Chapter 22

Brody was over the moon. He’d not been this thrilled before in his life. Harriet not only loved him, she would also be his to love and adore until death did them part. Perching on the bed beside her, he drew her gently against him and pressed a kiss to her cheek. He’d been much too forceful before, considering she’d been sick all night and was only now starting to show signs of improvement.

Restraining himself had been near impossible though. But he made the effort while adding additional kisses against the edge or her mouth and across her delicate jaw. A salty flavor filled his mouth and he realized to his dismay that she wept.

“You won’t regret this,” he promised.

“I know,” she whispered, “but what about you?”

Her question forced him to sit back and think. He stared at her in wonder while pondering her watery eyes. Raising his hand, he swept a stray lock aside and tucked it behind her ear. “I see no reason why I would.”

She sniffed a little. “You’ve known me a very short time, during which you thought I was male. Your acquaintance with Harriet is new, Brody, so I do fear it may lead to some disappointment.”

He stiffened and slowly withdrew his hand. “My attraction to Harry was unique. It never would have occurred if you’d actually been a man, which means that it wasn’t him. It was you. Obviously, I mean, considering you are one and the same.”

“What you thought to be true has still been turned on its head.”

“Undoubtedly,” he agreed, “but the burning desire I feel for you hasn’t lessened. If anything it has increased now that I’m back in familiar waters. Were it not for your being unwell, I’d have you right here this instant.”

She gulped and her face turned a bright shade of red. “No one has ever told me such things before.”

“I should bloody well hope not,” he muttered.

Unable to resist, he set his palm on her knee, then leaned in and nipped at her earlobe. Her answering moan heated his blood like nothing else. No doubt about it. He very much wanted this woman. Knowing he’d have to wait, he settled Harriet into bed and tucked the blankets around her.

“Try to get some more rest, my soon-to-be wife.” He kissed her lips, pausing briefly before withdrawing. “There’s much for me to attend to. If you’re hungry for something more than what’s left on your plate, please use the bell pull.”

As much as he longed to stay, he forced himself to return downstairs. Rhys would require an explanation regarding Betsy’s dismissal. Finn would have to be informed of Brody’s upcoming nuptials. A wedding would have to be planned, which meant that his mother…

Brody froze on the stairs.

How the hell could he have forgotten her?

He bolted down the last few steps and ran to his study.

“Everything all right, Your Grace?” asked Rhys. The butler had materialized in the doorway before Brody was able to take his seat.

“Yes. I mean no. Something’s come up.” Brody stared at Rhys who stared right back, an expectant look in his eyes. “Do come in and I shall explain.”

“Very good, Your Grace.” Rhys entered the study and closed the door.

“I am to marry,” Brody informed him, choosing to get directly to the point.

The tiniest flicker of movement on Rhys’ brow betrayed his surprise before he managed to school his features once more. “Felicitations. May I inquire about your choice of bride?”

“It is to be my current houseguest.”

Rhys’ jaw dropped. “The man upstairs?”

“She’s not a man, Rhys. She’s a woman pretending to be a man.”

“Well I’ll be,” Rhys muttered. Forgetting himself, he sank to the nearest chair. “Why on earth would she do that?”

“Suffice it to say she had her reasons.”

When Rhys just sat there in baffled silence, Brody eventually cleared his throat. Rhys leapt to his feet, straightened his posture, and stared straight ahead. “My apologies, Your Grace. I fear you caught me a bit by surprise.”

“Only a bit?” Brody asked with a chuckle. He sobered in response to the grave expression his butler gave him. “In any event, I’ll need to inform the duchess and set about planning the wedding.”

“If I may, I would suggest that you ask your intended to leave the house until after you’re married. Not very proper, having an unmarried lady residing with you and your brother.”

“Agreed. She’ll depart as soon as she has recovered. Informing Mama will help make this easier. I’d rather Miss Michaels and her sister visit her instead of returning to their former home.”

“Duly noted, Your Grace. If you prepare a note for the duchess, I’ll make sure it gets delivered.”

“Thank you, Rhys.” Brody tightened his jaw. “There’s another matter I need to bring to your attention, in case you’ve not yet been made aware.”

“If you’re referring to Betsy’s departure, then I am already informed.”

“I see.” Brody considered explaining his reason for sacking the maid, but decided against it. Judging from Rhys’ stunned response when Brody had mentioned Harriet’s true identity, he’d no idea why Betsy was leaving, and Brody had little desire to rehash the details. Instead he said, “I’ll leave it to you to find an appropriate replacement.”

“Of course. Is there anything else, Your Grace?”

“Just the note, if you’ll wait a moment.” Brody dipped his quill in the inkwell and wrote a quick line inviting his mother to tea that same afternoon. After adding his signature to the bottom, he blotted the page, folded it neatly, and sealed it with a crimson blob of wax. “Here you are.”

The butler departed and Brody took a deep breath before expelling it slowly. It was done. His mother would be informed. There was no going back now. In all likelihood, everyone between her home and here would know something was afoot before she arrived in his parlor. Why else would he summon her when they’d not spoken in over two years?

Sighing, he removed himself to the dining room where he finally managed to eat a much-appreciated breakfast. Lord, he was hungry. So he put away several slices of toast along with some bacon and eggs.

When he was done, he informed Rhys that he would be stepping out for a couple of hours. For as much as he hoped to give Harriet all the time she needed to plan a proper wedding, he thought it best to have a special license on hand, all things considered.

It was almost noon by the time he returned.

“Is Miss Michaels still sleeping?” he asked Rhys when he handed him his gloves.

“I believe so, but her sister is up. You’ll find her in the music room with your brother.”

So Finn was awake as well. Perfect. Brody went to find the pair and was rather charmed when he saw them sitting next to each other on the bench in front of the pianoforte.

“It goes like this,” Finn said before playing a few notes to a simple tune. “Now you try.”

Brody watched as Lucy made the effort, his heart expanding ten-fold when the girl’s success led to laughter. Lord, it seemed like forever since music and good cheer had filled this house. Not since his father’s death and his mother’s decision to relocate.

Everything had gone sideways since then.

He shook his head, banishing the maudlin thought, and gave the doorjamb a couple of knocks to announce his presence.

Finn stood while Lucy waved at him from her spot on the bench.

“How’s the patient?” Finn asked. He appeared, it seemed, to try and hide a smirk, only to fail abysmally.

“Better. Thank you for asking. She’s resting now.” He glanced across at Lucy, whose attention had quickly returned to the keys on the instrument. “How are you fairing today, Lucy?”

She met his gaze. “I’m feeling much better. Perfectly fine, actually. I even managed to eat some eggs along with a bit of bacon.”

“I’m pleased to hear it.”

“Will Harry be down soon?” she asked. “Losturn says he’s also been sick so I didn’t want to go check in case I disturbed him.”

Brody shared a quick look with Finn before approaching Lucy. “I know Harry’s your sister and that her real name is Harriet.”

Lucy stilled. Concern puckered her brow. “Oh no. No one’s supposed to know that. I hope I didn’t say anything to give her away.”

“You’re not to blame,” Brody hastened to tell her. “I found out from Harriet herself.”

“I see.” Lucy bit her lip. “What will happen now?”

“Well, something did come up – something that put your sister’s reputation at risk. Which is why I’ve asked her to be my wife.”

Lucy gasped while Finn voiced his own dismay.

“Harriet will be a duchess?” Lucy asked, her eyes wide.

“Yes,” Brody confirmed.

“And she will live here?”

“As will you,” Brody told her, intent on putting the girl at ease.

“Cor…that’s marvelous news!”

“It’s certainly sudden,” Finn murmured.

Brody turned to him. “You disapprove?”

“I didn’t say that, but are you certain this is what you want?” The look Finn gave him was steady. “Marriage is permanent, Brother.”

“I’m aware, and yes, I’m certain. She’s…perfect for me.”

“Then I shall wish you both happy,” Finn said as he pulled Brody into a hug.

Brody patted his brother on the back and stepped back. “I’ve summoned Mama.”

Finn snorted. “You’ve certainly decided to shake things up around here.”

“I’m not the one who engaged in a duel this morning.” Brody gave Finn a pointed look.

“A duel?” Lucy asked. “Over a lady?”

“In a manner of speaking,” Finn said.

“How positively romantic.”

“It really wasn’t,” Brody told her. “It was mad.”

“Says the man who’s marrying a woman he thought was a man until just—” Finn glanced at the clock and grinned— “twelve hours ago or less?”

“Precisely.” Brody had no idea how he managed to say this with a straight face. In truth, the situation was farcical. Harriet’s concern about their brief acquaintance had merit. Had Betsy not threatened to cause a scandal, he never would have proposed. Or rather, he’d have waited. But for what? Harry was Harriet and Harriet was Harry. He’d fallen in love with Harry’s smile, the sparkle in his eyes, and his wonderful personality.

None of that would change. Harriet had the same smile, the same sparkle in her eyes, the same wonderful personality he so adored. And after last night, it honestly felt like he’d known her forever. Marrying her would be easy.

Or so he thought.

Until his mother arrived.