Chapter Fifteen
With a strength he did not even know he possessed, Adam slammed into the locked door and crashed it open.
Thank God he had seen Barclay hauling Addy into the room from his position down the hall, he told himself, stumbling into the library. Although it had taken an eternity to battle his way through the crowd, he held on to the hope that there would have been no time for the lecher to harm his wife.
Shoving the broken door shut to avoid the passing guests who had, thank God, been too involved with a brawl in the card room to note his odd actions, Adam turned to face the couple in the center of the room.
Heady relief flared through him as he realized Addy appeared tousled but safe. His relief only deepened as she angrily stomped on Barclay’s toes before rushing to Adam’s side.
His relief swiftly sharpened to fiery fury, however, as his gaze swept over the nonchalant nobleman.
“Barclay,” he said as if it were a curse.
The rake calmly smoothed his golden hair. “Really, Drake, do you have no sense of decorum at all? I think it should be perfectly obvious that Addy and I desired a bit of privacy.”
Adam never allowed his burning gaze to waver. “Addy, please find Humbly and wait for me in the carriage.”
“Adam, you must listen to me,” she said in urgent tones.
Adam gritted his teeth. His control was hanging by a thread. He did not want his wife to witness the violent outburst that was about to explode.
“Not now, Addy.”
“But it is not what you think.”
He growled deep in his throat, “Just go.”
“He forced . . .”
“Addy, we will discuss this later,” he snapped, turning to flash her an impatient frown. As much as he might desire to pull her into his arms and comfort her, he knew that his emotions were too raw. He wanted her out of the room so that he could murder Lord Barclay without her watching in horror.
She simply stared at him for a taut moment then, with an expression of sharp disappointment, she gave a nod of her head.
“Very well.”
He reached out to halt her as she turned and made her way to the door. He forced his hand to drop, however, as he realized he could not reassure her now.
Lord Barclay had harbored an irrational dislike of him since their days at Oxford. A dislike that had festered over the years. Obviously it was time that they cleared the air once and for all.
She may be disappointed by his purely male need to punish Lord Barclay for his treacherous behavior, but somehow he would make her understand that he had no choice.
Waiting for the door to close behind Addy, Adam slowly turned to meet Lord Barclay’s mocking gaze.
“Rather abrupt with your dear wife, were you not, Drake?” he taunted, clearly unaware of the danger crackling in the air. Of course, the buffoon had never been overly blessed with intelligence, Adam reminded himself, his hands curling to tight fists. “It is little wonder that she was so anxious to seek a bit of solace with a gentleman who comprehends the needs of a woman.”
Smiling with cold intent Adam stepped forward and smashed his fist into the sneering face. Barclay fell to the floor with a satisfying thump and raised a hand to his nose that was copiously bleeding.
“If you speak of my wife again, I will slice you open and shove your cowardly heart down your throat.”
Dumbstruck by Adam’s sudden attack, Barclay rose unsteadily to his feet and glared at his opponent.
“There is no need to bully me, Drake. I only came in here with Addy because she claimed you did not concern yourself with her peccadilloes. Had I ...”
Adam’s fist once again connected with the bloody nose, sending Barclay sprawling onto his back. This time he possessed the sense to stay down.
“I warned you not to speak of my wife.”
“Bloody hell.” Barclay scooted across the carpet, his mocking expression changed to one of wary pain. “I did nothing but accept a blatant lure. What would you have me do?”
Adam laughed with icy disdain. Perhaps a few weeks ago he would have been goaded by such words. He had been too uncertain of Addy, too fearful that he had ruined whatever chance of happiness they had by his sheer arrogance.
Now he merely found Barclay’s words ridiculous.
Addy would never betray him.
He would stake his life upon it.
“You belong in Bedlam if you think for a moment I would believe Addy came in here willingly.” He flicked a disgusted glance over the elegant form now rumpled and marred with a spattering of blood. “She would as soon bed a snake.”
An ugly anger flared in the pale eyes. “What would you know of Addy’s ...” His words were abruptly cut off as Adam took a deliberate step forward. Cringing on the carpet, Barclay glared at him in impotent fury. “Dammit, Drake, you have already broken my nose.”
“That is only the first of many things I intend to break,” Adam warned.
Barclay’s eyes narrowed with a cunning desperation. “I would be very careful unless you wish the entire ton to discover I was locked in this room with your wife.”
Adam had expected no less from the spineless creature. He had always known Barclay was a weak-willed coward. Why wouldn’t he be willing to destroy the reputation of an innocent woman to save his own hide?
“You breathe one word of scandal concerning Addy and I will personally geld you.”
The man paled, but he gave a shake of his head. “Fah.”
With a flick of his wrist Adam allowed the knife he kept hidden in his sleeve to drop into his hand. Only a fool traveled about London without some protection. And he had never been a fool.
“Shall I do it now?”
“You . . . you can not threaten a nobleman.”
“I can do anything I wish.” Holding up the wicked blade Adam smiled with a chilly determination. “Do not forget that I possess very powerful friends. They would be willing to turn a blind eye to any misbehavior as long as they have need of my services.”
“My father will have something to say about that,” Barclay attempted to bluster.
“Your father, like the rest of society, considers you as nothing more than an embarrassment,” Adam retorted. “He would not risk the wrath of the Prince to save your sorry soul. He might even thank me for ensuring you are no longer capable of littering the town with your by-blows.”
The stark truth of Adam’s words made Barclay’s features twist with fury.
“Damn you, Drake.”
“What is it to be, Barclay? Your silence or your manhood?”
There was a moment’s pause as the rake attempted to gather the necessary nerve to boldly damn Adam to do his worst. Then with an audible snap of his teeth he glared into Adam’s unrelenting countenance.
“My silence,” he choked out.
Adam narrowed his gaze. “One whisper and I will track you down, no matter where you flee. That is a promise.”
“Go to hell.”
Satisfied that he had properly intimidated the fool, Adam forced himself to perform a mocking bow. He had to leave before he gave in to his pounding need to beat the nobleman senseless.
“Always a delight, Barclay.”
* * *
Adam was restlessly pacing the floor of his bedchamber when a muffled sound through the connecting door brought him to a halt.
He had deliberately avoided Addy since their return to the townhouse. His temper still simmered at a dangerous level and he had no wish to inadvertently hurt his wife’s feelings by snapping at her like an injured dog.
Now, however, he discovered himself moving instinctively to open the door and step into her chamber. After the events of the evening she might be finding it difficult to fall asleep, he told himself with a pang of remorse. He should have considered her distress earlier.
Rounding the canopy bed he expected to find Addy pacing the floor, much as he had been doing. Instead, he discovered her jerkily moving from the wardrobe to the bed where she was stuffing her belongings in an open portmanteau.
A bolt of shocked disbelief flared through him.
“Addy, what the blazes are you doing?” he rasped.
She did not even glance up as she thrust a peach gown into the bag.
“Packing.”
His brows snapped together with impatience. “I can see that much. Why are you packing?”
“I must leave.”
He suddenly stilled with fear. “Has something occurred? Your parents . . .”
“My parents are fine,” she broke in with sharp tones.
“Then what is it?”
“I cannot stay here. Not after tonight.”
Adam felt as if he had been slapped.
Dear God.
He had sensed she was upset, but nothing had prepared him for this.
“Because of Barclay?” he demanded, hoping he could indeed lay the blame upon the lecherous scoundrel. It would give him another reason to smash his handsome countenance. “I assure you that he will never be troubling you again.”
“No.” She at last raised her head to reveal her pale countenance and blazing eyes. “This has nothing to do with Lord Barclay. It is you.”
He clenched his teeth, feeling as if his stomach were being wrenched inside out.
“I apologize Addy, that you witnessed me losing control of myself in such a manner. But when I saw Barclay’s hands upon you I wanted to murder him. I did not mean to frighten you.”
She blinked as if startled by his strained words. “I was not frightened of you, for goodness’ sake.”
“Then you were offended that I wished to punish, Barclay?” he demanded in disbelief. “Addy, not even a saint could have witnessed the brute manhandling his wife and not retaliated. And I have never claimed to be a saint.”
“Really, Adam, for such a clever man you can be incredibly dense,” she snapped.
Adam threw his hands up in defeat. “Obviously I am incapable of reading your mind, Addy, so why do you not just tell me why you must leave?”
Her lips trembled, but she forced herself to meet his gaze squarely.
“Because you still do not trust me.”
Adam regarded her with stunned amazement. “What?”
“I saw your expression, Adam,” she cried in low tones. “You were furious.”
He reached out to grasp her shoulders, barely preventing himself from shaking some sense into her.
She had frightened him half to death.
“Good God, of course I was furious. I just told you that I nearly murdered a peer of the realm.”
She glared at him with barely concealed pain. “You were also furious with me. You believed that I went with Lord Barclay willingly. You would not listen to a word I wished to say.”
“And that is why you must leave? Because you think that I do not trust you?”
He felt her tremble beneath his hands. “I cannot forever be worried that something I might say or do will prove that I am unworthy of your faith. It is like living with a guillotine forever poised above my neck.”
Adam gave a shake of his head. It had never occurred to him that she might fill her head with such nonsense. Not after they had grown so close.
“You are being absurd, Addy.”
The dark eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Am I? Can you say that you did not suspect that I had joined Lord Barclay in that room of my own will?”
“My dear, I may not be a polished rake, but even I can tell the difference between a woman enjoying a man’s embrace and one who is fighting to be free,” he said in dry tones. “To my knowledge no woman who desires to be seduced has ever stomped upon a gentleman’s toes to encourage him.”
A hint of uncertainty rippled over her pale features. “But you were so cold to me. You ordered me to leave as if I were some misbehaving child.”
Belatedly Adam realized how his behavior had encouraged Addy to believe the worst.
He briefly closed his eyes as he heaved a regretful sigh.
“Forgive me, but I did not wish you to witness me becoming violent. I did not want to frighten you more than you already had been.”
She carefully searched his countenance as if seeking the truth upon his features.
“And what of the carriage ride home? You could not even bear to glance in my direction.”
His grip loosened so he could lightly stroke the stiff lines of her shoulders.
“I was still battling to regain my temper. Having been denied the satisfaction of throttling Barclay I was forced to ease my fury with mere thoughts of what I wished to do with his wretched hide.”
“You do not think I wished to be with Lord Barclay?”
“Not for a moment.” Adam gently cupped her face. His heart clenched at the vulnerability that shadowed the dark eyes. Gads, he had to convince her that he would never hurt her! “I do trust you, Addy. I trust you with my name, with my life, and with my heart. Now and forever.”
He held his breath as a slow, tentative hope began to bloom deep in her eyes.
“Oh Adam, I was so afraid that we had lost what we had discovered,” she whispered.
“Never, my dear,” he declared in fervent tones. His hands trembled with the force of his emotions. “I love you. I love your wonderful spirit and kind heart and your passionate nature.”
Her breath caught before a glorious, near blinding smile banished the last of her doubts.
“And my crazy relatives?”
Adam gave a sudden chuckle. “I love them because they somehow managed to create you. It is a miracle that I will never take for granted again.”
Without warning she threw herself against him. “I love you too, Adam.”
More than pleased to have a warm bundle of feminine curves pressed to his body, Adam obediently wrapped his arms about her waist.
“I cannot promise not to be stuffy and boring,” he warned, burying his face in her satin hair.
“You are not stuffy or boring,” she loyally denied. “You are an honorable gentleman who faces his responsibilities and can always be depended upon. That is precisely what I love most about you.”
Adam’s heart felt as if it might actually burst. Dear heavens, he had never thought he could be this happy.
Pulling back, Adam regarded her with a provocative smile. “Well, I do have a bit of wickedness in me. Would you desire me to offer you a taste of my dark secret?”
Her dark eyes glittered with the lure of a temptress. “I do prefer a proper gentleman, but I suppose I could be convinced to have a small taste of wickedness.”
A gentleman who had been trained always to accommodate a lady’s request, Adam instantly scooped her off her feet and headed for his chamber.
“Then allow me to convince you,” he murmured.
* * *
Vicar Humbly was feeling decidedly smug.
Granted it had taken longer than he had initially predicted to bring Adam and Addy to their senses. And there had been a few uneasy moments when he had harbored a doubt as to his ultimate success. But in the end love had triumphed, as was only proper.
With a sense of contentment, Humbly glanced toward the couple standing arm and arm in the foyer. There was no missing the glow upon their faces or the secret glances they shared.
Yes indeed, he had done a fine job as Cupid, he preened as he reached down to pick up the small bag set beside the door. His work here was now complete and it was time to concentrate on poor Beatrice and her new husband.
“You are sure you must leave?” Addy demanded as he placed his new hat upon his head.
“Yes indeed, my dear. I have imposed upon you far longer than is proper.”
“Nonsense,” she denied with a lovely smile. “We have enjoyed having you with us, have we not, Adam?”
The gentleman offered his wife an indulgent glance before turning his attention to Humbly.
“Absolutely. You have made a most welcome change in this household.”
Humbly gave a shake of his head. The situation seemed to call for a measure of modesty.
“Any change was not made by me, I assure you.”
Adam’s gaze was shrewdly knowing. “Nevertheless, we owe you a great deal.”
“All I ask is that you remain as happy as you are at this moment,” Humbly assured him.
Adam slipped an arm about his wife’s shoulder, a deep contentment settling about them.
“That is a request that is easily granted.”
Humbly did not doubt his assurance for a moment. Their love may have taken time to develop, but it would be more resilient and enduring for their trials.
“Now, I must be on my way,” he said firmly. “I have a most pressing fear that Mrs. Stalwart is even now tossing my beloved books into the fire. Do not forget to have the portrait sent to the Vicarage, my dear.”
“The moment it is finished,” Addy assured him, moving forward to offer him a brief hug. “I shall miss you.”
Deeply touched he reached up to pat her cheek. “As I shall miss you.”
“Take care, Humbly,” Adam said as he moved forward to join his wife.
“Of course.”
Turning toward the door Humbly was suddenly halted as the housekeeper abruptly entered the foyer carrying a large basket.
“A moment, Mr. Humbly.”
With more than a bit of curiosity he watched the woman move toward him.
“Yes, Mrs. Hall?”
“Here.” She roughly shoved the basket into his hands.
“What is it?”
The woman regarded him in a stern manner. “One can never depend upon those horrid posting inns to provide a proper meal.”
Humbly gave an appreciative sniff of the delectable aroma filling the air.
“Lemon tarts?”
“And some sliced ham, a loaf of bread, and a nice jug of fresh milk.”
Humbly hid a smile. The housekeeper had barely tolerated his presence for the past few weeks. He could only wonder if her sudden display of friendship was made because of Adam and Addy’s obvious happiness, or merely out of relief that she was about to be rid of him.
In either event he was promised a delicious meal before returning to Surrey and cucumber sandwiches.
“This is a very generous gift,” he murmured.
Mrs. Hall appeared awkwardly self-conscious. “Well, we cannot have people thinking we begrudge our guest a proper meal.”
“Thank you.” Humbly offered his sweetest smile. “It will help to make the journey more tolerable.”
“Just see that you eat every bite,” the woman commanded before turning and surging her way back toward the kitchen.
“Well, it seems that you won over Mrs. Hall at last,” Addy said in surprised tones.
Humbly grimaced. “Or perhaps this is her means of ensuring that I do not linger for a last meal,” he said ruefully. “In any event I shall enjoy the feast. God bless you, my children.”
Determined not to be distracted again, Humbly moved through door held open by the patient butler and down to the waiting carriage. Allowing the groom to help settle him upon the leather seat he pulled the basket onto his lap and opened the lid.
Sweet aroma filled the carriage, and, plucking out a delectable tart, he barely noticed when they began rattling down the cobbled street.
With a wide smile he bit into the pastry and allowed his eyes to close with sheer pleasure.
“Ah . . .”