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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 7

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"From a field nurse with no position and obvious ambitions."Clarabel inhaled softly. Rowan did not move; stillness was safer."She was carrying my children."Cedric looked away. "I could not know that.""You knew enough to return her letter.""She would have ruined you!""She saved wounded men while you counted family advantage from clean rooms." Cedric flushed. "I preserved the dukedom!""No, you preserved your access to it."The truth sat on the desk between them. Cedric saw it; Clarabel saw it. Rowan had always half-seen it and chosen family convenience over inspection. That failure belonged to him, too.Rowan touched the rattle. "You will leave the West Lodge by week's end."Cedric stared. "You cannot be serious.""I am.""My allowance—""Suspended pending review of every account you managed during my convalescence."Cedric's face changed; there was fear beneath the outrage. Interesting. Not for today."You would disgrace family for a woman who appeared with children on your wedding day?!"Clarabel stood. "Careful, Lord Cedric."He turned on her. "You defend her?!""I defend facts when they are being assaulted in my presence."Rowan looked at Cedric. "You will write one confession. Plain, no flourishes. It will state that you interfered with correspondence between Miss Hart and me. It will not insult her. It will not excuse you.""And if I refuse?""Then I will place the matter before solicitors and make it public."Cedric laughed without humor. "You invite scandal!""Scandal already came through my chapel doors carrying a suitcase. I prefer truth to rumors."Clarabel said, "The suitcase was rather brave."Cedric looked from her to Rowan. He saw no softness. At last, he said, "You are mad."Rowan picked up the rattle. "No, I am late."Cedric left without bowing. Clarabel walked to the window. "That was unpleasant.""Yes.""You should have done it years ago.""Yes."She turned. No cruelty in her face, only clarity. "I should be angrier with you.""You have a right.""I am angry, but not because you loved her. That part was visible from the moment she walked in." Rowan said nothing. "I am angry because you would have married me while part of you waited beside a field hospital in France."He closed his eyes. "Clarabel..."
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“Daddy, Don’t Marry Her!” — Three Triplets Crashed the Duke’s Wedding, and He Recognized Them

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