Chapter Twenty-Two

Six Months Later…

A sher stood in the ballroom of his townhouse with Saxton, Wickes, and Lucius. With the exception of Blackthorn, the men watched their wives talking together across the room. Three wicked widows who were all now happily married with their so-called "tarnished" pasts put behind them.

Now if only Lucius would find a lady of his choosing to also marry, their foursome of friends would all be enjoying marital bliss. But their last friend didn't seem to be in any hurry to marry. In fact, Asher had learned he had a new mistress. Hopefully, Lucius would settle down soon.

As if he read Asher's mind, Lucius spoke up. "I think I will leave you to continue your wedding celebration, Ash," Lucius drawled. "If I stay here any longer, one of these single ladies might try to sink their claws in me again."

Saxton chuckled. "Not interested in Lady Maribel or Lady Juliet?"

A groan left Lucius. "Good heavens, no! I'd rather be drunk and left in a gutter than marry either of them. They want a title and care not of the man behind it."

Wickes placed his hand on Lucius's shoulder. "The right woman will come along one day."

Lucius shook off his hand. "I'll leave you three to your wives. I'm glad for your happiness, but I have no desire to take part in married life for myself. My mistress will tend to my needs just fine."

Asher gave his friend a knowing nod. He had felt the same way until he stumbled into Patience at the Lyon's Den. His whole life had changed that night and he was thankful for Mrs. Dove-Lyon's intervention that kept him from throwing away his best chance at happiness. They watched Lucius leave the room and when Patience stepped away from her friends, she made her way toward Asher.

"If you gentlemen would excuse me, I think it's time my wife and I head up to our room," Asher said giving them a bow.

Saxton laughed. "Not sure why you didn't leave hours ago, old man. Your game must be slipping now that you've wed."

Asher's brow rose and he chuckled. "Hardly."

Patience came and placed her arm around his waist. "Shall we go upstairs and continue our wedding celebrations in privacy?" she purred sweetly causing a part of Asher to rise in agreement.

"You read my mind, my dearest," Asher said as they began making their way through the throng of guests, including his mother and Patience's parents, to say goodnight.

He noticed Gideon standing alone with a drink in hand. A patch covered his injured eye, not that he needed it. He ushered his wife toward the younger man and Patience went and placed a kiss upon Gideon's cheek.

Gideon looked at her shyly before he raised his glass to them. "I'm happy for you both and wish you all the best," he said before taking a sip of his drink.

Asher went and clasped his brother's hand knowing how difficult the words were for him to say. Thankfully, Gideon had moved past the feelings he had had for Patience now that she was now his sister-in-law.

"Thank you, Gideon, for your well wishes. It means the word to Patience and me," Asher said with an honest heart.

"And there's no reason you need to leave here," Patience added with a bright smile. "This is your home and you are welcome to stay here for as long as you want."

Gideon shuffled his feet. "A newly married couple need their space and I would only be in the way," he said holding up his hand when Asher was about to interject. "I appreciate the offer but I've already asked to have my own townhouse aired out and opened. I'm glad Mother convinced you not to sell the place when you thought me dead. I'll move my things as soon as the place is livable again. I shouldn't be in the way here for too much longer."

Patience reached out for his hand. "You are never in the way, Gideon, and are always welcome here."

"I appreciate your kindness, Patience," Gideon proclaimed with a smile.

"Family needs to stick together," Asher said cheerfully.

Patience tilted her head. "As a matter of fact, I have a cousin who—"

"I'm not quite ready for that as yet, Patience," Gideon said laughing, "but I appreciate you thinking of me for her."

"I'm certain you'd get along famously," Patience said in a second attempt.

Asher saw the look Gideon gave him and took the hint. "Maybe another time, my sweet. You'll excuse us, brother?"

Gideon gave him a knowing nod and they left his side to finish saying goodnight to their guests. When they finally made it up to their room and he shut the door behind them, he was surprised to see a large bowl filled with pomegranates on a nearby table.

He went over and picked up one of the fruits and saw an opened card sitting next to it. "What's this?" he asked his wife who went over to her vanity and began removing the pins from her hair.

"I was unpacking a few of my things earlier, and I saw the fruit and note. I couldn't stop myself from giving it a quick read." She looked invitingly over her shoulder, flicking her hair free as it cascaded down to her waist. "They're from Mrs. Dove-Lyon as the card says. Apparently she wished to ensure we have an eternity together, Hades."

"Ah, my Persephone… I wouldn't have it any other way, my love," Asher declared.

He came over to his wife and pulled her to her feet. Turning her, he began unfastening the ribbon at the back of her dress. She leaned into his chest, and he pulled down the fabric at her shoulder before placing a kiss on her smooth skin. Trailing kisses up her neck, he heard her soft moan of pleasure. She turned in his embrace and hands began to fumble at his cravat.

"Have I told you today that I love you?" she asked in a breathy whisper.

"Many times, but I will never tire of hearing such words," Asher replied as he assisted her with removing her dress and underclothes. He carried her naked body to their bed after the rest of his clothing joined hers on the floor. When he pulled her into his arms, her sigh of contentment filled the room.

"Even after an eternity together?" she teased while brushing back his hair.

"My soul will always find you, Patience… in this life and the next. I will never tire of having you love me, dearest wife," he said in a husky tone. He felt her shiver.

"Then love me now, Asher, so that we never forget how our lives together began," she crooned in his ear.

"As my lady wishes. I shall always be your most obedient husband," he replied before he sealed his words with a kiss.

Asher loved his wife far into the night. Hours later, as she slumbered by his side, he thanked the heavens for blessing him with this incredible woman. His life could have gone in a totally different direction if he hadn't listened to that small voice telling him to open his heart to the possibility that love could conquer all. Who knew months ago that stumbling down the stairs at the Lyon's Den could have changed his life so completely?

He looked across the room at the bowl of pomegranates sent by the Widow of Whitehall to ensure their marriage lasted a lifetime. He chuckled, pulling Patience closer into his embrace and closed his eyes. This lyon had found his mate and no other woman would ever do. Asher would look forward to their eternity together.