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“Of course I do,” he answered. “What man in his right mind wouldn’t?”

She eyed him askance. “You weren’t always in your right mind, for I seem to remember you telling me time and again that—”

He kissed her hard, until she melted in his arms. When he drew back, he murmured, “I’m in my right mind now. After all, we can’t have you marrying a madman.”

“Now see here, Templemore,” Knighton said beyond them. “One thing at a time. I’m not so sure you deserve to marry my sister-in-law.” His wife, now plastered to his side, punched him in the arm. He rolled his eyes. “On the other hand—”

“On the other hand,” Lady Rosalind put in, “as long as you can prove that you can support her—”

Juliet giggled.

“—and treat her well—” Knighton continued.

“—and promise to bring her often to London to visit her relations—” Lady Rosalind added.

“—and make amends to Daniel and Helena for all the danger you put them in,” Knighton said, then scowled. “Damnation, what am I thinking? You’re a scoundrel and a kidnapper—”

“—who I’m marrying, no matter what you say,” Juliet retorted stoutly. “So that’s the end of this discussion. You will now hush up and give us your blessing, Griff Knighton, or I’ll forget about any wedding and we’ll simply elope. Again. This very minute.”

“Which might not be such a bad idea,” Sebastian grumbled under his breath.

But Knighton’s scowl had softened considerably during her speech. “All right. I suppose I can give the man a chance.”

“I promise to do right by her,” Sebastian said. “You’ve naught to fear on that score.”

“We’ll see,” Knighton said, but Sebastian knew the man had conceded, especially when Knighton added, “Now let’s find someplace a bit warmer for this discussion.”

Everyone wholeheartedly agreed.

“If you’ll all follow my carriage to my townhouse,” Sebastian said, “I’d be happy to provide breakfast for everyone. God knows it’s time my staff got used to entertaining.” He glanced down at Juliet. “Since it looks as if I’ll be doing it often in the future.”

Though the doctor and Knighton’s second demurred, saying they’d best be home, the others accepted his plan readily. As they headed for the carriages, Griff said dryly, “Montfort will be so disappointed to hear that we both returned alive.”

“I wonder if he went out to Leicester Fields,” Sebastian remarked. “If he did, I can’t wait to see his face when we walk into some social affair together.”

“Not me,” Juliet said quietly. “I never want to see that man again.”

Juliet meant it, too. She was sure that if it hadn’t been for the duke, she and Sebastian could have avoided all this duel business. Though she was relieved by the outcome, for one horrible, heart-stopping moment, she’d feared the worst.

Now she gazed up into Sebastian’s face, her heart warming when he smiled down at her. “At least it’s all over, thank goodness,” she murmured.

But she’d spoken too soon. They arrived at Sebastian’s townhouse to find that chaos had ensued while they were out at Wimbledon Common. As soon as Sebastian brought her inside, he was greeted by the one man neither of them had expected to see. His uncle.

“For God’s sake, where have you been at this hour?” Mr. Pryce commented before Sebastian could say a word. Then his eyes widened as Griff and Rosalind came in behind, followed by Sebastian’s valet. “What are they all doing here?”

“I was going to ask you what you’re doing here,” Sebastian snapped. “You were supposed to be waiting in Shropshire for Morgan.”

Mr. Pryce blinked, as if surprised by Sebastian’s referring to his brother in front of the others. “Er…Morgan’s here. I brought him. We’ve been riding hard for three days to get here, after I told him all the foolishness you’d been involved in.” He scanned the group of them. “I suppose they all know the truth now?”

“Yes,” Sebastian answered. “So exactly where is the scoundrel?”

“In the drawing room. With that bloody Montfort.”

The sound of heated arguing wafted to them—the soft, faintly Continental accents of a stranger, and a haughty, irate voice that was only too familiar. With a scowl, Sebastian headed toward the drawing room, Juliet right on his heels.

Mr. Pryce followed along beside them. “The duke forced his way in a few minutes ago, along with some scoundrel friends of his, demanding to see you and babbling something about a duel. I was out here looking for the footmen to oust him when you walked in.”

The voices rose as they approached the open door.