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“And what was your first option?”

Hudson had to remind himself to breathe when she looked up at him, laughter dancing in her bright blue eyes.

“I thought that your brother might fancy a nice evening swim at the Thames. I have it on good authority that such exercises are beneficial for the mindandthe body.”

Her shoulders shook with barely restrained laughter, easing the tightness in his chest. It was the first time she had laughedwithhim since their marriage.

It was the one piece of effervescence he clung to on their way to the opera.

A more excruciating carriage ride had never been known to womankind than the one Scarlett currently found herself in. The carriage of the Duke of Wolverton was a behemoth of a vehicle, with plush velvet upholstery and more than enough space for a party. But squished between three, full-grown toddlers?

She soon found herself fighting to evenbreathe.

The moment the door closed behind all of them, the tension in the air became so thick that it was oppressive. All it would take was one wrong word—just one—and she feared she would be fighting to keep them all from leaping at each other’s throats.

Or throwing each other out of a moving vehicle.

And she had herdear brotherto thank for the predicament she found herself in. Evenshewas tempted to throw him out of the carriage. If he could only keep his mouth shut for the rest of the ride, she would count it as a great blessing.

“So,” Alexander drawled, his gaze darting from Hudson to Scarlett. “How has married life been for you, Sister dear? Should we be expecting an heir soon?”

I spoke too soon!

Scarlett closed her eyes in mortification as she felt her husband stiffen beside her. The balmy air suddenly dropped to wintry levels.

She smiled tightly at him. “It is much too early for that, Alex.”

“Never too early, I would say,” her brother plowed on, heedless of the imminent danger he was in. “Mama’s been counting her grandchildren, I tell you. I, myself, look forward to bouncing a little niece or nephew on my knees—I am not particularly picky.”

Then go and make some babies yourself!Scarlett wanted to scream at him.

“Mama understands that these things take time,” she replied firmly.

“What better time than now?”

Her brother truly was fortunate that Hudson was holding her hand, or she would have pummeled him right then and there where he sat. The deep red velvet upholstery could mask the bloodstains, and even if it couldn’t, she was a duchess now! She could pay to reupholster the whole carriage.

“Calm down, Alexander,” a bored voice drawled. Lord Colton wore a slight smile on his face. “If it is a niece or nephew you want, then you will have to wait a bit longer for that.”

Her brother looked at his best friend in confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, turning towards Scarlett. “Is there a prob?—”

“There is no problem,” she told him quickly, shooting Lord Colton a frosty look. He returned it with a warm smile that did not quite reach his eyes.

“Is there not?” he asked silkily. “Servants talk, Your Grace, and they have been saying the most…fascinatingthings. You should truly be mindful of how you act, even amongst those you know.Especiallyamongst those you know.”

Scarlett felt a coldness seep into her blood. She knew all too well how servants liked to talk. Knew that most gossip came from within the household. Just how much did Lord Colton know about her marriage?

“I fail to see how whatmy wifeand I do in the privacy of our home is any of your business, Colton.” Hudson’s voice was low and dangerous. His flinty gaze bore down on the hapless Marquess.

Twin blotches appeared on Lord Colton’s normally pallid cheeks. “I am simply making you aware of what is being said all around London.” He shrugged. “It is not in my nature to let myfriendswalk about oblivious.”

Scarlett wanted to tell him to shove his concern right up his arse, but it was not the most ladylike thing to say. Certainly not befitting the dignity of a duchess.

Her husband, however, was not above such pettiness.

His answering smile could rival a snowstorm.

“Mere gossip from people who scarcely matter,” he quipped. “But they must matter a lot toyou, Colton. Or perhaps…” His smile widened and grew even more glacial. “Perhaps you are one of those with a penchant for watching what they can never have?”