Page 19 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘James.’ Adam spoke with forced joviality. ‘They told me you were at death’s door but clearly those accounts were greatly exaggerated.’ He shook his brother’s trembling hand. His grip was as weak as a child’s, the skin on the back of his hand wrinkled and stretched paper-thin.
‘Won’t be much longer.’
Adam took the seat opposite his brother, in spite of the fact that it was stiflingly hot so close to the fire. ‘Afraid not. It seems you’re to recover.’
‘Huh, what do they know? Charlatans, the whole lot of ’em. Parker, you may leave us.’ The valet stooped to adjust the rug over James’s knees and threw yet another log on the fire. ‘Stop fussing like an old woman, damn it, and leave me alone.’
‘Very good, your grace.’
Once Parker left them there was a long silence, broken only by James’s incessant coughing. Adam was owed an explanation and wouldn’t speak until one was forthcoming. James shifted his position several times, in no hurry to formulate one. His eyes were half-closed but Adam could see that he was still observing him astutely, presumably trying to decide how much he ought to say.
‘Can’t seem to get comfortable, no matter how I sit,’ he complained. Adam knew he was stalling and made no response. ‘Seen Philippa, have you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Yes? Is that all you have to say?’
‘What would you have me say, James?’
‘Look, I expect you’re a bit put out by what happened. Can’t altogether say as I’d blame you if you are.’ James lifted his bony shoulders, wincing at the pain this simple gesture caused him, and dissolved into another bout of coughing. ‘Bad form to marry one’s brother’s intended, know that very well.’
Adam was tempted to ask why, in that case, he’d done so. Since the answer was obvious to anyone who glanced in the direction of Philippa’s waistline, he remained silent on the point.
‘But, well…what with Julia being taken from me so unexpectedly, I reckon I went out of my mind with grief for a while there.’
‘I’m truly sorry for your loss. It must have been a terrible time for you. I did write.’
‘Yes, I got your letter and meant to reply but—you know.’ James shrugged again but more cautiously this time, barely moving his shoulders. ‘But the thing is, everything was at sixes and sevens. We were all in a dreadful state, and Philippa’s was the only voice of reason about the place. She held us together for a while. Have to say I’ve never admired a gel more. A great comfort she was, and I don’t know how I’d have got through it without her. Not sure I’d have wanted to, come to that.’
‘And now she confidently expects to provide you with an heir.’ Adam smiled sardonically. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Well, that at least ought to give you joy.’ James spoke acerbically, the fragile truce between the brothers already showing signs of strain. ‘You’ve said often enough that you don’t want the damned job.’
Adam inclined his head. ‘True, but forgive me, James, I find it hard to imagine you ravishing an unwilling victim here at the Court.’ He left the implication that James would happily behave in such a fashion anywhere other than in their ancestral home hanging in the air between them.
‘Don’t remember much about it, truth to tell. But Philippa said it happened and it’s hardly the sort of thing a young lady would make up, so I suppose I must have forgotten myself.’ Far from looking repentant when all but admitting to rape, James looked inordinately pleased with his achievement. ‘As soon as I heard about it I offered to do the honourable thing, naturally.’
‘Naturally.’
‘Well, I’ve apologised and now you’ve seen her yourself, there won’t be any more awkwardness.’
Adam was too taken aback to say anything. Even by James’s standards, he was being excessively crass. He seemed to think his actions could be swept aside with a brief sentence or two by way of explanation and a half-hearted apology.
‘No hard feelings then?’
‘None whatsoever. Tell me instead what’s happening on the estate.’
‘How the devil should I know, being stuck in the damned sickroom all day.’
‘No matter, I left clear orders with Fowler and I’ll check with him later to make sure there are no problems.’
‘No need to bother yourself. Dare say you’re anxious to get back to your regiment and cover yourself in more glory.’ The envy on James’s face was impossible to misinterpret. ‘Anyway, Philippa has the estate running smoothly.’
‘Ah, I see.’
‘And what the deuce is that supposed to imply?Ah, I see.’
James repeated Adam’s words in a hectoring tone. In spite of his debilitated condition his brother’s character had clearly not altered. He was irascible, quick to take offence and as resentful of Adam as ever. Aware that he intended to provoke an argument that he would end by pulling rank, Adam remained implacably calm.
