aYoua"a The list of vile names she had on the tip of her tongue was lost in the sudden explosion of noise from the guests. They found their voices, all at once, and a.s.sailed her with a volley of questions and demands.
She stammered and rushed, trying to address them all at once.
aI demand an explanation!a aYou shall have one, Sir Robert. Ia"a aGood heavens, child, what were you thinking?a aIf you would allow me to explain, Mrs. Cress. Wea"a aLa, I never expected it of Miss Ward.a She opened her mouth, then closed it. She had no response to that.
aConnor?a Lady Engsly, a pretty woman with kind blue eyes and dark hair, appeared in a small gap between the shoulders of two guests. It was another moment before her husband, the Marquess of Engsly, stepped aside and the rest of her became visible. aConnor? What on earth are you doing here?a aNever mind that.a Lady Engslyas sister-in-law, Lady Winnefred, fought her way to the front of the crowd, her amber eyes wide with fascination. aHow did you get out of prison?a Adelaide was sure she hadnat heard the young woman correctly. aWhat did . . . Prison?a aLittle Freddie,a Connor drawled, aalways so tactful.a She had heard correctly. It hadnat seemed possible for things to become any worse . . . but there it was. Shead been compromised by an escaped convict.
aPrison?a The word was barely more than a squeak, but it was a wonder she managed even that because, honestlya"Prison?!
Mrs. Cress gave Connor a quick looking over. aI do not recall issuing you an invitation, sir.a Connor returned her censure with an eloquent bow. aI beg your pardon, madam. I a.s.sumed Sir Robertas was extended to his family.a aWe are not family,a Sir Robert barked. Several heads, including Adelaideas, snapped from Connoras, to Sir Robertas, and back again.
aYouare related?a someone asked.
aAbsolutely not!a Sir Robertas face had gone from mottled to uniformly purple. Adelaide fully expected him to begin foaming at the mouth at any moment.
aBrother,a Connor drawled, ayou wound me.a aBrother?a She turned to Sir Robert. aYouave an escaped convict for a brother?a Not the most pertinent question at the moment, but it did a fair job of turning attention away from her . . . Until Mrs. Cress turned to her and said, aYou have an escaped convict for a lover?a aShe does not,a Connor said stiffly. He even looked a little offended on her behalf, which was rather nice. Surprising, but nice. aI was released.a Oh, the rotter.
aThis man is not my . . . my . . .a She couldnat even say it. Surely the guests could see that a lady incapable of even saying the word alovera was highly unlikely to possess one. She looked from expectant face to expectant face. Apparently, they didnat see. aHe is not. Mr. Brice took advantage of . . .a Of her willingness to sneak away into the garden to meet with him. aWhat I mean to say is . . . I was not expecting . . .a Only she had rather been hoping. aThat is. . .a Lady Engsly took pity on her. aPerhaps we should discuss this inside.a aThere is nothing to discuss.a Sir Robert stepped forward and slapped Connor across the face with his glove.
The challenge elicited gasps from several of the guests, a roll of the eyes from both Lady Engsly and Lady Winnefred, anda"unless Adelaide was much mistakena"an amused snort from Lady Winnefredas husband, Lord Gideon.
Connor met the challenge with a long, chilling silence followed by the single most menacing smile Adelaide had ever seen.
aName your weapon,a he said at length. His tone was frigid, and he stared at Sir Robert as if he were imagining running the man through on the spot.
A shiver skittered along Adelaideas skin. This was not the Connor who had teased and laughed with her in the garden. This was not the kind gentleman who had patiently listened to her plans and dreams. This man was . . . Well, she had no idea who or what this man was, except terrifying.
Sir Robert paled, spluttered a moment, and finally managed a shaky, aThat . . . is not how it is done.a aYou pick the weapon,a some idiot explained.
aFists,a Connor growled. aNothing would give me greater pleasure than tearing you apart with my bare hands.a aGood gracious,a someone breathed.
aSuch brutality,a someone else said with unmistakable relish. Adelaide guessed it was the same helpful idiot who had set Connor straight on the rules.
Sir Robertas swallow was audible. aThat . . . is also not how it is done.a Lady Engsly appeared to be one of the few people present who was not morbidly enthralled by the scene.
aOh, what stupidity,a she said on a huff. aDuel, indeed.a Adelaide was inclined to agree. aEnough. There will be no duel.a She wedged herself between the men and faced Connor. aMr. Brice, this is not helpa"a She broke off mid-word when Connor grasped her by the shoulders, lifted her off her feet, and simply set her aside . . . all without taking his eyes off of Sir Robert. It was as if she didnat exist.
And all she could think was: Now? Now, he chose to pretend not to see her, when it wouldnat do either of them a speck of good? He couldnat have brushed her aside last night, this morning, five b.l.o.o.d.y minutes ago?
She heard Lord Engsly sigh a moment before he walked forward into her line of sight. He was an imposing figure, both as the highest-ranking member of the house party and as a man in his physical prime.
aMiss Ward is correct. There will be no duel,a he announced.
Sir Robert immediately stepped back from Connor and began to replace his glove. aIf you insist.a Every head in the group swiveled to Sir Robert in perfect unison, an unusual bit of ch.o.r.eography Adelaide was able to note by virtue of her eyes going very, very wide.
Insist? There had been no insisting. A hint of chiding, perhaps. A clear note of impatience. But nary a whisper of insistence.
aWell, that was very quick,a someone commented.
aInstantaneous, really,a Lady Winnefred said.
Mrs. Cress leaned toward her and whispered, aThis does not bode well for you, my dear.a Indeed, it did not. A duel was out of the question, of course. It was illegal, immoral, and as Lady Engsly had pointed out, stupid. But there wasnat a soul present who would be willing to believe Sir Robert had capitulated for any of those reasons. Not now.
Sir Robert had backed down because head reconsidered the value of her honor. There would be no offer of marriage. No five thousand pounds a year. No secure future for her family.
Or perhaps he was simply a coward.
Please, please let him be a coward, she thought, and she immediately wondered if any woman before her had ever prayed for the existence of such a dreadful attribute in a bridegroom.
Had it come to this, then? Had she lost all sense of hope? Was marriage to a coward now the most advantageous match she could expect? She refused to believe it.
I am not pathetic.
I am not without worth.
I can do better for my family than this.
aI . . .a She began in a loud voice. All eyes turned to her, and she realized, belatedly, that she couldnat announce to all and sundry what she had been thinking. aAm . . . going inside.a And with that spectacularly feeble finish, she turned and strode toward the house without any clear idea of what she would do once she reached it. Go to her room, pack her things, leave for home, and wait there until it was time to go to the poorhouse. That was the best she could come up with at present.
She knew she was being followed by everyone, but it was only Lady Engsly and Lady Winnefred who made the effort to catch up with her. They flanked her like a pair of guards.
aThere is a study off the library,a Lady Engsly said. aMay I suggest wea"a aI am going home.a She kept her eyes on the house and increased her pace.
aI understand youare upset, Miss Ward,a Lady Engsly said, abut it would be better for you, and your family, if you settled matters before you left.a The mention of family silenced the dissent on the tip of her tongue. A vision of George and Isobel formed in her mind. She couldnat imagine how such a mess could be settled, but she owed it to them to at least try.
aThe study, then.a aA wise decision,a Lady Engsly said placidly. aOur husbands will mediate on your behalf, if you like.a She threw a surprised glance at the lady. aThey would do that?a Lady Winnefred brushed impatiently at one of many light brown locks of hair that had slipped from their pins. aYes, of course. Theyare quite fond of you.a Adelaide blinked at that admission. She hardly knew them, really. It was their wives with whom shead begun to develop a friendship over the last few months. Adelaide said a small prayer of thanks for that friendship. Lady Engsly and Lady Winnefred were clever, sensible, and levelheaded women. More, they were the only ladies who hadnat eyed her a moment ago like a temporarily amusing but ultimately pitiable creature. And the only two who werenat even now trailing behind her like starving dogs after raw meat.
aI would be grateful for their a.s.sistance.a She doubted the marquess and his brother would welcome the responsibility, but even reluctant interference was better than dealing with Connor and Sir Robert on her own.
Lady Winnefred nodded and sidled closer to speak in a low tone. aPerhaps you would like to slow your steps, so that your champions might keep pace.a If Adelaide had not already been shamefaced, she would have blushed. Lord Gideon was as fit as his brother, but an old war injury required the use of a cane. A quick glance over her shoulder told her he was keeping up well enough, but the pace couldnat be comfortable for him. Nor for Mrs. Cress, who also required the a.s.sistance of a walking stick.
She slowed down for Lord Gideonas sake. Mrs. Cress she would have been happy to leave behind.
Doing her best to ignore her audience, she pushed through a side door and turned her feet toward the study door.
Lady Winnefred caught her arm. aWait a moment.a aWhat for?a aYour pride, of course.a She gestured at Lady Engsly, whoad stepped over to confer with Lord Engsly and Lord Gideon. aSheall only be a minute and thena"a Lord Engsly nodded and stepped away from his wife. aMrs. Cress, would you be so kind as to take the guests . . . elsewhere?a There was a murmur of discontent amongst the guests, and Mrs. Cressas round face scrunched in annoyance. Clearly, no one wished to miss the next chapter of the sordid tale. One didnat argue with a marquess, however, not even in oneas own home. After a bit of cane thumping, a harrumph, and finally a heavy sigh of resignation, Mrs. Cress began to herd the disgruntled guests down the hall.
aThe two of you as well,a Lord Gideon told his wife and Lady Engsly.
aWe shall leave that for Miss Ward to decide,a Lady Engsly said.
Adelaideas immediate inclination was to make as many people as possible go away. She changed her mind, however, after looking over who would be left if the ladies were sent awaya"Lord Engsly, Lord Gideon, Connor, and Sir Robert. A marquess, the marquessas brother, the man whoad compromised her, and the man shead betrayed.
aOh, please, do stay.a
Chapter 6.
The studyas dark paneling, slivered windows, and oversized mahogany furniture gave Adelaide the impression she was walking into a crowded cave. Uncertain of what to do with herself, she stood in the middle of the room while Lady Engsly and Lady Winnefred took seats on a small settee, Lord Engsly and Lord Gideon positioned themselves in front of the desk, and Connor leaned a shoulder against a bookshelf.
Sir Robert stopped three feet inside the door.
aI would have a word with Miss Ward before we begin,a he announced suddenly. aAnd I would have that word alone.a aNo.a The sharp refusal came from Connor.
aMiss Ward?a Lady Engsly prompted.
Adelaide considered it. Shead faced his censure in public; there was nothing to be gained by facing it in private as well.
aI would prefer we speak here.a Sir Robert sighed the sigh of an eternally beleaguered man, but he didnat argue. He walked to the middle of the room, took her hand, and held it between his own.
aMiss Ward,a he began, ayou have my most sincere and abject apology.a aI beg your pardon?a He nodded thoughtfully and patted her hand. aI have told you some of my familyas story, but much of it . . . most of it, I kept hidden from you out of fear of disgrace. And now, my selfish reticence has put you in grave danger. This manaa"he flicked an accusing glance at Connora"ais indeed, and to my familyas eternal shame, an offspring of my fatheras.a aHeas not cattle,a Lady Winnefred muttered just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
Connor flashed a brief smile. aThank you, Freddie.a aDonat talk to my wife,a Lord Gideon ordered.
Sir Robert squeezed her hand. aConnor Brice is a most depraved individual. Until recently, however, he was safely removed from society.a aHe had me tossed into prison for a crime I did not commit,a Connor translated.
aHis imprisonment was of his own doing,a Sir Robert insisted. aHe is a violent man, Miss Ward. And consumed with jealousy of me. His lowborn mother poisoned his mind witha"a aMention my mother again,a Connor said darkly, aand weall be getting round to that duel after all.a Sir Robert cleared his throat but didnat respond to Connor. aHe nurtures a bitter hatred of me. Nothing would give him more pleasure than to destroy all I hold dear.a aThatas true,a Connor agreed easily.
Sir Robert pretended to ignore him, but the new burgeoning flush of red on his neck betrayed the lie. aKnowing his nature and his capacity for cruelty, I kept watch over him during his incarceration. But his whereabouts were lost to me after his recent release. Ia"a aWhat he means to say,a Connor broke in, ais that he had half the prison guards in his pocket.a He answered Sir Robertas glare with a mocking curl of the lip. aPity for you it wasnat the clever half.a The red expanded to Sir Robertas face. He spun on Connor. aYou have no proof of such aa"a aYou have no idea what I have proof of.a aI will see youa"!a aYou were apologizing, Sir Robert?a Adelaide punctuated the quick interruption with a firm tug on Sir Robertas hand.
He looked to her, to Connor, and back again. aRight. Yes, of course. I beg your pardon.a He took a deep breath, held it, and released. Adelaide was surprised to smell brandy. aI was apologizing because it is on my head that this . . . this libertine, this cad, thisa"a Lady Engsly cut him off. aWe have established your opinion of the gentleman, Sir Robert.a aOf course.a Another long, dramatic breath. aWhat happened today is entirely my fault. I should have taken better care. I should have known he would seek out and attempt to injure what I hold of value. I failed to warn you, and I failed to protect you. I do, and shall always, regret this error bitterly. I can only beg your forgiveness now and plead for the opportunity to make amends.a This speech was met with silence by the group, with the exception of Connor, who muttered something that sounded rather like, aBravo.a Adelaide was inclined to agree. It was a fine speech. Unfortunately, it also confirmed the suspicion that he was a coward.
aAllow me to make this right,a Sir Robert continued. He cleared his throat in a dramatic, and regrettably affected, manner. And then he said, aMy dear Miss Ward, I most humbly and arduously beg the honor of your hand in marriage.a She had the sudden urge to yank her hand free and run.
aOh. Oh, I . . .a She looked around her with the vague and inexplicable notion that someone else might answer for her. aEr . . . Sir Robert . . .a aDonat be a fool, Adelaide.a Connoras voice was low and dangerous. It put the hair at the back of her neck on end.
Lady Engsly was not similarly affected. She leaned over and hissed at him, aShead be a fool not to accept, thanks to you.a aShe has other options.a aNot unless youave offered for her,a Lady Engsly snapped. When he merely lifted a brow, she blinked and straightened in her chair. aHave you offered for her?a aI have.a aWell, why didnat you say so?a Lady Engslyas transformation was instant. Her pretty face lit up with a smile, and she very nearly bounded off the settee. aThat changes things considerably.a Bewildered, Adelaide could only stare and sputter a few halfhearted protests as Lady Engsly detached her from Sir Robert and ushered her toward the door.
aIt seems you have quite a bit to consider, Miss Ward. I suspect a nice long lie-down will put everything into perspective. Come along, Freddie.a Adelaide tossed a dazed look over her shoulder as she was bustled out of the room. aI thought we were to settle things.a aWe have,a Lady Engsly a.s.sured her with a quick pat of the arm. aYou received an offer of marriage. Two in fact. Weall leave the gentlemen to bicker over the details.a aShouldnat she have some say in those details?a Lady Winnefred asked with a hint of indignation.
Adelaide nodded in enthusiastic agreement. If anyone was to be bickering, it ought to be her.
Lady Engsly stopped at the bottom of a back stairwell and turned to address Adelaide with the sort of gentle patience that put her to mind of a governess. aYou have the only say that truly matters, Miss Ward. And youall be pressured from both sides to make that say known as soon as possible. Do you want to face that pressure now, or do you want a bit of time to think the matter through?a aTime,a Adelaide replied without hesitation and wondered that she hadnat seen the wisdom in leaving for herself.
aExcellent. Freddie and I will spread the word that offers have been made. It wonat silence the gossip, Iam afraid, but it will certainly temper the censure.a She wouldnat have seen the wisdom in that either. Her mind was so muddled, her emotions so turbulent, it was a miracle she was able to put two words together.
Adelaide looked at the two women before her and wondered what she would have done without their a.s.sistance today. Gone to her room without a much-needed proposal or accepted a proposal without much-needed consideration. Either might well have proved disastrous.
aLady Engslya"a aLilly, dear. And Winnefred,a she added with a quick look at her sister-in-law for agreement. aI should think weave come far enough in our friendship for given names.a Adelaide digested that silently for a moment. She wasnat sure what to say. She wasnat sure she could speak around the lump that formed in her throat. It had been so long since someone had offered to help, longer still since shead had an offer of friendship. She couldnat find the words to express what it meant to receive both.
aIam grateful,a she managed at length. And because she couldnat think of a more adequate sentiment, she repeated it. aIam so grateful.a The abrupt departure of the ladies from the study left Connor in what most men might consider an unenviable positiona"facing the suitor and two champions of a compromised lady. Connor didnat mind the silent and tense atmosphere in the least. In fact, he took dark pleasure in ignoring the brothers and staring at Sir Robert until the man looked away, then shifted his feet, then squirmed, then caved.
aI will not remain in the same room with this libertine a moment longer!a Sir Robert announced and bolted for the door.
The entire process took less than thirty seconds. Whicha"to give credit where credit was duea"was a solid twenty seconds longer than Connor had antic.i.p.ated. Sir Robert had held his ground in the garden longer than expected as well. Apparently, the baron had grown some sort of backbone over the years. Connor estimated his half brother to now be in possession of two, possibly three, full vertebrae.
Connor straightened from the bookshelf and gave a pa.s.sing nod at Lord Engsly and Lord Gideon as he headed for the door. He felt under no particular obligation to speak with the men. Head not invited them into the affair.
aA word, Mr. Brice.a Connor turned at the sound of Engslyas order and considered each man coolly and carefully.
He knew little of Lord Engsly, and head met Lord Gideon only once beforea"through the bars of a prison cell. Their wives, on the other hand, had been regular visitors to the prison. Before theyad come to their fortunes by way of their husbands, theyad scratched out a meager existence by, amongst other things, mending the clothes of officers and well-to-do prisoners.
But, despite their brief acquaintance, Connor was inclined to like Engsly and Lord Gideon. They had reputations for being levelheaded and fair-minded men. They were also known as men who were not above a bit of brawling when the occasion called for it. In that regard, he wasnat concerned about the marquess or his brother. He was, however, a little concerned about the marquess and his brother. Lord Engsly had speed. Lord Gideon had a st.u.r.dy cane and the strength to break it over a manas head. Connor had honed his fighting skills on the streets of Boston and thought he might be able to take the pair of them, but not without cost.
aHave your word, then.a aWhere are you staying?a Engsly asked.
Lord Gideon answered for him. aHe and his men are at the widow Dunbaras cottage.a aSpying on me, were you?a Connor inquired with a raised brow.
Lord Gideonas lips curved. aI had the sense to bribe the clever half.a Irritation bit at him. aYou stand with Sir Robert?a aI stand with my family,a Lord Gideon corrected.
aAh.a That made more sense. aThomas.a Thomas Brown. The boy whoad been tossed in the cell next to his. No more than twelve, and nave with it. Connor had looked out for the lad until his release. Lord Gideon and Freddie had taken over after that.
aWorried I might lure him back into iniquity?a Connor asked with a smirk.
aOddly enough, I was concerned you couldnat be trusted with an innocent.a aThat is peculiar.a Lord Engsly took a step forward. aDid you force your attentions on Miss Ward?a aI did not.a aDid you mislead her into thinking you were a member of this house party?a aI never lied to her.a About that, specifically.
aThat was not the question.a Connor shrugged. aThe ladies do like a bit of mystery.a aWas it your intention to compromise Miss Ward?a aNo.a A half-truth. It hadnat been his intention when head begun, but it had certainly been his intention when head hauled Adelaide onto the path.
aAnd is it your purpose now to make her your wife?a aYes.a aTo spite your brother.a aMy reasons are immaterial.a aMiss Ward is apt to disagree.a Miss Ward was apt to want his head on a platter. But it couldnat be helped. aMiss Ward is free to marry Sir Robert if she chooses.a Connor was confident she wouldnat choose Sir Robert. But it would be helpful if her champions, and their wives, were not openly opposed to a match with himself. Which is why, despite his distaste for the conversation, he tolerated another round of questions from Lord Engsly.
Did he have a home and the means to support a wife and family? Did he have children of his own or a mistress tucked away somewhere? What, exactly, had begun the feud between the two brothers? Connor answered each in turn, feeling much as he had on the day head gone before the magistrate on charges of highway robbery. Yes, yes, no, no, and . . .
aNone of your bleeding business. Now, if thereas nothing else?a He didnat bother to wait for a reply before heading for the door. Their support would be advantageous, but it wasnat necessary. He was not obliged to go groveling for it.
aOne more thing,a Lord Gideon said softly. Head been mostly silent during the questioning. Connor suspected head already been aware of more than half the answers. aA bit of advice. You would be wise to remember that my wife is fond of Miss Ward.a And Lord Gideon was madly in love with his wife. If she asked him to squash Connor like a bug, head not think twice before obliging her.
aThen Freddie and I have something in common,a Connor replied. He didnat take offense at the implied threat, but he emphasized the use of Freddie, just a little, just enough to make the muscle in Lord Gideonas jaw pop.
It didnat quite make up for the inconvenience and insult of a half houras interrogation, but it was gratifying nonetheless.
Chapter 7.
Lilly and Winnefred left Adelaide at her door so that she might privately inform her sister what had occurred in the garden and study. Adelaide could only a.s.sume that the ladies expected Isobelas reaction to be most unpleasant. They couldnat have been more wrong.
Isobelas eyes grew round as saucers. Which, evidently, was not round enough to contain all her unholy glee. It spilled out into a voice bubbling over with mirth.
aA duel?a aIt is not amusing.a aIt certainly is,a Isobel countered and burst into fits of laughter. aI cannot believe it,a she choked out. aMy sister . . . My own eternally decorous sister . . . The subject of a duel.a She let out a shaky breath and wiped tears from her eyes. aOh, stop looking at me like that. Lord Engsly will put an end to it.a aHe has already put an end to it,a Adelaide muttered.