The Sextet Presents… By Male Order [In Days of Olde] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Elizabeth Raines Page B

the closest church.”
    Thomas frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
    Hope had learned that where her men were concerned, it was more effective to tell rather than ask. Or perhaps she’d simply been in the role of their boss for too long to change her tack now.
    “You and I shall marry in Sioux City, Thomas.” The shocked look on both their faces made a laugh bubble out.
    “But…but…what about Alec?” Thomas asked.
    His question was weighted with worry, which made her happy. When she’d formulated her plans, she’d thought and thought about what she could do to be sure that both men knew she loved them equally. And forever.
    Then the perfect solution had come to her.
    “You mustn’t worry about Alec. After you and I marry, the three of us will catch the train. At the first stop along the way, we’ll take a few moments for Alec and I to marry as well.”
    “Verra clever, lass.” Alec’s grin told her that he’d caught on to her scheme.
    “Bigamy is clever? ” Thomas clearly hadn’t figured things out, judging from his fierce frown.
    Hope was close enough to put her hand on his thigh. She patted him affectionately. “I don’t consider it bigamy to marry the men I love. No one ever need know but us, Thomas. My only sorrow is that you and Alec cannot exchange vows as well, for I know how much you truly love each other.”
    “We shall be breaking the law should we both marry you,” Thomas insisted.
    She loved the way he always viewed things in such black and white terms. She no longer did, and she reveled in the shades of gray. “To hell with the law. Thanks to you two, I dare anything now!”
    “Are you sure?” Thomas asked.
    “Quite sure. I will not allow my child to be born a bastard. She’ll have two fathers.”
    “Child?” Alec fair to choked on the word. “Yer child? ”
    “You’re with child?” Thomas asked.
    “I am. Come spring, I will present you both with a baby.”
    Without waiting to see their response to her declaration, Hope kicked her horse, sprinting away and laughing in the wind.
     
    * * * *
     
    “You may kiss the bride.” The minister closed his book and checked his pocket watch. “I believe you have a train to catch.”
    Alec took Hope into his arms and kissed her, just as Thomas had kissed her when she’d become his bride three days ago. Their family—including the baby that slept in Hope’s womb—was now complete.
    Those days had seemed interminable in Alec’s estimation. Each hour dragged as he worried that Hope would lose her nerve and change her mind before they could exchange vows. What hurt the most was that she’d vowed to love, honor, and cherish Thomas, but she’d yet to give Alec the words he so needed to hear.
    Those worries were laid to rest when Hope gave her vows in front of the minister, a witness, and Thomas. She loved him—as much as he loved her and Thomas. Now, they would be inseparable.
    It didn’t matter who sired the babe. The child would be born of love, and although raised in a most unusual manner, she—since Hope insisted the baby was a girl—would be cherished.
    Alec smiled down at his bride. “We should get to the train, love.”
    Her mysterious smile didn’t surprise him. He’d learned that his Hope was nothing if not enigmatic. Each mile they put between them and Clearbrook freed a little more of the spirit inside her. She was blossoming like a flower opening to the sun.
    Checking his own pocket watch, he frowned. “We’ll have to run if we have any hopes of catching the last train.”
    Hope took Alec’s hand, nodded at Thomas, and then headed to the door. She turned back to the minister. “Thank you, sir.”
    “You are quite welcome. Thank you for your generous donation to the poor. I wish you many happy years together.”
    Once outside, Alec tried to drag her toward the train station, but she planted her feet. “Hope? Didnae we want to take the train?”
    “Not tonight, Alec. I have other plans for us. We shall catch