The Rake's Revenge

A sharp rap on his door spun him around. “Who is it?” he called.

“Douglas! Open up, Rob.”

He shoved his jacket back into the wardrobe, and when he unlocked his door, Douglas pushed his way inside. “What is it, Doogie?”

“’Tis women, Rob. Bebe is behaving deucedly odd.”

“Let me get this straight.” Rob exaggerated a thoughtful pose. “You want me to explain women?”

“Aye.” His brother nodded. “You’ve been married, which is more than I can say for most of my friends. What accounts for the female vagueness? And why are they so variable from day to day? I vow, Monday Bebe adores me. Tuesday, I am the enemy. And Wednesday she indulges me like a three-year-old. By Friday, I am the Antichrist.”

Rob cleared his throat. “Um, well, I am certain this is a very…emotional time for the young lady.” In truth, he feared life with Bebe would always be filled with drama. But there was a greater question. “How much do you love her, Douglas? Enough to indulge her moods and whims?”

“Aye. She’s everything to me,” his brother vowed. “All I want to do is make her happy, and I fear I’m failing miserably.”

Rob clapped him on the back and went to his bedside table to pour him a drink. “Here,” he said, offering the glass, “you will be needing this.”

“So what advice do you have for me?” Douglas persisted.

Rob raised his glass in a salute. “Buy more whiskey.”

“This is normal, then? This moodiness?”

“How would I know what normal is, Doogie?”

“Aye. You and Maeve were betrothed from the cradle. She had a long time to accustom herself to the thought of marrying you.” Douglas grinned. “’Tis the reason the two of you never fought. Two bodies, one mind.”

Douglas was wrong. Rob and Maeve never fought because neither of them had cared enough to argue.

Chapter Six

T hursday morning found Afton brooding over her tea as she read a letter aloud to Dianthe. Outside the garden window, a cold rain replaced the earlier snow, and the whole world seemed drearier. Or was it just the news that made her feel that way?

“I am exceedingly flattered that the invitation was extended at all, seeing that our current circumstances are not as favorable as they once were.” That was a colossal understatement, Afton thought as she turned the page over.

“The Sheffields are in a position to improve my standing in society and such other benefits as come with the stamp of approval from a leading family. Thus, I know you and Dianthe will understand why I feel compelled to accept Charlie’s invitation.”