Page 16 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

“Your cousin was with her father. I waited for her on the bench in the foyer. I saw her come out and called to her.” Bridget paused. “Her eyes were red.”

“She was crying?” Distress filled her.

“Not at the moment. But I think she had been,” the maid said with certainty.

“Damn Uncle Edgar,” Adalyn said furiously. “He doesn’t understand what he is doing to his own daughter.”

Bridget looked at her. “Then you’d best set him straight, my lady.”

“I bloody well will. Come. We will go there now.”

Adalyn donned her spencer and bonnet. Bridget already had on her shawl.

The pair went downstairs and she saw Rainey. “Where is my mother?” she asked, thinking it might be smart to bring reinforcements.

“At the modiste’s, my lady. Your father dropped her there and then went to his club.”

“Thank you. I will be at Miss Goulding’s,” she informed the butler, disappointed she wouldn’t have Mama’s support as she addressed her uncle.

“Very good, my lady.”

Rainey opened the door for her and they hurried down the pavement to her uncle’s townhouse. The butler admitted them and took Adalyn to the drawing room where a distraught Louisa sat chewing on her nails.

Rushing to her, Adalyn jerked Louisa’s hand away. “Don’t do that.”

“Why?’ Louisa asked bitterly. “Because I am too proper and mature to do so?’ Her hand went to her mouth again.

Gently, she tugged on her cousin’s wrist, lowering it. “No. Because you don’t want to have bleeding stumps when His Grace comes to call. And the Season starts in eight days. They would never have time to grow out by then. Nails bitten to the quick would not make a good impression on this Season’s bachelors.”

Fire lit Louisa’s eyes but her cousin blinked and it was quickly distinguished. “Papa says that it is too soon for me to think about a husband. That he still needs me.”

“Balderdash! I will go see him now.”

“It won’t do any good,” Louisa said sullenly.

Adalyn took her cousin by the shoulders. “Go wash your face. Dab on a bit of scent. Get ready to visit with His Grace. And kiss him, for goodness’ sake.”

She stormed from the room, hurrying down the stairs and barging into her uncle’s study without knocking.

Unfortunately, another gentleman was sitting across from Uncle Edgar.

“What is the meaning of this, Adalyn?” her uncle asked sternly.

“I needed to speak with you about something very important,” she said, not meekly but with deference.

“It will have to wait.”

“I don’t mind doing so,” she said politely. “I can visit with you once your meeting is over.”

Before he could say anything, she exited the room. Across from the study was a chair. Adalyn took it.

And waited.

She had never been patient, neither as a child or as an adult. The sitting with nothing to do exacerbated her anger. Knowing anger would do her no good, though, she breathed deeply and formed her argument in her mind. Uncle Edgar was known for his brilliance. She would have to be logical and organized when she confronted him. In fact, she now looked upon this respite as a blessing because it gave her time to collect her thoughts and solidify her arguments.

She wagered almost an hour passed before the door opened and the visitor stepped from the room. He spied her and smiled.

“I wish you good luck, my lady.”

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