HOMECOMING AND AN ULTIMATUM
Meanwhile, at Aimsley House in Mayfair
Dusty and mud-splattered, its springs squeaking in protest, the ancient traveling coach of the Aimsley earldom pulled up to the curb in front of Aimsley House and stopped. The four horses that pulled it neighed and snorted, adding their own protest to the noisy arrival.
Hummel had the front door opened and two footmen dispatched to see to luggage even before the driver had the coach door opened. The twin boys emerged, although Hummel straightened slightly at seeing they were no longer boys but young men.
He hadn’t noticed so much when they had been home for a few days at Christmastide. Their spirited antics and general happy countenances had enlivened Aimsley House during the holiday, and when they had departed for the Lent term at Cambridge, they had taken that lively spirit with them.
From their dour expressions and business-like manner now, he realized they had left their lively spirits behind at university. Or perhaps it had been drummed out of them by humorless professors.
“Welcome home,” Hummel said as the two stepped over the threshold and gave up their greatcoats into his waiting arms.
“Good to see you, Hummel,” Andrew said. He sighed. “Is Father in residence?”
About to answer, Hummel found he didn’t need to when the earl emerged from his study. He acknowledged him with a nod and then waved the twins into the room before shutting the door—rather loudly.
The two footmen passed him, a trunk suspended between them. “We’ll come down for the second one as soon as we finished delivering this one.”
Hummel frowned. Usually the twins brought only their valises when they returned home between terms—not their entire trunks.
It was at that moment when all three servants froze, for the word, “Expelled?” could be heard from inside the study. Even behind the closed door, the master’s shout was loud. The anger behind it was just as clear.
Adam Comber, Earl of Aimsely, was not happy.
“Ipassed the test, Father. I got all the questions right, once the professor asked them verbally,” Andrew explained in a plaintive voice. “But I knew I wouldn’t pass the written exam. It takes me far too long to read the questions—”
“I don’t care,” Adam interrupted. “I mean... I do, but the manner in which you went about it was entirelywrong. Don’t you two know they were just waiting for you to attempt something like this? To exchange places in class?” he asked.
Andrew and Anthony dared glances at one another, their mirror-image reflections making it appear to their father as if they were staring into a looking glass. “We’ve never done it before,” Anthony claimed.
“I don’t care. They were watching for it. And you’ve been caught.” He’d been pacing in front of his desk as he yelled at his sons, and now he moved to stand behind it. He wasn’t sure if his sudden exhaustion was because of what he and Diana had been doing all night or because of the anger he had been experiencing since reading his correspondence, but he had to admit he was glad he had waited.
Had he opened the letters the day before, when Hummel first informed him he had two letters, he never would have joined Diana in the classroom. Never would have been seduced by her. Wouldn’t yet know that she was with child and possibly carrying his daughter.
That realization had led to their afternoon in bed. An intimate dinner. An evening of rediscovery. An entire night of lovemaking and laughter, teasing and titters, kissing and caressing.
He’d awoken that morning feeling happy and young and... yes, a bit sore, but not as much as usual. Enjoyed a shower bath and a shave. A hearty breakfast.
And then he had made the mistake of reading the damned letters.
The subjects of those letters now sat before him, their backs ramrod straight in the ridiculous floral print chairs his mother had insisted be installed back when his father still lived.
Both looked as guilty as they were.
Although even Adam could hardly tell them apart, Anthony had always taken the lead, exerting his right as the first-born when answering questions or making decisions. Even now, he spoke up for the both of them. “What punishment do you have in mind for us, Father?”
Adam blinked. He had briefly discussed it with Diana only the hour before, half-expecting she would advocate on their behalf and ask that he go easy on the boys.
But she hadn’t.
What punishment do you have in mind for the boys?she had asked.
When he’d told her of his plan, she had scoffed and said,Well, you’ll not hear an argument from me. Every mother wants to see her sons wed. The sooner, the better. Although...
She hadn’t finished her last thought, so Adam wasn’t sure what had her dark brows furrowing before she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
He remembered blinking. Remembered feeling empowered. Remembered thanking his lucky stars he had such a wise woman as his countess.
