Taking his ease, he ignored the curious stares of the villagers, effortlessly picking his way through the ruts on the road. One woman stood at the door of her cottage and stared at them without any effort at subterfuge. She put her hand to her mouth as though suppressing a laugh, but then the brothers glanced in her direction. She turned her back and went indoors, the recipient of twin icy stares, the kind that depressed all pretension in their own milieu of fashionable London.

“A popinjay,” breathed Tom in delight. “We don’t get many of those here.”

Georgiana, standing just in front of me, stared in unconcealed admiration at the vision. “They’re beautiful.”

Lizzie smiled.

I wondered which one my old friend would choose for me. “Which one is it then, Tom?”

“Oh, you wouldn’t take up with a dandy. I can’t see you at ease with the fashion plate, so it has to be the other. I must say he looks quite a pleasant man, for a great lord—and a rake.”

I reluctantly tore my gaze away from the brothers to Tom. “He’s not a great lord. His title’s only a courtesy one.”

But Tom didn’t seem to be listening any more. He stared at me, his eyes wide. I frowned crossly. “What is it, Tom? Do I have a smut on my nose?”

“No, something about you—oh, I don’t know!” He turned away in exasperation as at last, the brothers drew near.

It must have become obvious to Georgiana and Tom now that the Kerre brothers weren’t just twins—they were identical twins. The only difference between them was Gervase’s darker, rougher complexion, gained during his years in India. Their similarity was one of the reasons why they turned so many heads when together, something neither of them liked but had learned to live with in their separate ways.

Appreciatively I watched them make their bows, and allowed Lizzie to perform the introductions. Georgiana blushed and curtseyed prettily when Richard took her hand and kissed the back of it. She was eighteen, only just out, but she would do well, and she was the picture of rustic innocence today. Lizzie had also seen Tom’s confusion, and mischievously, she introduced the twins together, so Tom wouldn’t know which one was which. He bowed his head, and they bowed in return, but didn’t add any extra flourishes.

Finally I came forward and gave my hand to Gervase. He bowed over it. “You’re looking well, Rose.”

“Thank you.” I smiled, and passed on to Richard.

A smile flirted at the corners of Richard’s mouth. His clear gaze met mine for the first time, and reminded me yet again how helpless I felt in his company. He took my hand and kissed it lightly, then offered me the support of his arm. “You, my dear delight, have just made me walk the length of that street. You could have met me halfway.” He used a complaining tone, but with a softness underneath that told me he was teasing.

I smiled. “I wanted to see the spectacle.”

“Witch.” He smiled so warmly I had to look away, towards Tom. “It’s the popinjay. You lose.” Tom flushed and I was sorry at once for the tease.

“You thought my brother had cut me out, sir? He might be as rich as Croesus, but I do have some attractions of my own.” I met Richard’s eyes and I lost myself in them all over again, like the first time I had gazed into those blue depths.

I introduced the brothers to Mrs. Hoarty, who declared herself overcome by the honour. This would give her plenty of ammunition when she next met her particular friends. She took in every detail of Richard’s appearance. Although aware of her scrutiny, he didn’t give her any kind of set-down as he could so easily have done.

“Mrs. Hoarty has an invitation to our wedding. She was so kind to us as children. I used to use her house as sanctuary when the Manor got too crowded for me.”

“Then I shall ensure she has the best of attention, as my meagre thanks for keeping you safe before I could do so,” he said at once. I knew he meant it, and that he would remember. Mrs. Hoarty had been delighted to receive an invitation, but since the wedding was at Exeter Cathedral, it might have proved too much for her if she didn’t have the best of care. Her health was too frail. The pampering Richard would make certain his people bestowed on her would guarantee her presence. I was sure she would enjoy herself much, which was more than I could say for myself.

The location of the wedding had been a matter of dispute between us. I wanted to be married in my local church, but Richard’s mother, Lady Southwood, wanted the chapel at Eyton. However, she agreed to Richard’s suggestion of Exeter Cathedral. She was so pleased to see her son take a wife at last that the venue for it lost its importance. At least this compromise meant I would be married from home.

We took our leave of Mrs. Hoarty and proceeded along the busy street. The villagers stopped to watch us pass, except the one who had received the icy stares earlier. She stayed indoors. Odd how many people found business to attend to at the front of their houses. The more respectable brought buckets and scrubbing brushes to clean the steps, the less respectable just stood, shoulders idly propped against the doorjamb, watching in silence.

Richard and Gervase, used to the stares of strangers, ignored them but the rest of us had to nod and acknowledge the greetings we received. “A raré show,” Richard commented acidly to me. “It serves you right.”

I was so happy nothing could spoil