“His father was killed at Culloden.” His mouth tightened. “Now his son is here at the Stuart court. He has had private audiences with The Old Pretender.”
“I know that,” she said. “He is hardly the first British man to do so. The Palazzo del Re is the center of the British presence in Rome. And The Old Pretender welcomes everyone.”
Would that calm him down? She distrusted this agitated mood. He was unpredictable. She doubted he knew himself. He’d worked himself up to do this and he wouldn’t know what to do once she refused him.
She spoke calmly and clearly.
“Lord Joshua, I count you as a friend, and I will tell you the truth. I wish to marry Kilsyth. He is not forcing me to do anything I do not want to. And he is not a traitor.”
At last, he scrambled to his feet. Unfortunately, he didn’t move away, but seized her, grasping her upper arms and dragging her close. Although she wore only a small hoop, he managed to push it so it swung up at the back. Her stays pressed against his body, squashing her breasts so they swelled above.
“Ouch!”
His response was to growl, “What if I took you here and now?” before crushing his mouth on to hers. She endured it. She could hardly do anything else.
He broke the kiss, gasping. “I cannot stand by and see you ruined! You are so much better than that!”
Then he returned to the fray.
He took Delphi so aback she did not at first fight back, and she could hardly bring help crying out into his mouth.
She shifted, preparing to bring her knee up between his legs.
Someone came in, sending a cool gust of air against her bare calves. The tea. She would have sighed in relief if she could. Lord Joshua moved, so she couldn’t do the damage she’d aimed for.
She lifted her arms, fists clenched, ready to smack them against any part of him she could reach.
A hand grasped the back of her gown and plucked her away, forcing Lord Joshua to release her.
Out of breath, relieved, Delphi took a deep breath, ready to thank her rescuer.
“So that’s what you get up to when my back is turned!”
Adam. It was Adam who held her now. Delphi closed her eyes. Had Lord Joshua just destroyed her future? One that seemed so precious now that she was about to lose it?
Chapter Sixteen
Coming home from what could only be described as a fraught visit with the local officials, Adam was in no mood to find trouble in his own house. When Heath told him who was visiting, he ran upstairs, ready to throw Lord Joshua out on his ear. The sight of the man in question embracing Delphi in what was obviously an uncomfortable way came as the last straw.
Plucking his wife-to-be out of the way proved one way of relieving his emotions. Thrusting her behind him and planting a facer on Lord Joshua was far more effective in calming his mood.
After finding a dead woman in the spot where Delphi had spent so much time, the last thing he wanted was trouble at home.
Lord Joshua plummeted to the floor, taking a side table with him on the way. Wood splintered, Delphi cried out and, behind all that, he distinctly heard the drawing room door close. Ah, so Heath had followed him in. No doubt one look at his face had confirmed his mood to his resourceful majordomo.
Lord Joshua sprang to his feet, roaring, “Kilsyth!”
His fists were up, his face red, and he was primed for action.
With the blood boiling in him, desperate to take a chunk out of Lord Joshua’s hide, he lifted his chin a fraction, and took the risky choice of sliding off his heavy coat. Heath took it from him.
If Lord Joshua had come at him while his arms were tangled up, there wasn’t much he could have done. In fact, the man did take a swing at him, but he signaled his move wildly, and Adam dodged the blow, taking a neat, sideways step.
He shook his arms, letting the ruffles of his shirt fall over his wrists. “If you insist on settling disputes by physical display,” he said in as bored a voice as he could muster, considering the hot murder boiling through his veins, “then at least allow my servants to move the furniture out of the way. I trust you did not sustain any serious splinters by allowing my table to break your fall?” He nodded to the table’s twin. “Now I have a single. A tedious bore to find a pair.”
“Stop it, both of you!” Delphi cried from behind him. Adam must trust that she was not the kind of woman to step between a man and his opponent, though he wouldn’t put it past her. Perhaps Heath had her in hand.
He could not turn his back on the ruffian before him to find out. He’d removed his sword along with his hat when he’d come in. Just as well, because he was tempted to take the man out with one swipe. But that would make a mess of the drawing room, so perhaps it was as well that way out was not open to him.
Besides, a punch was sometimes so much more satisfying, and he’d been aching to take on the lily-livered fool since he’d first set eyes on him. Something about the man rubbed him the wrong way, and now he could get some relief.
“You’re a traitorous blackguard, Kilsyth, and now you have forced an innocent woman into your clutches!” Lord Joshua declared, forcing Adam to raise a brow.
“A positive declaration of war!” he declared. “Or a bad actor from the opera house. Either way, you will leave my house through the door or the window. I don’t care which, but it will be my absolute pleasure to help you once you have made your choice.”
Lord Joshua firmed his decidedly square chin. “You have forced Lady Delphi to accept your hand, but I have come to give her a choice. I will not leave until I hear it from her own sweet lips.”
“I didn’t want him here,” Delphi said, “but I thought I should see him. Let him go.” She sounded breathless, shocked. As well she should be. Considering Adam had found her locked in Lord Joshua’s arms, remarkably his instant response was not to throw them both out.
The look of triumph Lord Joshua had shot him before he’d started windmilling punches might have had something to do with it. But it was not. Instinct told him even before he saw the expression on her face.
Adam had never trusted anyone in his life, not to that extent, but he trusted one now.
The thought gave him pause, enough for Lord Joshua to take another wild swing at him. He dodged again but, to his annoyance, his opponent caught him on the side of his head. Although he saw stars, Adam retained his senses. “I’ve had enough of this.”
He did not take up the typical boxer’s stance, as Lord Joshua was doing, but let his clenched hands hang by his sides. He widened his stance as the man came in on another attack.
If he were not so agitated, Lord Joshua might have the makings of a good fighter. As it was, alerted by the previous blow, which had, he had to admit, been a punishing one, Adam waited until Lord Joshua had committed himself. Then he came up from below, delivering an uppercut that snapped Lord Joshua’s head back and sent him crashing down, flat on his back.
Onto the other table.
“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about finding a match.”
Satisfied Lord Joshua was out cold, Adam turned his back and went to Delphi.
She raised her hand to his temple. “He hit you.”
Adam winced. “I hit him back. What was he doing here?”
He didn’t object to the way she was caressing the site of the punch. It would probably leave a mark, but not much of one, since his opponent hadn’t landed a direct blow.
“He wanted me to reject you. He offered himself as a substitute. He said the Duchess of Beauchamp is spreading rumors, saying she cares for me and that is why she doesn’t want me to marry a traitor.”
“Fine. You’re not marrying one.”
He’d had enough of that woman. So she’d changed the way she’d worked, but not the message, had she? Blackening the Dersinghams and everyone concerned with them seemed to be her obsession.
“He said The Old Pretender would see us living in penury.”
“If we devoted ourselves to him, I daresay h
e would.” He glanced around the room. “And where did he think these things came from?”
She swallowed. “I don’t know. Perhaps he thought they were rented.”
A shuffle and sliding sound came from behind them. Heath was moving Lord Joshua.
Adam turned. “Wait. I want a word with him first. Leave him. He’ll come around soon enough.”
Then, he returned to Delphi. His voice softened. “We’ll leave for the palace soon. If you’d like to tidy up, now is your chance.”
“Why are we going to the palace?”
“We have an appointment.”
Her hand stilled and she stared at him. “Appointment?”
“Trensom found a priest and a license for us. We marry at four.”
Her eyes widened. “Truly?”
He saw no dread, no fear, nothing but surprise there. She wanted this, then. He had just surprised her by the timing. “Truly. Go and fetch your hat and gloves.”
“But I’m not dressed for…”
He stopped her by touching her lips. “You look charming. Perfect. Change if you wish, but don’t take longer than half an hour, or we’ll be late.” He glanced down ruefully at his coat, tossed carelessly over a chair. He could do with a change of clothes, too. “I’ve ordered the carriage put to.”
That surprised her. He saw it in the slight widening of her eyes. “I didn’t think you had a carriage in town.”
“Because I like walking?” He laughed lightly. “What would a duke be without a carriage? Oh, I forgot. A poverty-stricken duke.”
He wouldn’t let her look back. Still seething with anger, but hiding it better now, he led her from the room.
He took her up to her bedroom, and went in with her. When she tried to object, he beckoned to Rossi, who was hovering in the background, and motioned that she should repair the damage done to her appearance.
Then he went back downstairs.
Lord Joshua was sitting in a chair, slumped there, but he was conscious. He gazed up blearily as Adam entered.
Adam surveyed the wreckage of his elegant drawing room. “I daresay Heath can put this to rights in a trice.”
“I won’t apologize for defending a lady’s honor,” Lord Joshua said, or rather, mumbled.
Adam went over to the sideboard and poured him a brandy. He didn’t pour one for himself. He thrust the cut glass tumbler into Lord Joshua’s hand. Lord Joshua curled both hands around it and took a shaky sip.
“I wouldn’t expect you to. But the truth is, we’re leaving for the palazzo shortly, and when I bring Delphi back here, she’ll be a married woman.”
Lord Joshua heaved a sigh, staring into his glass as if to find answers there. “I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. Glad that you don’t intend to ruin her. Sorry I lost the battle for her hand.” He glanced up again, this time meeting Adam’s eyes. “I apologize for ruining your furniture. That’s as far as I’ll go. I came here believing you’d persuaded her to live in sin with you. I came to defend her honor.”
“Which she still has,” Adam pointed out. “Circumstances dictated the move, but by tonight she’ll be a married woman.”
“Ah.” He looked up. “Then I will apologize for misinterpreting your motives. But you must see any gentleman would not allow her reputation to be besmirched in such a way.”
“Your apology will do,” Adam said briefly. “I would prefer this matter was not discussed outside the house.”
“Considering the way you bested me, so would I.”
“Did you not consider why her hosts would not have rushed to her rescue?”
Gloomily, he shook his head. “I didn’t think, and that’s the truth. I heard the news, and hared off before I’d thought it through.” He sighed, and drank. “I’ve had a lot on my plate recently. This was another addition. I’m fighting fires on all fronts.”
Adam wondered what his problems were, but concluded they were none of his business. Besides that, he was in a hurry. “Heath will see you out. I’ll explain that you apologized.”
After a word with the majordomo, he went to his room.
Adam couldn’t help a sneaking liking for the man, now that he’d apologized. He would have probably done the same thing had he been in Lord Joshua’s shoes, and heard only one part of the story. That did not mean he’d allow his lordship into the house again.
He did what he could to repair his appearance in the short time he had left. He would go to his wedding dressed properly. Despite the haste of the arrangements, he would do what he could to make the ceremony pleasurable and memorable for Delphi.
Pulling his red brocaded coat out of the clothes press, he shook it out, and decided on the dark blue instead. The richness of the fabric would reflect how important he considered this event.
A fresh lace-edged neckcloth, a finer waistcoat, and a swift change into cream-colored breeches completed his toilet.
Delphi did not keep Adam waiting. Still wearing the charming pink gown, Rossi had embellished it with fine lace at her elbows, and a pretty necklace and earrings of rose topaz. Her hat bore a spray of fresh flowers.
Taking her hand, he helped her into the carriage personally. Two hefty footmen, suitably liveried, accompanied them.
He took his seat next to her, and lifted her hand to his lips. “This will be the happiest day of my life, Delphi. I’ve always wanted you.”
The carriage set off, jolting them a little, but neither of them took much notice.
She met his gaze boldly. He loved that in her, that she faced her problems head-on, instead of shying away.
His grip tightened. “I’m ashamed that I caused you much unhappiness. My lack of consideration did that. I should have sent you more than just one letter, should have made my intentions clear. Then you could have flourished the letter under Lady Elizabeth’s nose.”
He would not remind her of that now. He’d made a decision when he’d left Britain, and it had proved the wrong one. “I’m beyond fortunate that you’ve given me this opportunity to make amends.”
“Is that what this is?”
“No. I’ve wanted you since Greenwich. I’ll be proud to call you my wife.”
The carriage turned a corner, throwing her into his arms. Adam took the opportunity to claim a kiss, but a brief one. Any more would mean they would arrive for their wedding disheveled. He wanted no more gossip about her connection to him.
If he gave her nothing else, it would be the respectability she needed, and the means to do as she pleased for the rest of her life. They were still in danger of disgrace, and worse. He had to keep that foremost in his mind.
“Under better circumstances, I would take you directly to Scotland and show you what I wish you to be a part of. Delphi, I could not wish for a better wife. But I need to keep you safe. For now, I must treat you as a precious jewel, well-guarded and protected. You understand?”
Her mouth flattened, but she nodded. “Yes.”
She would understand more when she heard the latest news. With another woman, he wouldn’t dream of telling her what he’d discovered that morning, but Delphi deserved to know.
By now, the carriage had arrived at the Palazzo del Re, but he waved the footman away when he came to let down the steps. “There is one more thing I have to tell you. It’s the last thing a man wants to tell his beloved on their wedding day, but you need to know.”
Delphi’s horror mounted as Adam told her about the body they’d found by Trajan’s Column that morning. “The poor woman! A courtesan, you say! Still, nobody deserves that kind of treatment.” She paused, wondering how to ask him the next question. But honesty would be best right now, and she wanted to know everything. “Did you know her?”
He must have caught her hesitation, because he grasped her hand more tightly. “No, I did not know her personally, but I’d heard her name. She isn’t of the first rank, but she is thought of highly in some circles. Was,” he amended.
“How did she die?”
“Bloodily but probably wit
hout much pain or awareness. She was not abused before her death, and we think her attacker came up from behind her, so she might not have seen him.”
“Him?”
“Probably, although a woman might have the strength to slash a person’s throat if the knife was sharp enough.”
Delphi shuddered. “How horrible! What was she doing there? I mean, don’t courtesans stay up late?”
“Yes, they do, but she had sent a note to Trensom that she had information for him. She had a basket with her, so she’d also been to a market. She couldn’t have been there long before we arrived, otherwise someone else would have seen her. She had letters with her. We looked at some, and Trensom said he would obtain what others she might have.”
“Letters to her? Who were they from?”
He hesitated, but told her. “From clients, or potential clients. She was successful enough that she could choose her protectors.”
He shook his head, as if dismissing an unpleasant thought. “At first, I thought it was you. I couldn’t see her face, and she was dressed in the kind of clothes you used when you went to the column to study. That dark reddish-brown.”
“Ah, yes. A popular color for working clothes. That’s why I used it. To blend in.” She could imagine how worried he would have been. “And she had papers with her, just not the kind that I use.”
“Exactly. But Trensom will insist on seeing them. They could be important to our cause.”
“Why?”
“She was associated with The Young Pretender for a short time, but he goes through women faster than he goes through barrels of brandy,” he answered. “However, she is well known around the palazzo. We intend to discover what she had and who her lovers were.” He kept hold of her hand. “I told you because you might be angry if I kept the information from you.” He smiled wryly. “You see, I know you already. But I want the rest of this day to be a happy one. Can you set this aside for now, let Trensom deal with it for the time being?”
She nodded.
His words reminded her that they would be more than friends after the next hour. They would be bound to each other for life.
A Whisper of Treason Page 18