Diana plucked the handkerchief from his hand and wiped it over her face. “I admit Anthony didn’t seem as bothered by the prospect as I expected,” she murmured. “A couple of days ago, he looked like he’d been scheduled for an execution. What do you suppose happened?”
Despite his hold on her, Adam shrugged. “Who knows? Mayhap the ladies feared becoming old maids—”
“They werewillingto be spinsters,” Diana argued, remembering what Clarinda had told her over tea.
“So they had a change of heart,” Adam reasoned. “We are talking about our sons here. Our handsome, well-behaved, well-liked and intelligent boys who will once again have their allowances.”
Diana sighed as she seemed to relax in his arms. “I’ll speak with Clarinda on the morrow,” she murmured. “She’ll know the reason.”
“There’s my sweet,” Adam said, before he kissed her on the forehead. “Of course Norwick’s countess will know. It’s not as if the threat of a ghost or a demon changed their minds.”
Furrowing her brows, Diana regarded her husband with a rather odd expression. “I should hope not. Now take me to bed.”
Adam blinked. “Yes, my lady,” he replied, a grin splitting his face. “If I haven’t told you already, I adore you when you’re with child.”
“Well, good, because I’m going to be like this for several more months,” she warned with an arched brow.
His own brows waggling, Adam grinned. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing, my sweet, and nothing could be further from the truth.”
He had the dressing gown stripped from her body and his own clothes off in a matter of moments. Ignoring the ache in his knees, he lifted her onto the bed and made mad, passionate love to her. Before he passed out, he managed to bestow a kiss on her temple and another on her lips.
Watching her husband while he slumbered, Diana sighed softly. There were benefits to marrying a former rake, even if his knees weren’t as young as they used to be.
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the second floor
Using the back of a knuckle, Andrew tapped on his brother’s bedchamber door, hoping Anthony wasn’t already abed.
“Come,” he heard from within.
He gingerly opened the door wide enough for his head to poke in, fearing he might be the victim of a thrown shoe or boot. When nothing came sailing through the air at him, he stepped into the room and closed the door. “Anthony?”
“Here,” his twin replied as he emerged from the dressing room wearing only a shirt and his pantaloons. It was apparent Andrew had interrupted his brother’s preparations for bed.
“I came to give you good wishes. Father said you and Lady Dahlia are to be wed,” Andrew commented as he leaned against the back of the door.
Anthony grinned. “We are,” he said on a sigh. “It’s been a challenging but rewarding day. And you? Are best wishes due for you?”
Andrew nodded. “It took some doing, but Danny agreed to marry me. Norwick has given his permission as well, so we’ll wed next week and be on our way to the Mediterranean,” he said with a huge grin.
“I don’t suppose I could talk you into holding off for a week or two?” Anthony asked as he settled a hip on the edge of his bed.
Blinking, Andrew moved to lean against one of the carved posters. “Are you planning to marry before the end of April?” He crossed his arms and then bent a knee so the toe of his shoe was pointing into the carpet, much like he remembered the ghost doing. When he seemed to teeter on the verge of falling over, he wondered how the ghost remained upright. Andrew quickly put both feet flat on the floor.
“Seems we must if we’re to make Lord Norwick’s deadline,” his brother replied. “Here I thought our father’s edict was ridiculous.”
“Lord Norwick’s deadline?” Andrew frowned, not expectingbothgirls to have to marry by the end of April.
“I must marry Lady Dahlia by the end of April,” Anthony stated. “Which is fine with me.” He removed his stockings as he watched for his brother’s reaction.
“Same for me with regards to Danny. But I don’t mind,” Andrew remarked. “The sooner the better, now that I know what to expect.”
Anthony’s brows furrowed. “Whatever do you mean?”
Andrew dipped his head. “Danny and I... we made love this afternoon.”
Leaning forward, Anthony regarded him with rounded eyes. “You had toruinher to get her to agree to marry you?” he asked in alarm.
Quickly shaking his head, Andrew said, “Not really. I mean, she didn’t give me an answer until afterwards, but I truly think she would have said yes if I’d merely pressed my suit,” he explained.
