Happily Bedded Bliss: The Rakes of Cavendish Square by Tracy Anne Warren

room. “Unless one of you has some clever plan for tracking down the judge we need.”
    “If he frequents gentlemen’s clubs and gaming hells I might have some ideas; otherwise, I believe we’re out of luck.” Gabriel thrust a hand into one pocket.
    He knew enough to recognize a lost cause when he saw one. Besides, he was tired and sorely in need of a bath and a change of clothes after two grueling days of almost nonstop travel.
    Lord Cade, the fourth member of their party, had already gone on to Leo and Lawrence’s town housemore than two hours earlier. The old war injury to his leg had been paining him after the journey, so when it had become clear that the wait for the special license could stretch on for the rest of the afternoon, he’d excused himself and departed. Gabriel wished now he’d done the same, considering today’s frustrating outcome.
    A bath, a meal and a drink; those would be Gabriel’s chief priorities as soon as he got home.
    “Gentlemen, shall we give up for now and be on our way?” he asked.
    With resignation, Leo and Lawrence agreed—Leo somewhat reluctantly since he was still making noises about going after the “larcenous troll” of a clerk and meting out some well-deserved justice.
    The three of them went outside to the waiting coach, which Cade had been good enough to send back, and climbed into the vehicle for the trip to Cavendish Square. Little was said on the ride across town, exhaustion and frustration dampening their usual lively spirits.
    Finally, the coach pulled to a stop at the front entrance to Leo and Lawrence’s town house. Gabriel was the first to jump down onto the pavement. The twins followed quickly after him.
    Gabriel turned to face them. “Well, I wish you both a good evening and shall see you when we reconvene tomorrow to embark on a fresh attempt to secure a special license. Until then, enjoy your night.”
    “Hold there, Northcote,” Leo said. “Where do you think you’re going?”
    Gabriel arched a brow and sent a significant glance toward the town house next door. “Home, of course. It is where I live.”
    “Maybe so,” Lawrence said, “but we promised to keep an eye on you. Which means you’ll have to stay with us tonight.”
    Gabriel stared. “You cannot be serious.”
    “If you’re worried about the accommodations, don’t be,” Leo said. “We have plenty of room.”
    “I am sure your town house is quite comfortably appointed.” Gabriel worked to moderate his temper. “However, I have no intention of finding out, since I am not staying there.”
    Both twins crossed their arms.
    “We promised Ned we wouldn’t let you out of our sight while we were in Town,” Lawrence informed him.
    Leo nodded. “Which means you are staying with us whether you like it or not.”
    Gabriel met their stubborn gazes with an equally stubborn look of his own. “Not a chance. I’m not setting one foot over your threshold.”
    Leo paused, exchanging a sideways glance with his twin. “Fine. Then we’ll stay with you. I’ll tell one of the footmen to carry our luggage over. Yours as well, since I presume it’s already been taken into our house.”
    “Your servant most assuredly needs to return my valise. As for you and your baggage, none of it is welcome,” Gabriel told them.
    The Byron brothers ignored the remark. “What about Cade? Should we have him relocate as well?” Lawrence asked his brother.
    Leo shook his head. “Not unless you want to get chewed apart. With his leg hurting and Meg away, we’d be crazy to even suggest it. You know how he gets when she’s not around.”
    “Rather like you without Thalia.”
    “We
are
still newlyweds, you know,” Leo said defensively. “She and I weren’t expecting to be apart so soon.”
    “You weren’t expecting to be apart at all.”
    “No,” Leo said sourly. “We weren’t.”
    The twins both turned grim stares on Gabriel.
    He stood his ground. “Look, as far as I’m concerned, you can take