Epilogue

T wo weeks later, Xenia was in the drawing room, making preparations for the wedding trip. Ethan had surprised her with yet another gift: a tour of the Continent. They would be spending time in Italy, Austria, and France, and he'd planned an itinerary of concerts, sightseeing, and shopping. Her new husband was spoiling her rotten, and she adored him for it.

He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her ear.

"Did you complete everything on your list, pet?" he murmured.

Distracted by his embrace, she'd forgotten the paper in her hand.

"I still have to interview the candidate for the housekeeper position…stop that." She laughed breathlessly, twisting to look at him. "I can't think when you do that."

"You didn't complain last night." He smirked. "Or this morning."

"Someone tell me when the honeymoon is over," James drawled.

He entered the room with Owen. While Ethan's parents had left to attend to their estate, the brothers and Gigi had stayed on, and Xenia was glad the siblings had more time together. Day by day, they were rediscovering their former closeness which, she noted, often took the form of good-natured ribbing.

"Ethan and Xenia are newlyweds." Owen sprawled into a chair, giving Xenia an apologetic half-smile. "We're the ones intruding upon them."

"When it comes to family, there is no such thing as intrusion," Xenia said firmly. "You are welcome to stay as long as you like."

James winked at her as he helped himself at the spirits cabinet. "Easy to say when you are escaping to the Continent."

The siblings' teasing had extended to Xenia, and it gave her a warm glow to be included.

"Don't you have your own wife to tease?" Ethan retorted.

"Evie has more important things to do than to be teased by me," James said.

Although the earl spoke with his usual affability, Xenia noted a flatness to his tone. Ethan had told her a bit about his older brother's marriage. Even though he liked James's wife, Evie, he wasn't sure how happy the two were together. Xenia wanted to meet Evie…but that would have to wait until after the wedding trip.

"Speaking of important things!" Gigi burst into the room, the petals on her bonnet fluttering. "Guess what just happened to me? No, you'll never guess. But do try anyway!"

Ethan raised his brows. "You've found a dress. And if I had to hazard a guess, it is blue."

"Please." Gigi huffed out a breath. "Would I be this excited over clothing?"

"You met a fellow," Owen speculated. "You're head over heels in love."

"Oh, no. This is much more interesting than love."

"Goes to show," Ethan murmured in Xenia's ear, "how much my sister has to learn about love."

Xenia nestled closer to him, but at the expression on Gigi's face, which was both exhilarated and resolute, she braced herself. Everyone did.

"I know I am going to regret asking." James sighed. "What has brought about this unholy level of excitement?"

Gigi's eyes sparkled with triumph. "I found a job!"