Daniel beamed at the old man when he looked his way again, appearing as pleased as he was at the idea of marrying Suzette and finally bedding the beautiful, passionate firebrand.

“Besides,” Robert continued. “The fact that Suzie allowed him to take liberties with her proves she is not averse to the marriage. However, she can be contrary. It may be best to allow her to continue thinking for now that the marriage is necessary.”

“Hmm.” Madison grimaced. “Of the three of them she has always been the most stubborn and difficult.” He glanced to Daniel. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into? She won’t make life easy.”

“Perhaps not,” Daniel said, and thought it an understatement. Suzette would never make life easy, but nothing easy was worth having and he added, “But life shall certainly never be boring with her either.”

Madison relaxed and nodded solemnly. “There is much to be said for that. She is like her mother, and that woman had me hopping to keep up with her from the day we wed. Never regretted marrying her even for a moment.”

“So you won’t tell her that there is no need to marry?” Daniel asked hopefully.

Madison pursed his lips, his gaze moving first to Lisa, who nodded solemnly, then to each of the men before he heaved a sigh. “I shall talk to her, and if Suzie doesn’t seem averse to marrying you, I will keep the sale of the townhouse to myself for now.”

Daniel relaxed and nodded. “Thank you.”

Madison turned to Richard then. Looking him over, he shook his head. “You look remarkably like Dicky.”

“We were twins.”

“Aye, well, there is a difference in the eyes. When you looked into his they were usually empty or calculating. Yours . . .” He shook his head, apparently unable to come up with a way to describe the difference.

“Perhaps we should move inside now,” Richard suggested as a carriage passed by on the street.

“Aye. Let’s go in,” Madison agreed. “I could use a cup of tea nice and sweet. I got myself all wound up to come here and now feel quite worn out.”

“Tea it is, then.” Richard pushed the already open door wide and led the way inside.

Daniel gestured for Lord Madison, Lisa and Langley to precede him, and had just followed when a door opened along the hall. As he pulled the front door closed, Suzette stepped into sight from the office and glanced toward them with a smile. “I thought I heard voices out here.”

Daniel grimaced and hoped none of the staff had been in the hallway during the conversation that had just taken place. With the door open for the entire duration they would have heard every word of what had just transpired.