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Only a second passed before Tristan gave a subtle nod, having obviously caught on to Charles’s request.

He drew a deep breath, and his analyzing eyes softened. “Strange, though not unbelievable,” he said with a smile.

“I was sorry that you could not be in attendance for the ceremony, though,” Marie said, sobering. “I fear my parents were the ones responsible for the swiftness of our vows, though that does not mean I do not regret the lack of those in attendance.”

Tristan nodded. “Thank you, sister,” he said with a twinkle in his eye at the final word. “But I understand, of course. We must do what it takes to maintain the happiness of our parents.”

Tristan sent Charles a knowing look, and finally, the tension between his shoulders eased.

The conversation finally shifted as Tristan eased off, and soon, Marie leaned forward in her seat.

“I believe dinner will be ready soon. I do hope you will join us, brother.”

“I would be happy to.”

“Excellent. I should like to hear your take on this story of the storm on the sea during your Grand Tour. Apparently, Charles said he was the bravest of you all, but I should like a second opinion on the matter.”

Tristan chuckled, and Marie stood, the men following suit. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I shall make ready for dinner and ensure another place is set. Though you must excuse our small table. There may be some bumping of the knees if we are not careful.”

She smiled, then left the room.

Charles and Tristan sat down, and finally, the stress from the conversation melted away as he faced his brother with a heavy sigh.

Tristan folded his arms and faced him directly, and Charles fought his urge to squirm. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“For what, not condemning you and your wife for the amount of lies you’ve just told your own brother?” His words were harsh, but his tone was light.

“Forgive me,” Charles said with a wince. “I am stuck between two corners—my brother’s and my wife’s. I will defend her honor, though, by saying she did not speak a single untruth with her words. However, I should like to tell you the full truth now, should you wish to hear it.”

“Oh, it is the greatest desire of my life as of this moment,” Tristan said. “I don’t know what would lead you to marriage other than the fact that you’ve truly fallen in love, that Mother blackmailed you into this, or that some scandal occurred and you couldn’t keep your hands off the woman.”

Heat crawled up Charles’s neck. Truthfully, the latter would have been more plausible had he met Marie on his own.

Standing up, he closed the door, then returned to Tristan with the full tale of all that had occurred, including their decision to annul the marriage—though he did leave out their little swim in the fountain and the preceding kiss.

When he finished, relief pulled a yawn from his lips. “So there you have it. What say you?”

To his surprise, Tristan merely smiled.

“What, you find it all humorous?” Charles asked on the defensive.

Tristan’s lack of empathy was beginning to sound dangerously close to their parents’.

“Not how it all came about,” Tristan clarified, soothing Charles’s concerns. “That is terrible, though not entirely implausible. But that is not why I smile.”

“Then why do you?” Charles asked.

Once again, Tristan’s grin took residence on his lips. “I hate to tell you this, Charles, but Mother was right. I have never met a woman more perfect for you than Marie.”

Chapter Twenty

Afluttering occurred in Charles’s chest at the words, though he wasn’t ready to give in quite yet. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not, and you know it,” Tristan said. “She is the perfect calm to your chaos. Your equal in looks and accomplishments. Your comrade in arms. And look at the way she instantly came to your rescue after your pathetic attempt to lie. She is your better half, whether you admit it or not.”

Charles refused to listen. “Those are weighty statements, seeing as how you hardly know the woman.”

“You hardly know her either,” Tristan said. “And yet, you’ve already fallen for her.”