Prestwick was the first to step forward. “Fairmont.”
“Prestwick.”
He and Prestwick had been friends once before James had ruined it by accusing Prestwick of having nefarious designs on Harriett—an accusation that had proved utterly unfounded.He’d apologized, but judging by Prestwick’s unfriendly expression, the man hadn’t forgiven him.
Prestwick took in his soaked coat and dripping hat. “It’s a pity you’ve come all this way only to have to turn back again.”
James straightened in the saddle. “I’m not going anywhere, Prestwick.”
Lord Cross let out a huff. “This is myhome, Fairmont, and you’re not welcome here.”
Evidently not, but he didn’t give a damn. “I’m not going anywhere until I speak to Euphemia.”
Lord Melrose raised an eyebrow. “I believe you meanMiss Templeton.”
Well, that was plain enough, but if they thought he’d turn around and run back off to London, they’d be disappointed.
There was no turning around, and no going back now. Euphemia washis, and hewouldsee her, even if he had to ride his horse through the front door and directly into Cross’s entryway. “No, Melrose. I don’t believe I did.”
Lord Chatham, a tall, dark-haired man with a forbidding countenance moved to stand behind Prestwick. “Look, Fairmont, I don’t know what happened between you and Miss Templeton, but?—”
“Whatdidhappen between you?” Prestwick demanded. “I know something bloody well did, because she’s been downcast since she arrived, and?—”
“And we think you’re to blame for it,” Melrose interrupted. “Comport yourself as a gentleman should, Fairmont, and be on your way. Unless, of course, you fancy a brawl right here on Cross’s front steps.”
James glanced from one unfriendly face to the next, before finally settling on Prestwick. If he spoke from his heart, perhaps his old friend would hear him. “I’ve made mistakes with Euphemia, but I love her, Kit. Surely, that’s all that matters?”
Prestwick’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re inlovewith Phee?”
“Madly in love, yes. If I loved her less, perhaps I wouldn’t have made such a mess of it, but can you honestly say you didn’t make mistakes with Mathilda when you fell in love with her?” James glanced from one man to the next. “Can any of you?”
The men shuffled their feet, avoiding each other’s eyes until a sly smile curved Cross’s lips. “When Chatham here fell in love with Helena, he tried to dismiss her as his governess, and threatened to throw her out of his house.”
“For God’s sake, Cross!” Chatham glowered at him. “That was meant to be private, and anyway, you’re no better. You told Juliet she wasn’t welcome at your house party, and ordered her gone, and this after she’d just been in a carriage accident!”
“Damn it, Chatham?—”
Cross was interrupted by a burst of laughter from Melrose. “Prestwick’s idea of a proper courtship was to ask Tilly to matchmake him with another lady.”
“And you, Melrose, got sotted, kissed a lady in a darkened library, and the next day you couldn’t remember who she was.” Cross gave Melrose an evil grin. “Not very becoming of the Nonesuch, eh?”
James stared at them. Oh, this was much better than he’d dared hope. “Are you saying, gentlemen, that all of you made as much of a mess of your courtships as I did?”
“Of course, we did.” Kit rolled his eyes. “Gentlemen always make a mess of the courtship.”
“There’s nothing in the world as ridiculous as a man in love.” Melrose wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. “It’s a miracle any of us won over our wives. Gentlemen, we don’t deserve them.”
“No, and Fairmont here doesn’t deserve Phee, but I don’t suppose he’s any less deserving than any of us. God knows he looks miserable enough.” Chatham waved a hand at James’sshivering, dripping form. “Just as a man desperately in love ought to look. I say we let him speak to her.”
“There’ssome sort of standoff taking place outside,” Tilly announced from the window seat, her gaze fixed on the drive below.
Phee, who’d hardly taken her eyes off her newborn niece since the baby had first been placed in her arms a day ago paid no mind to this but turned to Juliet with a smile. “She has the most perfect face, does she not? Her mouth looks just like a tiny rosebud.”
“It does.” Juliet reached out to stroke her daughter’s hand. “I think she’s going to have Miles’s eyes.”
“Standoff?” Emmeline had been fussing over Juliet’s pillows, but now she turned to Tilly with a frown. “What sort of standoff?”
“I can’t say, exactly.” Tilly pressed closer to the glass to get a better look. “But Kit, Johnathan, Miles, and Adrian are all down there, menacing some poor gentleman who’s arrived on horseback.”
