by Cheryl Holt
“If she was your sister, then that would mean you’re my uncle.”
“Yes, I’m your uncle, and my brother, Lucas, is your uncle too. For ages, we assumed there were only two of us left out of all our kin. Now that we’ve found out about you, there are three of us. We’re very excited.”
“We’ll be a family? You’ll wed Rebecca, and we’ll be together?”
“Yes, we’ll live at Oakley—together.”
“I don’t have to go back to Carter Crossing?”
“Never.”
“Do I have to still be a Carter?”
“Not if you don’t want to be.”
“I don’t want to be. I want to be a Shawcross like you.”
“I’ll be ecstatic to make that a reality.”
The interval grew awkward, and it was difficult to fully capture the significance with words. Finally, Alex seemed like the adult in the room. “This is the best ending I could have had.”
“For me too,” Raven said.
Alex assessed Raven in a calculated way that was so much like Lucas it was uncanny.
“Will you be able to help me in the future?” Alex asked. “How about with my schooling or my buying a commission in the army? How about my traveling to Africa?”
“Yes, I can assist you with all of that.”
“Noah has such big goals, and I like to listen to him talk about them, but I never thought it would actually be possible for me to join him.”
“It’s all possible.”
“May I tell Noah? We’ve been discussing our enlisting in the army, but we had no idea how I would manage it.”
“You’ll manage it now. Your dreams can all come true.”
Alex grinned a grin—Lucas’s grin—that nearly knocked Raven off his chair.
“I don’t have to filch pennies from my relatives ever again?”
“Never again,” Raven said.
“Is there anything else I should hear?”
“That’s plenty for the moment. We’ll chat more, once matters have calmed.”
Alex jumped up and dashed to the door. He raced out and ran down the hall, shouting, “Noah! Noah! Where are you? You won’t believe what happened!”
Raven smiled, feeling as if all the luck in the world had fallen into his lap.
* * * *
Sarah was walking up the stairs to her bedchamber. She’d spoken with Rebecca and had been informed that her sister was about to be a bride. Changes were occurring too rapidly, and she was almost dizzy with trying to keep track. She’d just been reunited with Rebecca, and already, she was gearing up to plan her wedding.
She’d stopped in the library to have a drink with Nathan and Sebastian, but she hadn’t stayed. They’d been obnoxiously preening, amused to have Shawcross leg-shackled, amused to have his bachelor days end as theirs had ended. As to herself, she couldn’t decide her opinion about any of it. She could learn to like any sort of person, she supposed. Even Shawcross.
She reached the landing as someone was traipsing down. She glanced up, and there was the would-be groom himself, descending toward her. They couldn’t avoid each other.
“Well, Shawcross,” she said, “here we are.”
“You’re about to be my sister-in-law. You should probably call me Raven.”
“You’ll always be Shawcross to me.”
They stared, temporarily rendered speechless, then he said, “This is a strange turn of events.”
“You are a master of understatement.”
“You and I have to negotiate a truce.”
“We haven’t been in a war, Shawcross. I just never liked you. I can’t abide stubborn, insufferable men.”
“So you picked Sebastian Sinclair to be your spouse?”
She chuckled. “Point taken.”
“We should cease our bickering.”
“Yes, we should.”
“And we can’t snipe and bark. Rebecca would be upset by it.”
“I agree.”
“If we don’t need a truce, how about if we claim it’s a lull in the fighting?”
“We’re not fighting.”
“Good.” He nodded. “I’ve been hiding in my room, struggling to figure out how Fate meddled in all our lives and led us to this conclusion. What has it been about?”
“I wouldn’t try to guess.”
“I love Rebecca,” he suddenly declared.
“You’d better.”
“I’ll always love her.”
“Will you watch over her? Will you protect her? Will you cherish her and be her unwavering ally until your dying day?”
He scoffed. “I can’t believe you’d question my intentions.”
“It’s what worries me the most about you. I’m so afraid you don’t deserve her.”
“Ask Sebastian about me. He’ll tell you I’m fiercely loyal.”
“Yes, he’s waxed on exhaustively.”
“Maybe you should pay attention to him.”
“I’m persuading myself to accept that he’s correct.” She studied him meticulously, wishing she could open up his head and rummage around inside it. “Rebecca is precious to me.”
“To me too,” he said.
“I’ll take you at your word—that you love her.”
“I’m completely bowled over.”
She snorted. “I like the sound of that. It makes you seem more human.”
“I told Rebecca that I will work hard to be the person she thinks I am. I won’t ever let her down. I won’t ever let you down. You’ll be glad she wed me. I swear.”
“We’ll see about that, and if you ever supply me with a reason to doubt you, I have a tough, strapping spouse who will keep you in line.”
“I know.”
“So behave yourself.”
“I will.”
“I left Rebecca in the library with Nathan and Sebastian. Why don’t you find her? You look a tad lost.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“Marriage won’t kill you, Shawcross.”
“I’ll have to hope not.”
“But if you ever hurt my sister, I might murder you.”
“After a remark like that, it’s difficult to imagine we’re not at war.”
“I’m not easily swayed,” she said. “You’ll have to convince me you’re worth the bother, but then, Rebecca loves you. As do my husband and brother. They can’t all be wrong, so I might—might!—learn to love you too.”
She flashed a warning glower, and they continued on in their opposite directions.
* * * *
It wasn’t a grand wedding or a large one. Rebecca and Raven weren’t acquainted with anyone at Selby but for a few family members. With their using a Special License, they’d had to hurry, so there’d been no time to invite guests who would have been required to travel.
Rebecca’s social world was at Carter Crossing, and Raven had promised her a second ceremony after they returned to Oakley. They would have it later, so they didn’t interfere with Millicent and Mr. Melville’s big day.
They were thinking of having it in the spring, which would give Raven months to refurbish Oakley so the mansion would be ready for their company.
Rebecca had been alone forever, living with cousins, but not welcomed or embraced by them. The greatest gift she’d received by coming to Selby was the realization that she had a sister, in-laws, a niece, and nephews. Nathan’s wife, Nell, was having a baby, so their numbers were swiftly growing.
Originally, Nathan had urged her to have the service at Selby Manor. He’d been elated over the notion of how it would have annoyed their grandfather who’d been instrumental in separating them. But Rebecca had refused to proceed in a spot where the underlying motive would have been so petty.
So she was in the vestibule of the village church near Selby. Their father was buried in the cemetery behind the building, and it made her feel closer to him.
And her mother? No
one remembered where she’d been buried, and it was the saddest information ever. But on such a glorious morning, Rebecca wouldn’t ponder that depressing situation. She would simply assume her mother was with their father in Heaven and smiling down on them.
Nathan was with her and about to walk her down the aisle. Sarah was there too, as were Alex and Noah who’d served as ushers. Noah had just escorted Nell down to the front pew. Noah’s sister, Petunia, was sitting with her. Lucas was on the other side, so Raven had a relative in attendance.
It was a small gesture, but Rebecca was happy that the corrupt scoundrel had deigned to show up. Raven would never admit it, but it pleased him very much too.
The servants at Selby had generously filled the altar with hothouse flowers and had decorated the pews and entrance with ribbons, so the place was festive. Outside, it was clear and crisp, and with how the sun shone in the stained glass, it painted everything in shades of pink and orange that soothed her nerves.
Except for the cooks who were preparing their nuptial breakfast, the whole staff had come, so even though she was a stranger at Selby, dozens of people would cheer her on as she spoke her vows.
“Do you have the ring?” Nathan asked Alex.
“Yes, sir. I have it.”
Noah said, “I checked, Lord Selby. I’ll ensure he gets it to Mr. Shawcross with no problem.”
“Let me see it anyway,” Nathan said.
Alex was Raven’s nephew and would carry it to him. He held out a pillow, the ring prominently displayed in the center. There hadn’t been time to buy an expensive one in London, so they’d pilfered one from an old jewelry box in the attic. It was a simple gold band that was very pretty and that matched the kind of woman she deemed herself to be.
Raven was irked to use such a paltry piece, so he’d insisted—at the earliest opportunity—they would ride to town and purchase a gaudier trinket. She’d merely nodded and agreed, but she didn’t need one that was bigger or costlier.
The gold band was lovely, and once he slipped it on her finger, she would never remove it.
“Are we ready?” Nathan asked the group in general.
“We’re ready,” the boys said together, their bond so firmly established that they finished each other’s sentences.
“How about you, Sarah?” Nathan inquired.
Sarah was pacing and fidgeting, and her unease was humorous to witness. “I’m so anxious! I wasn’t this flustered at my own wedding.”
“Raven will take good care of her,” Nathan said. “Would you stop worrying?”
“I’m not worried. I’ve seen how he looks at her when he believes no one is watching. Besides, he swore to me he’d be the husband she deserves. If he ever fails her, you and Sebastian will push him in line very fast.” She smirked. “You’d probably enjoy it too.”
They were waiting for the vicar to step out to the altar with Raven and Sebastian. Sebastian would stand with Raven, and Sarah would stand with Rebecca.
“Are they ever coming out?” Alex asked.
“Maybe Mr. Shawcross snuck out the back,” Noah said. “Occasionally, bachelors get cold feet and panic.”
Nathan scowled severely. “Raven didn’t scoot out the back. Don’t be so irritating.”
The organist began to play a hymn, and the vicar emerged. Raven and Sebastian followed him out. Rebecca studied them, thinking how handsome they were, how dashing.
Sebastian was wearing the suit he’d donned when he’d wed Sarah, and Raven had borrowed some clothes from Nathan. As usual, he’d picked black, but the garments were more formal than his typical attire. He appeared stylish and elegant and nothing like the horse trader he’d pretended to be when she’d first met him.
A wave of gladness swept through her. She was so lucky! When Fate had been cruel for so many years, why had it suddenly pointed its fickle finger in her direction and fixed what was wrong?
Nathan motioned to Alex and Noah. “You two head down the aisle. Don’t trip and behave yourselves.”
“We always behave,” Noah said.
They took off, marching to the music. Rebecca observed them, and she pondered Fate again, wondering what would be in store for the pair as they grew up. They might have so many wild adventures and become so famous in their own right that Sir Sidney’s legacy would pale in comparison.
Noah slid into the pew next to Lucas, and Alex continued to the altar. He offered the ring to his uncle, and Raven leaned down and whispered a comment in his ear that made him beam with pride, then he went to sit with Noah and Lucas.
The three Blake siblings were left alone in the vestibule. Nathan extended a hand to her and Sarah, and they clasped hold, the three of them huddled in a tight circle.
“I’ve told you this story before,” he said, “but I’d like to tell it again. My most powerful memory of Father occurred when I was six. It was just prior to his death. I imagine Grandfather was harassing him, so he was fretting about us. He snuggled me on his lap, and we had a very stern discussion. He ordered me—in case something ever happened to him—to look after the two of you.”
“You feel so guilty about your inability to keep us safe during that terrible ordeal,” Sarah said, “but you were just a boy. You have to forgive yourself.”
“I know, and I eventually found both of you.”
Sarah chuckled. “It’s more correct to state that we found you.”
“You’re with me at Selby,” Nathan said. “It’s what Father would have wanted, and I’m so relieved that we can have this day together.”
Tears flooded Rebecca’s eyes, then Sarah’s, and Sarah said, “Don’t you dare get all sentimental on me, Nathan. You’ll have me weeping.”
“Sebastian and Raven are the best men I’ve ever met,” he said. “With them as your husbands, I’ll never have to worry about either of you.”
Rebecca asked, “Do you suppose Father and Mother are gazing down on us from Heaven?”
“I’m sure they are,” Nathan said, “and I’m not even religious. I just sense that they’re present.”
“So do I,” Rebecca said.
“Oh, you two!” Sarah complained. “I’m going down the aisle. If I remain here another second, I’ll be bawling like a baby, and I refuse to stagger past everyone with my face all blotchy.”
She spun to Rebecca, and they fell into each other’s arms. They hugged, as they had a quick conversation in their minds:
Can you learn to like Raven? Rebecca asked.
Are you joking? He loves you, so I will always love him.
“Are you about finished?” their brother inquired. “If you delay much longer, people will strain their necks peering back at us.”
Sarah pulled away, and she patted Rebecca’s hair and kissed her on the cheek.
“You’re the most beautiful bride I ever saw,” Sarah murmured, and the tears that had threatened overflowed. “Ah! I am weeping. I’m going down!”
She headed off, as Rebecca and Nathan watched her. When she arrived at the altar, Sebastian noted her distress. He drew her close, then they turned toward the vestibule. The organ music swelled, and it was time for Rebecca to head down too.
“You’ll never regret marrying him,” Nathan said.
“I already figured that out on my own.”
“He’s a bit rough around the edges, but he’s fierce and loyal. He’ll always cherish and protect you.”
“I know that too.” She smiled. “You don’t have to convince me. I think I loved him the first minute I laid eyes on him.”
“I guess he simply needed a few weeks to deduce that he loved you too.”
“Men can be so obtuse,” she said.
“Truer words were never spoken, little sister.”
“Little sister…” she repeated. “I like the sound of that.”
“Now then, Raven is glaring impatiently. I better get you down to him before he storms over and drags you down.”
“I want to wal
k as slowly as we can. I want to relish every step.”
“I’m not in any rush,” he said.
They started off, and the guests stood as they passed. Joy wafted from the crowd, and it all seemed to be happening in a vivid dream.
She’d hoped she might eventually have the chance to marry, but she’d never believed it would actually occur. She’d told herself to be content with what she had. She’d told herself not to pine away for what could never be, then, without warning, Raven Shawcross had swept into her life, and naught had been the same since.
Finally, they reached the altar. Nathan put her hand in Raven’s and said, “I swore to her that you’d be her staunchest champion. Don’t ever make me a liar.”
Raven grinned at his old friend. “I will love her forever.”
“I expect nothing less,” Nathan replied.
Raven studied her emotional expression, and he asked, “Are you all right? You’re not about to swoon on me, are you?”
“I won’t swoon.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
They turned to the vicar, and the man asked the assembly, “Who gives this woman in holy matrimony?”
“Her sister and I do,” Nathan responded.
Then he sat in the front pew with Nell and Petunia.
Rebecca glanced at the throng of guests, at Lucas, Noah, and Alex smiling their encouragement from one side, Nell, Nathan, and Petunia from the other. Rebecca couldn’t bear it, and Sarah realized it.
She leapt over and hugged Rebecca again, whispering, “I wish Mother was here so she could see how happy you are.”
Her words caused a deluge of tears to gush for both of them. Sebastian whipped out a kerchief for Sarah, and Raven produced one for Rebecca, which had the audience indulgently chuckling and tearful too.
Rebecca was trembling, and Raven squeezed her hand. “You’re beautiful, and we’re being buoyed by so much affection. There’s no need to be distraught.”
“I’m so overwhelmed that I just might faint after all.”
“I’ll never allow you to fall,” he vowed. “Hold onto me and don’t ever let go.”
“I won’t.”
“Remember what I promised when I proposed? You’ll always be mine.”