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“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 12

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"No." He saw the trap he had built from concern; it looked very stupid. "I apologize.""Good.""I can send him away.""No. Kit has a cough. Dr. Penrose may look at him if Kit agrees and if I remain present.""Yes.""And Rowan?""Yes?""Care is not command."He nodded. "I know.""No. You are learning.""I am learning."That satisfied her enough to pass—barely.Dr. Penrose examined Kit, declared the cough minor, and was forced to examine the wooden soldier because Kit said soldiers also caught chills. The doctor listened to the soldier's chest with dignity: "Stout fellow."Kit nodded. "He survived the suitcase."Pippa asked whether doctors could examine fathers. Rowan, standing by the door, said only with consent. Pippa looked disappointed: "I wanted him checked for chapel confusion."Dr. Penrose said that condition is common among bridegrooms; Clarabel, passing the doorway, said former bridegrooms. The house laughed for the first time without shattering something.That evening, Rowan answered Pippa's first question. He invited Evelyn to sit with them in the small sitting room. The fire was low; rain still worried the windows. Pippa held the folded paper. Milo sat upside down in a chair until Evelyn corrected him. Kit leaned against her knee. Rowan sat opposite, not too close."You asked why I almost married Lady Clarabel."Pippa nodded."Yes. Because I thought your mother had chosen another life. Because Lady Clarabel and I respected each other. Because our families wanted an alliance. Because I was lonely in a way I had taught myself not to name."The room went quiet. Pippa looked at Evelyn. "Did you choose another life?"Evelyn touched her daughter's hair. "No.""Did he?""He thought I had."Pippa frowned. "That is a bad reason."Rowan said, "Yes."Milo twisted upright. "Who told you?""A man who lied."Kit asked, "Will you put him in jail?""No.""Why not?"Rowan considered. "Because some wrongs are punished by law, some by losing trust, money, and welcome. This one begins there."Kit looked unsatisfied. "Can he lose dessert, too?"Evelyn said, "Christopher."Rowan said, "If he visits, yes."
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“Daddy, Don’t Marry Her!” — Three Triplets Crashed the Duke’s Wedding, and He Recognized Them

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