She inhaled softly. “Anthony,” she whispered. “I haven’t yet given Andrew an answer.”
He gave a start. She had never called him by his given name before. She had always addressed him as Breckinridge, at least from the time his father had inherited the earldom. “I need a lifeline, Danielle.”
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. “I would know for the rest of my life I was your second choice,” she whispered, not about to give him a straight answer.
He nodded. “So help me gain your sister’s hand.”
Danielle gave a start. “You’re still going to pursue her?” she asked in alarm.
“Well, of course.”
“But... why?”
Settling into the sofa, he crossed his arms. “I think we both know your sister and I have always been destined to marry,” he replied. “With a bit of cajoling, some coaxing...” He inhaled and added, “Your father provided a recommendation that I will put forth to Dahlia if we cannot convince her.”
Danielle gave a start. “Oh, dear. I don’t think I want to know whatherecommended,” she said before glancing over at the library table. “You might have to ruin her,” she whispered.
“Wot?” He straightened on the sofa.
“You heard me. She’s convinced she won’t like the marriage bed—”
“You said she doesn’t wish to be tupped over a table,” he interrupted. “Surely I can convince her I wouldn’t expect her to do that.”
“She is curious,” Danielle murmured thoughtfully. “Perhaps you could... get her alone somewhere. Kiss her senseless. Get her into a bed and ruin her.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “Danny! I am an honorable man,” he argued.
She shrugged. “Sometimes honorable men must perform dishonorable acts,” she countered. At seeing his look of distress, she rolled her eyes. “Oh, all right. I’ll help convince her,” she said.
The look of relief Anthony displayed was almost comical. “Thank you. I will be forever grateful. And I’ll be your very best brother, should she marry me,” he replied.
Danielle gave him a quelling glance. “Just what I need. Another brother.” Her eyes suddenly rounded. “Do you have a sister?”
Giving a start, Anthony shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of?”
“Then who is the Little Bo Peep sitting next to your father?” she asked, remembering the young girl dressed in pink and white, her hair a riot of blonde curls, sitting with the Earl and Countess of Aimsley.
“Oh, that’s my cousin, Daphne,” he replied, stunned she would describe Daphne exactly as his brother had earlier that morning. “Father has decided he wants a daughter, so he is borrowing her from Aunt Daisy until my mother...” He stopped and cleared his throat, not sure if he should mention the countess’ condition.
“Has her baby?” Danielle finished for him.
“You know?” he asked in surprise.
Danielle shrugged. “She’s in good company. Apparently, my mother is as well.” Her gaze went inward for a moment. “Which is probably why she seems so determined to see us married,” she murmured.
Anthony furrowed a brow at hearing this last bit, but he didn’t reply. He reached for her gloved hand and kissed the back of it. “Wait a few minutes, and then come down to the gardens. We shouldn’t be seen together.” He was nearly out the door before he paused. “By the way, if my brother offers to take you home in our coach, do be sure to accept, won’t you?”
Furrowing a brow, Danielle gave him a look of suspicion before she remembered she might be kidnapped. “All right,” she agreed as he bowed and took his leave of the library. She remained seated on the sofa, finally settling back into the cushions until her head was tilted so she was staring at the ceiling. She had a thought to simply close her eyes and take a nap, and she might have, except the sensation of someone joining her in the room had her giving start.
“What are you doing here?”
