Chapter Twenty-Eight

“It took both of you long enough,” Grace said as she sat on a velvet settee in the parlor.

Catherine had nursed and was sleeping peacefully in her father’s arms. Ian had a bemused look on his face every time he looked down at the infant.

“What do you mean?” Ellie asked. Hugh stood by her side. He looked just as confused.

Two days had passed since Hugh had accepted Ellie’s marriage proposal. During that time Hugh had desperately sought an audience with Castleton but had to wait. Now that Baron Willoughby was no longer a threat, Ian had spent every waking moment with his new family.

“Your betrothal was our plan all along,” Grace said. She looked healthy and certainly happy not to be confined to bed any longer.

“Our?” Ian asked, cocking a dark eyebrow.

“Fine. I knew all along,” Grace countered.

“How?” Ellie asked.

“There was no other reason for you to reject suitor after suitor over the years,” Grace said.

“I wanted independence,” Ellie protested.

“No. It would have been a lonely life. You are a vibrant young lady. You deserve a partner. A man who will cherish you and always seek your happiness in life,” Grace said as she glanced at her husband.

Ellie glared at her brother. “Were you part of this plan, Ian?”

Ian halted his pacing but kept rocking the babe. She still couldn’t get used to seeing her brother handle the tiny infant with such care and adoration. “I have learned long ago to trust my wife’s judgment.”

“Does this mean you agree to give me your sister’s hand in marriage?” Hugh asked.

“Yes,” Grace and Ian said in unison.

“And the club?” Grace asked.

“Is Ellie’s. I had the solicitor draw up the papers myself,” Hugh responded.

“Well, that is an interesting development. But I assume you will both be proprietors. From what I’ve seen of the ledgers, both of your ideas are creative and lucrative,” Grace said. “I do believe it would have been a tie.”

“Yes. Both of us tied. Together.” A look of male satisfaction crossed Hugh’s face as he looked at Ellie.

Ellie and Hugh left the new parents and quietly closed the parlor door. Hugh took her arm and led her outside into the gardens and the sunshine. As soon as they were alone, he swept her into his arms.

“I will impatiently wait until the reading of the bans and our wedding day to make love to you again.”

She eyed him with a knowing smile. “Why wait? I do believe I can convince you to seduce me beforehand.”

“I’ll take that bet. But you should know, we will both be winners.”

He kissed her, deeply and with love. Ellie clutched his coat and reveled in his kiss, loved the way he held her as if she was cherished and meant more to him than life. He’d held her heart for so long, and now she knew she’d held his, too.

It was a new day. A new future. For the Raven Club and their family.