Rex whistled as he turned down Molton Street. The license was in his front jacket pocket, his future brother-in-law chatted by his side, and his soon-to-be wife waited for him at the house. He didn’t have a London townhome. He’d sold it years ago. But Jacob was too young to live on his own. For now, they could spend the winters at his country estate and the summers here. He’d wait for a townhome to come up for sale on Molton Street or another Mayfair address. He couldn’t picture Petal being far from her brother.

Theo was the closest thing he had to a brother. Come to think of it, they would actually be brothers. How had he not realized how nice it would be to have a family?

He stopped on the street for a moment, his whistling coming to an abrupt halt. Once he married Petal, he’d have an actual family with children of his own. His chest swelled with love and pride.

“Are you all right?” Jacob asked, the shotgun swinging at his side. He’d insisted, with a cheeky grin, that he had to bring the damn thing. Rex was certain the Archbishop had almost denied him the license because of it.

“Fine. Why?” He started walking again, anxious to hold Petal in his arms.

Jacob snorted. “I think you’re losing your marbles. You just stopped in the middle of the street.”

“I told you this morning. I’m in love. You can’t explain love to someone who’s never experienced it.”

Jacob gave him a sideways glance. “I can explain it just fine. You’ve gone mad.”

Rex chuckled as they turned down the alley that led to the side entrance. “I see you share your sister’s sense of humor.” Reaching the door, he opened it and stepped inside. “But you’ll understand someday when you and I go off to acquire a license for you.”

“A license?” a deep voice rumbled. “What the bloody hell have you done?”

Rex had been looking back at Jacob but his head snapped around. Theo stood in the kitchen at one end of the table while Petal stood at the other brandishing a kitchen knife like a saber. Jacob instantly brought the shotgun up and chambered the bullet. It resounded about the kitchen with a definite click.

“Do be careful, Theo. Your new siblings are about to make a mash of you.” Rex crossed his arms over his chest as Theo glared back. “And if they don’t, I think I will.”

“Theo!” Petal cried, dropping the knife. “Why didn’t you say so?”

“Jacob,” Rex growled. “Don’t put that gun down just yet.” Theo was his best friend in the world but something primal was making him taut as a bow. He had the feeling that Theo would not support his actions here and would, in fact, try to take his new family away.

“Rex.” Petal put a hand on her hip, her voice sharp and eyes narrowed. “Don’t be rude.”

“Rex?” Theo’s lip curled. “It’s Rex is it? Is this why you’ve stayed in London instead of returning immediately?”

“Did you read my letter?” Rex took a step toward Theo, ready for whatever happened next. He loved Theo but he’d toss him out in an instant if he tried to come between Rex and Petal.

Jacob dropped the gun barrel and ejected the shell. Setting it on the table, he crossed round the kitchen and stuck out his hand. “I’m Jacob Chase.”

Petal clucked her tongue, ignoring Rex and Theo and focusing on her brother. “You’re Lord Westcliff. At the very least, you’re now Jacob Westcliff.”

Jacob shrugged. “Pleased to meet you, Your Grace.”

“Call me Theo,” he said, then shook Jacob’s hand before turning to reach for Petal’s. Taking her delicate fingers in his, Theo brought them to his lips. A rumbling protest erupted from Rex’s chest. Theo was overstepping.

Theo turned to him, his face tightening. “I think we need to talk.”

“I agree,” Petal answered. “Follow me to the sitting room.”

Theo cleared his throat, turning back to her. “Forgive me, Lady Daffodil, but I wanted to speak with Rex alone about the—”

“Not happening,” she answered before he could finish. She began walking toward the door as she tossed an angelic smile over her shoulder on her way to the opening. “Jacob, please prepare some refreshments for us.”

Rex watched those hips sway as she lifted up the corner of her skirt, making her way up the stairs. Dear lord, he loved that woman.

His Grace, The Duke of Waverly, was walking in Daffodil’s wake. She forced herself to keep her head forward and not glance back. It was a good thing he was now family because even she could not believe her own audacity. At least, she consoled herself, she no longer needed him to help her find a husband. At least she assumed she wouldn’t need him. By the tension between Rex and Theo, she wasn’t entirely certain. What if Rex changed his mind?

Not that His Grace had a say in the matter, though men often assumed they did. He was Violette’s husband but he was also a stranger. With that thought, she squared her shoulders and entered the sitting room. Crossing to the settee, she waited for the men to enter before they all sat. She’d moved to the settee and Rex strode across the room, positioning himself next to her.

“Petal,” he said as soon as they were seated. “Try not to judge Theo too harshly. He’s really a likable guy when not being a total gobshite.”

She gave a Rex a glare. He wasn’t helping. “Your Grace,” she started turning to her brother-in-law.

“Theo,” he replied.

“Theo,” Rex grumbled. “Did you or did you not get my letter?”

“I did.” Theo replied. “Which is why I got on horse and damn near rode all night to get here.”

Rex sat forward, his chest expanding. “I was nothing but honest and forthright in that note about the state of affairs here.”

“I have every confidence that you were being completely honest. And honestly, I will tell you in return, your affection for Lady Daffodil was also absolutely apparent. I’ve seen you when you care for a woman. Nothing gets in your way.”

Daffodil’s spine snapped up even as her inside sloshed about. “Other women? Besides your first wife?”

“You told her about Mary?” Theo’s eyes were wide.

“Theo, I beg you to stop helping.” Rex looked to his friend before turning to Daffodil. “I have had a few dalliances, but I’ve never felt about another woman the way I feel about you.” Then he turned back to Theo. “I’ve kept my hands to myself, if that is what you’re worried about.”

She went from feeling sick from fear to be being dizzy with happiness. She reached for his hand and slipped her fingers against his large warm palm.

“Then why the license?” Theo glanced back and forth between the two of them.

“That’s my fault.” Petal said quietly as she stared down at her lap.

Rex gave his friend the very short version of what had unfolded. Theo’s grimace grew tighter with each word. “I begin to understand. But if all you have said is true, shouldn’t Rathemore be the one to marry her, not you?”

Rex let go of her hand, and stood so suddenly, she nearly fell back. “Over my dead body,” he hurled the words like weapons.

Theo shook his head. “I appreciate your position. You’re in love. But how can I bring Lady Daffodil back to her mother married to the man I sent to fetch her? I simply cannot explain it.”

“You will.” It was Petal’s turn to stand. “Forgive me, Theo, but you will find a way.”

Theo stood too. “I won’t do it. You’ll have to—”

“Tell my mother that you took my sister’s virtue and then married her in a private ceremony weeks before the sham wedding?” Petal took a deep breath.

Theo and Rex stared at her. No one spoke as the silence grew deafening.

“I’m sorry, Theo, to be like this.” She moved around the table to stand in front of her sister’s new husband. “But I have had to learn to cook, clean, nurse, and chambermaid in the last several months. I’m no longer a demure lady who sits in the sitting room waiting for her life to happen. I’m not capable of it nor do I want it.”

“Your sister blackmailed me into marriage too. Chase women,” he mumbled running a hand through his hair. “Fine, but you’ll marry when we’re safely returned to my estate—”

Daffodil held up her hand. “Tomorrow. We’ll marry tomorrow.”