Page 41 of The Untamed Heiress

"So those were... ah, yes, the rather unusual terms," Adam replied. "I appreciate your discretion. And I wish you both very happy."

Blanchard whacked him on the back. "We'll name the first boy after you, I promise!" he said, and hurried out.

Adam sat down and stared into the fire. A low-burning, proper fire now, not the obscene blaze of heat a certain young lady preferred. A young lady whose generosity he had to grudgingly admire, much as that largesse now chafed and embarrassed him.

At least it appeared the story of the fictitious Cousin Cornwallis would spare him having the whole world know that a slip of a girl had bestowed on the sister he was supposed to provide for the funds—and joy—he could not.

Just then the door was pushed ajar and that same dark-eyed lady beamed at him. "As if you hadn't already guessed, Charis and Lord Blanchard are now engaged. She sent me to ask you to join them in the parlor."

"Should I not first go down on my knees and humbly offer my thanks to 'Cousin Cornwallis'?" he asked, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

Her smile dimmed. "Perhaps, but since from what I understand, that lady lives somewhere near the Irish Sea, 'twould rather delay your arrival in the parlor. I doubt that Charis wants to wait that long to share her

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joy. Besides, I believe Charis's joy is all the thanks Miss Cornwallis would require."

At least she didn't intend to rub his nose in her be nevolence, which was some relief. Still stung, though, he replied, "I rather wish Cousin Cornwallis had mentioned something to me before dispensing her money so liberally, but tell Charis I shall be down directly."

Miss Lambarth stilled, her eyes scanning his face. "Why would you wish that?"

"Because as head of this family, 'tis my responsibility to protect my sister and assure her future!" he retorted savagely, furious that she did not understand what any girl with the least degree of breeding would have known. Of course, it would never have crossed the mind of a gently bred girl to intervene without consulting him in the first place—nor would such a girl possess resources in her own name she could draw upon. "You can't expect me to be truly grateful to be shown how poor a job I was doing."

"I didn't mean to embarrass you or flout your authority. Isn't it enough that Charis shall be able to marry where her heart is, without thought of fortune?"

"Of course I am gratified that she will be happy. If you will excuse me, ma'am, I will go tell her so." He rose from his chair, his illogical fury, resentment and chagrin untouched by her explanation.

"I am sorry you are angry. But I am not sorry about Charis's gift." As she stood aside to let him pass, she added fiercely, "If I were meek and conventional and biddable, I'd be dead."

Even this reference to the indignities she'd suffered    277

caused him to hesitate but momentarily. For once, fury burned hotter than attraction. Brushing past without any desire to touch her—unless it be to wring her neck—Adam stormed down to the parlor.

The raptures of his sister and her new fiancé, so occupied in gazing and smiling at each other it soured his stomach, led Adam to take his leave as soon as possible.

At first he thought to go to his club. But realizing that the glad tidings would soon be out and not in a humor to deal with speculation over his sister's great good fortune, Adam decided instead to visit Miss Standish.

She would appreciate hearing about the betrothal before some gossip mentioned it—and would never suspect the true origin of his sister's bequest, assuming as she would that Adam had charge of any matter concerning his family.

To his smarting pride, that conventional turn of mind suddenly seemed very appealing.

Adam greeted Priscilla in her parlor with more enthusiasm than he had for some time. He was also gratified when she herself suggested a stroll in the garden, where she allowed him several thorough kisses.

"So, we are to have some spontaneity after all?" he teased, tracing a finger on her reddened lips.

"Perhaps," she replied. "My friend Lady Cordelia says that sometimes a lady must relax her own standards when 'tis necessary to.. .to fight fire with fire."

Adam didn't wish to ask to what she might be re-

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ferring. "You can incite quite a blaze all by yourself," he responded, dropping another kiss on her forehead.

"You seemed rather disturbed when you arrived, despite the wonderful news about Miss Darnell," Priscilla said, taking his arm as they strolled down the garden path. "Is something distressing you, Adam? Can I help?"

How nice to have a lady inquire what he wanted, instead of taking matters into her own hands, Adam thought, still disgruntled. However, his fiancée did not like Miss Lambarth, and though at the moment he was irritated with her, he didn't think it wise to admit that to Priscilla.

"A small matter," he said. As if fifteen thousand pounds were small! "If I seemed...distracted, I apologize."

"You never need do that! I am concerned by anything that concerns you. Tis my role now to ease your burdens —as much as a mere female can, of course."

He could not help but appreciate that selfless avowal. "I hope you shall let me carry your burdens, too."

"I shall endeavor not to add to yours! I imagine overseeing Miss Lambarth is trying enough. Such a...a headstrong girl.

Excuse me, but I must feel that to be dangerous trait, given her sad lack of proper upbringing."

If she only knew. "It can be vexing," he admitted. "I'm only a man, hardly an expert on managing females, yet with Lady Darnell's nerves so delicate, I

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hesitate to consult her even when I sometimes feel at a loss."

It was a great relief, he found, to express some of his frustration. Which he'd been unable to voice to his stepmother without spilling details that would only upset her, nor to Charis, who was far too much Miss Lambarth's champion ever to admit any fault in her.

"As if you did not have enough responsibilities without having to supervise so unruly a girl! Francis tells me she recently bought a most unsuitable riding hack—a horse Randall sold as being completely unreliable."

"Yes, she managed to coax Bennett Dixon, whose judgment I would have thought more sound, into bidding on the horse for her.

Not learning of the deal until it was already complete, and as I must admit she is a good enough rider to control the beast, I did not countermand it."

"She should have consulted you, not Mr. Dixon!"

That glowing affirmation was balm to his injured sensibilities.

At least his fiancée respected his position as head of the family and trusted his ability to manage its affairs. "Tis done now, so I will say no more."

"I hope that is the last of her wild starts!"

For a moment he saw Helena again in his mind's eye, galloping away on the fractious black. Shaking his head, he sighed. "Even that horse wasn't as bad as—"

Catching himself with a start, he closed his lips. As satisfying as it had been to air his displeasure, this story would be better kept to himself.

"There was worse?"

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"Nothing, really. I should not have mentioned it."

She patted his arm. "Dear Adam! I know you don't wish to distress Lady Darnell with your worries, but I am made of much sterner stuff. I would be honored to receive your confidences and provide you with what I flatter myself to be a sensible female's perspective."

Now he really was in the basket. Searching rather desperately for an excuse Priscilla might accept, he said, '"Tis a matter of great delicacy I'd rather not mention."

His luck was out. Looking wounded, Priscilla removed her hand from his. "I see. I had thought that as I am soon to be your wife, you would feel you could trust me, but I see I was mistaken.

Excuse me for my effrontery."

"It's not that I don't—" he began.

"Please, Adam, you needn't explain. If you do not wish to consult me, that is your choice entirely." She turned away from him, the picture of injured dignity.

Grinding his teeth at his stupidity in stumbling into this dilemma, Adam pondered what to do next. After Priscilla's tender declaration of concern, he was loath to hurt her feelings, as he

obviously had just now. She was to be bis wife, after all. And with her punctilious standards of behavior, surely she wouldn't wish any word of Miss Lambarth's shocking adventure to escape, tarring as it must the family of which Priscilla would soon be a part.

Perhaps he could get by relating just a bit of the story. "If you are sure you don't mind my imposing. I know I can count on your discretion in not repeating a syllable, even to your mother."

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Looking mollified, Miss Standish glanced back at him.

"Nothing I can do for you would ever be an imposition."

He took a deep breath. '"Tis just that I discovered Miss Lambarth has.. .slipped out at night to explore the city."

Priscilla gasped and her eyes widened. "Slipped out? Without a proper chaperone, you mean? But how.. .how hoydenish to go about with—what, only a footman? What if someone had recognized her—or the Darnell livery?"

"She didn't take a livried servant. And I don't think she'd be recognized."

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