However, it appeared she was aware of the fact that George, his younger twin by several minutes, had hired men to kill him in a bid to steal his identity, title and wealth. She obviously was not pleased to learn it had failed. For some reason the knowledge that the woman had known about it disappointed him.

“You could at least try to hide your horror at knowing I yet live,” Richard said coldly. “It will hardly do your case much good to show so openly how little my survival pleases you.”

“I—no, I—you—” she struggled briefly, and then took a deep breath and said, “It is a bit of a surprise, my lord. We were sure you were dead when we left the house tonight. You were so still and cold in the bed . . .”

Richard felt his eyebrows rise on his forehead as he realized that she couldn’t be talking about him. He had been nowhere near this woman earlier tonight. It couldn’t be he who had been still and cold in a bed. Was George—?

His thoughts died as a strangled gasp sounded to the side of them. Turning, he found himself staring at two younger versions of the woman who was supposed to be his wife; one blonde and one brunette. Both looked just as horrified to see him as “his wife” was.

“But you’re dead,” the younger blonde breathed with a horror that could not be feigned. Turning to Christiana, she added with confusion, “Wasn’t he dead, Chrissy? We packed ice around him and everything.”

“The ice must have revived his cold dead heart,” the brunette said grimly, apparently recovering more quickly than the other two. Richard’s eyebrows rose when she added grimly, “More’s the pity.”

“Suzette!” Christiana gasped. Glancing nervously at him, she moved closer to her sisters and murmured, “Perhaps we should go out for some air. Lisa looks ready to faint and you, Suzie, obviously need some time to cool yourself. Perhaps so much dancing has overheated you.”

“Allow me.”

Richard glanced to Daniel as he moved to step between his “wife’s” sisters and take each by an arm. The man had obviously followed him and he was grateful for it. It was now urgent that he speak to the woman who had thought she’d married the Earl of Radnor and find out whether his brother was dead or alive. Packed in ice? Dear God.

“I shall see the ladies outside so the two of you might talk.” Daniel turned Suzette and Lisa firmly away despite the fact that it was obvious neither was particularly amenable to the idea. He then glanced over his shoulder to suggest meaningfully, “You might consider somewhere more private for this discussion.”

Richard took a moment to note that while none of the other guests was presently near enough to hear properly, they were trying, and they were certainly watching. Mouth tightening, he took his wife by the arm and began to lead her in the opposite direction to the one Daniel was leading her sisters.