The door opened and a footman entered. "Lord Gresham, Your Grace," he announced.
Tristan strode into the room, an expression of concern on his handsome face.
Allegra looked up, startled. "My lord! You shouldn't have come here."
Tristan smiled at her warmly and kissed her hand. "And why not, Your Grace? Despite your husband's unkind accusations, we have nothing to be ashamed of. I won't willingly give up your company when there is no reason for me to be deprived of it. I was concerned for your well-being, and nothing but seeing you myself could assure me that you are well."
His air of ease was comforting, and Allegra managed a wan smile. "You're very kind, my lord. My health is excellent, thank you."
"I'm reassured. Unfortunately, your cheeks are missing their customary bloom. I hope that Gravesmere has not been unkind to you."
Allegra looked down. "My husband refuses to believe that there was nothing in what he saw last night, my lord. Your presence here would only annoy him further."
"It angers me that he should think ill of you, Your Grace," said Tristan. "It's a poor sort of affection which is easily overset by something as small as last night's events."
"Adam's affections are not engaged by me, as I am sure you are aware."
Tristan looked at Allegra's downcast face and felt a surge of triumph. This was going to be a ridiculously easy seduction. Her pride was clearly hurt, her tender feelings for her husband shaken. At first he had feared that the Gravesmeres’ apparent rapprochement of last week would make his task more difficult, but now he could see that Adam's trampling on his wife's newly awakened affection simply made her ripe for the plucking. She should fall easily into his hands, a prospect he looked forward to eagerly.
"Your Grace," he said, his voice gentle, with just the right hint of sympathy. "I would ease your pain if I could."
Allegra made a conscious effort to gather herself together. "It's kind of you to be concerned for me, my lord, but I mustn't bore you with my problems. I doubt that my company is bringing you much pleasure today."
"Any time I have with you is a pleasure," responded Tristan. "If I had my choice, I would never be out of your company."
Allegra looked up, startled, and saw sincerity in his eyes. She caught her breath. That Tristan, a man she had never sought to attract, should be so eager to make her happy, and her own husband should not care for her, was the cruelest twist of fate. It was enough to drive a woman to distraction.
"That's a kind thought, my lord, but not a practical one. You would be best served if you left me to my own difficulties and sought the company of others. If Adam continues on the path he has chosen, I'll doubtless be the topic of some very unpleasant gossip soon."
Tristan took her hand and looked into her eyes. "Your Grace, I don't care what your husband or the world think of you. I know you to be an honorable woman, and no one can convince me otherwise."
Allegra blinked back tears. "Lord Gresham, you should not speak to me so. I appreciate your kindness, but I must deal with Adam alone."
"I wish I could do more to aid you." Tristan said. "If your position becomes impossible, I would gladly take you from here and protect you."
Allegra's eyes widened with shock. "Lord Gresham! You cannot possibly mean what I think I am hearing. Are you suggesting that I leave Gravesmere and elope with you?"
Tristan patted her hand. He doubted that Allegra was likely to flee with him unless her situation grew very much worse, but he was sure the suggestion would appeal to her romantic nature. And if she did take him up on his offer, he could easily imagine being amused by her for several months before their ways parted. "If Gravesmere cannot treat you with the respect you merit, he doesn't deserve you. If you like I will take you away from here and give you the sort of life you can enjoy."
Allegra looked at him mournfully. She didn't love Tristan, but he had always been kind and amusing, and she was fond of him. It occurred to her that this might be the only solution for her in the end. If Adam did indeed obtain a divorce or separation, then she would be utterly disgraced. No aristocratic hostess would allow her into her home, none of her friends would be allowed to receive her. She would undoubtedly be immured on her brother's country estate, with no prospects beyond spending the rest of her life there in shamed solitude.
"Lord Gresham, I can't agree to such a thing. You would lose your friends and position; the Society in which you have spent your whole life would reject you. We would be forced to flee to the Continent. It would be no life for a man such as you, who is used to moving in the highest circles," she said.
"Do you think that the circles I move in mean more to me than you do? I would have no qualms in deserting this world if you were by my side."
Allegra rose and walked to the window. She pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks. It had been a perplexing morning. Not three days ago she had been sure that Adam was coming to care for her, and now she was not only threatened with the end of her marriage, but another man was asking her to run away with him.
"My lord, I can't give you an answer now," she said. "I'm too distraught to think clearly."
Tristan came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently. "Forgive me. Now is not the time to be discussing these things. I have vastly overstepped the bounds of what is proper. But I hope that you trust me, and know that I am yours to command."
Allegra nodded her head gratefully. "Thank you, my lord. I will remember that I have at least one friend."
Chapter 18
Lady Eskmaine Intervenes
Lady Eskmaine entered the room at that moment to see the two of them standing by the window, Tristan's hands still resting on Allegra's shoulders. She blinked in astonishment.
"Goodness," she said briskly. "I no longer wonder why my brother is in such a temper. The two of you present a pretty picture, indeed."
Allegra hastily turned and stepped away from Tristan. "Surely you don't think--" she began.
"Of course I don't think anything at all," Caroline assured her. "But I must say it didn't look at all proper. One can hardly blame Adam for being upset."
An angry look came into Allegra's eyes. "Adam has made it quite clear how he feels, as have I. I have nothing to apologize to your brother for. He is the one who has wronged me dreadfully."
"I'm sure you believe so, my love," said Caroline, holding out her hand. "Come and tell me all about it. Lord Gresham, you will have to excuse us. Pray wait on me this afternoon in Brook Street, however. I have some matters to discuss with you."
Tristan, with a touch of surprise, found himself out maneuvered and had no choice but to bow gracefully and leave the field to Caroline. That lady promptly bustled Allegra to the settee.
"Now Allegra, do tell me what is going on. Poor Mama is feeling quite vaporish, and my brother is closeted in his study, muttering darkly of divorce. He tells me he found you in the arms of not one, but two different gentlemen last night."
"And what if he did?" said Allegra. "I'm sure that my doings are of little enough interest to him."
"He seems to be most concerned, nonetheless. Will you tell me why he found you in these situations?"
"I was very angry. If my husband cannot treat me with respect, I see no reason why I should explain myself to him."
"What has Adam done to make you so angry, Allegra? He swears he did nothing more than ask you to dance with him, and you immediately rushed off to another man's arms."
Allegra sniffed and lifted her chin. "He would see it that way, perhaps. He seems to think me to be totally ignorant of his dealings with others. And I'm sure that is how he would prefer it!"
"Talking to you is like watching a top spin," complained Caroline. "You go around and around, and you make me quite dizzy. What exactly has upset you so?"
"I will not have my husband discussing me with his mistress!" said Allegra abruptly.
Caroline stared at her, mightily confused. "Did Adam tell you that he had discussed you wit
h Louisa Manning?"
"Of course not," said Allegra. "But I know that he has. He told her I was...that I do not...I cannot tell you what he told her," she concluded.
Caroline sighed. "I find this very confusing. If Adam has said something dreadful about you to Lady Manning, how can you possibly know?"
Allegra bit her lip and looked away.
"Surely you haven't been talking to that vulgar woman!" said Caroline. "Or has she been talking to you?"
"I don't care to discuss this, Caroline."
"You can't possibly believe something that Lady Manning has told you."
"And why shouldn't I?" demanded Allegra. "She surely knows what Adam is thinking; he spent all of last night with her."
"Allegra, a gentleman of Adam's station doesn't connive with his mistress against his wife," promised Caroline. "It simply isn't done."
"He does if he wishes to rid himself of his wife and marry his mistress!" said Allegra fiercely. "And that is what he wants, I'm sure. At the most, he wants me only as a brood mare, someone to carry his children and grow old and fat, while Louisa Manning has all his affection and care!"
Caroline sighed. Allegra was clearly overwrought, and wasn't thinking clearly. And Caroline herself could not be sure that Allegra was not at least partly in the right. Adam had certainly told her that he wished to separate from Allegra, and while he had not mentioned marrying Lady Manning, Caroline had no doubt that he had fancied himself in love with her for several years. More than that, she had few doubts that Lady Manning had every possible ambition to become Duchess of Gravesmere.
"Come Allegra, you must calm down and be reasonable," she said soothingly.
"There is nothing to be reasonable about," said Allegra. "I have been treated like...like...well, certainly not like a duchess and a wife."
"Did Adam give you any reason to think that he wished to be rid of you prior to this morning?" asked Caroline.
"Not since we...not since we were at Gravesmere," said Allegra. "He was very kind to me there and since we returned. I did have hopes, but, of course, I was a fool. I was merely a convenient plaything while he was away from London. I feel so humiliated. I thought he cared, Caroline, and I allowed him to...well, to...I'm sure you know what I mean."
"I think I can guess." Caroline patted Allegra's shoulder bracingly. "Tell me, child, how long have you been in love with my brother?"
Allegra jumped as though stung and stood up, her hands clenched at her sides. "I am not in love with Adam! What a ridiculous suggestion. I was simply carried away at Gravesmere. He is both attractive and, uh- proficient, you know, and I'm sure he set out to seduce me. I was foolish enough to give in, but it will not happen again, do you hear me, Caroline?"
"I hear you, and we'll be fortunate if the entire house has not." Caroline stood and shook her head. "You are far too overwrought to talk about this sensibly. I suggest you take a nap, Allegra, and then try to be a bit more rational. You have nothing except Louisa Manning's words to go by, and I wouldn't judge her to be trustworthy. It's very possible that you are doing both my brother and yourself a great disservice."
Allegra's lips tightened. "Thank you for your concern, Caroline, but I think it's misplaced. Your brother has wronged me, and there is nothing he can do now to restore my faith in him. He told me he would send that woman away, and yet she is still here, tormenting me."
Caroline sighed. "We'll discuss this later, when you're calmer, and I've had more time to get to the bottom of it. In the meantime, promise me you won't do anything rash."
"Rash? What makes you think I'd do something rash?"
Caroline's lips twitched. "Please try to stay out of trouble, Allegra. I'll talk to you again soon." She reached out and hugged her sister-in-law tenderly, and then left the room, her heart heavy. Whatever was the cause of this quarrel, it would not be easy to set right.
Allegra turned away from the door as Caroline left and paced angrily up and down the morning room, trying to sort out her situation. Her visitors had served only to confuse her further. Tristan's surprising admission of devotion and his willingness to flee with her made her suddenly aware of just how precarious her position was. If he felt able to make such an offer, he must also feel confident that her marriage was at an end. And yet she had done nothing wrong. It was Adam who had been unfaithful to her.
Perhaps she had been a touch indiscreet the night before, but Adam had driven her to that by his lies and conniving with his mistress. She shuddered at the memory of the gloating look she had seen in Louisa's eyes. And to think that only one night before, she had abandoned herself freely to Adam, allowing him total access to her body, imagining that he must feel some affection for her, that their marriage would grow into a strong one.
Her lip curled in distaste. She felt unclean, sharing her husband with another woman, being used only as a diversion when he couldn't have the woman he truly wanted. Caroline might try to reassure her that Adam was not conniving with Louisa, but to Allegra the evidence was all too clear. Adam didn't want her and Tristan did. Her only choices would be exile in England, alone, or on the continent with a man she didn't love.
Allegra looked up and saw her reflection in the gilt-framed mirror that hung across the room. Her big blue eyes were heavy with tears, her distress evident in her flushed cheeks and the tragic droop of her mouth. "It isn't fair," she said aloud to her reflection. "Why should I be blamed when it is Adam who is at fault?"
The door to the room swung open and Allegra hastily removed a handkerchief from her bosom, dabbing at her eyes so that whoever the unwanted visitor was would not see her in tears. When she turned, her eyes widened in shock, for Adam stood in the doorway, his face also registering surprise. He looked wonderful, she thought with a wrenching feeling in her stomach. Her body felt a traitorous twinge of desire as her eyes lingered on his angelic face. If only she could turn the clock back on the last twenty-four hours, she thought miserably. There must be a way she could convince him that Louisa was not the woman for him.
Adam's look of amazement was replaced by a glare of cold distaste. His first reaction at the sight of Allegra had been to go to her and snatch her up in his arms, pressing a kiss to her trembling lips. Despite everything he still felt drawn to her, and he was furious with her for the power she held over him. "My apologies, ma'am. I was told that you had left the house. I thought you were surely amusing yourself elsewhere," he sneered.
Allegra flushed at his insulting tone, and hardened her heart. The Adam she had known in the country had obviously been a figment of her imagination. He could never have spoken to her so. "You were misinformed. I have been home since yesterday night, unlike yourself."
"My whereabouts are no concern of yours," snapped Adam. He still felt a nagging sense of distaste, as well as a thick head, after his night with Louisa, and he resented it. She had always satisfied him in the past, and that it now seemed somehow unsavory annoyed him. He had every right to do as he chose, particularly now that Allegra had proved herself to be little more than a wanton.
"Indeed they are not. You may disport yourself as you choose." Allegra glared at him haughtily.
"And I shall," Adam retorted.
"As shall I," responded Allegra promptly.
Adam fought down the urge to grab her by the shoulders and shake her. Where was the sweet, gentle woman who had saved the mare's life, who had shared so eagerly in his interests? Instead there was only this spitfire, a beautiful but flighty woman who seemed to share her favors with all and sundry. A horrifying picture of her with Gresham appeared in his mind, Allegra's fiery locks spilling across a candle lit bed as Gresham leaned over her. He gave a snort of disgust.
"You will behave yourself," he ordered. "You are still my wife and I won't have you playing me for a fool. If you become pregnant, I wish to know that the child is mine."
Allegra took a step back, stunned by his admission that Louisa's words had been true. It was only an heir he wanted from her, that and nothing else. What
if she was pregnant? Then he would have what he wanted from her and she would be all the more easily cast aside. She struck back, hoping to hurt him. "That's something you'll never know, will you Adam?" she taunted. "You can't keep me locked up night and day. You'll never be quite sure what I'm doing all those nights you're with your mistress."
"I can send you away from here. No one would question me if you I sent you back to the country...alone." Adam's lips curled in a triumphant smile. If she was locked away at Gravesmere, she would be unable to be unfaithful to him. He could visit her occasionally and claim his rights as a husband. Perhaps he couldn't have the woman he had imagined her to be, but he could still possess the image that haunted him.
"I'd run away," promised Allegra. "You'd have to watch me like a hawk, and I'd still find a way out. Do you think you can cage me like an animal?"
"Isn't that what you are? You want only to satisfy your basest instincts. You have no control." Adam's hands clenched into fists as he spat the words at her.
"I have no control? Which one of us spent last night with his lover? I was alone in my bed, Adam, waiting to see if you had the courage to return home!"
"Why should I believe that you're speaking the truth? And if you were alone in your bed, you doubtless allowed Gresham his way with you in the carriage. You've experience with that as well."
"Only with you! How can you imply that I would do such a thing with Lord Gresham? He was trying to comfort me after your unkind behavior. Is it so impossible that someone might be kind to me?"
Adam gave a cold laugh. "No, I find it entirely possible that the entire male population of London would like to be kind to you. Unfortunately, it seems as though you will let them. I will not tolerate such behavior in my wife."
A Duchess Enraged: An After Dark Version Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 2) Page 19