The Mischievous Bride by Teresa McCarthy

speak freely about the situation.”
    Roderick swiveled his head as he towered over Milli. “Indeed, Milli is correct. I gave them the morning off.”
    Marcus lifted his brows in surprise at Roderick’s attitude.
    But his brother’s glum face said it all. Jane had lost their baby, the possible heir to the dukedom. And the young duchess was at death’s door.
    Silence blanketed the room.
    After a minute of quiet, Gabby finally looked up from her meal. “I would like to go shopping today, Uncle Marcus. But you shouldn’t say bad words. You might have to sit in the corner.”
    Marcus’s silver eyes popped wide in shock. “I did not say bad words.”
    Emily pursed her lips, her violet eyes glittering with amusement. “I think you did, Uncle Marcus .”
    He reddened. “What did I say?”
    Gabby leaned across the table, lowering her voice. “You said . . .” she looked left, then right, “devil.” She gave a curt nod and returned to her eggs.
    Milli snickered. Marcus glared at her.
    “Ah,” Marcus replied, clearly reprimanded by the child, “I won’t say it again in your presence, Gabby. Forgive me.”
    Gabby smiled as she took a sip of her chocolate. “I forgive you. But only if you take me shopping.”
    Emily gasped in outrage. “Gabby.”
    The little girl blinked her innocent blue eyes. “But Mama. He said he would take me last month, but he went to the races instead.”
    Emily shot Marcus a cool glare. “I seem to recall something to that effect. I believe you will be taking Gabby shopping.”
    Marcus choked on his coffee. 
    Milli sat down beside Gabby. “You must keep Uncle Marcus on his toes, Gabby. It is your duty.”
    Gabby slurped her hot chocolate and set her cup onto the table. “That’s what Mama said too.”
    Emily reddened. “Eat your breakfast, dear.”
    Gabby shrugged and took another sip, her eyes traveling over the table, watching the adults with a curious eye. Roderick was silent. He had taken his plate and sat at the head of the table, looking quite out of sorts.
    Marcus squirmed in his seat. His little niece was almost as much trouble as Milli. Shopping, indeed. “Gabby. Perhaps your mother can take you. She has a better eye than I do.”
    Gabby tilted her head and stuffed a buttered roll into her mouth. “No, you have good eyes too. Your eyes are silver and just as pretty as Mama’s.” Munch munch. “But I think you should take me. You are the best shopper. Mama told me so.”
    Marcus glared at his sister. “She did, did she?”
    Emily’s violet eyes smiled back. “Yes, indeed, Marcus. Anyway, I will be needed here for a while. And my dear husband and the baby are home with sore throats. He was under the weather last night, but things turned worse. We don’t want Gabby to become ill, so she is staying here as well.”
    Marcus frowned. He didn’t like this turn of events. “My roof is being repaired, so I have been taking my old room this past week.”
    “Oh goody!” Gabby clapped in joy. “Then you can go shopping with me every day. I want a new hat, a purple one. ’Member you promised me a purple hat on my birthday, but they were out of them. Then we can buy some more gloves. And then shoes. And then some writing paper. We will have so much fun!”
    Clayton let out a snicker. “Yes, Uncle Marcus, you are by far the best shopper in this entire room.”
    Stephen couldn’t help but snort. “I hear the ladies adore shopping with Marcus.”
    Marcus slapped his napkin onto the table.
    Roderick looked up. “Is something amiss?”
    Marcus realized the duke hadn’t been paying attention to a thing that was said. Even Milli was frowning.
    Marcus blew out a tired breath and turned his attention to the little girl. “Purple?”
    “Yes,” Gabby said, looking at him. “Your lady friend had on a purple hat last month at Hyde Park, and I liked it. She was in the open carriage and you were on your horse. ‘Member? I was with Papa.”
    Marcus cleared his throat. Milli raised