I am indebted to you.”
“Not indebted.”
“Yes, indebted. Not many husbands would allow their wife’s illegitimate sibling to live with them.”
“I don’t give a damn if he was born on the wrong side of the blanket.” He swept his hands up and down the small of her back in an adoring caress. “He’s your family, and that makes him mine too.”
“I love you.” She rose on her toes.
“And I love you,” Everett told her.
She kissed him.
Kissed him as her heart rejoiced.
Kissed him until they were both breathless, and a cold rain began to fall.
And then she kissed him some more, this husband she loved beyond measure.
How lucky she was to be his duchess. How lucky they were to be together.