Edward Rothburn, Earl of Chadwick, followed the other men into the library.

“What will it be?” Lord Oakland asked. He was studying the selection of carafes in the library. “Brandy, port, or claret?”

“Brandy for me,” Lamont said, going to assist the earl.

The rest of the group concurred with that choice while laying claim to a nearby seating arrangement. Given the massive size of the Thorncliff library, there were several of these throughout, allowing for private reading or conversation corners during the warmer months of the year when Lady Duncaster turned her home into a guesthouse. The estate had rapidly received a fabulous reputation. It had become the place in which one wished to be seen. Being so confirmed a certain level of income because Thorncliff was no cheap holiday retreat.

Taking a seat in a deep leather armchair, Edward thanked Lamont for the brandy set before him. “A toast,” he said, once everyone else had a glass in hand, “to a happy Christmas spent amongst friends.” He took a sip of his drink, enjoying the warmth of the amber liquid as it slid down his throat. It was good to be back here again with the Heartlys, for he had not seen them since the summer, deliberately keeping his distance until he was sure of both heart and mind.

“So tell me, Chadwick,” Lord Oakland said. He set his glass aside and gave him a welcoming smile that conveyed deep interest. “What have you been doing for the last four months? We kept expecting you to come and call on us like you always do, but instead, you’ve stayed away.”

He’d known this question would come, so he was ready with his answer. “My estate was in dire need of attention. The storms in October damaged many of my tenants’ homes and flooded one of the fields. I decided it was best to stay and oversee the work in need of being done, instead of relying on my caretaker alone.”

“Don’t you trust the man?” Lamont asked.

“Certainly, but the land and the property are my responsibility. It felt wrong to abandon all the hard work while I went away to visit with friends.”

“You share my way of thinking,” Belgrave mused. “I have always believed in setting a good example for my men by lending a helping hand. Built a wall last spring, and found it mightily rewarding.” Setting his glass to his lips, the viscount downed a fair portion of his brandy.

“I saw the benefits of such thinking when I was in the army,” Lamont said. His remark provoked a moment of silence while everyone recalled the tragic events that had brought him home early. His father, brother, and sister-in-law had all perished simultaneously during a carriage accident, leaving Lamont the new duke and making him the sole guardian of his two young nieces. He’d brought the girls with him to Thorncliff, and although Lady Duncaster had invited them to join the adults for dinner, the girls had favored the nursery she had prepared for their arrival. “At Waterloo, there was no such thing as being too good for the work that had to be done, though I did see a few aristocrats snubbing their noses at the prospect of digging latrines. They failed to gain the same degree of respect as those who chose to forget about titles.”

“There’s nothing like war to bring out the best and worst in all men,” Lord Oakland muttered. “My son Richard can attest to that.”

“He’s an honorable man,” Lamont said. “My only regret was leaving him to carry out the scouting mission that got him captured. I was supposed to go in his stead and would have done, had I not been called home.”

“You mustn’t blame yourself. You had your duties to attend to, and with no heir of your own, risking your life in war was no longer an option.”

“Thank you.” Lamont’s expression remained severe. “I appreciate your understanding, my lord, considering all your son had to go through before he escaped and managed to return.”

Edward quietly pondered that statement. Everyone had believed Richard was dead these past five years. He’d been stunned to discover Kip’s younger brother was still alive and living in hiding. “I’m glad to see him happy,” he said.

“Mary has had a miraculous effect on him,” Lord Oakland agreed. “I’d begun thinking he would never recover from his ordeal, but she has been like a saving angel for him. The entire family owes her a tremendous debt of gratitude.”

“One often hears people complain about marriage and all of its disadvantages,” Belgrave said, “but in Richard’s case, it seems to have come as a blessing.”

Lord Oakland snorted. “Those who claim they wish to avoid it are ignorant fools.”

“You only have the liberty to say so because your own marriage is such a success,” Edward teased.

“Nonsense.” Lord Oakland brushed his comment aside with the swipe of his hand. “An unmarried lady cannot take lovers without scandal, while an unmarried man will continue to take on mistresses or worse, thus risking any number of ailments. Both have needs that must be met. Once married, they may satisfy each other to their heart’s content.”

Edward almost choked on his brandy. “What an astute observation.”

Belgrave chuckled, while Lamont grew rather flushed. The subject matter did not seem to agree with the duke in the least.

“I see no reason to mince words,” Lord Oakland said. “After all, we are all grown men here and friends to boot. I’ve known the three of you most of your lives, have even held you when you were a babe, Belgrave. Your mother was horrified when you spit up all over my new jacket. And you, Lamont. Have you forgotten that I helped your father convince you to overcome your fear of horses? We’ve history, gentlemen. Enough for me to speak plainly when in your presence.”

Edward knew he was right. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder if the earl might maintain such views if he knew how he felt about Fiona – the real reason behind his prolonged absence.

“Given your frame of mind regarding marriage,” Belgrave was saying, “you must be exceedingly pleased to have settled two sons and one daughter as quickly as you have.”

Lord Oakland nodded. “Oh, indeed. It makes me wonder how long it will take to settle the rest.”

“Lady Duncaster seems to be of the opinion one or more will form an attachment during the next two weeks.”

“Which would suggest that one of you gentlemen must be prepared to make an offer.” Lord Oakland regarded them each in turn, his gaze as assessing as any judge’s. “My daughters are exceptional women. They deserve all the happiness in the world, and as much as I respect you gentlemen, I am not entirely convinced any of you are ready to turn your backs on your bachelorhoods.” He downed the remainder of his drink and stood. “If you will please excuse me, I do believe there’s a matter I’d like to discuss with my wife. I trust you’ll join us in the music room when you are ready?”

Edward watched him go, while carelessly drumming his fingers against the armrest. “He doesn’t think we’re deserving of his daughters.”

“What father does?” Belgrave asked.

“I do believe there are many who can be easily convinced by the depth of a man’s pockets,” Edward said.

Belgrave chuckled. “How right you are, Chadwick.”

“I must confess,” Lamont said, drawing attention, “my decision to spend Christmas here again this year hinged heavily on Lady Duncaster’s assurance that Lady Laura would be in attendance.”

“You have an interest in her?” Edward asked, suddenly intrigued. He wouldn’t have thought a man so serious might be drawn to a woman of such genteel sweetness. Then again, why on earth wouldn’t he be?

Lamont expelled a deep breath and frowned. “My nieces require a mother figure – a lady to teach them proper manners and comportment. I have no idea how to manage it myself, and their governess, as talented as she is, can only do so much for them.”

“So you intend to seek Lady Laura’s hand for practical purposes alone?” Edward asked. “I’m sure Lord Oakland will be thrilled with the news.”

“She would gain a formidable title,” Lamont insisted.

“Indeed she would,” Edward agreed. He gave the duke a candid stare. “But the lady herself is a romance author. Do you honestly believe she would marry for anything less than love?”

That brought a pensive frown to the duke’s forehead. “I must confess, I hadn’t considered it. My interest in her is based mostly on my appreciation for her character.”

“I rather like Lady Rachel myself,” Belgrave said, and then hastily added, “if I had to choose, that is.”

Edward reached for his drink. “As I recall, you developed a tendre for Richard’s wife, Mary, when we were last here.” He set the glass to his lips and drank.

“Only until I discovered her affections lay elsewhere.” Belgrave held up his hands. “I would never try to bend someone’s heart to my will or steal another man’s love interest.”

“The carefreeness with which you speak suggests your heart was never fully engaged, or you would not have surrendered so easily in your pursuit of her,” Lamont pointed out.

“You are correct,” Belgrave said, dipping his head. “I found her to be delightful, but I cannot claim to have ever loved her.”

“But you believe you might grow to love Lady Rachel?” Edward couldn’t quite figure it out. The two seemed so vastly different from each other, he with his joi-de-vivre attitude toward everything and she with an intellectual touch of severity. And yet, Belgrave’s interest in Rachel’s experiments at dinner did suggest they might have more in common than one would suspect.

Belgrave considered them each in turn. “If you must know, I find her fascinating. As for love, how can I be sure if I’ll ever feel such depth of emotion for her unless she and I spend more time in each other’s company?”

Edward stared at him for a second. “Are you planning to court her?”

“In a manner of speaking.” The viscount turned suddenly serious. “I would greatly appreciate you not mentioning it to anyone.”

“I shan’t utter a word,” Edward promised.

“Neither will I,” Lamont added.

“So then,” Belgrave said, after a brief moment of silence, “if I pursue Lady Rachel and Lamont here pursues Lady Laura—”

“I might have to reconsider my intentions, considering Chadwick’s earlier remark about her expectations,” Lamont said.

Belgrave paused as if this comment was worthy of great contemplation. Intent on changing the subject since he feared what Belgrave might say next, Edward was about to suggest they go and join the ladies when the viscount finally spoke.

“The truth of the matter is that as wonderful as it has been to remain unattached, we’ve all surpassed our thirtieth year. Perhaps it is time for us to stop keeping mistresses and see to our responsibilities instead.”

“I have certainly waited long enough,” Lamont said. Stretching out his legs, he seemed to fall into deep pensiveness.

“The point is, we have a unique opportunity here,” Belgrave continued.

“And what would that be?” Edward asked, even though he suspected he already knew the answer.

“We have a chance to gain the favor of four lovely young ladies without any other gentlemen interfering.” Belgrave met Edward’s gaze with a sigh. “Granted, you’ve always had a close relationship to the Heartly daughters, but for the rest of us, I dare say we ought to make the most of our stay here.”

“I quite agree,” Lamont said without elaborating any further on his comment.

Edward felt his heart ricochet a little as he considered Belgrave’s proposal. He had never confessed his growing affection for Fiona to anyone, not even her brother Spencer, whom he considered his closest friend. The fact was, the eleven years between them often made him wonder if he wasn’t too old for her. He feared having such concerns confirmed by others or, worse, of being prevented from spending time with her if her parents decided to disapprove of his feelings. Now, faced with Belgrave’s insightful words, he drew a deep breath.

“If you gentlemen wish to pursue Lady Rachel and Lady Laura in earnest, then I will promise to do my best in keeping my distance from them.”

“What a good sport you are,” Belgrave said, “and besides, I’m sure you would rather spend your time in Lady Fiona’s company anyway.”

Edward felt the skin prick at the nape of his neck. He forced himself to meet the viscount’s gaze with a casual ease he did not feel. “What do you mean?”

Belgrave smiled. “It is common knowledge the two of you have always been close. She’s like the little sister you never had, or something like that. Your exploits are infamous, Chadwick. Didn’t you know?”

Edward shook his head. He’d never considered it.

They sat for a moment in silence, and then Belgrave said, “It’s a pity Lady Emily shan’t be receiving the same amount of attention as her sisters.”

The door opened, and a man wearing in a green velvet jacket and a pair of brown trousers stepped in. Holding a silver tipped walking stick, he peered at them all through the monocle he held to one eye. “Good evening, gentlemen. I apologize for my delay.”

“Montsmouth,” Edward declared. He rose to greet the newly arrived earl. “What impeccable timing you have!” Turning toward Belgrave, he added with a mischievous smile, “I believe your concern has been put to rest.” And with that promising remark, Edward went to join the rest of the party in the music room, leaving Belgrave and Lamont to tell Montsmouth he would have to give his attention to Lady Emily.