A Scandalous Proposition

by Wendy Soliman

  “I see what you’re about now. You’re making up these Banbury tales in order to deflect attention away from your paramour. Well, it won’t serve! What’s more, you have yet to give me an answer to my proposal. Well?” She tilted her head and smiled flirtatiously, seeming totally confident in her ability to manipulate him. “What’s it to be? Do we have an understanding?”

  “Don’t put me in this position.” He sighed. “You must know I can only answer you in one way.”

  She smiled triumphantly. “You’ll not regret it, my love. We were made for one another, you and I, and I’ll dedicate myself to your pleasure. You may run the estate in whatever manner you think best, once you’ve resigned your commission, naturally. My only stipulation is that Mrs. Grantley must leave here. Under the circumstances, she can’t possibly remain, you must see that. If your mother still craves companionship, we’ll find her someone more suitable.”

  “You’re being too hasty, jumping to incorrect conclusions. Allow me to make myself perfectly clear. I have no intention of permitting you to dictate to me. Nor do I have any desire to take my brother’s wife into my bed.” She gasped and was about to speak but he silenced her with a wave of his hand. “As far as I’m concerned he’s welcome to you.”

  “Then you can kiss good-bye to any aspirations you might have in respect of the estate.” Her expression was as vindictive as her tone was spiteful. “When I’ve finished poisoning James’s mind against you, I doubt whether he’ll ever wish to speak to you again, much less endure your presence beneath this roof.”

  “Very possibly not. But before you embark upon that course of action, I ought to mention that if I leave here then my mother will come with me.”

  “But I—”

  “Yes, indeed.” He could see from the concentrated fury in her expression that she knew she’d been outmanoeuvred. James might not care about Adam but he cared very much about their mother, and still more about what people would say if the dowager duchess suddenly quit the estate. “When I explain to my mother what you’ve done, whom do you suppose she would prefer to live with? Do you imagine she would wish to be anywhere near the Court and watch your bastard child growing up within its walls?”

  “You’ve clearly not thought this through.”

  “On the contrary, I’ve thought it through very carefully. You’re not the only one capable of starting rumours, and if you put me in that position then I shall let everyone who matters know precisely why my mother felt compelled to leave the only place she’s called home for over forty years.” He glanced at her as though she was not worthy of his notice. “And whose part do you suppose society will take?”

  “Damn you, Adam!” She stamped her foot and twirled away from him. “I only want what ought to have been mine all along. And so it would have been but for this cursed war. You were in love with me, I know you were.”

  “I’m not a chattel and don’t belong to anyone.”

  “Except Mrs. Grantley. It seems she can do no wrong.”

  “Let’s get one thing perfectly clear. I choose my own friends and am not prepared to discuss them with you or anyone else.”

  “My advice to you is to rethink your decision. If you don’t, I shall find a way to revenge myself upon you if it’s the last thing I ever do.”

  He snorted. “There’s nothing you can do to me.”

  “Perhaps not, but direct attack is not always the most effective means of besting an enemy.” Her toxic smile didn’t trouble her eyes. “As a soldier, surely you must be aware of that?”

  She quit the room, slamming the door behind her with considerable force. Adam watched her go, uneasiness negating any sense of achievement he might otherwise have experienced at putting a stop to her pursuit of him. The malevolent set to her features persuaded him that her threats were far from idle. Philippa had a selfishly determined aspect to her character that she no longer felt the need to conceal. Adam had rejected her, and her twisted sense of logic decreed that in retaliation she must humiliate him. She was no longer sure enough of her hold over James to risk setting the brothers at odds with one another and bringing their mother’s loyalty into question. But that wouldn’t stop her from dreaming up another means to exact revenge.

  He returned his attention to the papers in front of him but couldn’t concentrate. His mind constantly returned to Philippa, wondering what he’d do in her position. Given that she was so resourceful, the answer was as obvious as it was distasteful. It was within her power to make life exceedingly uncomfortable for both his mother and Florentina. The latter could be warned, wouldn’t be surprised and would take the intelligence in her stride. But his mother was altogether another matter.

  In order to make her aware that her daughter-in-law was now her enemy, it would be necessary to tell her the truth. Or a very great deal of it. Adam had hoped she’d never have to learn the unpalatable facts about Philippa’s machinations. He’d certainly not wished her to know anything about the questionable paternity of the child Philippa now carried. The implications for the future of the family would cause his mother great pain. But thanks to Philippa’s self-centred attitude he couldn’t avoid inflicting it, even if his mother would have the comfort of knowing that James hadn’t forced his attentions on her daughter-in-law.

  With a heavy sigh he abandoned his paperwork and headed for the dower house.

  When Florentina and the dowager duchess returned from their morning perambulation they found Adam waiting for them in the drawing room. Her heart did a painful little flip at the mere mention of his name. She hadn’t expected to see him that morning and wasn’t sure she was prepared to face him. At least, not in his mother’s company. She made for the stairs, remarking that the dowager would most likely prefer to see his lordship alone, but the butler said Lord Fitzroy had particularly asked to see both ladies.

  “Both of us?” The dowager linked her arm through Florentina’s. “I wonder what my wicked son’s been up to that requires the presence of a third party to deflect my wrath.”

  Florentina blushed but decided it would be better not to enlighten her. “I can’t imagine why he would wish to see me, ma’am.”

  The dowager squeezed her hand. “That, my dear, is because you’re a silly goose.”

  Adam stood when they entered the room. Florentina hung back and watched the affectionate manner in which he greeted his mother, their closeness making her feel like the intruder she knew herself to be. He had looked so severe, so formidable, when they entered the room but his features relaxed into a tender smile when the dowager glided up to him. He took her hands and kissed her cheek.

  “This is a lovely surprise, Adam.”

  The dowager took her favourite chair by the fireplace and it was Florentina’s turn to greet him. She curtsied but couldn’t meet his eye, scared that he’d be able to detect her true feelings in her expression.

  “Mrs. Grantley.”

  He bowed and took her hand. As he did so he winked at her, his eyes alight with a reckless sensuality that told her their thoughts were in perfect, shameful accord. Her blush deepened and she thought it expedient to fasten her eyes upon his impossibly shiny boots in order to avoid encouraging further flamboyant gestures on his part.

  But in the periphery of her vision she was aware of the dowager watching the exchange with avid interest. She wanted to kick his shin or warn him in some other equally direct manner to behave himself. It was all right for him. He could do as he pleased and it would be considered by an indulgent mother as nothing more than a passing fancy.

  The dowager was exceedingly fond of Florentina but if she even suspected there was anything other than polite intercourse between her and her favourite son, that partiality would be unlikely to stand the test of time. Such an inappropriate liaison couldn’t be condoned and she would be dismissed.

  Once they were all seated, refreshments were served.

  “Ah, strawberry tarts,” Adam said, selecting one and taking a healthy bite. “My favourite.” Florentina bl
ushed as scarlet as the berries topping the tarts. “Can I persuade you to taste one, Mrs. Grantley?”

  “Thank you, no. I don’t much care for strawberries.”

  “Liar!” he breathed whilst his mother’s attention was temporarily diverted.

  Once the tea things had been cleared away, Adam’s mood became sombre. He prepared his mother for a shock and then gently explained his predicament with the young duchess.

  The dowager choked on a gasp. “She wishes to enter into an understanding with you, even whilst your brother is still alive.” She stood and as quickly reseated herself, agitation in her gestures. “What wickedness!”

  “She tells me she acted selflessly in order to protect the duchy.”

  “Nonsense, Adam. That woman only ever thinks of herself.”

  Florentina’s head was spinning so badly that she was unable to utter a word. The duchess’s ultimatum must have been issued as a result of her visit to Lord King’s estate. The particulars must have reached Philippa’s ears, and her subsequent actions had been driven by jealousy and a stubborn determination to have her own way. Damnation, she should have listened to Christine and not gone anywhere near the wretched masquerade!

  Expressions of incomprehension, shock and then fulminating anger chased one another across the dowager’s features. Fearful for her health, Florentina jumped to her feet, poured a glass of water and held it to the duchess’s lips. Adam stood as well and took his mother’s hand.

  “What are we to do?” the dowager asked faintly.

  “There’s little we can do.” Adam expelled a long breath. “James is a slave to Philippa’s every whim, and we’ll not be able to drive a wedge between them. Besides, I won’t be reduced to Philippa’s level by even attempting it.”

  “The child,” the dowager said bleakly.

  Adam and Florentina shared a glance. “We shall never know for sure, Mother. But James thinks he fathered it and we’ll never persuade him otherwise.”

  The dowager raised her chin, recovering her composure with remarkable speed. “Now, let me see if I’ve got this right. Philippa wishes you to engage in extramarital activities with her and is threatening to expel you from the estate if you don’t fall in with her plan.” Adam nodded. “You’ve called her bluff by suggesting that if you go then so, too, will I, which of course I shall.”

  “Yes.”

  “How could I ever have imagined that your heart would be broken by such a conniving hussy? All I can say is that you’ve had a fortunate escape.”

  “I agree with you. But the difficulty is that by forcing me to reject her, I’ve made an enemy out of her. And now she’ll do everything she can to harm, if not me, then those I love.”

  “Which is why you’ve chosen to reveal all of this to us now?”

  Florentina attributed the dowager’s use of the plural to a slip of the tongue.

  “Yes, I wouldn’t wish her to take out her disappointments on you.”

  “Don’t worry, my dear, forewarned is forearmed. I’m more than a match for Philippa.” The dowager glanced at Florentina. “But I don’t understand why she’s so anxious to part me from my dear Tina. Although,” she added speculatively, glancing between the two of them, “perhaps that’s not entirely true.”

  “She has never liked me, ma’am.”

  The dowager chuckled. “I wonder why?”

  “I wonder that too,” Florentina said. “It’s never been my intention to overset her.”

  “Perhaps she’s aware of your connection to Chamberleigh.”

  “What!” cried Adam and Florentina in unison.

  “Do sit down, Adam, and close your mouth before your jaw hits the floor. Sometimes I wonder if you think I’m a complete simpleton. Chamberleigh has existed for years, right on our doorstep. I can hardly pretend not to be aware of its true purpose, especially since your father was a regular visitor there for so many years.”

  “Yes, I suppose there’s that.” Adam’s sangfroid expression gave way to one of abject disbelief as the nature of his mother’s casual statement struck home. “But why do you imagine that has anything to do with Mrs. Grantley?”

  “Oh, do try and think of me as a lady of advanced years with seven children of her own, rather than one who needs to be cosseted and protected from the world. It’s natural to treat one’s mother as an innocent, I suppose, but hardly appropriate in my case. Lady Madison is a close friend of mine and she told me something of your determination to rescue Spanish refugees who might otherwise be forced into prostitution. Perhaps now would be a good time for you to explain it all to me. If I know everything, I’ll be better able to fend off Philippa.”

  Florentina and Adam exchanged another prolonged glance. After a moment’s deliberation, Florentina decided that if her employer knew as much as she already did and hadn’t made any objections, she deserved to know it all. She inclined her head and Adam took up the story, starting with how he’d rescued Florentina at the Feathers.

  “I knew all those visits to ailing relatives had to be a falsehood.”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I didn’t know how else—”

  “Hush, child, it doesn’t signify.” She patted Florentina’s hand. “I greatly admire your fighting spirit. Only to think what you might now be compelled to endure if you’d not managed to escape from that terrible man.”

  “You are too kind, Your Grace. I don’t deserve your compassion.”

  “On the contrary, it is I who feels humbled in the face of such courage. My only wish is that you’d felt able to confide in me before now. I would have enjoyed my share of the excitement.”

  “You will have excitement enough keeping Philippa in line,” Adam said.

  “So, you intend to put this wicked man Dawson out of business?” the dowager asked. Adam nodded. “I am very pleased to hear it. When will that happen?”

  “As soon as Madison sends word that he’s making landfall. We anticipate that it will be sometime during the coming week.”

  “You will take care, Adam. These people sound desperate.”

  “I’ll not permit him to take undue risks, ma’am.”

  “You are to be there, Tina?” The dowager appeared surprised.

  “No,” said Adam.

  “Yes,” said Florentina.

  “Ah, I see how it is.” The dowager stood up and smiled. “I think perhaps you’ll resolve this difference of opinion more easily if I were to leave you to yourselves.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You appear distracted.” Adam gently smoothed the hair away from Florentina’s face and smiled into eyes still cloudy with the residue of passion. She looked satiated, as she had every right to do, and totally comfortable with her nakedness. But he could sense that her mind was taken up with something other than their recent activities. “Tell me what troubles you, sweetheart. We agreed no more secrets, remember?”

  She stretched her arms above her head, curled catlike into a more comfortable position, and settled her head upon his chest. “Oh, it’s nothing of consequence. I expect I’m just being fanciful.”

  “Whenever a lady says nothing troubles her, she’s usually very troubled indeed.” As he spoke, his fingers casually traced the outline of her breast, drawing intricate patterns on it with a delicate touch that caused her nipple to harden, and Florentina herself to softly moan. Moonlight streaming in through the summerhouse windows gave him a clear view of her features and he could see that actions that would once have driven thoughts of anything else from her mind were tonight being less effective. “Don’t tell me that you’re tiring of my attentions already.” He affected an appalled expression that made her giggle. “I’m mortified.”

  “It’s nothing you’ve done.”

  “Is it your brother?”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “You get this distant look in your eye when you’re thinking about him. I can always tell.”

  “Well, yes, partly. He’s never far from my thoughts. How could it be otherwis
e? But I’m convinced he must still be alive. I’d be able to sense it if he wasn’t. Your mother has kindly offered to find positions for Ramon and Sophia once we’ve dealt with Dawson, and as soon as this wretched war is over, I intend to return to Spain and conduct a search for Eduardo myself.” Her voice was full of resolve. “I worry that he’ll return home, you see, and when he doesn’t find us there he’s bound to think the worst.”

  Adam had his own ideas about Sophia and Ramon. No siblings of his future wife would enter domestic service.

  She sighed. “Things are such a muddle in Spain now. Napoleon’s Grande Armée is in disarray, what with its communications and supplies being disrupted by Partisans, and units cut off.”

  “And you think your brother might be in the thick of all that?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him,” she said with a sad little smile. “He can be quite hotheaded at times.”

  “A family failing then?”

  “Hardly that. Anyway, I fear for the future of my country. The government is falling apart, and the quarrelling provincial juntas don’t seem to be able to agree about anything.”

  “Your brother will be fine. It seems to me as if he has an instinct for survival.”

  “I wish I shared your optimism.” She reached up and ran a finger down the cleft in his chin.

  “But is there anything else on your mind, sweetheart?

  “It’s hard for me to put my anxieties into words because I’m probably just imagining things.”

  “Allow me to be the judge of that.”

  “Very well, but you must promise not to laugh.”

  He placed a hand over his heart. “I promise.”

  She lifted her head from his chest and held his gaze. “In the three days since you confided in your mother about Philippa, I’ve been unable to shake off the feeling that I’m being watched.”

  Adam tensed. Florentina wasn’t given to fanciful notions. “Have you noticed anyone actually following you?”

  “Well, no. As I say, I’m probably just imagining things.”

  “You’re on edge, waiting for news of Dawson. That’s only to be expected. I wish I could be with you more than I already am.”