"You did what?" Even Richmond's usually tempered voice raised several octaves as he stood up behind his desk, leaning forward with his hands against the wooden surface. "Please tell me I heard you incorrectly."

Telling Amelia's brothers was going about as well as Preston had imagined. Adrian didn't bother with questions. He was already striding across the room with his hands in tight fists. The contrast in their reactions was as different as the brothers' personalities. One subdued. One volatile.

"You bastard," Adrian growled as he reached him. "I told you to stay away from her!"

The attack he expected didn't come, and as he met his friend's glare, he almost sighed with relief. Adrian packed one hell of a punch, even when sparring. An angry one might knock one unconscious.

"I would have stayed away," he said slowly, squaring his shoulders under the mutual stares of the Warble brothers. "But I love her and I intend to marry her."

"The hell you are!" Adrian snarled.

Richmond cleared his throat on the other side of the room, making his brother turn to him. "Well, in truth, if he compromised her, Adrian... Then they must marry."

"He's not good enough for her. She deserves better than a rake. Leighton and I are the same, and I could never imagine staying faithful to one woman." Adrian dragged a hand through his dark hair, making it stand on end.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Richmond nodded towards Preston. "Amelia seems to think he's good enough. In the end, that's all that should matter to us. Our sister's wishes and her happiness."

"But how happy will she be when he seeks companionship outside the marriage bed?"

"I would never dishonour Amelia like that," Preston snapped, tired of being spoken about as if he wasn't there. "Yes, I've been a rake in the past, but I put that life behind me long before Amelia accepted my suit. I'm surprised you haven't noticed."

Adrian shrugged. "I thought you were in a slump," he muttered.

"If Amelia wants to marry him, and he wants to marry her, then I believe that is the best way forward." Richmond levelled Preston with a sharp look. "But know that if you do anything to jeopardise her happiness, you will face not only Adrian but me as well."

Somehow, the idea of Richmond dropping his polite facade in favour of genuine fury was more terrifying than Adrian's instant anger. Preston nodded.

"I will do everything in my power to make her the happiest woman on earth."

Richmond raised a dark eyebrow. "Now, that's maybe taking it too far. Don't promise something you are not capable of. You're still you."

"I did not know you considered yourself a comedian," Preston muttered. He wasn't sure he'd ever heard the other man crack a joke before, and it was rather disconcerting to see the corners of Richmond's mouth twitch.

Adrian looked a lot less amused, with his lips in a thin line. "I cannot believe you are so willing to accept this match, Richmond."

"The decision has been made for us, so why fret about it? Amelia was certain enough of her feelings that she willingly went to his bed. We owe her the courtesy of accepting her decision. Or would you like to be the one telling her 'no'?"

"No." Adrian cursed softly under his breath when he realised his defeat. Preston tried very hard not to look smug, but he wasn't sure he managed.

The door to the study burst open and Amelia swept inside. Dressed in a green walking dress, she was a vision of health and beauty, only just returned from a stroll in Hyde Park with her friends. With her bonnet in her hands, she looked between the three men before she walked into Preston's arms.

"I cannot believe you went to see them on your own," she hissed. "I thought we agreed to do this together."

He smiled and bent his head to place a soft kiss at her temple. "It was something I felt I needed to do alone. Adrian is my friend, and he deserved to hear it from me before we approach your father."

His friend—if he still was that—had flung himself into an upholstered chair where he sullenly glared at them like a petulant child. His brown eyes narrowed as Amelia lifted a hand to touch Preston's face.

"You're still in one piece," she remarked calmly. "I'm pleased."

"Me too," he admitted with a grin.

"Allow me to speak to Father," Richmond said. "He can be... peculiar at times. I know how to handle him. Once I explain the situation, I'm certain he will allow the two of you to marry."

"Thank you, Richmond." Amelia dashed across the room to give her oldest brother a hug. His eyes widened for a moment, then he relaxed and his arms came up to hug her back.

"As long you are sure this is what you want?"

She pulled back to beam up at him. "It is. I love him."

A rare smile touched Richmond's face. "That's all I wanted to know."

Letting his eyes drift from the siblings to their brother, Preston met Adrian's eyes. The other man shook his head, and getting off the chair, he stalked out of the room, pushing past Preston. With his shoulder smarting from the impact and a knot forming in his stomach, he watched his friend disappear out the door. He truly hoped their friendship was not lost forever.

"He will calm down," Richmond said matter-of-factly. "As long as you keep Amelia happy."

"I hope so."

He smiled down at her as she came back into his arms, hers sneaking around his waist. The warmth of her against him made him feel better. As much as he hoped Adrian would come around, he could not have stayed away from Amelia anymore than he could have stopped breathing. She was his everything. She was his life. He wanted nothing more than to spend every day of his life with her. Seeing her smile and hearing her irresistible laugh.

Richmond cleared his throat. "I will leave the two of you alone. Please try not to get her with child until the wedding."

Amelia's eyes widened and her cheeks glowed pink. "Richmond!"

He winked before leaving them alone. Preston wasn't quite sure what to make of this side of Richmond. Was this the same man who had threatened him to stay away from his sister those weeks ago? Tender fingertips against his face directed his attention back to the woman in his arms. She was looking up at him, her mouth ajar.

"I cannot believe we are getting married," she said slowly. Then she let out a little giggle. "We're getting married, Preston!"

"As soon as your father agrees." He smiled. There was no doubt in his mind Richmond wouldn't be able to convince the duke. He had heard that the older man had taken a step back in recent years, leaving most of the running of the estate to his oldest son. If Richmond recommended the match, the duke would agree.

"I'm sorry Adrian is being such a pain about it." Her lower lip stuck out slightly. "You are his best friend, so he really should be happy for you. Not act like a spoilt brat."

He chuckled since he had thought something very similar himself. "There is something special about sisters. Men can get quite protective of them." When she opened her mouth to argue, he continued with a smile. "Not that you cannot take care of yourselves. I'm not saying it's a logical response. But most men like to consider themselves a protector of sorts. So they wish to ensure their sisters' happiness and safety."

She scoffed, but relaxed again. Her brown eyes searched his. "Do you regret it? Us, I mean. If you had not pursued me, the two of you would still be friends."

He shook his head. "I love you. Nothing could keep me from you."

A grin touched her lips, and she leaned forward to kiss him. "Good. Because I'm not sure I would have accepted you with anyone else."

His arms around her tightened slightly. No, if given the choice to do it all over again. He would do exactly the same. He would choose Amelia every day. Forever.

~~~~~~