The only decent thing his niece had done in her twenty-something years, Hawthorne thought wryly, was to bring him a wife.


    "You told your uncle and aunt everything about us, right?" he asked.


    Gwh nced at Hawthorne, feeling something was off. She hesitated, her cheeks burning. Hawthorne nodded, "Yeah, I told them. At first, they were surprised, but then they were happy for us."


    They''d listened to his story like it was some wild fairy tale, asking whether he was serious or if he''d somehow coerced her.


    Hawthorne hadn''t been thrilled with those words. He was, after all, Greenvale''s most eligible bachelor. Gwh marrying him-how could anyone think he''d forced her? Couldn''t it just be that she wanted to?


    He''d given only the briefest summary of how things had unfolded between them; nothing earth-shattering, just something that felt natural, if a bit sudden.


    He couldn''t exin why, but after bringing Gwh home, marriage was suddenly all he could think about. Once the Langfords started dropping hints, he felt even more uneasy about leaving her alone in Starfall City.


    This was Gwh''s home, but if he left, what was to stop the Langford family from immediately arranging her marriage to some well-bred family more "suitable" in their eyes? Better to snatch her up himself before anyone else could.


    No coercion, no force—though maybe a little sweet-talking and persuasion. In any case, she was his now.


    "So, um, did your brother and sister-inw say anything?" Gwh asked.


    The words felt awkward on her tongue. In less than a month, she''d jumped a whole generation in titles-now Leonie was her niece, too. It all felt so strange, especially since she and Leonie were the same age.


    "They just asked when I''m bringing you home," Hawthorne replied.


    He''de this time hoping to take Gwh straight back to Greenvale. They could return to Starfall City for a celebration at the autumn festival, then spend two weeks in Greenvale afterward.


    As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Everhart epted the news, they set about nning the wedding at a frenzied pace—booking a venue, inviting rtives and friends. Hawthorne had suggested they keep things simple, but both of them had tly refused. Their son was finally getting married; the whole n needed to celebrate.


    A three-day party seemed the bare minimum, and Hawthorne quickly realized


    there was no talking them down. He let them have their way.


    He''d hoped for something small and quiet-marriage was exhausting enough.


    "Oh..." Gwh stared numbly


    ahead. Ever since she''did eyeszon


    Hawthorne again, her brain had


    seemed to short-circuit. All she


    could do now was go along with his ns.


    Hawthorne waited for her to say more, but she only managed a vague little sound. Sighing inwardly, he took her hand.


    "Come on. Let''s talk upstairs. It''s chilly out here."


    Gwh obediently followed him up to her room.


    It had only been a week, but Hawthorne had missed her. She barely came up to his chin, petite and delicate He wondered what le would feel like to scoop her up, and before he knew it, he''d wrapped an arm around her.


    Gwh shivered, then instinctively wrapped her arms around his broad back. Hawthorne held her gently, as if cradling a porcin doff she fit perfectly against him:


    "Unc-" she started, catching herself with embarrassment.


    Hawthorne''s muffled voice rumbled from above her head. "Hmm? What did you just call me?"


    "Husband."


    Mortified, Gwh buried her face in his chest, refusing toe up for air.


    She half-expected him to be angry, but instead he just tipped up her chin and asked casually, "Have you had dinner?"


    Gwh nodded.


    She''d already eaten, but then, remembering something, she looked up at Hawthorne.