Chapter 24

When Easton returned to the manor, the butler informed him of his sister's arrival. He had to admit that the reservations he'd held until that point faded as he headed toward the parlor and overheard the sentimentality in Vanessa's voice. However, it was Aline's words before that which tugged at his heartstrings. He hadn't realized that he had been so distant to her until then. He must have been a selfish bastard not to see the hurt he'd caused her.

Taking a deep breath and trying to pretend that he hadn't overheard something that was life-changing, he entered the parlor.

"Easton!" Aline spied him first and jumped to her feet. Although she was a mother of two rowdy boys and had been married for several years now, she was still just as full of energy as he'd always remembered.

She started to approach him enthusiastically, but then she paused. He closed the distance between them and grabbed her about her waist and spun her in a circle. It was the one thing he could remember doing when they had been children. Although she didn't squeal quite as loudly with delight now as she had then, she still laughed when he set her on her feet. "Ally," he cuffed her gently on the chin. "Where's James? Don't say he let you travel alone?"

"As if I can't handle myself. I'm an Alden." She grinned broadly. "My adoring husband is back in Ireland with the boys, who are particularly excited about gaining an aunt."

At the mention of Vanessa, he glanced at her. She had risen to her feet as well, but she had stood aside as she waited for the siblings to reunite. He held out his hand to her, and she walked forward without hesitation and placed her hand in his. "I'm rather thrilled at the prospect myself." He patted his jacket with his other hand. "We can say the vows anytime."

"You're not getting married in Ireland?" Aline blinked in surprise. "I thought I was just here to meet your intended."

Easton raised a brow. "I don't intend to wait another day for this lady to change her mind. I was away longer than I wanted to be in London as it was. But I had a reason for the slight delay, other than meeting with the archbishop."

Vanessa tilted her head to the side. "That sounds terribly suspicious."

"Indeed." He winked at her. "I also brought you something to wear if you are so inclined. You can don any dress you like, of course, but I spoke with Millie and Rose, and they were wonderfully accommodating. But then, as former boarders of the Society, they were more than happy to assist one of their own. Everything is ready for this evening."

He could tell the moment his words registered on her lovely face. "This evening? You don't mean for us to marry tonight?"

"A sunset ceremony on the beach sounds ideal to me." He hesitated. "If you would prefer to wait—"

She shook her head and wound her fingers through his. "No. It sounds wonderful. Just tell me where to meet you."

His lips curved upward. "Don't you already know? In our special painting cove."

Easton saw her eyes well with moisture. "That's perfect."

He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed the knuckles. "Not any more than you."

"Oh, dear. I'm starting to think I should leave the room."

Easton turned to Aline, who rolled her eyes dramatically. Another stab of guilt hit him in the chest, but he vowed that from this moment on, there would be no more awkwardness between them. He would make sure she knew how important she was in his life. "Aline, can I trust you to look after my future bride while I finish making the preparations with Lady Beauvais?"

Vanessa gasped. "The countess is involved in this?"

He glanced at her. "Of course. She is the one who urged me to come by and tell you about the plans."

She snorted. "What a grand idea since it would hardly be a wedding without both of us there."

Easton laughed at the sarcastic comment. He thought back to the meek woman he'd first met, and when compared to this strong, confident woman, it was difficult to imagine that they were one in the same. But it was the various aspects to her personality that Easton had fallen in love with.

"Until later, my love."

* * *

Vanessa discovered what the special surprise was after she'd bathed and dressed in a simple, but elegant white and blue dress from her favorite seamstresses, embellished with a row of pearls along each cap sleeve. Aline encouraged her to leave her hair down and flowing free because that was what she was now. Vanessa had to agree. Marrying Easton was the most freeing thing that she could do because she would be with the one person who made her complete—who made her whole at long last.

There was a brief knock, and then the door opened to reveal Iona Covington, Duchess of Rosewood. With her familiar brown eyes shining brightly, her blonde hair also left to float about her shoulders, she was a welcome sight to Vanessa, who had first met the lady when she'd been struggling to find her way as a landscape architect. She had done that and much more after she'd wed Thorpe.

She embraced Vanessa warmly. When she pulled back, she looked at her with something akin to empathy. "I wish you would have told me the truth," she whispered. "I would have done everything I could to help."

"I know," Vanessa returned softly. "But it wasn't your problem to solve."

"Perhaps not, but although we didn't know each other for very long, I still considered you a friend."

She was trying not to cry, but it was difficult when she was faced with such kind consideration. "I appreciate that very much, Your Grace."

Iona held up a hand. "There will be none of that. I am still Iona, and like you, a permanent member of the Seaside Society of Spinsters."

Vanessa bit her lip. "Does it still count if I wasn't actually a spinster?"

"It does," Iona said firmly. "Because you hadn't yet found the man who makes your heart beat faster. When Lord Fane came by Rosewood Manor, I could tell right away how much he loves you. We are lucky women to have such adoring men in our lives."

It was logic that Vanessa couldn't argue with.

"Are you ready to become Lady Fane?"

It was the first time Vanessa had actually stopped to think of her changed status. For someone who had never grown up with a title attached to her name, she would soon be a viscountess. But it wouldn't have mattered in the least. Easton could have been a baker or a blacksmith, and she would have still been head over heels for him. "I am."

Downstairs, Vanessa was greeted by Miss Grantham, Miss Stratford, and Lady Beauvais. Iona and Aline made up the last of her entourage and as they all piled into the countess's coach for a snug ride to the strand, Vanessa didn't mind that she was elbow to elbow with these ladies because they had all been there for her in her time of need. Now, she had the chance to celebrate her happiness with them.

When they arrived near the strand that led to her private cove, Vanessa noted that the beach was filled with people from the village. She spied the new arrivals to the Society, who were all eagerly craning their necks in anticipation and waving madly when she stepped down from the coach. Unaccustomed to so much fanfare, Vanessa could feel her cheeks starting to warm.

The other ladies moved ahead of her and took their place with the rest of the crowd as Vanessa continued on. She could hear the light strains of a violin playing a soft Irish ballad, and as the assemblage parted, Vanessa saw the man who would soon be her husband. He was standing next to a man holding a Bible in his grasp, but it wasn't the vicar who captured her attention. It was Easton. He looked so handsome in his black finery, a blue waistcoat that perfectly matched her dress beneath his jacket.

Her heart pounded beneath her breast, and she smiled, because there was nothing more perfect than this moment.

Just before she took her place beside him, she glanced down and noticed a single, perfect heart had been drawn into the sand. She inhaled sharply and looked up to see him holding out a small box tied with a small white ribbon.

* * *

She has never looked more beautiful.

These thoughts ran through Easton's mind, likely because he knew she was about to be joined to him for the rest of his life. What a wonderful adventure that was going to begin—for both of them. She was getting a second chance at her own life while he was learning to live his for the first time. Love had brought about the impossible and brought them together. He didn't know whether to thank fate or God, and perhaps it was both.

As he waited for her to accept the gift, he also handed her a stick. She seemed to take a moment to understand, but when she did, she laughed gaily. Taking it, she carved her own heart in the sand, making sure to interlock the one he'd made.

She tossed the stick aside and then reached for the offering. She slowly untied the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box to reveal a sparkling ruby ring. "To match the color of your hair in the sunlight," he noted softly.

He took the item out of the box and slipped it onto her left ring finger. As she met his gaze, he couldn't resist bending down and giving her a quick kiss on the lips. When the embrace lingered, the vicar cleared his throat behind them.

A chuckle rippled throughout the assemblage as Easton grinned broadly. "I think he means for us to say the vows first," he whispered into her ear.

She smiled as they took their place in front of the vicar, and as the sun started to set behind them, they became man and wife.

Easton wanted to drag his new bride off to be alone, but he knew it was impossible to disappear just yet. As he took Vanessa's hand, he said, "I have one more surprise for you."

She put her left hand over her heart, and he enjoyed the way the gemstone on her hand proclaimed to one and all that she was his. "I'm not sure my heart can handle any more excitement. You've truly outdone yourself, my lord."

He stopped and glanced at her as the rest of the crowd continued to move forward. "My lord? What is that?"

She shook her head, and her cheeks colored in a delightfully charming manner. "Forgive me. I'm still rather… overwhelmed by everything."

He froze. "I hope that is good."

"Oh, yes. Very much so. I didn't mean to claim otherwise."

"Good." He could breathe easily again. "Come on."

When they arrived at the art gallery that Lady Beauvais had worked so tirelessly to establish, Easton could feel Vanessa's gaze on him as they made their way inside.

Candles were lit all about the area, and as the assemblage meandered about the area, they were greeted with more than just wishes for their future happiness. The buzz started slowly, but with Easton and Vanessa's art filling the walls all around them, it quickly grew. Easton could hear several approving remarks around them, and as he escorted his new wife all around the expanse, it was apparent that the new gallery was an immediate success.

Lady Beauvais made her way toward them. She was dressed in a light blue gown with silver threading, her dark hair shining with silver ribbon piled elegantly on her head. Sparkling adornments graced her ears and neck, but it was the triumph in her dark eyes that was so compelling. "It's my greatest achievement yet," she announced proudly. "All thanks to both of you. I shouldn't be surprised if most of these pieces are sold this evening."

Easton inclined his head, but Vanessa seemed a bit less confident. "Surely it will take some time before—"

A gentleman in Beauvais livery walked forward and bowed before the countess before he spoke to her alone. She nodded, and as he moved away, she clasped her hands together and said, "You will be glad to know that The Desertion of Existence has sold to an anonymous buyer."

Easton saw Vanessa blink in shock. "Has it?"

"Indeed," Lady Beauvais said with more than a touch of pride. "No doubt you are well on your way to becoming quite a celebrated artist, just as I predicted all along."

As she excused herself and began to walk among the rest of the crowd, Vanessa turned to Easton. "What of your portrait of me? I didn't see it here."

He snorted. "As if I would allow anyone to admire your beauty but me. I am having it sent to Ireland. It shall be there by the time we arrive."

She wound her arms around his neck. "I wonder if I truly deserve you."

"You do," he said with a slight growl. "Trust me, you do." He glanced around and then muttered, "Do you think I can whisk you away yet? Or is it too early?"

"Oh, I think it's expected that we depart," she returned in a sultry tone. "At least, I think so."

He had to resist the urge to drag her into his arms. It wouldn't be long before he was removing every stitch of clothing from her body as it was. "Let's go, Lady Fane. I have plans for us this night."

Her eyes practically sparkled. "I'm counting on it."