Sophie sat at the table, silent as she basked in the warmth of the chatter around her, the smiles the siblings bestowed on one another, and the animation in her husband’s eyes as he bantered with his sister.

“Do you know what I think?” Polly leaned over and hissed to Benjamin, “I think Thomas is a pirate now!”

“Do not be a nitwit, Polly,” he responded to his sister, rolling his eyes. “Thomas? The man has spent his life living by the rules.”

“I think Eleanor’s changed him. Look at him, Ben! His face simply glows.”

“Because of the sun, Polly,” he said, sighing.

“I know I’m right,” she said, dismissing him and sitting back in her chair smugly.

“Shush,” said Benjamin’s sister Violet, as she tried to temper Polly’s enthusiasm. Sophie caught the raise of Eleanor’s eyebrow as she seemed to have heard them, but she said nothing, though a small smile curled at her lips.

Thomas and Eleanor had returned for Sophie and Benjamin’s wedding, and now they celebrated with a wedding breakfast. Sophie had chosen an emerald green dress for the occasion, one which complimented her pale skin and her cheeks, which were stained crimson all day from the attentions of her husband and the happiness at their union. They had been officially married quickly after the scandal with the Earl of Dunstable, but they had a second wedding, one with Benjamin’s entire family, a couple of months later.

“It is such a relief that the whole horrid affair with that despicable man is behind us,” said Marie with an exaggerated sigh. “While I should never want to speak ill of the dead, we may all rest easier knowing that dear Sophie is now safe from that horrid man!”

“Mama,” Violet said, sending her a look. “The man was Sophie’s cousin.”

“It’s all right,” Sophie interjected. “He was horrid.”

Soon after Lord Haversham had delivered Lord Dunstable back to his home, Benjamin and his brother Daniel had paid a visit to the man, letting him know that Sophie was now under the protection of the family and any further threats to her were a threat to all of the Duke of Ware’s kin and he would be best to stay far, far away. They explained the threat of financial ruin if he were to come near. They heard nothing more from him until a few weeks later, when Sophie had been shocked to receive word he had been killed from a fall off his horse. Benjamin had said nothing, though Sophie didn’t miss the speculative looked that had crossed his face.

Benjamin was worried that Sophie would be overwhelmed by the whole of them, but far from it, Sophie revelled in their warmth and was so grateful to be part of such a family.

“I must apologize, my dear,” Benjamin’s mother, Marie, said addressing her. “These children of mine…” she sighed. “Well, I’ve done my best, but I’ve never been able to manage them.”

“There is certainly nothing to apologize for,” she said with a smile at the dignified older woman, still beautiful despite the wrinkles of worry her children had given her and the dark hair that was graying at the temples. “This is all I could have ever asked for and more.”

Marie gave her a secret smile. “In truth, I would not ask for anything different. But please, do not tell any of them that. Now, tell me, when can I expect a grandchild from you?”

Sophie’s mouth gaped open for a moment at the woman’s forwardness.

“Enough, Mama,” Benjamin cut in, leaning over Sophie to give his mother a look. “It was simply months ago you were pressing for me to marry. You must be content with that for a moment, at least.”

“Very well,” she said, her gaze circling the table until they alighted on her eldest son, who was busy shoving food into his mouth to try to keep from having to answer the questions his youngest sister, Polly, threw his way. “Daniel! Do you see how happy a wife has made your brother?”

Benjamin gave a bark of laughter, and whispered to Sophie, “She’ll never change.”

As Sophie smiled at him, he picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “She’s right, however. You do make me happy, and have given me purpose to life. I’ve found my way, who I truly am.”

“And yet your spirit hasn’t changed,” she said, smiling softly, her heart swelling with joy. “I believe that is what I love most about you. You have become more to me than I ever thought possible.”

He rubbed the palm of her hand with his thumb and index finger.

“What do you say we leave this wedding breakfast and have a celebration of our own, just the two of us?” he leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“I believe your mother would be quite upset,” Sophie said, though a tingle ran through her as the breath of his whisper kissed her ear. “In due time, darling. We have all the time in the world.”

“Yes,” he said with a wicked grin, “and I know exactly how to use it, by showing you just how much I love you.”