“What gives you that idea?”
“You originally wanted to name the theatre after her,” Frederick said.
Horace snorted. “The Tessandra.”
“Oh, how horrid,” Daphne said. “I’m glad you changed your mind.”
Kit scratched his jaw, thinking. “And your first two years’ worth of lead actresses were all redheads.”
Daphne wrinkled her nose. “That’s rather telling. Oh! And the handkerchief! Do you still have it?”
“I possess many handkerchiefs, Daphne. I’ve no idea what you mean.”
Horace and Frederick shared a look, a nod.
Then they attacked.
Remmy grunted when he hit the floor. He threw out one knee, another arm, but the twins were too much for him, and before he could connect a single fist to a single eye socket, they picked his pocket and jumped to safety.
Frederick waved something light and filmy over his head. “I’ve got it!”
“It’s rather dainty,” Horace said.
“The initials in the corner are TK.” He grinned. “Tessa King.”
Remmy rolled to his back and stared at this ceiling. How had it come to this?
Frederick appeared above him, dropped the handkerchief in his face. “We can help you, you know.”
Remmy tucked the bit of linen back into his pocket.
Horace appeared above him. “We can help you make her fall in love.”
There was Daphne now. “The great June Rake himself? Ha. Surely he does not needourhelp.”
Kit appeared, arms crossed over his chest, single eyebrow raised high.
Remmy closed his eyes, sighed, said, “I, erm… It appears as if… I have been harboring a… a tender for Tessa for… a small period of time.”
“The first step in winning a woman’s heart,” Daphne said, “is certainlynotto lie about how long you’ve loved her.”
“Come on, then, sit up,” Kit demanded.
Remmy obeyed, pushing to his feet, unable to face them. “What am I supposed to say? I cannot remember a time I have not loved her.”
“That’s exactly what you say.” Daphne patted his shoulder.
He did not have to suffer such indignities. Tackled to the floor,oohedover like a mewling infant. “Very well then. I’m off.” He stomped out of the room.
“Woo her,” Kit called after him.
“Tempt her!” That Daphne.
“I should have been an only child,” he grumbled.
“You don’t mean that,” the twins said.
“You love us!” Daphne called out.
