Page 44 of A Scandalous Proposition
*
The previous evening’s activities had set James back, and Adam wasn’t surprised when he didn’t come down to dinner. It was to be just Philippa, whose eyes came alive when he entered the drawing room.
‘Ah, Adam, there you are.’
‘Good evening.’ He accepted the glass of whisky that Kennedy handed to him. He had a feeling he was going to need it.
‘I thought our entertainment went very well last night,’ Philippa said. ‘The food was excellent and all our guests appeared to enjoy themselves.’
‘Just so long as you are satisfied that it didn’t overtax James’s strength.’ Adam spoke with deliberate courtesy. ‘He seemed all done in when I called upon him this morning.’
‘Oh, he will be fine.’ Philippa waved a hand, as though the subject was too trivial to engage her attention. ‘He hates being treated like an invalid and enjoyed seeing some of his old acquaintances again.’
Kennedy announced dinner. Adam offered Philippa his arm and the meal passed amidst a slew of her bright chatter, tempered by his more measured responses. She seemed determined to behave towards him just as she had before he joined his regiment. Her attitude tonight was a combination of the sweetness that he’d once mistaken for innocence, flattery, rapt interest in whatever he had to say, and mild flirtation. There were no signs of the steely determination he now knew underscored everything she did.
‘I believe Lord King was greatly enamoured with Mrs Grantley,’ she said. ‘He spoke about her to me in glowing terms, wanting to know what had brought her to the district and how long she intended to remain here.’
Adam suspected that he was being tested. Accordingly he didn’t react to the mention of Florentina’s name in the same sentence as King’s. ‘I was surprised to see King amongst your guests,’ he remarked instead, watching her closely without making it apparent he was doing so. Her expression altered briefly and he thought he saw alarm filter across it. But it was gone again before he could be sure. ‘We have never moved in the same circles as him. How did he become intimate with you?’
‘Oh, he’s an acquaintance of my brother’s.’
‘But King being an acquaintance of your brother’s doesn’t account for your knowing him. I doubt Dennett is so lacking in tact that he would have introduced you. So how did he come to be invited to dine at the Court?’
‘James has taken a liking to him. They recently transacted some business. Something about a horse, I believe.’
Adam raised a brow. The only business interests those two had in common were the type transacted beneath Christine’s roof. In spite of King’s title and wealth, his reputation precluded him from the best salons. James would not have suggested inviting him to any gathering where their mother was present. The invitation had clearly been extended by Philippa because she’d developed a taste for the rake’s company. Or possibly because he had some sort of hold over her. Either way, Adam knew she would never admit it.
‘Be that as it may,’ he said, ‘I don’t believe we should be encouraging such people to think themselves welcome at the Court. No good can come of it.’
Philippa tossed her head. ‘I find his company diverting and he would hardly dare to misbehave here. Besides, if he really likes Mrs Grantley then it would be a very good match for her.’
Adam hadn’t realised she was quite so set against Florentina as all that. ‘I hardly think she would entertain such a person.’
‘Then she would be very foolish. She has no money of her own and is hardly likely to receive a better offer.’
Adam quirked a brow. ‘So you’ve made the leap from mild admiration to offers of marriage. You might enjoy King’s company and think him harmless, Philippa, but my mother was embarrassed to see such a dissolute rake in her drawing room. I am surprised that you have become so careless about her feelings.’
‘It is my drawing room now, and if James doesn’t object to his company, I can’t see what it has to do with her.’
‘You disappoint me.’
‘It is not my fault!’ She threw up her hands, ready to throw a tantrum because Adam had dared to criticise her. ‘I have had to do everything myself in your absence and it’s all becoming too much. James is too ill to care and so all his duties fall to me.’
‘Then you should turn to my mother for advice, as Julia did before you.’
Philippa tossed her head. ‘Your mother knows nothing about the workings of the estate.’
‘And you don’t need to involve yourself with them either. Fowler is well able to manage things.’
‘Huh, that’s what you say, but he quite forgot about his duties whilst you were away and thought only of his family.’
‘Have the goodness to explain yourself.’ Adam’s words were clipped, and in spite of his best efforts he knew he was in danger of losing his temper.
‘His wife was unwell and he spent all his time caring for her. If I’d not stepped in, then the estate would have been completely neglected and we would have been robbed blind.’
‘Instead of involving yourself in matters you don’t understand, you’d have done better to arrange for Mrs Fowler’s care yourself.’ Adam felt moderately satisfied when she had the grace to blush. ‘However, I will speak to Fowler myself and make sure everything is back on track.’
‘That’s all very well, Adam, and I dare say he will follow your orders to the letter.’ She paused, placing heavy emphasis on her next words. ‘Whilst you are here to ensure that he does. But what happens when you return to your regiment?’
