CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“Are you sure about this? Because I can turn the carriage around and we can make a run for it.”
“Very amusing, Nicholas,” Lilly said from her position beside him.
They were traveling up Raven mountain and would shortly arrive at the church where she was finally to wed Devon.
“There is something off about that family, though.”
“Off how?” Lilly looked at her handsome brother.
They had come so far since her abduction, and still had a lot to learn about each other, but she knew now he was a changed man.
Dressed in a charcoal coat and matching waistcoat, he seemed whole and healthy now. The cynical smile had gone, and he was often found with a genuine one in its place.
“I spoke with the magistrate after Dev's shooting. He said he was sure the man was dead, but then he appeared in the doorway, walking, although he was supported by his brother.”
“You know what happened, Nicholas.” Lilly looked out the window. She had never been a good liar and had no wish for her brother to see that.
A month had passed since that day when she had healed Devon, and every minute spent in his company, her love for the handsome, infuriating man grew.
“Yes, but there are other things too. Take Eden, for example. She's always hearing things others do not, and Cam seems to sniff the air a lot. Don't tell me you haven't noticed?”
“Actually, I haven't.”
“Oh well, perhaps I'm making more of it than need be. I like them, by the way; they just appear a little odd at times.”
“They are wonderful, as is James and his family.”
“Yes, it's nice to have them all in our lives.” He smiled at her. “You look stunning, sister.”
“Thank you, brother.”
Her dress was cream-embroidered muslin with a small train, and it was simple yet beautiful. Bee had styled her hair in soft ringlets and she wore a small circlet of flowers.
“We are here.”
“Oh, I wasn't nervous before, but now I am,” Lilly said, pressing a hand to her stomach, where butterflies seemed to have taken up residence.
“I love you, you know. Never forget that, sister.”
“Oh, Nicholas.” Lilly started to cry. “I love you too.”
“For pity’s sake, don't weep, woman. Sinclair will thrash me if I upset you today of all days.”
Lilly sniffed and then allowed Nicholas to help her down. Eden and Essie awaited her, along with Dorrie, Somer, and Samantha, who were hopping from foot to foot in their pink dresses. Warwick was looking bored.
This was it, she thought, this was the moment he became hers, and she and Nicholas officially became part of their family. She could hardly wait.
Dev was sick of waiting. He wanted his future wife, and he wanted her now.
“Not long now, Sinclair.”
“Why must the bride always be late, Raven?”
James and Cam stood beside him, both appearing calm when he was a seething mass of nerves.
“It's tradition, I believe.”
“Made up by the bride to torment the groom,” Cam added.
Dev looked to the door again, but this time, it was not empty. His little brother and sisters and Samantha were there.
“I do believe the guests just sighed,” James whispered.
“They are sweet to be fair,” Cam added.
Dev said nothing as he watched Eden and Essie appear, both looking beautiful in blue. But it was the woman behind them that caught and held his attention. On the arm of her brother was his Lilly.
“Brides always look extraordinarily beautiful, don't you think, James?”
He heard Cam whisper the words but Dev could not draw his eyes from the woman who was soon to be his wife. She was beautiful, but it wasn't just that, it was what lay between them. They shared a bond that he knew could never be broken. She was his life, and he knew he was hers.
“Inhale, Sinclair. It would not do for you to faint here, in front of so many distinguished guests.”
Dev did as James suggested, filling his lungs before exhaling slowly as Lilly started the walk to him.
She would be his soon. He would wake with her in his arms and go to sleep the same way. He would see her at the breakfast table, travel with her in his carriage. He could kiss her sweet mouth if he wanted, right there in the middle of the day. Lord, he could not wait.
“Sinclair.” Nicholas nodded to Dev when they arrived.
“Braithwaite.”
“Hello, Devon,” Lilly whispered.
He smiled, and then leaned in to kiss her cheek, much to the enjoyment of the guests.
“Hello, my love.”
The service began, the children fidgeted, and their vows were made, and when it was done, Dev drew in another deep, steadying breath and turned to kiss his wife.
“You can't escape me now, Lady Sinclair.”
“I'm sure it's not the thing to be this happy.” She laughed, the smile lighting her beautiful eyes. “But I don't care.”
“Neither,” he lowered his head, “do I.”
The kiss was interrupted by Warwick, who declared that Lilly must travel with him to the castle. The twins and Samantha decided they had no wish to be left out, so Dev found himself in the carriage with his wife pressed to his side while three little girls and one boy chatted incessantly.
And there was quite honestly no place he would rather be.
THE END