Cinders and Ashes (Cavendish Mysteries 2)

“The doctor confirmed it before he left. I asked him not to tell you because I wanted to myself,” Amelia smiled, when she was immediately swept into a bear hug and her face was smothered in kisses.

“I love you. Will you marry me, Amelia?” Sebastian whispered several minutes later when he released her lips.

“With pleasure.” She replied with a smile, tugging his head down to hers for several long moments.

Two weeks later

Sebastian and Amelia left the church to the sounds of raucous cheers from the assembled staff and friends, and the joyous ringing of the church bells. As they walked slowly towards the main house through the assembled well wishers, Amelia stopped to accept bunches of posies and flowers from the various workers on the estate.

Sebastian watched his wife with a heart full of love and happiness.

“So, can life get back to normal now?” Edward queried teasingly from beside him.

“I don’t know. It’s your turn to be snared by the parson’s trap next,” Sebastian teased, watching with amusement as Edward looked back at him in horror.

“Oh no, not me. I’ve had enough of damsels in distress, insane relatives and murderous despots to last me a lifetime,” Edward muttered. “I’ll leave the matrimonial thing to Peter.”

“Do you think he will ever find Jemima?” Sebastian’s voice was vague. His gaze was locked on his new wife with masculine interest as they neared the house.

“It won’t be for lack of trying,” Dominic replied, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “It’s the damndest thing. You go along blissfully single, and suddenly ‘the one’ appears before you and casually tosses your entire life on its head. Nothing is ever the same again.”

“Or in my case, lands your doorstep,” Sebastian added.

“Well in your case, you landed on the right doorstep

at the right time. Who saved whose life again?” Edward shook his head at Sebastian, knowing he had already lost his attention.

“You wait and see. When your turn comes, you won’t know what’s hit you,” Sebastian warned, sliding his arm around his wife’s waist and kissing her neck as he guided her through the door.

“Don’t hold your breath,” Edward warned, shivering in horror, before following the happy couple to join in with the celebrations.

The End