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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 9

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"Define 'proper.'"Milo climbed onto a chair. "Horses that do things," Kit added. "Not just stand while princes talk."Rowan thought of every nursery tale he knew; all had inadequate horses. "I know a story about a mule."The triplets exchanged looks. Pippa said, "We accept provisionally."Evelyn turned away. Her shoulders moved once. Good. Let her laugh at him; he deserved to be ridiculous and present.The mule's story began well, wandered badly, and ended with a goose in a market stall because Rowan forgot the point. The children loved the goose. They rejected the mule's name: "Bartholomew is too heavy," Milo said for a mule. Rowan asked for a name; Kit suggested Spoon. Pippa argued that a mule named Spoon lacked dignity; Kit said dignity had not helped the wedding. Evelyn sat on the window seat with one hand over her mouth.When the milk returned with nutmeg, Rowan oversaw distribution as if commanding a fleet. Kit sneezed anyway.Pippa said, "Too much."The maid looked horrified. Rowan took the blame: "My error."Pippa nodded. "Learn it.""I will."At last, Milo grew quiet. Then Kit. Pippa fought sleep like a lawyer fighting taxes. When her eyes closed, one hand still held Evelyn's sleeve.Rowan saw it then: Pippa feared being left. Not thunder, not ghosts—left.He looked at Evelyn. She saw that he saw. Her face changed. This was the first lesson: not from her mouth, from their daughter.In the corridor, Rowan spoke softly: "Pippa...""Yes. She counts exits." Evelyn leaned against the wall. "Since she was four.""What happened?""We moved three times in one year. Work failed, a landlord raised rent, Kit had fever. Pippa began sleeping with one shoe on."Rowan's hands closed slowly. Anger rose, too late to be useful."Do not," Evelyn said."Do not what?""Stand there hating the past as if hatred will pay arrears." He breathed once. "What should I do?""Tomorrow, when she asks where the door is, tell her. Do not joke. Do not say she is safe. Show her the latch and tell her who has the key."He nodded. "And Milo?""Milo jokes before he admits pain.""Kit?""Kit eats when anxious. Hide nothing edible that matters."Despite himself, Rowan smiled. "The emergency biscuit.""He has eaten medicine, sealing wax, and one corner of a map.""A map?""He said it looked like toast."Rowan laughed quietly. Evelyn's mouth softened. Then the softness vanished. "Do not be charming at me tonight.""I will try to be dull.""You have never managed that.""A harsh review."
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“Daddy, Don’t Marry Her!” — Three Triplets Crashed the Duke’s Wedding, and He Recognized Them

30 Part