No Decent Gentleman (22 page)

Adam glanced at his uncle, who wore an infuriating grin. "The Duke of Kingston is her guardian."

The Earl of Tunbridge turned to the duke, saying, "Your Grace, I would like permission to—"

"Repeating yourself is unnecessary," Uncle Charles said, holding his hand up. "You have my permission as long as the lady welcomes your attentions."

"I thank you, Your Grace," the earl said. "Stonehurst, good day to you." At that, the Earl of Tunbridge left the study.

"I wish you hadn't done that," Adam said.

"You wanted Sabrina to meet other bachelors," Uncle Charles said in a surprised voice.

"I disapprove of Tunbridge," Adam told him.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Tunbridge drinks too much."

"Oh, I didn't know that," Uncle Charles said, and then shrugged. "I'm certain Sabrina will weed him out."

"By any chance, would Madame Esmeralda be Sabrina's mother?" Adam asked, changing the subject abruptly.

"Why would you think that?" Uncle Charles asked, shaking his head. "Because they have the same color hair?"

"You haven't answered my question," Adam said.

"I don't know who Sabrina's mother is," Uncle Charles answered, his gaze drifting to the window that overlooked the garden area.

He's lying, Adam decided, staring hard at his uncle. The old man knew more than he would ever admit. Adam admired his uncle's loyalty in keeping silent, but that same silence frustrated him. He decided to drop the matter for the moment.

"What do you think of Courtney and Dorchester?" Adam asked.

"They would make an excellent match," Uncle Charles answered, visibly relaxing. "I assume Belladonna is furthering that cause."

Adam nodded. Before he could speak, a second knock on the door drew his attention. "This must be Jamie Armstrong," he said. "He's already an hour late for our appointment."

"Lord Huntingdon requests an interview," Razi announced, entering the study.

"Send him in." Adam looked with growing irritation at his uncle. The old man was smiling, obviously enjoying himself.

The twenty-eight-year-old baron marched into the study. He crossed the chamber, nodded at the duke, and shook Adam's hand.

"Please be seated," Adam invited him.

"I won't be staying long," the baron said in refusal.

Adam flicked a glance at his uncle and then asked, "What can I do for you, Huntingdon?"

"I want your permission to court Sabrina Savage."

"Then you must speak with the Duke of Kingston, for he is her guardian," Adam told him.

Baron Huntingdon turned to the duke, saying, "Your Grace—"

"You have my permission providing the lady welcomes your attentions," Uncle Charles interrupted him.

"Thank you, Your Grace." Lord Huntingdon turned to Adam, saying, "Good day to you, Stonehurst." He left the study.

Adam narrowed his gaze on his uncle as soon as the door closed behind the baron.

"What did you expect me to do?" the duke asked.

"You could have refused him."

Uncle Charles sent him an incredulous look. "What is wrong with Huntingdon?"

"He gambles too much."

"Oh, I had no idea." Uncle Charles shrugged and said, "Sabrina has a good head on her shoulders. I'm certain she'll weed him out."

"Sabrina refuses to marry until her father's name is cleared," Adam said. "Perhaps that will discourage Tunbridge and Huntingdon."

"What are the chances of clearing Henry's name?" his uncle asked him.

"No one hangs by accident."

"Do you believe Henry committed suicide?"

"I didn't say that," Adam answered. "I said his death was no accident."

"Are you implying Henry was murdered?" Uncle Charles exclaimed, his expression mirroring his shock. "Henry Savage was an affable, kindhearted gentleman. I cannot imagine anyone wanting him dead."

"Every man has enemies," Adam replied. A knock on the door drew his attention. "This must be Jamie."

"Viscount Lincoln requests an interview," Higgins announced as he walked into the study, making the duke chuckle.

Adam rolled his eyes and said in a weary voice, "Send him in."

Twenty-two-year-old Viscount Lincoln swaggered into the study. He nodded curtly, acknowledging the duke, and then turned to Adam, who held up his hand in a gesture for silence.

"The Duke of Kingston is Sabrina's guardian."

The viscount turned his back on Adam. "Your Grace, I want permission to marry your ward, Sabrina Savage."

"Marry?" Uncle Charles echoed.

"That is correct, Your Grace."

"My answer is
no
," Uncle Charles replied, "but I give you permission to call upon her."

"That will do for now." The viscount looked at Adam and said, "Good day to you."

Once the door clicked shut behind the suitor, the duke said, "I suppose there is something terribly wrong with Lincoln too?"

"The boy is uncouth."

"Uncouth?" Uncle Charles echoed.

"One night during intermission at the opera, I saw him adjusting his privates," Adam said.

His uncle burst out laughing. "Well, there is always Edgar Briggs."

"I don't like him."

"Mark my words. Sabrina will send them all away," Uncle Charles predicted. "Will you find fault with every gentleman who shows an interest in her?"

"Probably."

"Tell me about the assassination attempt," his uncle said, changing the subject.

"Someone took a shot at Jamie and me," Adam said.

"What are you doing about it?"

"I've hired men to investigate my business competitors," Adam told him. "I've also sent a message to the East through Ambassador Zaganos. Mother will look into the possibility of an Eastern connection."

"Do you think that is possible after all of these years?"

"Someone may have discovered that I survived childhood," Adam said with a shrug. "Being thorough is the best policy."

"I agree," Uncle Charles said, nodding.

The door opened suddenly to admit Higgins. Two steps behind him ran Razi, complaining, "It's my turn."

"The Duke of Kinross has arrived," Higgins announced, ignoring the little man.

"Praise Allah," Adam muttered. "Send him in."

Wearing a broad grin, Jamie Armstrong walked into the study. He nodded at the duke and then sat in one of the chairs, saying, "Sorry I'm late."

"We've been under siege from all of Sabrina's would-be suitors," Adam told him. "Viscount Lincoln had the audacity to ask for her hand in marriage."

"That explains it," Jamie said. "The whole area around Grosvenor Square is congested with traffic."

Adam rose from his chair as unfamiliar jealousy swelled within his chest. "Make yourself at home," he said, walking toward the door. "I'll return as soon as I can."

"Where are you going?" Jamie called.

"Grosvenor Square," Adam answered over his shoulder. The sound of his uncle's and his friend's laughter transformed his jealousy into anger.

Enough is enough
, Adam thought, blaming Sabrina for the number of men who wanted her. Granted, he preferred that Sabrina marry him willingly, but he refused to stand in line for what was his by right.

Adam debated walking to his uncle's town house but decided against it because of the attempt on his life. The carriage ride to Grosvenor Square should have taken no more than ten minutes. Twenty minutes later his carriage was hopelessly caught in the congestion on Upper Brook Street.

Disgusted, Adam opened the door and leaped out of the carriage. "I'll walk the rest of the way," he called to his men. "Take the carriage home."

"I will guard you, my prince," Abdul said, leaping off the driver's seat.

Adam inclined his head. "As you wish."

Together, Adam and Abdul walked briskly down Upper Brook Street, which led to Grosvenor Square. Several aristocrats waved a greeting to Adam, and when they entered Grosvenor Square, Adam recognized Viscount Lincoln leaving his uncle's town house and climbing into his carriage.

Racing up the stairs, Adam opened the front door without knocking and walked into the foyer. Abdul followed behind him.

"Good afternoon, my lord," Baxter greeted him, snapping to attention.

Adam nodded at his uncle's majordomo and then shifted his gaze to the foyer table against the wall. Two silver trays sat there filled with calling cards. He assumed one tray was for Sabrina and the other for Courtney.

"The ladies are not receiving company today," Baxter informed him. "Except for Viscount Dorchester and his aunt, of course."

Apparently he'd underestimated Dudley Egremont, Adam thought. The pup had enough intelligence to outfox his competition. While other callers were being sent away, Egremont had used his aunt to gain access to Courtney. The boy certainly would be a worthy brother-in-law.

"The drawing room?" Adam asked.

"Yes, my lord."

Leaving Abdul in the foyer, Adam climbed the stairs and then walked down the second-floor corridor. He stopped short when he stepped into the drawing room. Everyone but Sabrina had gathered there.

"Adam, darling, come and visit with us," Belladonna drawled.

Adam greeted them with a curt nod and then turned away to retrace his steps to the foyer. "Where is she?" he growled at the majordomo.

"She, my lord?"

"Sabrina, damn it."

"The countess is in the kitchen," the majordomo informed him.

"Why didn't he tell me in the first place?" Adam muttered loudly, walking down the corridor toward the kitchen.

"I would have told him if he'd asked," Baxter complained in a voice loud enough for Adam to hear.

Like an invading general, Adam marched to the kitchen, but then paused outside the door. Was he angry because other men found Sabrina attractive? If they did, that wasn't her fault. Or was it? She'd danced and flirted with many bachelors at the ball last night.

He was jealous, Adam admitted to himself. And he didn't like the feeling one damned bit.

He burst into the kitchen, startling Sabrina. She whirled around in fright. Winston, sitting beside the table, leaped up and tried to lick his face.

"Sit, Winston," Adam ordered, patting the wolfhound's head. When the dog obeyed, he said, "Good boy."

Adam looked at Sabrina and smiled. He reached out with one finger and wiped the flour smudge off the tip of her nose. "What are you making?" he asked.

"Coconut cake."

"Should I assume you are upset about something?" he asked.

"I feel hunted," Sabrina said. "Did you see the tray of calling cards in the foyer?"

"I hadn't noticed," Adam lied. "I suppose that is the price one must pay for being an original."

"Thank you for the compliment, but I hardly consider myself an original," Sabrina said with a smile. "Life would be more peaceful as part of the pack."

"If no gentleman interests you," Adam said, his jealousy subsiding, "there will be others at the next social event."

''On the contrary, I found several gentlemen appealing," Sabrina said, surprising him.

"Who?"

"I thought the Earl of Tunbridge was pleasant," Sabrina said.

"He drinks too much."

"Lord Huntingdon was charming."

"He has already lost a small fortune at the gaming tables," Adam informed her.

Sabrina's expression began to register irritation. "Viscount Lincoln was pleasant."

Adam shook his head. "He is uncouth."

"Uncouth? I cannot believe my ears," Sabrina cried. "You wanted me to meet bachelors, and now you disapprove of anyone I mention. All of them cannot be flawed, my lord."

"The men you mentioned are unworthy of you," Adam said. "Ride with me tomorrow morning in Hyde Park."

"I already have a date to ride with Edgar Briggs," Sabrina told him.

"Briggs is unsuitable, so riding with him is a waste of time," Adam replied. "I forbid it."

"You forbid it?" Her expression mirrored angry disbelief. "How dare you dictate to me."

"Ride with me the day after tomorrow," Adam said, ignoring her anger.

"I promised the Earl of Tunbridge I'd ride with him that morning," Sabrina said.

Jealousy and anger swelled within Adam. "Our agreement stipulated that you would spend time with me each week," he reminded her.

"And so I will," Sabrina replied. "You need to make an appointment."

"I refuse to stand in line with your admirers," Adam told her, his voice rising in direct proportion to his annoyance.

"As you wish, my lord," Sabrina surrendered to his demands. "I will save every Friday for you."

"Friday?" Adam exploded. "I never go about on Fridays."

Sabrina's smile was positively feline. "Yes, I know."

"You are straining my patience," he warned, narrowing his gaze on her.

"You? Patient?"

"Select a day," Adam ordered, his voice rising with his anger.

"Let me see," Sabrina said, placing one finger to her right temple as if she needed to concentrate. "I'm riding with Lord Briggs tomorrow. The following day belongs to the Earl of Tunbridge. I'm obliged to Lord Huntingdon after that, and then there's Viscount Lincoln." She smiled sweetly. "Next Saturday would be the best day for me."

"Six days from now?" Adam practically shouted, as if he couldn't believe what he'd heard.

"Very good, my lord," Sabrina teased, savoring the feeling of having the upper hand with him for once. "I see that you know your days of the week."

"Princess, sarcasm does not become you." Without another word, Adam quit the kitchen. Reaching the foyer, he spied his aunt waiting there for him.

"I want to speak to you," Belladonna said.

"What is it?" he growled.

"You forgot to keep your expression placid," Belladonna said with a knowing smile.

In return, Adam gave her a look of total disgust and tried to brush past her.

"I know how to bring Sabrina to you," his aunt said.

Adam stopped, then turned around slowly. "I do not need advice concerning women," he told her.

Belladonna smiled. "Yes, I can see how successful you've been today. At this rate, you and Sabrina will be married in the next century."

Adam stared at her for a long moment. "Go on," he said finally.