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understand me, husband ?”
    “And if I do?” He taunted.
    “It will be your funeral we are attending,” she promised before turning and joining the twins once more.   She lifted them each into the coach before climbing in herself.   She peeked through the open door and asked Thorn, “Are you coming?”
    “I believe I will walk, thank you.   I am not feeling very welcome at the moment.”
    “Suit yourself,” she said before nodding at the footman to shut the door.
    Thorn stood in the drizzle watching the coach lumber down the muddy track that doubled as a road.   His cheek stung from the slaps his wife had landed.   His wife.   Her eyes had sparkled green and blue as she approached him after he had compared her to her father.   Her face had become pale.   He knew there was no love lost between the girls and their parents, especially their father, but he had not expected that kind of reaction.   Thorn flipped the collar of his cape up so that the drizzle would not run down his neck, and pulled his hat down more firmly over his brow.  
    He walked back into the family cemetery and approached the area where his brother and sister-in-law lay.   Aware that the men would be arriving shortly to fill in the grave, he looked at the ground.   A feeling of loneliness swarmed him.   Other than the twins, he was the only one left of his family.
    “Teddy and Sarah, I will attempt to be the best guardian I can to your children.   They are wonderful, you know.   I will make damn certain that Zachary has a chance to be a child before the weight of being a duke settles upon his shoulders.   And Ivy,” he paused, “she is going to be a beauty.   I promise to only turn her over someday to the best man possible, a man that will love her.   I don’t know what your plan was for me and Rebekah.   I am fairly certain the woman hates me,” he said, rubbing his throbbing cheek. “There are things that I cannot and will not promise in a graveyard, but I will see that she has everything she needs to stay happy and healthy.   She is a wonderful caregiver for the children.   I will support her in every way that I possibly can.   Rest well.”
    Thorn turned and began walking towards the manor that could be seen in the distance, not far from the family graveyard.   He would honor his brother’s wishes to the best of his ability, but he did not say he would enjoy his marriage.
    ***
    Rebekah seethed when she thought about the way Thornton had behaved at the graveyard.   Had anyone seen?   What would they say?   Would they run and tell her parents that they were unfit guardians?   She worried her lower lip as questions tumbled through her mind.
    “Aunt Bekah,” Ivy said, taking her aunt’s gloved hand in her tiny one.   “Please don’t be mad at Uncle Thorn.   He was just trying to make us smile like Papa did.”
    “I know, Sweet Pea,” she said, squeezing the girl close to her.   “I’ve just been overset the last few days.”
    “It’s all right,” Zachary spoke up.   “Uncle Thorn and I will make certain that you don’t worry about anything.”
    “Zach, you don’t have to take care of me,” Bekah softly replied.
    “I’m the Duke of Wulfecrest now.   It is my job.”
    “Zachary, you are a boy.   Your job is to be a child first,” she tried to explain, but the boy just puffed out his chest and crossed his arms.
    “He’s going to be bossy now,” Ivy whispered to Bekah.   “At least I’m older than he his,” she said with an arched brow and an almost evil-looking smile lurking about her lips.   In that moment, she could almost have been mistaken for Rebekah’s child instead of her niece.  
    “I do think you will keep your brother well in line,” Rebekah told the little girl.   The rest of the ride to the house was arduous because of the mired road.   Rebekah found herself wishing that there were no guests to see to, that all the condolences had been paid.   She found herself already