Alcott Hall: Second Sons Book Three

“Tom!”

“Captain Renley!”

“Happy Christmas!”

The room erupted in excitement as Rosalie, the duke, and Burke rushed forward. Captain Renley was already being hugged and exclaimed over by those closest to the door, but they all made way for the duke and duchess.

Madeline slipped out of her chair, inching back away from the table.

“Thank Christ,” James muttered, wrapping the captain in a tight hug.

Captain Renley was all smiles, his hair a halo of golden curls. He was the broadest of the three gentlemen, even if Burke was the tallest. He had massive shoulders, not unlike Warren’s, and a thick chest that filled out his naval uniform.

“In case you forgot how to count, a proper twelve-month would have seen you home in October,” Burke chastised.

Captain Renley laughed, his arms wrapping around Burke next. But he let him go quickly, eyes now only for Rosalie. Madeline watched, curious as he took her in.

The duchess stood with her hands on her rounded stomach, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “Welcome home, Tom. Happy Christmas.”

“Good Lord…you look devastating, Your Grace,” he said at last. “Motherhood suits you.” With a gallant smile, he bowed low to her, kissing her gloved hand.

Madeline didn’t miss the way Rosalie leaned into his touch. Luckily, the rest of the group was distracted by the game of Snapdragon that they’d continued with renewed gusto. All the distraction gave Rosalie and the gentlemen a few moments to confer softly in the corner, their words too low for Madeline to hear.

In the dark, it was easy to miss the way their hands moved. Burke’s hand on Tom’s shoulder, brushing lightly down his arm. Tom’s hand reaching across to snatch the duke’s drink away. Rosalie leaning against the arm James placed possessively around her waist.

Seeing them reunited, Madeline was surer than she’d ever been: they were together. All of them. In the same way she now wanted to be with Charles and Warren, Rosalie was with her duke, the steward, and the sea captain. Madeline’s heart raced, her gaze darting about the room as if she was sure everyone else could see what she now so clearly saw.

But the rest of the merry party was wholly enchanted by Snapdragon. Mr. Trammel had taken over the bass to Mrs. Pilcock’s alto and Lady Haven’s off-key soprano. Together they sang The Twelve Days of Christmas while Molly, Charles, and Mr. and Mrs. Ford fished for raisins.

Warren stepped in beside her. “You’re staring,” he muttered. “Look away.”

She sucked in a breath and dropped her eyes away. She turned her body, brushing against Warren’s stomach. He used the dark to run a possessive hand down her arm and she shivered. “You know?” she murmured, saying nothing else.

He nodded.

“Does Charles know?”

“We’ve never discussed it,” he replied, voice low. “I’ve kept my suspicions to myself. They’re doing a terrible job of hiding it now.”

Before she could reply, Mr. Burke called out with a devilish smile.

“And Madeline is here, of course. Madeline, come over here!” He clapped Captain Renley on the shoulder. “Come spare a kiss for your dashing fiancé, home at last from the sea.”

Behind her, Warren went still as stone, while at the table, Charles nearly toppled the game of Snapdragon. Captain Renley’s face went from a mask of delight to one of confusion as he locked eyes with her across the room.

“What?” he muttered.

“Oh, right,” teased Mr. Burke. “You don’t know yet. While you were gone, James made arrangements on your behalf. You’re now engaged to Lady Madeline.”

Captain Renley’s mask fell from one of confusion to one of horror as all those around the room gasped.

You could have heard a pin drop. And in that echoing silence, Madeline was going to murder Horatio Burke!