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Charles made a sound of disbelief, but it sounded weak even to his own ears. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. We’re still seeking an annulment.”

Tristan’s smile faded. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am. Mr. Page will be getting back to us shortly. He’s speaking with a friend of his who specializes in annulments as a solicitor in London. I expect he’ll send word any day now that will help us find a way out of this predicament that will leave us both unscathed.”

Now who was being ridiculous? Charles could have laughed at his preposterous words. He knew now more than ever that an annulment would not ever be granted in tandem with the promise of Marie’s reputation remaining intact.

But more than that, he was ridiculous in choosing to believe that he still wanted to end the marriage.

Seeing Marie with Tristan, seeing her as the lady of the house who came to his aid, had solidified that knowledge. As had Mr. Page’s writing from before.

“Enjoy your latest adventure.”

Those words had shaken loose Charles’s bonds. He’d been looking at life through foggy spectacles, blinding him to reality. His marriage to Marie was an adventure—and she was standing right beside him, willing to take part in that adventure, too.

She was someone who could be relied upon. Someone who could be a helpmeet to him. Someone he could fall desperately in love with. What more could a man ask for in a wife?

“You’re a fool, Charles.”

Charles averted his gaze. “I know it.”

“Then why do you still cling to the annulment?” Tristan asked, his voice low. “What is stopping you from jumping forward with her?”

Charles cursed their twin connection. Once again, Tristan could see into his very thoughts. There was something holding him back.

“She said she never would have chosen to marry me,” he finally voiced aloud. “She fully agreed to the annulment. The last thing I’d wish for is to be married to a woman who feels obligated to remain with me. She deserves more than that. She deserves⁠—”

He stopped abruptly at Tristan’s growing smile.

“What?” Charles asked.

“Oh, nothing. It is just nice to hear you talk this way about a woman, that is all. When your letter first arrived, I thought you’d gotten married to avoid paying the rest of us.”

Charles gave a mirthless laugh. “I’m certain that’s what they’ll all think.”

“Until they see you with veritable stars in your eyes each time you speak of your wife.”

Charles looked away, knowing he had them in his eyes now. “If I do remain married, that only means the pressure mounts for the rest of you. Unless you already have a woman you’re pursuing?”

“I have many women. You know me.”

But there was something in his tone that gave Charles reason to pause. Was Tristan pursuing someone?

“Perhaps if you’re daft enough to pursue the annulment, I’ll go after Marie myself.”

His brother’s words knocked Charles’s curiosity from his brain. Tristan was teasing, but the very thought of such a union caused his stomach to revolt.

“Oh, he doesn’t like that,” Tristan goaded.

Charles scoffed, then looked away to hide his growing annoyance. He was ready to be finished with this part of the conversation now.

“All would be easier if Mr. Page would simply respond with a firm answer,” he said. “Then I could know if we are to end this or not.”

“Or,” Tristan began, “all would be easier if you made the decision to do everything within your power to encourage Marie to fall in love with you.”

Charles’s eyes swung up to meet Tristan’s.

Encourage Marie to fall in love with him. That was an idea. They were to return in just two days’ time to Grendale, and being back with his parents and the rest of Society would certainly make it more difficult to draw closer. He knew she was attracted to him, but was it possible—had he any hope at all—that she might fall for him as he was falling for her?