Page 35 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

A sigh of relief escaped Jeremy, and Cora rolled her eyes but allowed Damion to escort her onto the dance floor. He started to move them around the floor. “I’m grateful for all you’ve done.”

“I love you, Cora. It may feel sudden—”

“It isn’t. I love you too.”

He smiled down at her, and a rightness flowed between them. “I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”

“Will you come to my guest bedchamber? I want to be alone with you.”

Damion glanced at Stanton, who watched them from the side of the dance floor. “Your brother still wants to murder me.”

She giggled. “He is softening.”

His brow lifted skeptically, and she insisted, “He is.”

Damion dropped his head down and whispered. “I will come to your room after everyone is asleep.”

Happiness thrummed through Cora. She was dancing with the man she was supposed to be with. Cora wondered when he would ask her to be his wife again. She was ready.

***

Damion made his way to where Stanton stood outside on the terrace. He wanted to speak with his friend before he proposed to Cora. He didn’t want them to fight with each other. Stanton would be his brother-in-law.

“Care to join me in my study for a brandy?”

“Yes, it is so crowded in there. Did you invite all of London?” Stanton muttered.

“I want everyone to see my devotion to your sister. I didn’t want her, you, or anyone else to doubt my feelings for her.”

They exited the terrace and walked through the ballroom to his study. He shut the door behind them, and Stanton plopped down in a chair. “Thank you for the reprieve.”

Damion poured them both a brandy before joining Stanton in the sitting area. “I wanted to apologize for the scandal I caused. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone after Bellamy like that.”

“You should be apologizing for whatever happened between you and Cora at my country estate,” his friend bit out.

He couldn’t apologize for any of that. Damion found the love of his life because of those moments. He smiled, remembering Cora asking him to teach her how to be tempting.

“Ugh…why are you smiling like that? No, don’t tell me. You look like a man in love.”

He was and would remain in love with Cora until his dying day. “I plan to propose to Cora tonight in front of everyone, but I want your blessing.”

His friend studied him but eventually said, “Of course, you have it. I don’t like how this all happened, but I couldn’t think of a better man for my sister. And I’m sorry about your first marriage. I’d always assumed what the rest of society did, that you loved her quite desperately.”

“I didn’t want anyone to think poorly of Lily. We were both foolish.”

Stanton nodded. “I understand why you were so adamant about your advice now. Thank you.”

“Thank you for your blessing. It matters a great deal to me,” Damion said.

“We will get past this. I only want to ensure her happiness.”

“I will do my best. I want to take her on a trip after our wedding. Maybe to America,” he revealed.

Stanton's brows shot up, but then he grinned. “Cora would love that.”

Damion finished his drink and rose. Stanton joined him. “Is it time now?”

“Yes.”