The door flew open. His sister and new brother-in-law—twice over—staggered in from the cold air.
“Markham!” Rayne blocked the stair. “We…ah…weren’t expecting guests.”
Clarissa placed a hand on her seething husband’s shoulder. By some miracle, Markham froze.
Rayne planted a swift kiss on his sister’s cheek. “Hello, Clarissa.”
“Hello.” Her lips twitched. “You missed a button,” she added more softly.
“Let me do as I mean to do,” Markham said to his wife. “I told you I was going to kill him.”
“If you kill him, how will we find Julia?” Clarissa asked.
“I’ve no doubt my death is your aim,” Rayne added. “However, consider the mischief Julia could unleash on the unsuspecting ton if she were a widow.”
“So it’s true,” Clarissa said.
“We wed,” Rayne explained. “In Scotland.”
“I knew you would do the right thing,” Clarissa continued. “I had hoped you’d plan a proper wedding, of course, but married is married. Just think, Markham, our children will be double cousins.”
Markham glanced askance. “I welcomed him back into my home—”
“Our home,” Clarissa corrected.
“And invited him toourwedding.”
Clarissa nodded. “Much better, my dear.”
“And all the while”—Markham’s voice ramped up again—“he was planning to abduct my sister!”
“Well, youdidmarry mine,” Rayne pointed out.
Markham shoved him. His back hit the baluster, and then he braced himself against the stair as Markham advanced for another blow.
“Markham, stop!Please.” Clarissa again.
“I’d listen to your wife,” Rayne suggested.
“Not helpful, Rayne.” Clarissa turned her gaze on him. “I’m sure you can appreciate that Markham has concerns for his sister’s well-being.”
Rayne glanced up the stairwell. “Please take my word, my wife is in good health, but this isn’t a good time for a visit. As formyabductingJulia, it was, I assure you, quite the other way around.”
“Impossible!” Markham barked.
Clarissa squinted. “Are you sure? If I had to pick a lady who I thought could manage to abduct an earl, my money would be on Julia.”
“I’msurehe made her think all of this was her idea.” Markham narrowed his eyes on Rayne. “As for Julia being your wife, I’ll have it annulled. Just after I haveyouarrested.”
“You will do no such thing, Percy Stanley!” Julia called down the stair.
Rayne closed his eyes at the sound of his wife’s voice.
“Ilikebeing Lady Rayne…most of the time.”
With a feral growl, Markham shoved Rayne aside and bounded up the stairs.
Clarissa lifted a brow. “This is about to get worse, no?”
