“I am not sure what Emma told you, but my departure for Scotland would not have been until after Peter’s wedding.”
“Then it seems that my sister definitely exaggerated the facts to me,” the Duke admitted, but instead of annoyance, his expression was one of glee.
“So it seems.” Deborah smiled. “But perhaps it is for the better, because I feel the same way for you. In fact, I have been fighting my feelings, and had a heavy heart as I left.”
The Duke stepped forward once again, seeming as though he was about to wrap her in his arms, but just then, he was interrupted by the sound of a polite cough in the background. Both of them snapped their heads to look at its source.
“This is all well and lovely.” Peter was the first to speak. “But aren’t you two forgetting something?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
Deborah and Henry looked back to see Peter and Nicholas observing them.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Just that you have not yet asked for our approval for asking for Deborah’s hand in marriage,” Nicholas replied, a smile playing on the corners of his lips.
The Duke stood up, giving Deborah one final nod. He realized then how different he was willing to behave for Deborah. He should have asked for her brothers’ permission first, yet at the moment, all he had cared about was how Deborah reacted to his confession.
“Then we should not waste any more time. Peter and Nicholas, I ask you for your sister’s hand. Rest assured, she will be well-taken care of for the rest of her days, and I will do my best to be a faithful and good husband to her.”
The roles had been reversed. It had not been long ago that Peter had been in the same position that the Duke found himself in now. Peter seemed to realize this as he extended a hand for the Duke to shake.
“You have my approval,” Peter stated, then turned towards Nicholas.
Nicholas seemed to be in high spirits. “Of course, if this is what my sister wants, then I have no reservations regarding your union. However, I cannot help but wonder what this means for Lady Joanna.”
The Duke winced as her name was brought up. “I will make sure that Lady Joanna is informed about this. In any case, I never made a proposal to her, and therefore, we were never engaged.”
Nicholas nodded, grinning now. “Well, if the bride and groom are happy, then who are we to stand in the way of their happiness?”
The three men shook hands, while Deborah stood watching, a blush covering her cheeks.
“This is not expected, but it is a joyous occasion, nonetheless,” Peter remarked. “Now that it has been decided, I believe Emma and I are not the only ones who have to plan a wedding in the near future.”
The Duke looked over at Deborah, who was now shyly staring at the ground. “I leave all important decisions regarding the wedding to Deborah. I am sure she is more than competent to figure it out.”
“Oh, this might be a big step for our sister,” Nicholas chimed in. “She has never really thought of marriage before, and now, she is engaged.”
Deborah glared at her brother, but before she could make a comment, Peter spoke up instead.
“Now that I am in your shoes, and it is my sister that is getting married, I cannot help but feel that it must be a grand wedding. The invitations must be colorful, and we must invite everyone that we know.”
“Does Emma know about this?” Nicholas asked, curiosity dripping from his voice.
The Duke nodded. “It was her that encouraged me in the first place.”
“That sounds like Emma.” Peter smiled. “In fact, she even mentioned to me before I left the estate that she believes that something should happen between the two of you. At first, I did not believe her, but now, the proof is in front of my eyes.”
“Perhaps it’s a lesson for you, dear brother,” Deborah remarked, “that your wife is always right.”
The four of them erupted into laughter at Deborah’s comment. But just then, Tabitha came out of the carriage.
She looked between the four of them, confused. “Have I missed something?” she asked, her eyes settling on the Duke. “And who is this man?”
Deborah came over to her grandmother and wrapped an arm around her. “My dear grandmother, you have a lot to catch up on.”
* * *
