News
Storytelling

“Daddy, Don’t Marry Her!” — Three Triplets Crashed the Duke’s Wedding, and He Recognized Them

“Daddy, Don’t Marry Her!” — Three Triplets Crashed the Duke’s Wedding, and He Recognized Them

Chapter 10

Theme:
Font Size:
24px
"An old one."For a moment, they were young and in the rain again. Then a child snored through the nursery door, and time returned.The next morning, Ashcombe woke to discover the triplets had reorganized breakfast. Pippa had made a list of questions. Milo had made a drawing of the chapel interruption with Rowan's hair standing upright like frightened grass. Kit had found the pantry. The cook was amused; this was dangerous, as amused cooks could be bribed.Rowan entered the breakfast room to find Kit eating toast with the solemn focus of a banker counting gold. "Christopher..."Kit froze. "Mama calls me that. Should I not?" Kit considered. "Only if disappointed.""Then 'Kit' is better."Rowan sat. Pippa slid a paper toward him. "Questions?"He took it. The first question read: Why did you almost marry the white lady? The second: Do you snore? The third: Are we allowed in the stables? The fourth: What is a duke for? The fifth: Did Mama cry when you left?He looked up. Pippa did not blink. Milo looked at his plate. Kit stopped chewing. Evelyn, seated at the far end, became very still.Rowan folded the paper once. "I can answer some now.""All," Pippa said."No. Some answers require your mother's permission. Some require more courage than I have before tea. But I will not throw the paper away."Pippa's chin lifted. "Promise?""Yes.""Dukes can break promises.""Everyone can. That is why I will write mine down." He took a pencil from his coat and wrote beneath her questions: I will answer these one by one with your mother present when needed. — R.V. He handed it back.Pippa read slowly. Then she folded the paper and put it in her pocket. "Good."Milo pointed at his drawing. "Your hair was not really like that.""I appreciate the correction.""But your face was," Kit nodded, "like a shocked horse."Rowan accepted this because fatherhood seemed to require frequent humiliation.Clarabel entered during toast. She wore pale green instead of white; the change soothed the room. Lord Bramwell had left before dawn after arguing with solicitors, his daughter, and one footman who would not produce his hat quickly enough. Clarabel looked liberated and tired.She sat beside Evelyn. "Good morning."Evelyn stood halfway. "Lady Clarabel—""Sit. If either of us must rise every time politeness panics, breakfast will never end."Evelyn sat. Clarabel looked at the children. "Who drew His Grace as a shocked horse?"Milo raised his hand."Excellent likeness."Rowan said, "Et tu, Clarabel?"Pippa frowned. "Who is 'tu'?"Clarabel answered, "A Roman with poor friend selection."Kit whispered to Milo, "Grown-ups know strange people."The breakfast almost felt peaceful. Then Aunt Lavinia entered with three newspapers. "It is everywhere."Rowan stood already. The village printer moved faster than decency. Clarabel held out one hand; Lavinia hesitated. Clarabel took the first paper, her eyes scanning."Runaway Triplets Halt Ducal Wedding."
PREV NEXT

News in the same category

“Daddy, Don’t Marry Her!” — Three Triplets Crashed the Duke’s Wedding, and He Recognized Them

30 Part