Sebastian had suggested their wedding be a small, private affair, and Polly and her mother had agreed.

Then the two women had planned the wedding of Polly’s dreams, and Sebastian could do nothing but shake his head and smile at the lively spirit of his wife. Her entire family had come to witness the event, as had his parents and older brother, who made the journey from their various estates. They were wed at his own country estate, not so far from the Greville’s, much to Polly’s delight when she found out it was less than a half day’s ride to see her sister.

Sebastian leaned back against a column in his ballroom as he watched dancers flit around the floor. His new bride was resplendent as he watched her laughing with Violet and their sisters-in-law. They were a rather lovely bunch of women, although none could come close to matching Polly.

“Taylor,” came a gravelly voice in his ear, and he turned to find his face level with a broad chest. He looked up to find the stern countenance of a man somewhat familiar. He looked like the Duke of Ware, although less heavyset and with far fewer wrinkles. He also lacked the jovial countenance of the man who had sired him.

“Lord Harrington,” he said with a bit of a bow to Polly’s eldest brother. “I am pleased to meet your acquaintance.”

He had seen the man before, at Greville’s wedding, but had not taken the opportunity to speak with him. Daniel Harrington was a rather intimidating sort, that was for certain.

There were stories of the man that Sebastian and Greville had heard through the Runners after Greville married Violet. Stories that this man had powerful connections, and one did not want to cross him. It was all rumor, however, and Sebastian now knew better than anyone to not take everything one heard as truth.

“I heard what you did for my family, for my sister,” said the man. “I’ve been told this man, Yardley, has retired to his country estate, where I am certain he shall stay for the foreseeable future. Word has it that families in the area have been well informed of his past reputation. Anyway, Taylor, I am in your debt.”

“I have all I need,” Sebastian replied with a nod of thanks. “Though I do appreciate the offer.”

The future duke took a sip of his drink. “Be that as it may, if you ever need anything, you have but to ask. Do ensure you keep my sister happy and protected.”

With that, he stepped away, melting into the crowd of people, some from London and some from the area about Sebastian’s country estate. Polly had wanted to meet them all, to make them feel welcome, as she noted they would soon be her neighbors as well.

Harrington’s place beside him was soon replaced by Greville, who placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What do you suppose that was about?” Sebastian asked his friend, who was staring after the man. Greville shrugged. “One never knows with such a man,” he said. “But I believe we should feel rather fortunate that we are now part of his family and not opposing him in any way.”

Sebastian nodded with a bit of a laugh, and Greville clinked his glass with his. “And will you continue with the constabulary?”

Sebastian shrugged. “Polly would like me to. I think she rather enjoys the idea of helping with their work. Now that she knows the full story of what happened to Violet, she finds her own role in my particular investigation rather dull.”

Greville shook his head. “Dull is rather preferred when it comes to the safety of one’s wife.”

“Fair enough,” Sebastian said with a nod. “I believe I will take it case by case. If it’s something that would not threaten her safety, so be it. But my priorities have changed.”

Greville nodded in agreement.

“I am rather pleased with the conclusion of this story,” said Greville with a grin. “It is about time you left the past behind you and moved on with your life. I recall you being rather jovial when I found my own wedded bliss. Well, I am happy to now reciprocate. And, I can certainly see that you’ll be kept on your toes.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Sebastian said with a laugh as Polly and Violet began approaching. “Yes, I did show a bit of glee at your own fall into matrimony, didn’t I?”

“You did,” said Greville, and Violet joined them with eyebrows raised.

“Whatever is so humorous?”

“Nothing,” Greville said. “We were merely discussing how happy the two of you have made us.”

Violet rolled her eyes, but Polly only smiled happily at her husband as she took his hands in hers, looking at him as if it were only the two of them in the room, despite the fact that it was filled with multitudes of people.

“Dance with me, Sebastian?” she asked, and he realized he would never be able to say no to the open, eager face that looked up at him. Nor would his life ever be the same. He knew he would continually be challenged by his spitfire of a wife, the woman who had changed everything he had every planned for his future. He looked down at that smiling face, the one that had captivated him ever since he had laid eyes on it.

“Always,” he replied.

* * *