Adeline did not slow for Donovan—or Jasper. But she knew both followed as she stormed toward her brother’s study—the butler because it was his duty to announce her arrival, which would not happen. And Jasper because she’d become very familiar with the heaviness of his footfalls. Though his pursuit did not slow her down either.

Pushing the door open, Adeline sent it slamming against the wall, eliciting a shriek from Theo as she jumped from her seat on the lounge, dropping the book she’d been reading to the floor at her feet. Adeline’s anger subsided slightly when her friend—and now sister-in-law—smiled and rushed to her.

Their embrace was as it always was: genuine.

Much like everything about the woman before her.

Theo pulled away, bringing Adeline farther into the room.

“I am overjoyed to see you are safe,” Theo gushed, clutching Adeline’s hand. “I was ever so worried, but I see there was naught to fret over as you are home and in one piece. Isn’t that right, Alistair?”

Adeline gave her friend’s hand a tight squeeze, signaling that Adeline was truly fine and was prepared to handle whatever mood Alistair was in before stepping away to face her brother.

Alistair glared at her, his lips flattened and his hands folded on the desk he sat behind. His posture and stare were meant to intimidate her; however, Adeline had done nothing wrong. In fact, she’d been put in jeopardy because of him.

“You are a day late arriving home, Adeline,” he said, staring down his nose at her, which she could only assume was made difficult by his seated position. “I gave you leave to spend one night at Miss Emmeline’s School, but that would have seen you home yesterday. Where have you been?”

Adeline crossed her arms over her chest and matched his glare with her own, but she refused to give any explanation as to her whereabouts after leaving Arabella and Ainsley at Miss Emmeline’s School.

“Theodora—with the help of Lady Josie and Lady Georgina—have worked tirelessly in preparation for your twenty-first birthday celebration tomorrow eve. They have been worried sick that something dreadful happened to you.” Alistair sighed, and the fight drained from him. Could it be that he wasn’t angry with her, only concerned over her safety? “But that is neither here nor there. You are home”—he took in her appearance from head to toe—“and you seem to be in as much the same condition as when you left.”

Same condition as when she left?

Certainly not. So much had changed. She’d met Jasper, hunted for true game, witnessed the rescue of a man in peril, and survived a six-hour journey in the confines of a coach with the Beast of Faversham.

Conditions had changed greatly in the last several days.

Finally, the news sank in. Birthday celebration? “My birthday is not for another fortnight.” She glanced at her brother as he sat back in his chair and then she looked to Theo, who could barely contain her smile.

“If she had planned it for the actual day of your birth, you would have expected it, and the surprise would have been ruined.”

“One could say the surprise has been ruined anyways,” she mumbled.

“Be that as it may,” Alistair countered. “Theo and your friends—though for the life of me I cannot comprehend why they all are so dedicated to you—have been planning this celebration for months, and I will not allow anything to go awry.”

Adeline wanted to inquire if that was because it was her special day, or if because Alistair would do all in his power to keep from letting his wife down.

Odd that even if it were due to his commitment to Theo, it did not cause any irritation to bubble up within Adeline. A year prior, her brother’s attention and dedication to anyone besides her would have caused Adeline great hurt. At some point, that had changed. It may have been when she truly realized the love Alistair held for Theo, or it could have been the passing of her father. She was uncertain which, but it was a welcome change.

An unburdening of sorts.

“Come, sit, and I will tell you all about what we have planned for—“ Theo’s words cut off as she focused on something—or someone—over Adeline’s shoulder.

Alistair’s stare also went to the threshold of the room.

Jasper… Adeline had nearly forgotten he’d followed her down the hall.

Her brother slowly leaned forward and pushed to his feet, his stare now narrowed on the door behind Adeline.

“Alistair, allow me to introduce Lord Ailesbury,” Adeline said loudly in an attempt to remove some of the attention from Jasper and return it to her. “Lord Ailesbury, this is my brother, Lord Melton—or plain Alistair, as we call him.”

“Lord Melton will do,” Alistair growled.

Adeline had the urge to step in front of Jasper, blocking him from view. It was a ludicrous notion as he was easily two times her size.

“Lord Melton.” Jasper stepped into the room with obvious disregard for his own safety. “I am sorry to announce that it is my fault Miss Adeline was delayed in her return to London.”

Alistair frowned.

Adeline never should have been so foolish as to allow Jasper to escort her in from the coach.

“Dear brother.” She turned on her most charming smile. “There was a grand tempest in Kent, and my carriage broke down. Maxwell attempted to repair it, but the wind and rain made it impossible to see what the problem was.”

“I was traveling home and stumbled upon Miss Adeline’s carriage. I offered her and her servants shelter from the storm at my home, Faversham Abbey,” Jasper continued, moving farther into the room. “I’d hoped to have the conveyance repaired and get your sister safely on her way home with all due haste; unfortunately, the damage to the carriage exceeded my original estimation.”

Alistair looked between her and Jasper before glancing at his wife for direction.

That was a new occurrence. It was rare that her brother paused to think before scolding and punishing Adeline for whatever he perceived she’d done.

“When our carriage could not be mended, Lord Ailesbury offered the use of his traveling coach,” Adeline continued. “It was very kind of him.”

“It was my duty as a gentleman,” Jasper said from behind her.

Adeline kept her stare trained on her brother, trying to assess his reaction to Lord Ailesbury’s presence. He eyed the earl for a moment longer before nodding as the tension left him.

Alistair had come to some decision. Whether it was in regards to Ailesbury’s presence or Adeline’s explanation of everything that had occurred over the last several days, she was uncertain.

“Lord Ailesbury must attend the dinner party and ball tomorrow evening,” Theo announced, clapping her hands. “Yes, there is more than enough room for one more. And everyone will be enthralled with the tales of Adeline’s rescue from the storm.”

The urge to insist that she would have been able to care for herself if Jasper hadn’t stumbled upon her was on the tip of her tongue. She’d been in little jeopardy of perishing during the storm. Certainly, she, with Maxwell’s help, would have been able to find themselves shelter to wait out the wind and rain. All the same, she had no need to downplay Jasper’s gallant arrival and assistance, though it had hardly been necessary.

“That is very kind of you, Lady Melton; however, I must return home.”

Theo’s lower lip pushed out in a pout, something Adeline had never witnessed the woman do. In fact, it was more the type of tactic Adeline would use to gain what she wanted. Why would Theo endeavor to keep Jasper in town?

Alistair cleared his throat, obviously taking some unspoken cue from Theo. “Yes, I insist; you must remain in London for the celebration. It is the least we can do to repay you for returning Adeline safely to us.”

“As I said, I had no intention of remaining in London, and therefore have not come prepared with proper attire, especially the kind befitting a ball.”

“But, you must stay,” Theo pressed.

Adeline shouldn’t insist he stay, she was well aware of his past and his lack of interest in town life. It was completely possible Jasper had never attended a ball before. He had said as much. But that did not stop her from longing for him to remain in London and close to her.

“There are fine tailors on Bond Street,” Adeline urged. “They can have an entire wardrobe prepared for you by tomorrow night.”

“Unfortunately, I can attest to that fact and my sister’s firsthand knowledge of such matters. If it is a proper coat and trousers you lack, they can be commissioned without much fuss.” Her brother scrubbed his face, likely remembering Adeline’s selfish trip to Bond Street after their return to London for her first Season. She’d had nine gowns commissioned without her brother’s approval. Little had she known the financial consequences of her petty actions, and all to try and punish her brother for keeping such a close watch on her. “And, if need be, I can have a room prepared for you here. We are a bit cramped. However, with Arabella and Ainsley away at school, a room can be readied.”

“Of course,” Theo nodded, her brown curls bouncing about her shoulders. “I will send for the housekeeper immediately.”

Jasper held up his hand to halt her, and Adeline feared he’d decline their offer in favor of journeying back to the country where he was more comfortable. She should encourage him to return to Faversham—his people needed him at the Abbey and at Home Works. Any reason she had for wishing him to remain in London was not for his benefit but solely for her own pleasure.

“I have my own townhouse on St. James. I was planning to make a stop there before departing London.” Jasper turned toward Adeline, and she knew his resistance was quickly slipping away. He had never mentioned a property in town; though it was not surprising as most of society maintained a residence in London even if it went largely unused. “I can remain in London for two nights, at least, in order to attend the party. I was unaware your day of birth was close, Miss Adeline. I would be honored to attend your celebration.”

“We are grateful to have you, Lord Ailesbury,” Theo all but crowed, her smile so wide it was a wonder her face did not crack under the strain. “I will retrieve the tailor’s card for you at once.”

Theo glanced about the room as if having forgotten they were in the study, before spotting her lap desk and hurrying over. Everyone in the room watched in silence as she lifted the top and riffled through the contents before returning with a card in hand.

“Only last week, we had my husband and his younger brother fitted for their celebration finery.” She held the card out to Lord Ailesbury. If she noticed the scars on his neck, Theo was polite enough not to let her eyes linger on them. “If you prefer, the tailor will gladly journey to your townhouse for fittings.”

Adeline watched in muted silence as Theo took over as hostess, her rightful duty as Viscountess Melton. At some point over the last year, Adeline’s dear friend had changed until she was barely recognizable as the shy, quiet girl she’d once been.

Yet, the same was true of Adeline, wasn’t it?

Those around her might not notice, but she certainly did.

“The dinner and ball will be held here on the morrow. Eight o’clock sharp,” Adeline heard Theo say. “My husband and I are pleased you will attend.”

“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you,” Jasper contended. “Now, I will take my leave.”

“Thank you for seeing my sister home safely.” Alistair moved to the front of his desk as Jasper nodded and turned to depart.

“I will see you out, my lord.” Adeline was not about to give the man time to say his farewells to her, as well. She purposefully faced away from Theo and her brother, not wanting to see their reactions nor show them hers. “I must needs make certain all my things have been removed to the house.”