by Galen, Shana
Holly narrowed her eyes at him, uncertain what she should do next.
“I won’t pinch you again, Mrs. Farthing. In fact, I’ll go first, if you like.” And he passed her on the stairs, disappearing toward his room at the top.
Well, that had been easily solved. Holly breathed a sigh of relief, waited a few moments, until the earth stopped spinning, and then resumed climbing. She was thankful to be retiring. Once in her room, she’d strip off this tight dress, take her hair down, and have a good cry. Adam Ivy didn’t want her. Now she knew for certain, and she could stop pining for him. When the snow cleared, she would go to her sister’s house. She would play the amusing aunt for her two little nephews and try to enjoy the rest of the holiday.
At the top of the stairs, she turned toward her room, but she made it no more than three or four steps before rough hands grabbed her about the waist. She was so confused that she did not even cry out until the pain lanced through her as she was pushed up against the wall and her head connected with the plaster.
“What—”
Haggerston’s mouth on hers cut off her cries. His thick tongue plunged between her lips and his meaty hands groped at her bodice. She might not have been used to this sort of attention from men, but she was no innocent. She kept her head, tamped down panic, and stomped on his foot as hard as she might. When her heel connected, she tried to push him back, but her ball slippers were meager defense. Wrenching her head to the side, she gulped in air. “Get off me. Stop!”
“Oh, don’t play coy with me. I saw you looking at me all through dinner.”
The man was mad. She couldn’t have even said whether or not he’d been at dinner. He put his hand over her mouth and began fumbling under her skirts.
“No!” She tried to wriggle away, but up seemed down and down seemed up. She was dizzy and confused, and he was so much bigger than she. His hand closed painfully on her thigh, and she screamed. With his hand over her mouth, she knew no one would hear.
ADAM’S FEET HURT. HE’D been dancing for the last hour. He’d been afraid to stop moving. If he took two minutes for himself, he’d remember the smell of her, the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her. Holly. He’d had a meager taste, not nearly enough.
What was wrong with him? She was Edward’s little sister. He’d thought a peck on the lips harmless at Christmas time, but when his lips had brushed hers, he’d felt a powerful longing to pull her close and kiss her—really kiss her. She looked so lovely tonight. She didn’t look at all like the little girl he remembered. And she’d been easy to talk to, easy to dance with. How could he have known the kiss would be like a punch in the gut?
His feet still hurt, and the ball was really only at the halfway point. He shouldn’t have worn these new pumps. He’d go upstairs and change. Even if his old pumps were a bit worn, at least he’d be comfortable.
He started up the stairs, but halfway up he paused at the sound of a scuffle. Was it a scuffle or two lovers whose rendezvous he’d interrupted? He almost turned around to go back downstairs, and then he heard what sounded like a female crying No.
Adam took the stairs two at a time. At the landing, he looked one way then the other. There was Holly and that arse Haggerston with his hands all over her. Adam didn’t stop to think that perhaps she’d wanted Haggerston’s advances. Haggerston could not have her, should not be allowed to touch her. Adam charged forward, grasping Haggerston’s coat and yanking him off her. He slammed the man against the opposite wall, causing several portraits to shake, then looked over his shoulder to see Holly’s tear-stained face.
“Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. I told him to stop, but h-he didn’t listen.”
Adam looked back at Haggerston, who had his hands raised. “Just a misunderstanding, old boy. I thought she wanted a bit of company.”
Adam leaned close to Haggerston. “Touch her again, and I’ll give you a misunderstanding you’ll never put right.” He pulled Haggerston off the wall and shoved him hard down the hallway. Haggerston stumbled, fell, then got to his feet. When he looked back at them, hate burned in his bloodshot eyes.
“You can act all high and mighty now.” He pointed at Holly. “But we’ll see how you feel when the world finds out what I know.”
Adam looked at Holly, but she looked as lost as he. They exchanged baffled looks before she wiped tears from her cheeks and stood up straighter.
“What are you going on about?” Adam asked, moving in front of her, to shield her from Haggerston. He didn’t like seeing her so vulnerable
Haggerston nodded smugly. “Just that Farthing wasn’t quite the saint he appeared.” With that, he stumbled away.
When Adam was certain Haggerston was gone, he turned back to Holly. “Let me help you to your room.”
But she was still staring after Haggerston. “What did he say? What does that mean? James—he didn’t even know Lord Haggerston.”
Adam took her arm and led her away. She leaned against him, and he pulled her close, trying to still her trembling. He wanted to hurt Haggerston for making her shake like this.
“Which way is your chamber?” he asked.
“Oh, you needn’t escort me,” she said through chattering teeth.
“I’ll not leave you unprotected in the corridor.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. “Thank you. My chamber is just there.”
Adam led her to the door. “Shall I fetch Lady Dorsey for you?”
“No.” She shook her head. “My maid is inside and I...” She seemed to have lost the thread of her thoughts. “I still do not understand what Haggerston was saying.”
Adam took her hand and squeezed it. “He was probably spouting nonsense and too drunk to make any sense.”
But Holly did not look mollified.
“Let’s discuss what’s to be done in the morning, shall we? We could speak with Haggerston together.”
She blinked at him. “You would do that for me?”
“Of course. Now, go inside and go to bed. Things will be better in the morning.”
She nodded and went into her chamber, closing the door after her. Adam stared at the closed door for a long moment. He would definitely speak with Haggerston on this matter tomorrow. The problem was that though Haggerston might be many things, Adam had never known him to be a liar. Adam hadn’t known Holly’s late husband at all, but then it appeared there was a chance Holly hadn’t known him as well as she thought either.
THE NEXT MORNING ADAM rose earlier than usual. He hadn’t slept well, and he wanted out of his stuffy room. The weather was still frightful, so in lieu of a walk or ride, Adam paced the dining room of Lord and Lady Dorsey’s lovely country house. It was Christmas Eve, and the party was still snowed in. No other guests were up and about yet. As the ball the night before had lasted until the wee hours, he imagined the other guests would lie abed awhile longer. He might have been abed as well if he had been able to stop thinking about Holly’s stricken face when Haggerston had spewed his venom. Holly was Edward’s youngest sister, and Adam felt an obligation to protect her.
Truth be told, that wasn’t all he felt when he looked at her. She’d grown up into a lovely woman—all honey-blond hair, large blue eyes, and very kissable lips. He’d kissed those lips last night under the mistletoe. He had thought it would be odd to kiss his friend’s little sister, but it had felt very, very right.
The dining room door opened, and Lady Dorsey entered, humming happily to herself. She stopped upon seeing him. “Lord Ivy, you are up early. I hope you have been given tea.”
He waved a hand. “I didn’t come down for tea. I was hoping to speak to Mrs. Farthing.”
Lady Dorsey took a deep breath and clasped her hands together. “She told me what happened last night. I was pulled away by my cook, but I went to check on her later. She seemed quite distraught.”
Adam’s heart clenched at the thought of Holly worried over the vile Haggerston’s words. “I’d like to offer
my assistance.”
“She is in the drawing room just now. I’ve come down to fetch us both tea and a plate of scones. She mentioned you might join us. I know your presence would be a comfort.” She gestured to a footman to bring a tray.
Adam followed them to the drawing room. When he entered, he spotted Holly right away. She sat on a couch and was dressed in a festive red dress. But her expression looked anything but celebratory. She glanced up, and her eyes widened. “Lord Ivy!” Her voice was full of relief.
He went to her immediately and sat on the couch beside her. “As promised, I came to offer assistance.”
Her cheeks colored, which did not surprise him. She had always been shy. “I’m not certain what you can do, my lord. Unless you know the secret regarding my late husband that Lord Haggerston refers to.”
Adam took her gloved hand in his while Lady Dorsey poured the tea. Holly stiffened at his touch. He spoke softly, “I thought we decided last night to put formalities aside. Call me Adam, Holly.”
“I-I assumed that was only while we danced.”
“I like how my name sounds on your tongue too much to limit you.”
Her gaze flew to Lady Dorsey who seemed overly busy arranging scones on a plate. Adam continued, “I thought we might discuss what Lord Haggerston said to you. Do you have any idea what he meant?”
She shook her head. “I thought about it most of the night, and I cannot think of anything James might have done to deserve such censure.”
Lady Dorsey handed Holly a plate with a scone, and Adam reluctantly released her hand to take one as well.
“Perhaps the best course of action is a private word with Lord Haggerston,” Lady Dorsey said. “I have never liked the man, but his wife is pleasant enough. We three can confront him when he comes down to break his fast.”
Adam looked at Holly. “Do you feel up to that?”
She nodded. Lady Dorsey rose. “Good. Then I will go ask my butler to bring him here when he rises.” She stepped out of the drawing room, closing the door behind her. Adam sipped his tea then set it down.
“Can we speak frankly? About last night?” He felt as awkward as a boy at his first dancing lesson.
“What about it?” She looked down, averting her gaze to study her skirt intently.
“I kissed you,” he said. He didn’t think it possible, but her cheeks grew even darker pink. “I supposed you noticed that,” he said.
“You needn’t apologize,” she said, setting down her own plate. He saw that her hands shook slightly. “I should not have stood under the mistletoe. I did not mean to cause you any unpleasantness.”
Adam reared back as though slapped. “Unpleasantness?”
She toyed with the fabric of her skirts. “I made things awkward between us. I understood why you wanted to stay away from me the rest of the evening.”
“Is that what you thought? That I wanted to stay away from you?” He supposed that was not altogether untrue, but it was the last impression he would have wanted her to form. “Come to think of it, I did keep away from you, but not for the reason you think.”
She glanced up at him, brows lowered in consternation.
“I kept away from you, Holly, because I wanted to kiss you again. I thought I had made you uncomfortable.”
Her pink lips dropped open and she stared at him.
“Did I?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“If I did not make you uncomfortable, is it possible you enjoyed the kiss?”
“I-I did, my lord.”
Her words surprised him. He thought she would draw away or be rendered mute from shyness, but she met his gaze. Hope flickered in his chest.
He moved closer. “It’s Adam, remember?”
“Yes.” Her voice was but a murmur.
“Holly, might I kiss you again?”
“Now?” she whispered, but her eyes darkened with interest.
“Now.”
Then, to his surprise, instead of agreeing, she grasped his coat and pulled him close, kissing him. He’d never seen this side of her before. And he certainly had never imagined she might kiss the way she did. Her lips were sure and persuasive, and he was very soon left breathless and wanting more. It was a good thing he heard Lady Dorsey’s voice, speaking overly loudly, outside the drawing room, or he might have been tempted to take more. He drew back as Lady Dorsey opened the door.
“Mrs. Farthing and Lord Ivy, I have Lord Haggerston.”
Four
Holly took in a sharp breath as the odious Lord Haggerston stepped into the drawing room behind Eva. Haggerston’s bushy mustache all but twitched as his gaze fell on her. Holly wanted to shrink away, but she sat straight. It helped that Adam was beside her.
It helped she could still feel a tingle where his mouth had met hers.
“Tea, my lord?” Eva offered. Holly watched in silence as her friend plied Haggerston with tea and scones and made small talk. Finally, the conversation turned in the direction she both wanted and dreaded.
“I understand you made a rather surprising statement about the late Mr. Farthing last night,” Eva said. Her hostess smile was fixed firmly in place as she sat in a chair opposite Haggerston and beside the couch where Holly and Adam still sat. “As it was said in Lord Ivy’s presence, we wish him to remain. Mrs. Farthing has asked me to inquire further about it.”
“Could have just asked me yourself,” Haggerston said to Holly between bites of scone. “I’ve been wanting to come to you about it for months, but your solicitor held me at bay.”
Holly felt her chest tighten. “Then it’s a financial matter?” This was not good news. Not at all. Though James had left her with a small jointure, the remainder of his property had gone to his cousin, who had a wife and children to provide for. Holly lived comfortably but economically.
“It is.” Haggerston reached into his coat, and finding nothing, reached into the other side, finally producing a slip of parchment. He held it out to Holly then snatched it back. “Before you decide to rip it up, know that I have another copy.” He offered it again, and Holly took it with shaking fingers.
She looked at the paper, but the words seemed to swim before her eyes. All she could make out were James’s signature and the number 3000. “I don’t understand,” she whispered.
“May I?” Adam asked. She passed it to him, and he examined the paper while her heartbeat thudded in her ears. “This is an IOU for three thousand pounds,” he said.
Holly’s head contracted with a painful ache. She had hoped she’d read it incorrectly.
“That’s right,” Haggerston said. “It was signed and dated at White’s three years ago, not long before Farthing’s death.”
“You and James were gambling at White’s?” Holly asked, her voice weak and thread.
“That’s right,” Haggerston said. “Mr. Farthing lost and gave me his vowels. I have been trying to collect ever since. I don’t like to go to a grieving widow and ask for blunt—”
“Then don’t,” Adam broke in.
“But as the mourning period has passed,” Haggerston went on as though Adam hadn’t interrupted, “I believe it’s time Farthing’s debt was paid.” He gave Holly a look that made her skin crawl. “One way or another.”
Adam rose. “What exactly does that mean, my lord? What are you implying?”
Haggerston spread his hands, but he was smiling that awful smile that made her belly roil. “Nothing at all, Ivy. I simply want my blunt.”
Holly met Eva’s gaze and shook her head. “I don’t have that kind of money.”
Haggerston’s smile grew wider. “Then perhaps we can make some sort of arrangement.”
“I’ve had quite enough of this,” Adam said. “You seem to imply that if Mrs. Farthing cannot pay you in pounds, she must pay you some other way. With her body, I presume?”
Haggerston made a poor show of acting scandalized. “No, no. I am a married man, Ivy. I simply meant she might sell a piece of jewelry or a piece of pro
perty.”
“If you have spoken with my solicitor, my lord,” Holly said to Haggerston, “you know I am not entitled to sell my property, and I do not possess any jewelry worth three thousand pounds.”
“I see,” Haggerston said. “This is quite serious then.”
And it was. A gentleman always paid his bets. Legally, Haggerston could not force Holly to pay the IOU, but he could certainly besmirch James’s reputation, and by connection, hers as well. She would no longer be accepted into Society. Eva gave Holly a troubled look before reaching over and taking her hand. They had been friends for years, and she would never exclude her friend, but Holly’s other acquaintances would be forced to turn their backs on her. And Holly, in good conscience, could not allow Eva to stand by her or else she would be pulled down as well.
Holly would be alone and friendless in the world. Of course, she still had her family, but her sister and cousins had families of their own. Edward was sure to marry soon, and her scandal might make his search for a bride more difficult. She did not want to hurt her family.
“It is serious,” Adam said, “and I suppose it’s time I made my intentions clear.” He stood then held out his gloved hands to Holly. She stared at him, uncomprehending. Eva ended up pushing Holly’s hands into the viscount’s, and she stared at his thumbs, how they covered her own. Any moment now, she would wake up and realize this had all been a horrible dream.
“Holly,” Adam said. She started at hearing him use her Christian name before Eva and Haggerston. “Holly,” he said again, waiting for her to look into his eyes. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She stared at him, stared into those warm brown eyes that were so kind and so alluring. For a long moment his words simply hovered between them and she struggled to grasp at them, catch them, and examine their meaning. And then they landed like a rock on her lap. He was proposing to her? Adam wanted to marry her?
She was aware of the lengthening silence in the room, aware everyone was staring at her. She hated being the center of attention. She had to say something...Adam wanted to marry her.