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He’s not quite wrong.

She bit back a smile. Her brother had grown up a little… spoiled. He had known from a very young age that he was going to be the Earl of Southford, and while he did well enough with his studies, his temperament left him easily swayed by others.

Like his best friend, the Marquess of Colton.

“I hope you will forgive Alexander,” she told her brooding husband. She needed to placate him before their familial relations deteriorated further. “He… tends to not think his actions through.”

He gave her a pointed look. “A familial trait, it would seem.”

Scarlett flushed. “You just have to keep pointing that out, do you?”

“It provides me with ample entertainment, to be sure.”

She could swear she saw the hint of a smile as he teased her.

But it was gone before she could enjoy it a little while longer.

Scarlett sighed. “I shall urge him to be on his best behavior the next time he comes over.”

It would be best if he watched his words as well. She groaned inwardly.Lest the Wolf thinks him a complete and utter lackwit.

Fortunately, she managed to convince her extremely critical spouse that her brother was still in possession of his wits. Somewhat.

But then he just had to do something that made him sink even further in Hudson’s eyes—the very next day, Alexander sent word that his carriage needed to be repaired.

And that he would need to ride with them to the opera.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Standing in the parlor of Southford Estate, Hudson could not decide whether his new brother-in-law had the awareness of a toddler or was simply stupid.

“Do you mean to say,” he heard Scarlett speak through gritted teeth, “that Mama will not be coming to the opera with us, so you decidedon your ownthat it would be a good idea to bring your best friend with you instead?”

He retracted his initial thoughts and settled on just one—Alexander Clarke, the Earl of Southford, was an out-and-outidiot.

“I thought it was a brilliant idea myself.” The Earl beamed. “What with all this nonsense talk about you, the Duke, and George…”

“You did not even think to consult me before you brought him here?” Scarlett hissed.

The man looked miffed. “I did not think that was necessary, dearest. You have known George since before you made your bow?—”

“But my husband did not!”

“—and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show the tonthat there is no animosity between the three of you,” the Earl finished, completely oblivious to his sister’s flashing eyes. “Come now, surely you cannot argue with that.”

Hudson did not even know where to begin poking holes in the man’s logic. He quickly glanced sideways and knew that Scarlett could easily sink his argument in the next breath as well.

If the man had been anyone else other than his wife’s beloved brother, Hudson might have strongly considered throwing him into the Thames. Or at the very least, walking out and leaving him stranded in the parlor to make arrangements for his own transportation. The man was nearly three decades old, after all—surely, he could do that for himself.

Hudson could feel the frustration radiating from Scarlett in waves. He subtly reached out a finger to lightly stroke the back of her hand, feeling her stiffen slightly before she relaxed.

“While I would like to stand here and debate the merits ofyouridea”—he looked pointedly at the Earl—“we are, unfortunately, running late to the opera.”

Scarlett glanced at him with a slight frown as he took her hand and tucked it in the crook of his elbow. He regarded Alexander with a raised eyebrow. “You may follow us into the carriage or arrange for another one of your own—I do not care,” he told him. “Either way,my wifeand I will be heading out now.”

“You were much easier on him than I would have been,” she remarked under her breath.

He smiled a little, his hand closing around hers before he could stop himself. “Would you rather I proceeded with my first option, then?” he asked.