A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels

park, you know, although Lord knows we did the next best thing. Clary’s already named him Goodfellow. Er, yes, thank you very much.”
    That was the beauty of Jeremy Rigby; he was easily distracted.
    Gabe and Coop, however, were not.
    â€œYou want to tell us what the devil’s going on?” Gabe asked.
    â€œWhy, Gabe, gentlemen, whatever would make you think something is going on ? I will admit I have only a faint hope that the ladies swallowed that farradiddle about Sadie and I discovering a mutual affection, but they won’t question it. In truth, Miss Hamilton made a foolish mistake, I committed a worse faux pas, thus compounding the error, and now we are constrained to marry. It happens every day. Or at least it seems to. As I recall, Gabe, it nearly happened to you. Oh, wait a moment, it did. To both of you, to one degree or another. I suppose I’m simply following in your footsteps, taking my hints from watching you.”
    â€œThea was deliberately putting herself in danger. I had no choice.”
    â€œThere are always choices, Gabe. And you, Coop, you and Dany were on your way to the altar within four and twenty hours of your first meeting, which I was so fortunate to witness.”
    â€œThere were unusual circumstances, and you know it, and the engagement was meant only as a ploy, a temporary solution.”
    â€œI was rather in on that , as well, wasn’t I? Perhaps the fates are having their fun with me now, as a sort of punishment. Do you think we’ll tumble into love when we least expect it, Sadie and I, as you fellows did? I doubt it, but at least my ward won’t have to worry about losing her aunt.”
    â€œYes, at the bottom of it, it’s the child, isn’t it,” Coop remarked, not as a question, but as a statement he felt certain was correct. He always had been the most levelheaded of their group. “This all has something to do with John’s orphaned daughter.”
    â€œIt may also have something to do with the obvious beauty of that young lady over there.”
    â€œI admit to an attraction, Gabe, yes,” Darby said, laughing. “In fact, marriage to Sadie has seemed the only logical solution since we first met, if she’s to become a part of my household, and clearly Marley loves her. The events of this morning only gave me an opportunity to avail myself of that solution. There. Are you all happier now? I’m not exactly throwing myself away strictly for the child, or on impulse. I may have only the one eye, but it sees quite well.”
    â€œBut marriage, Darby?” Gabe shook his head. “Out of your own mouth, you didn’t even know her true name an hour ago, if she really is John’s sister. We’d hate to see you hoodwinked.”
    Darby raised a finger to wipe at a nonexistent tear. “Ah, my friends, how you warm my heart with your concern.”
    â€œWe could also be worrying about that young lady over there. If you’re convinced she is who she now says she is, someone should warn her that you’re not the first man any of us would choose to easily take on the role of spouse.”
    â€œThen perhaps, Gabe, you ought to toddle on over there and tell her. ‘Beware, beware, Miss Hamilton, you are sticking your head into a lion’s mouth.’”
    â€œOh, shut up,” Coop muttered, stepping forward. “Look, Darby—we’re here, just as you’ve always been for us. But damn it all, what are you doing?”
    The top of his head was very nearly ready to explode. “I made a promise to John, and I’m a man of my word. I’m protecting the child.”
    â€œFrom what?”
    Darby pushed his fingers against his forehead, vainly attempting to shove away the headache. “I agree, there is that, isn’t there? Sadie hasn’t told me yet, but there’s something.”
    â€œOh,” Rigby said, smiling. “There you go, gentlemen, he does have a