Page 60 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

“This is how rumors start and reputations are destroyed,” Simon said. “For the last time, I do not frequent Mrs. Watson’s house. Not for the reasons you think.”

“There’s no need to shout,” Rhys said awkwardly. “I was trying to broach the matter with discretion.”

Simon turned at the patter of slippers outside the door. Rhys fell immediately silent, looking abashed as his twin breezed into the room, her face puzzled. She looked fetching in a lemon-silk gown with her hair loosely captured in a thick plait. Simon wanted to take her in his arms and kiss away her frown.

“What are you doing here, scamp?” she asked her brother. With a veiled look at Simon that sent fire through his veins, she slipped around him to kiss Rhys’ hard-set jaw. “Were you worried I wouldn’t survive the night?”

“Of course not,” Rhys said unconvincingly. “I didn’t give the matter a thought.”

She glanced again from him to Simon with a strained smile. “Why do I sense that you are hiding something from me?”

Simon hesitated. “Heath promised to keep me apprised of Bruxton’s activities.”

“I see,” she said, eyeing her brother closely. “Then why are you here?”

“To remind you that Aunt Glynnis is giving a supper party at Griff’s townhouse Friday next to celebrate your return from honeymoon. She is moving there this week.”

“She could have sent me an invitation,” Ravenna said skeptically.

Rhys reached down to the sofa for his high black hat. “She was afraid it would get lost in the post. Or that you might have forgotten about it in the recent excitement. I’ll accept for you both, shall I?”

Simon stole a look at his wife. Her resigned expression intimated she knew the supper invitation had been an excuse for Rhys to check on her. Simon wasn’t offended. It never hurt to have another guardian angel, or devil, on one’s side, although he wondered if his reputation was worse than he realized. The Boscastles were a large brood. If every family member assumed the task of looking in on Ravenna, she and Simon might be receiving company until Christmas.