“No, not unless you thought you could talk me around it. Need I remind you that I’d consider this a serious breach of promise?”

“Need I remind you just how happy you’ve made me, agreeing to be my wife—finally?”

“You’re changing the subject, Jason.”

“You noticed?”

She sighed. “As long as we understand each other.”

“Oh, we do, sweetheart.” His smile was so very tender. “We always have.”

Behind them, they heard a cough, which reminded them both that they weren’t alone. They turned as one to face the room, and found every member of his family staring at them. Molly started blushing. Jason was grinning from ear to ear, and he didn’t waste time explaining why.

“Allow me to announce,” he said, taking Molly’s hand in his, “Molly has given me the greatest Christmas gift I could have asked for in agreeing to be my wife.” Which, of course, started everyone talking at once.

“About bloody time,” James commented first.

“You can say that again,” Derek said, and with a whoop of delight, came forward to hug his parents.

“It’s too bad this wasn’t settled sooner,” Reggie remarked, smiling. “We could have had a Christmas wedding today.”

“Who says we can’t?” James replied. “I happen to know the elder has had a special license ready and waiting for quite a few years now. And if I know my brother, he isn’t going to give Molly a chance to change her mind.”

“Goodness! So this didn’t just develop?”

Nicholas chuckled at his wife. “Take a good look at Derek and Molly, standing there together, sweetheart. That ought to give you your answer.”

Reggie did, then said, “Oh, my. I think Uncle James said it aptly.”

And Amy giggled. “He did, didn’t he? Of course, I’ve known for the longest time, having caught them kissing once. I just didn’t know it would one day lead to this.”

“And to think I had no hand in matchmaking them,” Reggie sighed.

James chuckled at his niece. “How could you, when they were in love before you were even born?”

“I realize that, but you said it yourself, Uncle James. They’ve been a bit tardy in getting around to marrying, and I consider it my department to push these sorts of things along.”

Anthony laughed at that. “Don’t think you could’ve helped this time, puss. Actually, come to think of it, I’d say it took The Present to do it.”

And James said dryly, “You only just figure that out, dear boy?”

Anthony’s brow rose, but before he came back with a rejoinder, Charlotte was heard from. “A Christmas wedding, how utterly wonderful. I think I’m going to cry.”

“You always cry at weddings, m’dear,” Edward said, patting her hand.