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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 8

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"No, let me finish while I am elegant." He almost smiled; she did not. "I agreed to marry you because we respected each other, and because my father needed the alliance. I liked you. I expected kindness, separate rooms when needed, and decent conversation. It was a reasonable plan.""It was.""But I deserve more than a reasonable plan built over a grave you never checked."The words landed cleanly. He bowed his head. "You do.""Good. Then you will help me escape my father."Rowan looked up. She smiled slightly, not dramatically."I have no wish to burst into anyone's wedding. But Father will try to trade me elsewhere by Michaelmas.""What do you want?""My mother's house in Bath, and the income tied to it. It is mine by settlement if Father stops delaying transfer.""I can help with solicitors.""I know. You planned this before breakfast ended.""I planned three possibilities before the second jam wall collapsed."Rowan looked at her with new respect. "You are formidable.""I know. That is why I refuse to be pitied." He bowed. "Then I will not pity you.""Excellent. You may be grateful.""I am.""And Rowan?""Yes?""Do not ask Evelyn to marry you until you can name which child fears thunder."He stared. "Which does?"Clarabel lifted one brow. "Exactly."The first night under Rowan's roof became war by nursery.The triplets refused the grand nursery because it had blue curtains. Kit said blue curtains looked like rain pretending to behave. Pippa inspected the bedropes. Milo asked whether there were ghosts and seemed disappointed when a maid said no. Evelyn stood in the doorway with the patience of a woman who had negotiated worse treaties.Rowan arrived with three cups of warm milk because he had asked the kitchen what children drink at night. He felt prepared. This lasted six seconds.Kit looked into his cup. "No nutmeg."Milo said, "Mama uses nutmeg when the wind is loud."Pippa said, "Also not too much, because Kit sneezes."Rowan looked at Evelyn. "Nutmeg?"She did not smile. "A little."He turned to the maid. "Nutmeg."The maid fled as if he had ordered cannon fire.Pippa studied him. "Do you know stories?""Some.""Long ones?""A few with proper horses."
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“Daddy, Don’t Marry Her!” — Three Triplets Crashed the Duke’s Wedding, and He Recognized Them

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