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Miles nodded. “Second time in a couple of months. It has never happened so close together before.”

Someone squeezed his shoulder; the act made him feel worse. That he was pitied for an ailment that he could not control was one thing, but that he could not perform husbandly duties on his wedding night was not something he would ever forgive himself for. “I will get through it. I refuse to allow this to control me.” He bit out the words and took a breath. “Let us rejoin our wives.”

The three sets of eyes met his, each filled with warmth that came from years of true friendship.

“Whatever we can do to help, we will,” Henry said.

When they walked into the ballroom, he went directly to Siobhan, who smiled at him brightly. She studied him for a moment before she spoke. “Your mother is so kind. She’s explained to me already things I must know about life with your family without making me feel inadequate.”

“She is a good woman. I believe you will become good friends,” Miles replied.

“I believe so as well,” Siobhan replied. “And, I believe we should dance again.”

He led her to the dance floor, everyone watching as they waltzed around the room. Soon other couples joined them as the fast melody filled the room, flowing through the air. Siobhan was a good partner, light on her feet and seeming to enjoy the music. He was glad that although neither of them cared for large gatherings, she could perform the duties required without fault. There was a pleased smile on her face as they walked from the dance floor and were greeted by an older couple who were more interested in finding out about the possible impropriety of their relationship than to congratulate them.

“This was certainly a whirlwind romance,” the woman said, her gaze sweeping from him to Siobhan.

“It was,” Siobhan replied breathlessly. “I am so glad we didn’t have a long courtship.”

Miles pressed a kiss to his wife’s temple. “I could not fathom being apart from this beauty, and using the rumors as an excuse convinced her and her family that we should marry quickly. I must find out who started the false accusations and thank them.”

The couple’s brows shot up, the woman recovering first. “You have such a fresh perspective of how things should be done. Bravo.”

There was a clinking of glasses, and everyone turned to find Evan, Grant, and Henry, along with their wives, standing on the stairwell. Seeing them together made his heart squeeze. They held up glasses, as champagne flutes were pushed into his and Siobhan’s hands.

Henry cleared his throat as the crowd quieted. “I speak on behalf of Grant and Wren Murray, Evan and Felicity McLeod, as well as Hannah and myself, to wish our dearest childhood friend Miles and his beautiful bride, Siobhan, a heartfelt congratulations. We wish you the best life has to offer.”

With a hearty chuckle, Grant elbowed Henry aside. “The four of us, once rogues, have been tamed by women who not only changed our way but stole our hearts. Siobhan, welcome to our family.”

Evan stepped in front of Grant. “Since they said something, I must add this for Miles. Through everything, you have always been the steadfast one, the cornerstone of our group. Because of that, I want to tell everyone present. Miles Johnstone is a man of honor and the best ally any man, or woman, could ever ask for.”

Miles had to blink the moisture away from his eyes; he took a breath and lifted his glass in response.

Henry held up a hand. “Now I believe we should excuse the bride and groom from the festivities so they can start their happily ever after.”

There were gasps of shock from the women and chuckles from the men.

Miles needed no other encouragement. The headache was inevitable, but it wasn’t as bad yet as he knew it would become. He lifted Siobhan into his arms and headed to the stairwell as applause and cheers erupted.

Chapter Twelve

“In a fantasy, I would throw you upon the bed and ravage you,” Miles said when he carried her into his room and plopped her down on her feet. “However, it would be impossible to remove so much.” He motioned to her attire.

Siobhan eyed him, taking in how handsome he was, unsure how to proceed as she had no ideas of what she was supposed to do on the wedding night.

She and Henriette had pored through books and interrogated married maids to know how exactly men and women made love.

Blushing furiously, one maid had told them all about the male appendage and how it became hard when the man became aroused. When their mouths fell open at her describing that the man entered the woman, she’d insisted it was enjoyable. Siobhan had her doubts.

Both she and Henriette had had nightmares that night and had vowed to stay away from men. However, their curiosity got the best of them and soon they’d corralled Susan’s neighbor, who helped the sick woman. The woman had entered the apartment sharing about a wonderful night with her husband one morning while Susan and the children were napping.

The woman described the same thing as the maid, yet with much more detail. By the time she was done, all three of them were breathless.

The thought of joining with Miles drove her between excitement and fear. What if the women had lied and it was not going to be enjoyable?

“I need help removing all of this,” Siobhan said when he carried her into the room and plopped her down on her feet.

“Come closer.” Miles’s eyes darkened, and her breath caught. Was he aroused? As curious as she was, Siobhan didn’t dare look down at the front of his breeches.