“That’s right. Married.” Gabriel raked a hand through his hair, settling the dark strands into some semblance of order. He tightened his grip on the coverlet. “Do you think I would dishonor Celia and the lord and lady of this house in such a manner were she not my wife?”

Before he could answer, Celia leveled a stern look upon Tristan. “Did you leave Violet behind? She let you come without her?”

“I came by horseback as it was the quickest way of reaching Beaumont. You know she’s not an accomplished rider. Yet.” Tristan had the good grace to look somewhat ashamed of his hasty rush to judgment. “She did beg me not to do anything foolish.”

“And yet, here you are,” Gabriel mumbled.

Celia quickly took Tristan’s hands. “You have always been the impulsive one. But I adore you for caring about my welfare.”

“Which is now mine to worry about,” Gabriel reminded them both.

Tristan opened his mouth to respond, but a voice interrupted.

“A family reunion, is it?” Sebastian yawned, leaning against the doorjamb. He was dressed haphazardly in dark trousers and a white shirt that billowed open and revealed his wide chest. He was also barefoot, apparently forgoing shoes in the rush to Gabriel’s suite.

“Ravenswood,” Tristan acknowledged the earl with a nod of his head. “You must forgive my intrusion of your household this morning.”

“My butler nearly broke a leg in his rush to inform me we’d been invaded by Viscount Longleigh on a mission to save his sister.” Sebastian grinned. “And although my wife begged that I stay abed and not insert myself into the fray, I had to make sure there was no threat of bloodshed.”

“As you can see, it is a family matter. One easily resolved,” Gabriel replied calmly. “Longleigh has been assured of Celia’s safety. As her husband, I appreciate his concern, even if it is now unnecessary.”

“Quite so, Rosenthorne,” Sebastian said. He motioned at the tight-jawed Tristan. “I’m positive the marquess understands the depths of your affection for your dear sister. But, my good man, you have interrupted their first morning as man and wife.”

Celia’s parents arrived only hours later. Lord Darby, Gabriel, and Tristan immediately ensconced themselves in one of the drawing rooms to go over the details of the dowery, although Gabriel still insisted that the archaic practice was unnecessary.

Lady Darby retired to her previous guest room to rest following the long journey from Darby Woods.

Celia was completely prepared to pace outside the drawing room had Sara and Ivy not pulled her away for their own whispered conference.

“Was he gentle?” Sara asked with a frown.

“More importantly, did you enjoy it?” Ivy asked, her brow arching high.

Celia stopped herself from squirming under their very direct questions. She could not tell her two friends that nothing happened between her and Gabriel on their wedding night.

Well, almost nothing.

“Yes.” She decided her answers would at least be honest, if not the complete truth of the situation. “Gabriel was surprisingly considerate, and it was not as painful as it could have been.”