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downed the last of the brandy, they decided the evening was at last over.
    “That’s enough for me.” Godric turned towards the ladies. “Come along, Em. Time to depart.”
    Emily didn’t spare her husband a glance. She had one hand on Horatia’s shoulder and another on Audrey’s while she spoke to the pair of them in a huddle. None of the men really bothered trying to figure out what women whispered about. Lucien guessed it would always remain one of life’s mysteries, like why a woman needed countless bonnets when they were such ugly and useless things. It was a damned nuisance trying to untie yards of unnecessary ribbons in order to touch a woman’s hair while he was kissing her.
    “That’s an unholy alliance if I ever saw one,” Cedric noted.
    The Sheridan sisters were trouble enough, but adding Emily was like a lit match near a very large powder keg.
    “I’d best collect my wife before she causes trouble,” Godric replied.
    Lucien didn’t miss Godric’s pleased tone as he had said ‘wife.’
    Godric stood, then walked quietly over and plucked her away from the group, scooping her up into his arms.
    “Godric!” Emily kicked her feet in outrage. “Put me down at once!”
    “I don’t think so, my dear. It’s time I put you to bed.” Godric bent his head low so his face was inches from hers.
    “Oh if you must.” She tried to sound reluctant, but there was a breathless quality to her voice that fooled no one. For a moment, Lucien was struck with a sharp sense of envy. If Horatia weren’t related to his friend, he would have been carrying her out the door in the same fashion, to find the nearest bed.
    “Good night, everyone!” Godric called over his shoulder as he and Emily left the drawing room.
    Cedric shook his head, but his eyes glinted with merriment. “By the way they act I swear you’d never know they were married.”
    “They are indeed fortunate,” Ashton said. “To be so in love that marriage is a blessing rather than a burden.”
    “Perhaps we ought to leave as well?” Jonathan cast a nervous glance in Audrey’s direction, who stared right at him mischievously. He had been staying at Ashton’s townhouse to give the newlyweds some time to themselves before he moved in with them. Godric had settled an unentailed estate upon Jonathan, but had put it in trust until his brother was ready to settle down and run the property himself. Until that time, Jonathan would live with Godric and his new wife.
    “After you, Jonathan.” Ashton inclined his head to Lucien, Charles and Cedric, and bid the Sheridan ladies good night before departing with Jonathan.
    Cedric looked hopefully at his remaining companions.
    “You are both welcome to stay the night.”
    Charles agreed at once. “I’ll send word to my valet.”
    Lucien, however, was reluctant.
    Cedric’s eager smile faltered. “I’ll understand if you wish to decline, Lucien, but I do hope you will stay. After receiving that letter about coach accidents, it would be good to have a few of us keeping watch.”
    His friend looked so earnest that Lucien didn’t have the heart to desert him. “Very well, then.”
    “Excellent,” Charles and Cedric chimed in unison.
    Lucien felt as though he’d made a grave error in judgment and would soon pay dearly for it. Still he would rather be here protecting Horatia. She was safer with her brother, himself and Charles keeping watch. Then again, she wasn’t protected from every threat. Lucien felt the desire to slip into her bedroom tonight and crawl into her bed, pinning her beneath him and…
    Damnation . Being in the same house with Horatia for an entire night was both his greatest temptation and his worst nightmare.

Chapter Three
    Horatia still hadn’t changed into her nightclothes. Restlessness had her up well past midnight. Knowing Lucien was somewhere in the house was unsettling, and she worried about that blasted cat. Muff should have been curled up on the extra pillow in her bed, but