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Richard hesitated, considering the question carefully. Society would say no, given Ethan’s parentage. But Richard knew a true gentleman had little to do with lineage and everything to do with character. “A gentleman is someone who is well-mannered and considerate of others,” he said at last. “And by that definition, you are certainly a gentleman.”

Ethan’s grin was instant and wide. “Does that mean I’ll get a vah-let?”

Richard chuckled, ruffling the boy’s curly hair. “When you are older, perhaps. But only if you promise not to wander off from your nursemaid.”

Ethan’s expression turned pensive. “She’s supposed to stay with me all the time?”

“Yes. To keep you safe and make sure you eat,” Richard replied.

“Mama said I could go anywhere in the house. Did I make a mistake finding you?”

Richard froze, the word Mama ringing in his ears. “Mama?”

Ethan nodded, pointing to the cascade of red-blonde hair spilling across the pillow. “I asked Sophia if she was my mama, and she said I could call her that if I wanted. I never had a mama before, and she seems nice. Do you think she’d mind?”

Richard’s heart twisted, a surge of emotion leaving him momentarily speechless. “I cannot say for certain,” he said softly. “But I think she would like it very much.”

Ethan beamed at this reassurance. Richard marveled at how fortunate he was to have such a sweet-natured son. He wondered briefly about Emma, the woman Ethan had mentioned, and whether she had played a role in raising the boy so well.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Richard realized he was trapped under the covers without clothing and could not rise until Ethan left. “Could you find your way back to the nursery, Ethan?”

The boy nodded, leaning in for a hug before trotting out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Richard rose quickly, pulling on his shirt and smoothing the covers. He laid Sophia’s shift across the bed for her to find, a rush of warmth flooding him as he remembered the tenderness they had shared. Brushing those thoughts aside, he dressed swiftly and headed for his own chamber.

There, he found Shaw, who looked up with a disapproving sniff.

“Is there a problem, Shaw?”

The valet pursed his thin lips. “The coat, milord. I fear it may be irreparably damaged.”

Richard sighed but managed a smile. “If anyone can fix it, it’s you. You are the best valet in London, after all.”

The praise mollified Shaw, who held out a folded piece of paper. “I found this in your coat last night.”

Richard frowned as he took the note, wondering how it had ended up there. He unfolded it, his pulse quickening as he read the threatening words scrawled inside. His blood ran cold.

Confound it! What fresh trouble had landed in his lap? Just yesterday, Sophia had confessed that her marriage to him had been motivated by a need for security, and now this?

His mind raced. He needed counsel, someone wise and trustworthy. Perry, though usually dependable, was too preoccupied with his own affairs. No, he needed someone more measured. Someone like … Halmesbury.

The decision made, Richard resolved to send for the duke, a man who had offered him guidance despite their complicated history. But first, he would take steps to ensure Sophia and Ethan were safe. Whatever this threat meant, he would face it head-on, determined to protect the family he was beginning to cherish.

Sophia awoke much later than usual, a soft glow of contentment wrapping around her as memories of the night before surfaced. Richard had been so tender, his care and patience leaving her both touched and awed. His devotion to her comfort and happiness had been unmistakable, and the memory of his loving attentions made her cheeks warm.

She smiled to herself, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the man who had shown her such kindness.

Humming a popular tune from the musicale the night before, she entered the breakfast room. Several footmen were in attendance, so she assumed her maid had alerted them she was coming down to break her fast. She had met all of the servants over the past two days, yet she noticed a new man standing by the door.

She turned to him for an introduction but hesitated when she took in his appearance. The unknown manservant was several inches shorter than the others. Footmen were usually chosen for their height and handsome features because they were part of a household’s display of wealth and status. This man was not only shorter, his livery was ill-fitting, as if tailored for one of the taller men. Sophia hated to be critical, but the man was not … handsome. In fact, he was a bit rough-and-tumble, with his stocky build and a dark shadow across his clean-shaven cheeks. He looked like he might be quite hairy, bearing evidence of the overshadow of a beard this early in the day.

“Hello?”

“Um … milady.” He acknowledged her with a clumsy bow. It did not appear he was familiar with the movement. Sophia fought back a frown. Something was off. Also, had the man been inside the breakfast room when she arrived, or had he followed her into the room?

“Your name is …?”

“I am … John, milady.” John appeared to forget his own name. Sophia grew ever more suspicious.