CHAPTER 31
DIANA
I gasped when I read the note then went in search of my husband. I found him in his study, going over accounts that his steward had been imploring him to review. He glanced up at me in surprise when I rushed into the room without knocking.
I placed my hands on my hips. “I received a note from Caroline just now. She and her husband have returned from their wedding trip.” I narrowed my eyes. “Apparently, they returned yesterday. And since you were at King’s, you would have heard the news.”
He put down his quill and leaned back in his chair. “I did hear something to that effect. Did I not mention it to you?”
I threw my arms up. “No, you didn’t.”
“Well, Diana, I’m happy to tell you that Kendrick and Caroline have returned.”
I shook my head, exasperated. “I know. As I just mentioned, I received a note from Caroline to wish us felicitations on our marriage. She also asked us to call on them by noon so she and Kendrick can see us in person.”
Clifton glanced up at the ceiling. “Perhaps they think I’ve somehow deceived you and wish to rescue you from your horrible situation living in sin with me.”
The way his eyes were shining when he looked at me again told me he was deliberately hoping to get a rise out of me.
“We’re leaving now. Put away whatever it is you’re working on. Your steward will have to wait another day.”
He let out an exaggerated breath. “If you insist. I’ve already been subjected to torment from the others. I might as well get Kendrick out of the way now.”
I looked at him over my shoulder on my way out of the room. “I’ll make it up to you later.” I always did, after all.
Twenty minutes later, we were standing on the doorstep outside of Kendrick’s townhouse. Clifton had his arm around my waist when the butler opened the door. He looked between the two of us then met my gaze.
“They are waiting for you in the dining room.”
I turned to Clifton, surprised. “She didn’t say this was a luncheon. Although, I suppose I am a little hungry.”
When Clifton shook his head, clearly amused, I wanted to ask him what was going through his mind. But he propelled me down the hallway in front of him before I had the chance.
The last time I was in this house, I’d arrived with the Tuttlefords. Caroline and Kendrick had just gotten married, and we were attending their wedding breakfast. I could hardly believe that was almost one month ago. My life had changed in every way imaginable.
When I’d spoken to Clifton then, I’d never even considered it possible that a world could exist wherein we’d be married.
I thanked the butler, who was waiting outside the dining room and proceeded inside.
I’d been expecting it to be just the four of us, so it came as a shock to find that wasn’t the case.
I scanned the faces of everyone present and realized that all of the Legends were here, as were Caroline and Victoria.
Caroline drew me into a hug. “I am so happy for you.”
“What is this?” I said, pulling back and looking at Clifton.
His smile was tender. “It’s our wedding breakfast. We never had one, and Caroline insisted.”
The thoughtful gesture was so unexpected, tears stung my eyes. Clifton’s behavior earlier made sense now. He’d known all along.
“It’s also a birthday celebration,” Caroline said. “Your husband said on the day the two of you eloped, it was your birthday.” She pushed at my shoulder lightly. “You never mentioned it was almost your birthday.”
I felt a little abashed. “I didn’t see the point. It wasn’t as though I was going to have a celebration.”
Clifton was grinning now. “You got me as a gift.”
Everyone broke out into laughter.
One by one, they came forward to wish us a long and happy life. The last was Rexford, who held out a small black velvet box.
“I love this part,” I heard Victoria whispering to Caroline.
Curious as to what could be inside, I took the box and opened it carefully. I was so overwhelmed with emotion, my hands had started to shake.
I stared at the contents in disbelief. Nestled inside a bed of black satin was a gold medallion. I knew exactly what it was since I’d spotted a similar one prominently displayed in my husband’s study.
“Is this actually…” I looked up at Rexford. “This can’t be for me.”
He took my hand and bowed over it. “Welcome to the Legends.”
I was crying now. Looking around at everyone who’d gathered here to show me I was welcome in their tightly knit group, understanding hit me square in the chest. This wonderful group of men and women were my family now.
There had been a small hole in my heart that I hadn’t known existed until that moment.
Clifton had filled much of it, but a small corner was still mourning the fact that after learning about my aunt’s betrayal, I no longer had a family.
I’d been wrong.
Victoria hugged me, and Caroline threw her arms around the two of us.
“Welcome to the Legendary Wives of the Ton,” Victoria said.
The three of us burst into laughter.
“Three Legends have found love,” Caroline said. “Who could have imagined it?”
Her statement hit me like a blow to the belly.
“No,” I said, careful not to look at my husband. “It’s not like that at all. What Clifton and I have is a practical arrangement.”
My eyes began to sting again, and I closed them tightly, willing the tears not to fall.
“Diana.”
I took a deep breath and turned to look at my husband. He stood in front of a window, and light shone around him like a halo. It occurred to me then that he was like the sun and I would be content to spend my life basking in the glow of his regard. It would have to be enough.
He closed the distance between us and took both of my hands in his.
“Caroline is correct. Three Legends have found love.”
I stood there, speechless for a moment. Surely I’d misconstrued what he was saying.
He cupped my face between his hands. “I’ve fallen in love with you. And if I’m not mistaken…” He raised one brow.
That was all I needed. I threw myself into his arms, basking in the way he held me close. “I can’t believe this is happening,” I said, pulling back to smile at him. “Of course I love you. I didn’t dare hope you felt the same.”
Moreland clapped Fairfax on the shoulder. “Beware. There seems to be something of an epidemic spreading through the club.”
Fairfax shrugged. “Who knows?”
Greyson scoffed. “Were you aware that three debutantes threw themselves at me yesterday? Three. They used to run screaming in the other direction, hoping to hide behind their mothers. Now, because of you lot, they’ve decided that Legends are catches.”
Fairfax grinned. “It’s not as though we’re not used to the attention.”
Greyson folded his arms across his chest. “It is one thing when a lightskirt or a widow wants to spend time with you. It is quite another to have women who are searching for husbands begin to look at you as though you were prey.”
Rexford raised a brow. “I haven’t experienced any debutantes throwing themselves prostrate on the ground before me.”
Fairfax smirked as he reached for a glass of celebratory champagne from the footman who was now making his way through the group. “That’s because everyone is terrified of you. But apparently, Grey over here is light and fluffy and is the next catch.”
“I hate all of you,” Greyson said.
We all laughed at his obvious annoyance.
Clifton murmured in my ear. “I love you, wife.”
And of course I was crying again. “I love you too, husband.” Then I kissed him. I didn’t care that we weren’t in private, because I no longer had to hide how I felt about this man.