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Flaherty added, “Although Mary Kate loves working for Lady Calliope, I’ll not have me wife working in the viscount’s household without an apology.”

Coventry nodded, and King asked, “And does Mary Kate share your opinion? Is she willing to leave Lady Calliope’s employ?”

“We have discussed it. She loves working for Lady Calliope—but she loves me more.”

Coventry’s lips twitched. “Well then, King, it would appear that the only thing left to do is to summon Viscount Chattsworth here.”

“You do not summon a member of the ton to your office as if he were a recalcitrant youth you intend to reprimand.”

Flaherty snorted and Garahan chuckled.

Coventry turned to glare at the men. “Pride is not to be discounted in this matter. On second thought, I believe we need to return to Chattsworth Manor to discuss this situation.”

Flaherty crossed his arms over his chest. “Ye can go without meself and me wife.”

“Melinda and I are sticking with Flaherty and Mary Kate,” Garahan added.

King stared at the men and shook his head. “Coventry and I can go to Chattsworth Manor, but I want your word that neither of you will leave London. You are to remain until Coventry and I return with the viscount’s decision.”

“There is no decision to be made by the viscount,” Flaherty announced.

“Other than to apologize,” Garahan added. “Ye have our word. Seamus and I will remain in our new apartments.”

“Oh?” King said. “And where would that be?”

“In Coventry’s building. We’ll be moving in as soon as we stop to pick up our wives.”

King frowned. “I take it they are at Grosvenor Square?”

Flaherty snorted. “As if ye didn’t already order it done, King.”

“They are,” Garahan replied. “Don’t be making things more difficult because of the nick to yer pride, Flaherty.”

“I’m more concerned with me wife’s life—and that of our unborn babe—than ye seem to be with Melinda’s.”

Garahan rounded on his cousin, who raised his guard, blocking Garahan’s jab to his throat.

“That would have left me unable to speak for a day or two, James. Not well done of ye.”

“Ye won’t malign me wife or me intentions to her and the baby she carries.”

King and Coventry shared a look. Coventry nodded, and King said, “If either of you had mentioned your wives’ delicate conditions in the first place, this meeting would not have been necessary.”

Coventry slapped Flaherty on the back, and then Garahan. “Congratulations, men. I fully understand your need to take drastic action. A woman’s first time carrying a babe is the most delicate and uncertain. It is your duty to ensure that every possible precaution is taken for their wellbeing.”

Flaherty sighed. “I’ve been thinking of Gwendolyn and Patrick and the worry that plagued him through her pregnancy, given what happened to her before she was widowed.”

Garahan nodded. “We will do whatever it takes to prevent our wives from suffering from a miscarriage because they were overworked or overwrought. If it means leaving the duke’s employ—and working with our brothers and cousins performing a duty that we all have felt called to do—then so be it.

Our wives and unborn babes deserve nothing less. ”

King inclined his head to the men and turned to Coventry. “I’ll be waiting for your return.”

“He’s here now,” Flaherty began, only to stop and shake his head. “Forgive me, Coventry—of course ye’ll want to be telling yer wife and children that ye’ll be away overnight.”

“Have no fear,” Garahan added. “Ye can add Seamus and me to those you’ll have assigned to protect yer family while ye are in Sussex.”

The darkness in Coventry’s eye lightened, as if an invisible weight had been lifted. “Thank you. I know that you will.”

“Ye know where to find us,” Flaherty said as he opened King’s door.

“Send word if something else comes up,” Garahan added, following Flaherty into the hallway. He closed the door behind them and raised his chin, and Flaherty nodded. They would speak later.

Once they were outside and had retrieved their geldings, they made their way back to Grosvenor Square.

Neither man spoke until they turned into the alleyway and Findley hailed them. “You’re back earlier than I thought you’d be.”

“Turns out Coventry had our backs,” Flaherty said.

“Are you leaving for Wyndmere Hall tonight?”

Garahan shook his head. “We’re waiting for Coventry and King to return from Chattsworth Manor. We’ll be moving into our new apartment in Coventry’s building.”

Findley shook his head. “I cannot imagine the duke’s guard without the two of you in it, but understand and wish you well.”

“Thank ye, Findley,” Garahan said.

“Is there any chance you’ll change your mind?”

Flaherty stared at Findley for a moment before shrugging. “It all depends on what the viscount decides to do.”

Findley nodded. “Last I saw, your wives and O’Shaughnessy’s were talking up a storm in the kitchen, sampling Mrs. O’Toole’s scones and currant cake.”

Garahan’s eyes bugged out. “Currant cake?”

“Aye, she baked a butter cake, too.”

“Bless Mrs. O’Toole for knowing we’d be arriving with an appetite.” Flaherty started for the rear door to the town house.

Garahan shoved him with his shoulder. “Horses first, sweets second.”

Flaherty grinned. “Horses first, kissing me wife second. Sweets third.”

“Now ye’re talking.”