The Heiress - Lynsay Sands [69]
Robert nodded solemnly. “Chrissy is very happy with the Earl of Radnor. This one,” he added firmly. “And Daniel is a good and honorable man. He’ll make Suzette a fine husband.”
Daniel snorted at the words, his tone full of disgust as he said, “Only if he doesn’t tell her he sold the damned townhouse to make good on his debts. If she finds that out Suzette is just contrary enough that she may very well not marry me.”
“I’m sure Lord Madison will keep that information to himself for now,” Richard said, bringing a look of surprise to the older man’s face.
“Why would I do that?” Madison asked with amazement. “If Suzette doesn’t wish to marry him, I will not let her be forced into it.”
Richard gave him a pained smile. “Under normal circumstances I would agree with you. However, after what I interrupted in the parlor between the two of them this morning, honor demands he marry her, and as her brother-in-law I feel it my duty to ensure he does.”
“Eh?” Madison’s eyes shot to Daniel just as he began to grin at the recollection of what Richard had walked in on that morning before they’d left. Suzette had just crawled onto his lap and he’d lifted her skirts to keep them from hampering her as she straddled his thighs, but he’d deliberately lifted it high enough to bare her bottom and had been pinching the tender flesh and considering doing much more when Richard had entered. Most scandalous. The girl was as good as ruined if it got out, and he’d damn well blab that tidbit all over town if necessary to get her to marry him. Suzette was not going to escape him now when he’d finally settled on marrying her.
Realizing that everyone was staring at him, he nodded easily. “I’d forgotten about that. Yes, she has to marry me to avoid ruin.”
“You’re sure he’s a good and honorable man?” Lord Madison asked Robert doubtfully.
“Positive,” Robert assured him, obviously fighting a grin. “Truly, just look how eager he is to do the right thing.”
Daniel beamed at the old man when he looked his way again, appearing as pleased as he was at the idea of marrying Suzette and finally bedding the beautiful, passionate firebrand.
“Besides,” Robert continued. “The fact that Suzie allowed him to take liberties with her proves she is not averse to the marriage. However, she can be contrary. It may be best to allow her to continue thinking for now that the marriage is necessary.”
“Hmm.” Madison grimaced. “Of the three of them she has always been the most stubborn and difficult.” He glanced to Daniel. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into? She won’t make life easy.”
“Perhaps not,” Daniel said, and thought it an understatement. Suzette would never make life easy, but nothing easy was worth having and he added, “But life shall certainly never be boring with her either.”
Madison relaxed and nodded solemnly. “There is much to be said for that. She is like her mother, and that woman had me hopping to keep up with her from the day we wed. Never regretted marrying her even for a moment.”
“So you won’t tell her that there is no need to marry?” Daniel asked hopefully.
Madison pursed his lips, his gaze moving first to Lisa, who nodded solemnly, then to each of the men before he heaved a sigh. “I shall talk to her, and if Suzie doesn’t seem averse to marrying you, I will keep the sale of the townhouse to myself for now.”
Daniel relaxed and nodded. “Thank you.”
Madison turned to Richard then. Looking him over, he shook his head. “You look remarkably like Dicky.”
“We were twins.”
“Aye, well, there is a difference in the eyes. When you looked into his they were usually empty or calculating. Yours . . .” He shook his head, apparently unable to come up with a way to describe the difference.
“Perhaps we should move inside now,” Richard suggested as a carriage passed by on the street.
“Aye. Let’s go in,” Madison agreed. “I could use a cup of tea nice and sweet. I got myself all wound up to come here and now feel quite worn out.”
“Tea it is, then.” Richard pushed the already open door wide and led the way inside.
Daniel