“Just the opposite.” Edward chuckled.
James added his opinion. “One has only to look at you, dear girl, to know what motivated the lad. Can’t say as I blame him in the least.”
Jason intercepted the wolfish grin bestowed on Roslynn that had her cheeks blooming. “None of that, now.” He scowled at James.
“Oh, give over, Jason. She became safe from me the moment she married.”
“Since when did that ever stop you?” Jason demanded brusquely.
“True.” James shrugged. “But I draw the line at seducing sisters-in-laws.”
Roslynn had no way of knowing this was only bantering. But then she had no way of knowing that these brothers were happiest when they were arguing, even in jest.
“My lords, please,” she intervened. “I’m sure James meant no offense.”
“There, you see, old man,” James said smugly to his brother. “She knew not to take me seriously. What’s a look, anyway?”
“Usually an extension of one’s true feelings,” Jason retorted, still scowling.
“Ah, but never mine. I find it much more amusing not to give myself away so obviously—as you do, brother.”
Edward laughed. “He’s got you there, Jason. You do look rather fierce at the moment.”
“Yes,” James agreed, rubbing it in. “You look fierce enough to make the newest member of the family thinkyou’reserious.”
Jason’s brow smoothed out as he glanced at Roslynn. “I’m sorry, my dear. What must you think of—”
“That you’re a tyrant, and she wouldn’t be far off the mark,” James couldn’t resist saying, even if it did bring Jason’s narrowed gaze back to him.
“Not at all,” Roslynn intervened again. “I’m an only child myself, so it’s interesting, seeing how a large family interacts together. But tell me, who in the family is the referee?”
The question brought hearty laughter, more than she had hoped for. It transformed James, making him even more handsome, if that were possible. It softened the lines on Jason’s face too, showing her he was still a devilishly good-looking man at forty-six and not nearly as intimidating as he had seemed. Edward, it just made more lovable. Gad, these Malorys were dangerous to a girl’s equilibrium. And, heaven help her, she had married one.
“I told you she was a gem,” James said to his brothers. “Has Tony met his match or hasn’t he?”
“It would seem so,” Edward agreed, wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes. “But I thought you said she was Scottish. I detect no brogue.”
A quiet voice from the doorway answered before James could. “It comes with a temper, in moments least expected.”
James couldn’t let that one pass. “You know from experience, no doubt?”
“No doubt at all,” Anthony replied, looking directly at his wife.
Roslynn’s fingers clenched into fists, her reaction to seeing him there, oh, so casually leaning a shoulder against the doorframe, arms crossed, one knee bent to cross his feet at his ankles. How dared he? So he wanted to play with words, did he?
She gave Anthony a syrupy sweet smile as she took up the challenge. “Dinna fash yourself, mon. I only hold grudges when they’re truly deserved.”
James twisted the knife. “Well, then, you’ve nothing to worry about, Tony, have you?”
“Whendoesyour ship sail, brother?” was Anthony’s retort, gaining a hoot of laughter from James.
The two older brothers and Jeremy came forwardthen, offering congratulations and good-natured ribbings. Roslynn watched this happy scene, fuming. So he was going to pretend nothing was wrong, was he? Well, she could too, she supposed, as long as his family was here, and as long as he kept his distance from her. But he didn’t. He joined her on the sofa, taking Jason’s place, and put his arm around her shoulder in a too-husbandly fashion.
“Pleasant night, sweetheart?”
“Go to the devil,” she hissed under her breath, but she was smiling as she said it.
Anthony chuckled, managing to keep from wincing when the effort nearly split his head open. He had a royal hangover, thanks to his little wife’s stubbornness last night. He would have preferred to simply remain in bed, but couldn’t after Willis informed him the elders had arrived. Bloody inconvenient. He couldn’t very well have it out with Roslynn with an audience present.
