No Decent Gentleman

by Grasso, Patricia;

  "That means get out," Adam said.

  The servants sprang to life. They tripped over each other in their haste to leave the kitchen.

  "Well done, my lord," Sabrina said.

  "I'm the gardener," Adam corrected her. "Remember? Winston, sit down."

  The wolfhound obeyed instantly.

  "How do you do that?" Sabrina asked.

  Adam smiled. "Winston knows that I am the top dog in this family."

  "Are you implying that I'm a b—?"

  "No."

  "Shall I make you some French sunshine first?" Sabrina asked. "It doesn't take long."

  "I'm still working on what you brought from London," Adam refused, patting his stomach.

  "Would you like a piece of the sweet while I am making lunch?" she asked.

  "I left it upstairs."

  Sabrina hadn't seen the box anywhere in his chamber. "Tell me where it is, and I'll get it."

  "Only a heartless wife makes her husband wait to eat," Adam said.

  "I'll make a new batch of sunshine tomorrow," she promised. "What would you like to eat now?"

  "Something light."

  "How about eggs?"

  Adam inclined his head.

  "Scrambled eggs with mushrooms and truffle oil and a cup of tomato soup," she said.

  Like an ordinary wife, Sabrina gathered the necessary ingredients for the egg dish along with bread and butter and then put the soup on to simmer. Like an ordinary husband, Adam sat at the kitchen table and watched her work.

  "I really like James and Lily Armstrong," Sabrina said over her shoulder.

  "We can visit them in Scotland next autumn if you like," Adam told her.

  Sabrina turned around. "James has a home there?"

  Adam nodded. "All of the Quality go grouse hunting from mid-August until late autumn."

  "I don't like hunting," she said.

  "I don't either."

  Sabrina put the mushrooms and butter into a small pan and fried them for a few minutes. Then she added some parsley and truffle oil. "Prince Adolphus doesn't know that I know he's my father," she said. "How should I behave when I meet him again?"

  "Be your wonderful self."

  Sabrina walked over to the table and kissed him, saying, "Thank you for the compliment." Then she hurried back to the stove and added beaten eggs, cream, salt, and pepper to the mixture and began scrambling the eggs. "I feel guilty about not telling Courtney," she said. "Do you think she'll forgive me?"

  "How could she not?" Adam replied.

  Sabrina scooped the scrambled eggs onto hot buttered toast and added the mushrooms on top of that. Then she garnished the eggs with parsley and set the dishes on the table before returning to the stove for the soup.

  "It looks delicious," Adam said when she joined him at the table. He raised a forkful of egg to his mouth and then said, "And it tastes as good as it looks."

  Sabrina set a dish of eggs and a bowl of soup on the floor for Winston, who instantly began gobbling it up. "I won't be completely happy until my father rests in hallowed ground."

  "I'll go to work on that as soon as we return to London," Adam promised. "Tell me what you know about that day."

  Sabrina shrugged. "I've told you everything I can remember."

  "Will you be upset if I ask you a few questions?" he said.

  "No."

  "What did your father use?"

  Sabrina stared at him blankly. "I don't understand."

  "Did he use a rope, a belt, or something else to hang himself?" Adam asked.

  "My father did not hang himself," Sabrina insisted. "My father died by hanging."

  Adam grinned at her. "Princess, you would make an excellent barrister. Now, answer my question."

  "A rope."

  "Did he usually keep a rope in his study?" Adam asked.

  "No, is that important?"

  "It could be," he answered. "Either he brought the rope into the study that day or—"

  "—someone else did," she finished for him.

  "Was his neck broken?"

  "No."

  "What shape was the bruise on his neck?" Adam asked. "Was it a straight line or an inverted V bruise?"

  Sabrina closed her eyes and tried to conjure the horrifying scene in her father's study. Again she saw Forbes and Edgar kneeling beside her father. Closer and closer she stepped to gaze down at his lifeless body.

  "The bruise was a V," Sabrina said, opening her eyes. "Is that important?"

  "I won't lie to you," Adam said. "A V bruise usually indicates suicide and a straight line indicates murder."

  Sabrina knew her father could never take his own life. He would never wish to leave her and Courtney to fend for themselves. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she insisted on a choked sob, "My father did not commit suicide."

  "Do you believe he was murdered?"

  "I didn't say that," Sabrina answered, wringing her hands folded in her lap.

  "Your father's death was no accident," Adam told her, reaching out to take her hands in his. "Suicide and murder are the only options."

  "You just said a V-shaped bruise indicates suicide," Sabrina reminded him.

  "If an assailant knocked him out and then hanged him, the bruise would appear to be a suicide's," Adam said.

  "My father had no enemies," she replied.

  "Princess, think hard," Adam said. "Was anything out of place or unusual about the study?"

  "No, I didn't notice anything amiss," Sabrina said, looking him straight in the eye. She realized that nothing being out of place pointed to suicide.

  "We will solve this puzzle with logic," Adam said. "Do you agree that your father's death was no accident?"

  Sabrina nodded.

  "Princess, our choices are murder or suicide," Adam told her. "No one knows your father better than you and Courtney. If given a choice of the two, which is the most likely to have happened?"

  "Murder."

  "Now, forget about the problem of how the villain could have entered a locked room, murdered your father, and then escaped without leaving any trace of evidence," Adam said, and then gave her an encouraging smile. "The man or woman who murdered your father had a grudge against him or something to gain by the earl's death. Do you know of anyone harboring a grudge against him?"

  Sabrina shook her head. "My father was a wonderful man who treated everyone with respect."

  "Then the person who murdered your father is someone who would gain by his death," Adam said.

  Sabrina sat back against the chair. Suddenly she felt weak, as if she were going to faint. For some strange reason, the thought of Edgar's disappointment at being refused her hand in marriage popped into her mind, but she quickly banished such an absurd notion. Edgar Briggs had been a family friend for as long as she could remember. He would never do anything to hurt her or her family. She couldn't accuse him without any evidence.

  "I will discover who that person is," Adam told her. "I promise you."

  "I believe you will do it," Sabrina said, managing a smile for him. "That villain is no match for you."

  "Thank you for the praise, Princess." Finished with his eggs and soup, Adam lifted the parsley garnish. "I always eat the parsley, though I know most people do not."

  "That was laughing parsley," Sabrina told him. "Legend says you will die of laughing if you eat it."

  "I will take my chances," Adam said, and popped the parsley into his mouth. Then he chuckled at her feigned look of horror.

  "You see, the parsley is already working," she told him.

  Adam threw back his head and shouted with laughter. "You must eat some too and die with me."

  "Feed it to Winston," Sabrina said. "I never saw a dog laugh."

  Adam picked up the sprig of parsley and tried to put it into her mouth. When he reached out with his free hand and tickled her, Sabrina laughed, and he popped the parsley inside.

  "I have need of you upstairs, wife," he announced, rising from his chair to scoop her into his arms. "The se
rvants will clear this mess."

  Leaving Winston in the great hall with Razi, Adam carried Sabrina up the stairs to the third floor. She fixed a troubled gaze on the door to the east wing as they passed it.

  "I'll have you for dessert," Adam said, tossing her onto his bed and falling gently on top of her. He gazed down at her and then dipped his head to claim her lips in a tender kiss. "Princess, you are sweeter than French sunshine. ..."

  Chapter 14

  Four days, Sabrina thought. Four glorious days of wedded bliss.

  Dressed only in her chemise, Sabrina stood in her bedchamber and gazed out the window. Sheets of rain slashed the window, making the village across the bay invisible.

  This was the first stormy day since her arrival. God shield her, but she hoped the storm did not herald a bad omen for her marriage.

  For the first time in her life, Sabrina was sublimely happy and knew she loved her husband. She refused to say those words to him until he said them to her, but her husband didn't seem to think that she longed to hear him profess his love.

  Only the uncertainty of what lay behind the east wing's door had marred the almost perfect four days of her married life. Three times each day—morning, afternoon, evening-—her husband disappeared into the east wing. Several times she'd tried to get inside, only to find the door locked.

  "How about this gown?" asked a voice behind her.

  Sabrina turned around to look at her newest acquisition, a lady's maid. Tilly was a seventeen-year-old from the village, whom her husband had hired to play lady's maid to her. After all, he couldn't let his valet help her dress and undress.

  Tilly yearned to leave the dull life of Marazion and knew being lady's maid to the Marchioness of Stonehurst would be exciting. At least, that's what she'd said.

  Sabrina shifted her gaze from the girl to the high-waisted forest-green gown with crossover bodice. "That will do."

  Tilly helped her into the gown and then fastened the row of tiny buttons in the back. Then she handed Sabrina a matching cashmere shawl.

  "I'll take the other gown downstairs and try to get the wine stain out of it," Tilly said, grabbing the soiled garment and heading for the door.

  Sabrina stood motionless for several moments and wondered what she could bring to her husband's study to keep herself busy while he worked on his ledgers. Finally, she decided to take a book and her needlework.

  After gathering those items, Sabrina left the bedchamber and walked down the deserted corridor to the stairs. She paused at the east wing's door and turned the knob. Locked, of course.

  Sabrina continued down the stairs until she reached the study. She knocked on the door and heard her husband calling, "Enter." He didn't sound especially happy.

  Opening the door, Sabrina stepped inside and closed the door behind herself quietly so she wouldn't disturb him. She smiled as her husband rose to his feet at her entrance.

  "Is something wrong?" she asked.

  "No, I am experiencing a minor difficulty with this column of numbers," Adam said, gesturing to the ledger book on the desk in front of him.

  "Would you like me to try my hand at them?" Sabrina asked.

  Adam grinned and shook his head, seemingly amused by her offer. This didn't sit well with Sabrina, but she remained silent.

  "Make yourself comfortable," Adam said, gesturing to the study.

  Sabrina crossed the chamber and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I'll sit over there near the hearth and keep busy."

  "I should have these accounts finished soon enough," Adam told her. "Then we can move on to more pleasurable pursuits."

  Sabrina crossed the study to the hearth, and Adam resumed his work. Placing the book and the needlework on the floor, she struggled to turn one of the chairs around to face the desk.

  "What are you doing?"

  Sabrina looked up from her task. "I want to sit this way so I can see your face whenever I want."

  Adam smiled at her sentiment. He rose and crossed the study to her. After turning the chair easily, he gave her derriere an affectionate pat and returned to his work.

  Sabrina made herself comfortable in the chair and then asked, "Where is Winston hiding?"

  Adam shrugged. "He's probably sleeping off lunch in the great hall."

  "That way he can smell the aroma of supper being cooked," she replied.

  Adam lifted his quill and gave his attention to his ledgers.

  Sabrina looked at the carpet where her book and needlework lay. Read or sew?

  Deciding on the lesser of two evils, Sabrina picked up the book, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. She read the first chapter and then peeked at her husband so engrossed in his ledgers.

  Sabrina couldn't figure out what she loved most about him. What is it his penetrating blue eyes and midnight-black hair? Was it his devastating smile? Or could it be his intelligence and nobility? A smile touched her lips as she tried to picture him as a young boy.

  "What are you doing?" Adam asked, looking up at her as if he'd felt her intense stare.

  "Watching you," she answered with a shy smile.

  "Princess, tallying a large column of numbers while you watch me is distracting," Adam said. "Why don't you try your needlework?"

  "I'm sorry."

  Sabrina set the book down on the carpet and lifted her needlework off the floor. Sewing crooked stitches easily frustrated her, and then the damned thread knotted. She yanked on the needle so hard, she pricked her finger and cried, "Ouch!"

  Adam snapped his head up.

  "I pricked my finger," she said by way of an apology for disturbing him again.

  "I can see I will accomplish no work with you in my study," Adam said, setting his quill down on the desk.

  "Do you want me to leave?" Sabrina asked, sending him a hurt look.

  Adam shook his head and smiled. "How about an interesting game of chess?"

  "I never knew that chess could be interesting," Sabrina remarked.

  "Ah, but you've never played with me." Adam stood and held out his hand in invitation, saying, "Come, Princess."

  Leaving her book and needlework, Sabrina rose from the chair and crossed the study to place her hand in his. "Where are we going?" she asked.

  "Upstairs." When they reached the foyer, Adam called for Razi, who materialized out of nowhere. "Bring the chess set to my chamber."

  "Yes, master."

  Hand in hand, Adam and Sabrina walked upstairs to his third-floor bedchamber. Adam stoked the fire in the hearth while they waited for Razi. Within minutes, the little man delivered the chess set and then left the room.

  Adam bolted the door behind his man and then turned around to give her his devastating smile. "Have you ever played chess, Princess?"

  "Once or twice," she answered.

  Adam dragged the small table close to the hearth and turned two chairs to face it. Then he began placing the chessmen on the table, saying, "Come, Princess."

  Sabrina sat opposite him and asked, "How will you make this interesting?"

  "Each player who loses a chessman must remove an article of clothing, and the loser must finish undressing if not already naked," Adam said, the hint of a smile flirting with his lips. "Do you still want to play?"

  Sabrina felt the heated blush staining her cheeks, but inclined her head in agreement.

  "Take your shoes off and make yourself comfortable," Adam said.

  "You want me to wear fewer clothes so I'll lose faster," Sabrina accused with a smile.

  "How can you even suggest I would try to do such an evil thing?" Adam asked, his expression innocent. "I'll take my own shoes off." At that, he yanked his shoes off to reveal bare feet.

  "That makes me feel so much better," Sabrina drawled, making him smile. She looked closely at the chess pieces and asked, "Are these Saxons and Normans?"

  "We are going to replay the Battle of Hastings," he told her. "Do you prefer being white William or black Harold?"

  "I'll take the white."

  Together
, they set up the chessboard, and then Sabrina asked, "Who will move first?"

  "Why tamper with history?" Adam said. "You make the first move."

  Sabrina stared at their battlefield for a long moment and then began the game by moving her king's pawn two squares forward. This left her queen and one of her bishops open for action.

  "Nice opening, Princess." Adam began by bringing out his queen's knight, which leaped over the pawns and was ready for further action. "How many times have you played before?"

  "Do not distract me," Sabrina said, smiling at him. "Or is that part of your strategy?"

  Adam caught her gaze and held it captive. "I do not need to cause any distractions in order to win a game of chess with you," he said. Then in a husky voice, he added, "I love it when you are distracted by desire."

  The sensitive spot between her thighs throbbed with his words, but Sabrina willed herself to remain cool. She advanced her queen's pawn two squares. This gave her queen more scope and unblocked her other bishop. Both of her bishops were now free to move.

  "I love that soft moaning sound you make in your throat when passion rules your senses," Adam said, moving his king's pawn two squares. Both his knight and his pawn were positioned to attack her queen's pawn.

  Ignoring his words, Sabrina stared hard at the battlefield and then advanced her queen's pawn one square forward. This move threatened his black knight with capture.

  "You didn't think I'd let a measly pawn dispatch my knight?" Adam asked, moving his knight away, out of harm's way.

  "My lord, I never have any idea what you will do," Sabrina said primly.

  Adam grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."

  Sabrina moved her king-bishop's pawn two squares forward. This pawn was poised to attack the black pawn.

  Adam moved his queen's pawn one square. This defended his king's pawn under attack by the white.

  Sabrina studied the board. If she captured his king's pawn, the pawn he'd just moved would capture hers. Instead, she brought her king-knight into play. Its new position threatened his pawn and his bishop.

  "Have I told you how much I love it when you suck upon my nipples?" she asked in an effort to distract him.

  Adam adjusted himself in his chair. Ignoring her words, he raised his brows and said, "Good move, Princess."