Hugh glared at him helplessly, his tawny eyes glowing like cut gems. His fist clenched, his arm swung back then out to connect squarely with Trevor’s jaw.
The force of the blow spun Trevor around, knocking him off balance. He landed heavily. Hugh stood over him, his hands balled into fists.
“Trevor!” yelled Vanessa, dropping to her knees beside him.
“Oh, is there to be a mill?” asked young Alex excitedly.
“Of course not,” snapped Adeline, picking up her skirts and running toward Trevor.
Alex and Mary looked at each other. “Adults,” Alex said with disgust. Mary nodded her solemn agreement.
“Talverton, you must still be foxed,” said Trevor, nursing his jaw. “I haven’t the foggiest what you’re about. If the children and ladies weren’t present, I’d give you the mill you’re so obviously looking for, and don’t be so cocksure of its outcome.”
Vanessa glared at Hugh. “Barbarian!” she cried, throwing at him the word he’d once used to describe New Orleans. She drew a handkerchief from a hidden pocket of her dress and dabbed at a slight cut on Trevor’s lip.
“Trevor! Are you all right?” demanded Adeline, sinking to the ground and placing his head on her lap.
“I’d lief be a barbarian than a shocking loose screw,” vowed Hugh, but his tense posture eased, though his face was still dark with emotion. “If I were marrying Vanessa, I’d show her more respect than to cavort with her sister.”
“Vanessa!” exclaimed Trevor, struggling up on his elbow.
“Me!” squeaked the subject of discussion.
“Oh, dear me,” exclaimed Adeline weakly before a paroxysm of laughter overtook her.
Thunderstruck, Hugh stared at them all.
“I thought . . . by your words this morning, I thought you knew,” said Trevor, the beginnings of a laugh welling up in him. He put his hand back to his face. “It hurts too much to laugh, but by Jove, Hugh, you’re a cork-brained fellow. I want Vanessa for a sister, not a wife!”
“A sister?”
“Yes, I want to wed Adeline.”
“Hurrah, hurrah!” piped in two little voices behind him.
Trevor sat up just in time to avoid being trampled by his children as they threw themselves at Adeline, entwining their arms around her neck.
Hugh slumped down to the ground, holding his head in his hands. “This is a devil of a muddle. I must be worse than cork-brained, for I’ll confess I don’t understand.”
“I’ll admit I once contemplated wedding Vanessa, but that was before I realized I was in love with Adeline. After we realized our true affections, Adeline and I decided it would be best if I were to continue to court Vanessa publicly for the reason we discussed: Wilmot. I’ll admit there was another reason, too, but I didn’t realize the strength of your feelings and commitment not to be thwarted again,” Trevor said wryly.
“What do you mean?”
“We reasoned you and Vanessa had the potential for more than an antagonistic relationship; you just needed the proper incentive. I thought if I continued to court Vanessa, you’d see the parallels to the courtship of Julia and get jealous enough not to want to lose again.”
“Oh, he saw them all right,” said Vanessa, rising and brushing the dirt and grass off her gown. “But that’s not the lesson he came away with.”
Tears shimmered at the edges of her eyes, blurring her vision. “I cannot believe the lengths to which you all have gone to protect me from something I may not wish to be protected from. I would just like the opportunity to find out for myself. Is that so much to ask? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave of you. I find I have a splitting headache.” Her voice caught in her throat as she whirled away to stumble down the path.
“Vanessa! Please!” called Hugh, rising to his feet and starting after her.
“No, don’t, Mr. Talverton. Give her some time. I know my sister. Though she may be quick to anger, she does come around to seeing the humor in life. Let Vanessa work her frustrations out of her system.”
Hugh looked at Adeline and then back to Vanessa uncertainly. He exhaled deeply and shook his head. “Truly, I don’t know what the proper course is any longer.” He laughed shortly, remembering Paulette’s words. The minx knew exactly what she was saying. Joining the picnic had been an enlightening experience.
Chapter 13
“Hugh!” Trevor cried, bursting into the small study where his friend sat writing a letter to his family. “Russell Wilmot is the worst type of vermin to crawl upon the earth. You would not believe what my contacts have discovered.” Leaning back in his chair, his quill held lax between his fingers, Hugh looked up. Trevor’s countenance conveyed a deep agitation. His sable hair, usually neatly waved back off his high forehead, spiked outward at the sides of his head, augmenting his wild-eyed appearance.
