Epilogue

EPILOGUE

The day of Chloe and Ryker’s wedding dawned bright, sunny, and unusually warm for February.

But truthfully, Chloe wouldn’t have minded if it had been pouring rain. She was marrying Ryker, that was all that mattered.

She rose from her bed, stretching as Aunt Mildred opened her door. “Are you finally up?”

Chloe blushed. Ryker had stayed in her room until just before midnight, and then she’d struggled to sleep without his warmth wrapped about her. “I’m up.”

“Good, Caroline will be here soon.”

Caroline would be attending the wedding and had agreed to help Chloe get ready. Truly, it would be nice just to have a distraction. She wasn’t exactly nervous—more excited—but conversation was definitely in order.

And Aunt Mildred was wonderful, but she’d surely only tell stories about Ryker. Which just made Chloe wish to hurry the time along so she could be by his side again.

Once they’d wed, they’d have a small breakfast and then leave for Ryker’s closest country estate. He said it would only be a day’s ride, which was why he’d chosen it, but they’d be away from London and its bustle.

And they’d both feel safer out of the eye of the Order of the Righteous.

Chloe shivered. She’d known so many good religious men. But the Righteous Order was not that. She supposed good and bad could be found on both sides of any dichotomy.

Still, she’d be glad to leave London behind. Though, she’d miss her new friend, Caroline.

She took a quick bath and then began to dress, putting on her chemise, corset, petticoats, stockings, and shoes. She left her dress for later, as her maid tended to her hair.

Caroline arrived, sweeping into the room, smiling brightly. “It’s finally here!”

Chloe rose, embracing her friend, another pang filling her chest. “Tell me you’re going to visit me soon.”

“As soon as the season is over,” Caroline promised.

Chloe hugged her tighter.

“But for now, let’s get you married.”

The rest of the morning flew by in a rush, and before Chloe knew it, they were leaving for the church.

She could hardly keep still as the carriage arrived. A footman helped her exit, Mildred and Caroline just behind her as she swept up the large granite stairs. The door to the church opened and an usher welcomed her into the vestibule.

She peeked through the next set of double doors where Ryker stood at the front of the church looking relaxed and so handsome, he stole her breath.

All her nerves vanished to see him. She looked down at the pale pink gown she’d chosen for the day and touched her hair to make certain it was all still in place.

He caught sight of her then, their eyes locking. Even from the distance that separated them, she felt his gaze warm, watched his shoulders soften.

The music began and Chloe found herself floating down the aisle. The rest of the ceremony passed in a happy of haze of love and joy, but the feelings were etched on her heart.

This man was hers. Forever.

He leaned down and kissed her lips, the vicar pronouncing them husband and wife. Ryker’s arm was strong around her as they made their way back down the aisle. Today was the first day of the rest of their lives.

They stopped outside the doors of the church to greet their guests.

Aunt Mildred kissed them both as Caroline gushed over her again. A few relatives of Ryker’s paid their respects.

And then a dark blond man came down the steps, whistling as he walked. His devil-may-care attitude tickled at her memory.

“You,” Ryker said, his voice dropping low.

“Me,” the man answered with a one-sided grin. “Duke of Ironheart, at your service.”

“Ironheart… doesn’t ring a bell.”

“Scottish title,” Ironheart waved his hand, dismissing Ryker’s words.

“You didn’t retire?”

“No,” Ironheart shook his head.

Chloe gasped. “You were with him that first night when you kissed me.”

Ironheart bowed. “I was, Your Grace, and may I say, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I tried to convince your husband to make the introduction, but he was… resistant.”

Chloe’s brows rose as she looked at Ryker. Had he been that possessive from the very beginning?

“What do you want?” Ryker asked, his teeth gritted around the words.

Ironheart cleared his throat. “Just a moment of your time.”

Ryker looked at her and she nodded. Much as she’d like to know what Ironheart wished to say, she understood this was a private word. And Ryker would tell her later.

With that in mind, she let him hand her into the carriage.

* * *

Ryker looked back at Ironheart, irritated as all hell. This was his wedding. “What’s so fucking important, Master, that you are here?”

But Ironheart winced, his charismatic smile slipping from his lips. “There’s been another murder.”

Ryker felt his heart drop. “Adam?”

“We think so. It was exactly the same as the last but knowing that he’s part of an order makes it more difficult to tease out.”

Ryker let out a string of curses.

“Either way, be careful as you travel. Bring extra men. Keep that bride safe and keep her tucked in the country.”

But for the first time, Ryker was worried about the men he was leaving behind. “You are now only nine. How do you plan to stand against them?”

“Strongborn will be in touch, but several men in the Order are part of Strongborn’s investments and more than a few of them part of yours. I believe Storngborn plans to use completely legal means to press them to leave the order and weaken their roster.”

It was an excellent plan. “I’ll help however I can.”

“I know.” And then Ironheart smiled. “What you lack in personality, you’ve always made up in commitment and competence. Keep that in mind in your marriage. You’ll surely infuriate her more than once but stay true to the marriage and she’ll forgive your shit personality.”

Ryker chuckled. “Truer words. Now that I’m leaving, I might actually like you.”

“Don’t be too effusive.” Ironheart laughed too. “And we’ll see each other again. I’ll take you up on that invitation in another decade or so.”

Ryker really laughed then. Because little did Ironheart understand, love would surely come for him too, and the timing was never convenient.

But that was for Ironheart to learn. Because Ryker had a bride to protect, honor, and cherish and he was very eager to start.