Page 49 of Complete Me

“Trust me, you will. Probably when you least expect it.”

“Speaking of…” Lola said dramatically. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

She hurried off as Smith made his way to his wife. Lola's sense of self-preservation was intact.

Belle couldn't help wondering if that was part of the problem as she watched Lola flee the scene. Then again, Belle herself had sworn off love, and she'd vowed never to go to bed with the cocky lawyer who hired her as a personal assistant.

Smith grinned at her as if he knew exactly where her thoughts were this Christmas morning. The two had a rocky start to their relationship, but that was the thing about love: it survived. Whatever metal love was made of was strong enough to thrive in even the most desolate circumstances. If they could find true love, then she had faith anyone could.

"Alexander beat me to the diamonds," Smith informed her. He wrapped an arm around Belle’s waist and drew her to him.

"I don't need diamonds," she said. "I just need you."

That was the only price she had ever demanded of this man. His heart, his soul, his body, and he had given it all to her.

"Then I suppose I can take this back," he said. From behind her back, he drew a thin package.

"It isn't diamonds," he warned her as she opened it.

It was something far more perfect. The delicate charm bracelet, far more elegant than any she had seen before. There were only a few charms so far, but each of them meant something important to them. There was a tiny Empire State Building with incredible attention to details, a small feather and a star.

"I saw a couple more I'd like to add," he told her as he helped her put it on, "but I thought this was a good start."

"I love it.”

"The two of you make a gorgeous couple," Aunt Jane interrupted unceremoniously, dropping her arms around each of them and pulling them into a group hug. "And that means you're going to make beautiful babies. So, when can I expect one?"

Aunt Jane was a force to be reckoned with in her own right. She had arrived in Scotland this morning with an overnight bag and a kaftan, only to promptly announce that she had a torrid affair to attend the next day. Belle wished she would stay longer, but she wasn’t surprised. She was a woman of means. Although she had flitted from husband to husband and many affairs, she had no children of her own. Belle had become her surrogate daughter, so it only seemed natural for her to ask.

Smith opened his mouth, trying to figure out the gentlest way to tell her to back off. But before he could respond, Belle broke in, "We're working on it."

Jane's eyes glinted wickedly. There had never been any shame in her game. An announcement of a carnal nature might have made another person blush, but it only thrilled her. "I’d ask for details," she said, "but I'll settle for updates."

Alexander shook his head as he walked by. It was nothing new for Aunt Jane to get involved in other people's love lives. He owed her a debt of gratitude for being involved with his own. She had been a voice of reason when Clara needed guidance. For that, he would always be grateful, but he could do more than that. He could pass along the favor to the next couple in line.

Swooping upon Edward, he gripped his brother's arm, "Can I have a moment?"

With all of the guests, the brothers hadn't had a chance to speak since Alexander's arrival the day before. But Clara had made it pretty clear that Edward needed to speak to him.

Edward fidgeted a little before nodding to an empty alcove. It was rarely a good sign when a family member needed to speak to you in private on Christmas, but Alexander's gut told him this wasn't going to be bad news.

"Clara talked to you?" Edward guessed as soon as they were alone.

Alexander nodded. The less he said the easier it would be for his brother to get this out.

"I don't know how much she told you," Edward began.

"Nothing," Alexander answered, "She insisted I speak directly to you." He didn't bother to hide the insinuation in his voice. His little brother wasn’t going to get out of coming clean to him.

"David and I would like to get married," Edward said in a rush. This wasn't news to Alexander, but he waited patiently for his brother to continue. "On New Year's Eve, and we'd like you to marry us.”

"If this King gig doesn't work out, I suppose I can become a minister," Alexander teased. This was the second wedding he’d been asked to officiate.

"Then you will?" Edward wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead, "And you'll give us permission?"

"I've had that document signed for ages, It's been so long that I can't even remember what I made David the duke of."

"You didn't have to do that," Edward said, his eyes shining.