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Abigail rolled over to find her husband shaking his head with a smile on his face. “Good morning, Lord Gray.”
Abigail’s husky whisper washed over Lucas. “Good morning, Lady Gray. I had hoped I had worn you out enough for a sound rest. However, your restless slumber spoke otherwise.”
Abigail held a wicked smile as she caressed her hand along his chest. “Perhaps I need to expound more energy before I fall asleep. Do you know how I might do that?”
Lucas groaned when her hand wrapped around his cock. “I might have a few suggestions I can show you.”
Abigail pouted. “Only a few?”
Lucas rolled her over and pressed into her palm. “Oh, more than a few, my wanton wife. If you wish, we may begin my suggestions now.”
Lucas wrapped his hand around hers and guided her hand up and down his cock. Abigail’s eyes drifted shut as she felt the power beneath their grip. She knew her husband had much to teach her, and she was more than eager to learn.
“Shall we?” Lucas whispered in her ear.
“Yes.” A breathy moan escaped her lips.
Over the next few hours, Lucas showed Abigail a few of his suggestions. Each of them started with a whispered scandalous description before he showed them to her. When Abigail fell asleep in her husband’s arms, she never moved once. She lay content, nestled in his love. When they awoke, they were ready to experience a lifetime of love by each other’s side.
~~~~~
LUCAS AND ABIGAIL WALKED into the drawing room after they enjoyed a private dinner in Lucas’s suite. They had learned the entire family had gathered for dinner, and they wanted to express their gratitude before they left for their honeymoon on the morrow. Their family met them with a round of applause and hugs. Everyone offered their congratulations, taking credit for their union. Which caused a debate to erupt about who had made the match.
“To my most successful match to date,” Colebourne boasted, lifting his glass in a toast.
“Your match? No. The match occurred under my roof,” Ramsay argued.
“Your Scottish hide is not taking credit for my son’s marriage.”
“Well, I am. Because once again ye English didn’t plan yer battle well,” Ramsay baited him.
“At least we English know how to battle. The Scottish resort to stealing to win,” Colebourne taunted.
Ramsay stood. “Is ye remark toward my son for stealing Selina?”
Colebourne shrugged. “If that is how you wish to take it, who am I to argue.”
“If Duncan didn’t steal Selina, then Abigail would never have become my wife,” Lucas tried to intervene with simple logic.
Colebourne and Ramsay stared at Lucas with exasperation, then started laughing. Aunt Susanna joined in, their merriment confusing everyone else.
Ramsay wiped the tears from his eyes. “Can ye believe your boy?”
“I tried, but obviously I failed.” Colebourne chortled.
“Excuse me. I am standing right here,” Lucas muttered.
Abigail squeezed his hand in support. But she couldn’t hide back her laughter any longer and joined in. Soon, the entire room laughed along. Try as he might, he didn’t understand the humor of the situation. But it would appear the joke was on him.
Aunt Susanna was the one who took pity on him. “Your father never would have allowed your marriage to Selina to go through. If Duncan and Selina never admitted to their feelings, we had another plan in place.”
Lucas narrowed his gaze at his father. “What plan?”
Colebourne smirked. “One must never reveal a plan in case they may need to use it at a future date.”
Lucas nodded in complete understanding of what his father might have sacrificed to make Lucas admit to his love for Abigail. He drew Abigail’s hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss across her knuckles. “I agree.”
Who was Lucas to argue with a man who created mischief just to secure his loved ones’ happiness? It was the same happiness his father had enjoyed for a brief spell before he suffered a tragic loss so profound he never thought his father would recover from. But when five girls who suffered a similar loss arrived, they had formed a family who helped each other through the heartache to survive stronger than ever.
A family he would help grow with Abigail.
He turned to look at her, enjoying the antics of his father and uncle. The day she walked into his life was the day his own heartache began to mend. The day he met his soul mate. There was nobody he loved more than Abigail. She was kindness, beauty, grace, forgiveness, all packaged into one amazing woman he was proud to call his wife. He couldn’t wait for the day when their little ones played on the floor at their feet.
Lucas was madly in love with Abigail.
Abigail sensed Lucas’s gaze on her and turned to stare at the wonderment in his eyes. Their family joked around them and Abigail soaked up the warmth. She now understood what family meant. Not always were they members related by blood, but also by friendship. Friendship that helped you through the heartache of losing a loved one. Friendship that welcomed you with open arms, laughing and crying with you through your trials and tribulations. Friends that offered you a special blend of love in the only way a family could.
Yesterday, she had pledged a lifetime to Lucas, a gentleman she held a love for so profoundly she could never explain. She might have hero-worshipped him as a young girl. But as she grew older, the love for him had only expanded in her heart. Now, she stood next to her best friend, her lover, her husband, a man who would make every day of their marriage a dream come true. Soon their children would join in the laughter and playfulness.
Abigail long ago fell head over heels in love with Lucas.
And with each year of their love, they would find a new sense of joy.
~~~~~
AFTER HIS GUESTS LEFT and Lucas and Abigail retired to their room, Colebourne toasted his late wife’s painting.
“We did it, Olivia. The boy has found his happiness. I apologize that I never listened to you all those years ago after you met Abigail. Forcing Lucas into the betrothal with Selina was a colossal mistake. However, Selina found her happiness with Duncan. Abigail and Lucas are perfect for each other. And the other girls married their soul mates. It took me a few years, but I now understand how Abigail charmed you. Because she has charmed me the same.”
He took a drink of his finest whiskey. “There are even babies soon to come. I wish you were here because I miss you greatly. I love you, my sweet Olivia.”
One always wondered why Colebourne went to the extreme with his matchmaking since it always turned into a madness that was out of his control. But one only had to see that love and madness traveled hand in hand. It was his greatest wish to leave his family with the legacy of his matchmaking madness.
Because the madness of love always prevailed.
The End
~~~
DEAR LOVELY READERS,
I hope you have enjoyed reading all the books in the Matchmaking Madness series. I have thoroughly loved writing about Uncle Theo’s mischief in finding soul mates for his wards and son. Each character and their journey to finding love holds a special place in my heart. It saddens me to bring the series to an end. However, the characters will make appearances in my next series. I’m busy writing a series revolved around the Worthington siblings I introduced throughout the Matchmaking Madness series. Stay in touch with my newsletter where I will share the progress of the books.
Thank you for all your kind words & support.
Happy Reading,
Laura
~~~
“THANK YOU FOR READING How the Lord Married His Lady. Gaining exposure as an independent author relies mostly on word-of-mouth, so if you have the time and inclination, please consider leaving a short review wherever you can.”
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