“I believe that is why Drew punched me.”
Worth took her arm and escorted Aurora into the dining room, pulled out her chair, and winced before straightening.
“Worth?”
“Emerson packs a punch. The tales of his brawling in taverns was not an exaggeration.”
They both looked up to see Jordan watching them from the head of the table, a smirk on his lips.
“As I said, I am only glad Malcolm didn’t shoot me.”
“There’s still time,” Malcolm leaned across the table. “Say the word, Aurora.”
“Leave off, Mal.” She lowered her voice. “Good lord, you ruined Alyss.” Aurora nodded to her sister-in-law. “No offense, Alyss.”
“None taken,” Alyss replied with a wave.
Aurora took Worth’s hand under the table and stroked his fingers. “I’m sorry. I thought my family would be better behaved. I should have known.”
There was still Tamsin to contend with, but the dowager duchess had likely suspected Aurora’s involvement with Worth since the Travers’ ball.
“Don’t worry. I’ll survive.” He promptly placed her palm between his legs before winking at her. “Three weeks at most.”
“An eternity,” Aurora huffed.
“A toast.” Kenebruke held aloft a glass, his gaze on Aunt Lottie. “To my bride, more beautiful now than the day I met her. My dear Charlotte.”
The entire table raised their glasses in toast as Aunt Lottie blew a kiss to her groom.
The new couple would reside in Kenebruke’s London house until the end of the Season, and then retire to the quiet of Northumberland and the earl’s estate for a time. Aurora would miss Aunt Lottie, but at least the older woman would still be in London for a spell.
Aunt Lottie deserved every happiness.
Aurora sat back in her seat, fingers still entwined with Worth’s, and observed her family, the love flowing about thetable. Dunnings no longer dictated the existence of the Sinclairs. Nor Bentley. Lady Longwood had been vanquished, though a pity it hadn’t been by her hand.
“I love you.” Worth’s lips caressed the edge of her ear.
She smiled back at him. “I know.”
Epilogue
Rivercrest, one year later
“Are you tryingto maim me?” Charles danced out of the way of the bowl barreling across the manicured lawn of the Earl of Emerson’s estate. “Good god. Try to pay attention.”
“How often have I told you,” Aurora waddled in his direction, “I am not athletic. And I am overburdened at present.”
“She’s enormous,” Odessa said, walking past Charles. “And barely six months along. Twins, I’ll wager.”
“Stop staying that,” Aurora hissed.
Charles felt lightheaded at the thought of two children at once. If his wife didn’t murder him with a poorly thrown bowl, he might just expire from worry over her condition. He’d taken to hovering over her, as embarrassing as that had become. He was likely to be even worse as a father.
Drew found his behavior, given Charles had been an unrepentant rake for so long, hilarious.
Emerson tossed his bowl and scored. He was dreadfully good at this game.
“It could be Alyss, you know.” Charles nodded to Malcolm’s wife, who was also with child once more. “She’s overly large.”
