Passionately Yours (Hellions of High Street 3)

“Only a paltry, lily-livered fribble of a fellow would prefer peace and quiet to having his life turned upside down,” replied Alec.

Davenport chuckled. “In that case, welcome to the family.”

“Adventure seems to run in the family.” The Earl of Wrexham, Olivia’s spouse, chose that moment to join them. He eyed Alec for a long moment. “You are joining the family, aren’t you? Otherwise my mother-in-law might demand that I call you out.”

“Wait, wait, everyone!” Caro felt things slipping out of control—not an unusual occurrence when the sisters were together. But Alec was not yet used to the experience of having all three Hellions of High Street together, so she wished to give him a moment to catch his breath. “Before you all begin to rake Alec over the coals, please allow us to wash off the travel dust and partake of some refreshments.” She hugged both her sisters again. “One needs to be well fortified to face our family.”

“It’s not only Alec who is going to feel his skin get a bit scorched,” murmured Anna. “Your letter lit the direst of fears. Devlin and I commandeered a naval dispatch sloop to rush to your rescue. And naturally I alerted Olivia that trouble might be brewing. So we decided to rally the forces, as it were, and come to Bath to rescue our little sister from the perils of her passionate nature.”

“How—” began Caro.

“Never mind that now,” said Olivia. “We’ll have a comfortable coze shortly—about a great many things—but first, let us take you in to tea.”

“Yes, you must be famished.” Isobel had been waiting for the sisters to finish their greeting before releasing her hold on Alec and coming to offer her own embrace. “I am so relieved to see you.” She glanced back at her brother. “Both of you. Thank God you are safe.”

“Alec was a true hero—” began Caro.

“Hero?” interrupted Anna, a mischievous gleam lighting in her eyes. “Oh, don’t say anything more about heroes until I can fetch my journal and jot down some notes. I am always looking for fresh inspiration.”

Isobel smiled uncertainly.

Caro patted her arm. “In case you haven’t yet learned it, both my sisters have a very peculiar sense of humor.”

“That is rather the pot calling the kettle black,” observed Olivia.

“Indeed,” chimed in Anna. “That’s another thing we will discuss at greater length as soon as you have had some refreshments.”

“Aunt Adelaide and I have a lovely repast waiting,” said Isobel brightly. “Shall we go inside?”

“Of course we will talk,” said Caro softly, as her sisters each took an arm. “But surely it can wait until evening. I can’t abandon Alec—”

“Oh, don’t worry about Alec,” said Anna with an evil chortle. “Davenport and Wrexham will keep him occupied.”

As the maids cleared the remains of the bountiful tea and pastries, Alec watched Caro’s sisters hustle her away to one of the upstairs bedchambers. It would be quite a while before she reappeared, he reflected, given how much had happened in the last half year.

A few short months. The sun and the moon revolving through their usual cycles. And yet his universe had utterly changed. An inexorable force, a powerful magnetism, had realigned all the stars in the heavens, and suddenly his inner compass had no trouble navigating through the vast stretch of darkness and the countless points of winking light.

Love. Strange how the word suddenly felt so right on his tongue. Watching the sway of her shapely hips disappear through the archway, he was tempted to shout it aloud for all to hear.

“You look like a hound bewitched, who is about to begin baying at the full moon,” drawled Davenport. “I have a feeling you would welcome something stronger than tea. Allow me to pour you a brandy.”

“Pour one for me as well,” said Wrexham.

“The Perfect Hero drinking while it’s still daylight?” Davenport waggled a brow. “Marriage must be softening your steel.”

The earl responded with a very un-Wrexhamlike grin. “My steel has suffered no ill effects from wedlock.”

The retort earned a mirthful snort from his brother-in-law.

“But we are not here to discuss my matrimonial state,” went on the earl. “Rather that of Lord Strathcona.” He fixed Alec with an inquiring look. “Please assure me it won’t be pistols at dawn. Not only is it cursedly uncomfortable to rise at such an early hour, but I am accorded to be a deadly shot, and you appear to be a decent fellow.” A pause. “Aside from having seduced my wife’s baby sister.”

Davenport let out a bark of laughter. “Perhaps it would be wise not to open Pandora’s Box on who in this room might be guilty of anticipating the marriage vows.”

Wrexham allowed a hint of a smile. “Perhaps you are right.”

“I, too, am accorded to be an excellent shot, Lord Wrexham,” replied Alec calmly, once the banter had ceased.

“Having seen him in action on the Scottish moors, I can confirm that,” offered Davenport helpfully. “What a pity you are both so skilled,” he added with a theatrical sigh. “The sight of blood upsets my delicate sensibilities.”