Tommy jumped in. “Ten months ago, she and I were in the parlor discussing an upcoming exhibition. Your father was visiting at the time and became quite agitated. He asked forPuck & Familyback. Bean refused. The duke came back the next day to propose a temporary trade using collateral security. Bean refused again. There was some sort of disturbance in the barn—”
“Never let a hawk near your pet squirrels,” Jacob murmured.
“—and when it was over, the painting and your father were both gone.” Tommy pointed a liver-spotted finger at Lawrence’s cravat. “Hestoleit from us.”
“A duke would neversteal,” Lawrence mumbled. But the pallor in his cheeks indicated he was not at all convinced his father could be held to any such standard.
Graham snorted. “Because of him, we came up with a half dozen new rules.”
“‘Never trust nobility.’”
“‘Forge everything.’”
“‘Don’t allow anything of value out of the family again, or trust anyone who isn’t a Wynchester.’”
“Wait,” the duke interrupted. “‘Forge everything’?”
“I didn’t fake my bellyache,” Tommy assured him as Great-Aunt Wynchester. “Lemon cakes are no laughing matter. But everything else was a lie.”
Chloe’s gaze caught Lawrence’s.
“Noteverything,” she murmured softly. “There were…moments.”
Naked, sensual, tender moments. Her cheeks flushed.
His pupils dilated as if he, too, was assailed by memories of their moments of passion. Of their joined bodies, slick with sweat, surging together. But lovemaking did not mean he accepted her—or her family.
Nor was she certain her family could ever accepthim. Lawrence was straitlaced and respectable, and her siblings were…Wynchesters.
“True enough. Faircliffe isn’t so bad, for an arrogant pup.” Tommy patted his arm, illustrating to the others that she found the duke mostly harmless. “Anyone who makes bonnets as preposterous as his can deal with a few surprises here and there.”
The corners of Elizabeth’s mouth twitched.
“Few surprises,” squawked the parrot. “And perhaps a pail of water over the head for causing all this trouble when he could have simplyopenedthe letters we sent to him,acceptedthe money we were willing to pay for the safe return of our heirloom, and then popped the painting into the hands of a capable footman with instructions to nip right over and return the bloody vase back home, neat as can be. And furthermore—”
Lawrence’s head jerked back in shock. “Wait…thatisn’tthe parrot talking?”
Graham and Jacob dissolved into laughter.
“Not as cork-brained as he looks,” the parrot squawked. “Next he’ll ask about Father Christmas.”
Tommy gave a very Great-Aunt Wynchester cackle.
“Don’t get your breeches twisted,” Graham drawled. “Siblings tease each other all the time.”
Yes, but Lawrence had never had a sibling. He wouldn’t have any idea what to do with a family like theirs. Chloe braced herself for his wounded pride or ducal hauteur.
Instead, a disbelieving grin blossomed on Lawrence’s face. He looked strangely…thrilled?
“A talking parrot.” He gave a low chuckle. “That’s brilliant. I could use a trick like that in the House of Lords.”
“You already have,” Elizabeth replied in her normal voice.
He gaped at her. “I…what?”
“I told you I visit Westminster,” Chloe explained.
“Usually she drags me along,” Tommy murmured. “AlthoughIwon’t stuff myself into dusty attics.”
