Page 53 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘I didn’t mean to speak out of turn. It’s just something I inferred from a remark Christine made.’
‘Since you’ve guessed, there’s no harm in your knowing that I have grave doubts about my brother’s ability to father any child.’
‘It’s iniquitous, the way she’s attempting to deceive and manipulate you all. What shall you do about it?’
Adam spread the hand not holding her against him. ‘What can I do?’
‘Who do you suppose did father her child, if not the duke?’
‘From what I’ve heard, it could be any one of a number of unsavoury characters. Lord King is the prime contender.’
‘Lord King!’
Adam seemed surprised by the extent of her agitation. ‘You had the questionable pleasure of meeting him the other evening.’
She shuddered. ‘I am unlikely to forget.’
‘Did he do or say something to overset you?’ He looked at her closely but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. He tilted her chin until she was obliged to do so. ‘Tell me if he did and I will put the matter to rights immediately.’
‘No, I simply didn’t care for his manner. He’s far too full of self-importance for my taste.’ She shook her head and then frowned. ‘But how will you go about proving your suspicions?’
Adam made a moue of distaste. ‘If even half of what I’ve heard is true, then he didn’t need to take advantage of Philippa. After I left England, by all accounts she joined her brother in some of the less salubrious haunts he favours and actually attended one of King’s masquerades. Any female gracing such an event knows exactly what to expect. She can be there for one reason and one reason only.’
‘I see.’
‘I apologise, Florentina. This isn’t the sort of discussion fit for a lady’s ears.’
She giggled. ‘After what we just did, I can hardly be described as a lady.’
‘You are a lady down to your fingertips, my love.’ He kissed the fingertips in question to emphasise his point. ‘Even if you are also argumentative, disobedient and stubborn.’
‘Only if I don’t get my way,’ she told him with a sweet smile.
‘Be careful! You have yet to see what I am capable of when I don’t get my way.’
‘But I have already given you your way, my lord. Twice, if memory serves.’
‘I have an appalling memory and don’t recall any such thing.’
‘If the duchess was at that masquerade,’ she said reflectively, ‘surely that’s all the proof you require.’
‘No, she will simply deny it and James will take her part. He seems determined to believe that the child is his.’
‘And if it’s a boy, King might well have fathered the next duke.’ She reached up to trace the line of his lips. ‘Poor, Adam, what torture this must be for you.’
‘There, now you know all my secrets. It’s your turn.’
‘I have no secrets.’ Her finger ran the length of the scar on his chest. ‘What happened?’
‘Don’t change the subject.’
‘But I wish to know.’
He sighed. ‘A French bayonet.’
‘Where were you when this happened?’
Adam suppressed his frustration. Naturally, she was interested in anything to do with the accursed war, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was also turning the conversation away from her own problems. ‘You never give up, do you?’
