The mention of Daniel seemed to conjure Clarinda’s current husband into existence, for he stood on the parlor threshold glaring at his late brother. “Of course I know it, you idiot.I’mthe one who courted her before you took her from me,” Daniel accused.
“She was betrothed tome,” David reminded Daniel. “I was doing my duty taking her to wife. Making her my countess,” he added before turning his attention back to Clarinda. “I’m just relieved Torrington was able to arrange it so you two could marry without too much trouble from the church. Or the law.” He paused and then his eyes rounded. “I do hope there wasn’t any trouble from the church. Or the law?” he asked.
Clarinda and Daniel exchanged quick glances before Daniel moved to stand closer to David. “No trouble,” Clarinda replied. Given it had been illegal for her to marry the brother of her first husband, apparently her godfather, Milton Grandby, Earl of Torrington, had done whatever was necessary to see to it an exception had been granted for her marriage to Daniel. With the twin girls already on the way and the twin boys who were born a few years later, Clarinda really didn’t want to discover there was a problem with her current marriage. The last thing she needed to learn was that her daughters were illegitimate. Or her sons. The oldest by five minutes, Duncan, named for his paternal grandfather, was the heir to the Norwick earldom.
Since David hadn’t sired an heir before his untimely demise, Daniel had simply inherited the Norwick earldom upon his death. Because Daniel was the identical twin to David, those who weren’t aware of David’s death didn’t even notice there had been a change in the identity of the earl when Daniel took his place as the Earl of Norwick.
“Mother, whoareyou talking to?” Dahlia asked before her attention went to the man she knew as her father. She leaned over in her chair and then her eyes rounded. “Oh!” she said, sounding like her mother did when she was in the throes of passion.
Clarinda gave her a quelling glance. “Your father, of course,” she replied before she froze.
David, or rather his ghost, if one believed in such things, hadn’t made an appearance since before the girls were born. Neither Daniel nor Clarinda had made mention of him, deciding no one would believe them. Far better to think his appearances immediately following his death were merely their minds playing tricks on them.
“Which one?” Danielle asked in awe, her mouth open in a quite unladylike manner.
“The one who looks... younger,” Clarinda replied, not quite sure she was glad the girls could see the ghost.
“Younger?” Daniel countered, his attention on his older twin. “Hardly.”
“Thinner,” Danielle remarked. “Father definitely has a stone or two on this other man.”
Daniel scoffed. “I’m the same weight I was when I married your mother,” he claimed.
Clarinda furrowed a brow. “Perhaps, dear heart, but I do prefer the way you are now. There’s more to hold onto when I’m in the throes of passion, uttering all those ‘oh’s,” she said drolly.
Daniel lifted his chin and regarded his brother with a grin of satisfaction. When David merely glared at him, Daniel moved in front of the sideboard and poured himself a brandy. “I’d offer you one, but—”
“Oh, please pour me one,” Clarinda said as she stood and hurried over to Daniel.
“Awfully early for a drink, is it not?” David asked, his own dark brows furrowed.
“Since you apparently cannot tell time, pretend it’s ten o’clock at night,” she replied.
“Mother, whoisthis stranger?” Dahlia asked from where she still sat close to the fireplace.
David straightened. “You haven’t told them?” he asked.
“If you recall, you only appeared a few moments ago,” Clarinda replied.
“But they know I am their father?” David asked, his gaze darting to the twin daughters, his eyes widening in wonder. Clarinda’s eyes rounded as David’s attention went to Daniel. “They know you’re their uncle, do they not?”
Daniel and Clarinda both winced.
The ghost scoffed. “I cannot believe you didn’t tell them,” David said as his face fell.
“I was married to Clare when they were born,” Daniel whispered. “They were raised to believe I am their father. Which I am.”
“Mother!” Dahlia called out as she stood. “Danielle and I demand an introduction to this... whatever he is.”
“He’s a ghost,” Daniel stated. “A ghost of my late brother, David. If we ignore him, he’ll go away.”
“I will not, and you know it,” David countered, one of his booted feet making contact with Daniel’s shin.
“Ouch!” Daniel complained as he stepped back. His brandy splashed about in his glass, threatening to spill on the Axminster carpet. Although his immediate response was to attempt to kick back at David, Daniel took a calming breath. He knew his attempt would only find air.
“I told you Clare would give birth to twin girls,” David said, his attention turning to his daughters. He made his way in their direction, stopping short of the young ladies when fear had them gripping each other’s arms. “How do?” he said as he bowed. “David Fitzwilliam, Earl of Norwick, at your service.” He reached for Dahlia’s hand, but Dahlia and Danielle both stepped back in fear.
“We’re so sorry. We’ll never ask about sexual intercourse ever again,” Danielle vowed.
