The lone word was the means by which the man who had sired Adrian greeted him. More snarl than acknowledgment. Hell, in the duke’s frigid, aristocratic accents, it resembled an oath more than a pronoun.
But Adrian had prepared himself for this reckoning. He snapped the book he had been reading closed and rose to his feet, prepared to do battle. “I do have a name.”
“Yes.” Longleigh’s lip curled. “Robin Carstairs.”
His tone was laden with menace.
The false name stung more than it ever had. He had not dared to unburden himself to Tilly yet, to reveal the truth. Each day that passed without the truth was like another dagger lodged in his heart, but he had found himself mired deep, deeper than he had ever imagined he would. He was not prepared to take the risk of losing her now. Not until after they faced Longleigh together and forged a path for her freedom.
“You know my true name,” he ground out. “My mother’s name.”
The duke’s face reddened. “Do not speak of her to me.”
“Why?” Although the argument he needed to pursue today was not about his mother, Adrian could not keep himself from baiting Longleigh. “Do you not like to think of the woman you ruined? Of the life you stole? Her name was Martha, you know.”
“I did not know her,” the duke said coldly. “Her claims were false.”
“According to you.”
“According to everyone who was not her. She was mad.”
“I share her blood. Do you think your heir will be mad as well?” he taunted, unable to resist. “Did you neglect to think of that when you decided I should bed your duchess so your title will not go one day to your hated brother?”
“I want you gone,” Longleigh spat. “You have served your purpose, and that is all you will get aside from your payment. You have no right to be living in my goddamned house.”
What had he expected? For the duke to discuss these old matters, to make an admission? To apologize for the damage he had done by ruining Adrian’s mother when he had been married to the first duchess? By getting a bastard on her? By silencing her claims with all his wealth and influence?
He supposed some small, foolish part of him had hoped that. His mother had not been mad. But her parents had been shamed by her actions. She had made the mistake of trying to publicly humiliate the Duke of Longleigh, and for her daring, she had eventually been sent away. Stripped of her dignity and ultimately, her life.
Yes, the Duke of Longleigh was a powerful man. A despicable foe. But Adrian was not afraid to face him. Nor did he falter in what he was about to do.
“When I leave here, the duchess is going with me.”
Longleigh stormed forward. “She is not going anywhere with you, puppy.”
Puppy, was he?
Adrian’s jaw tensed, but he remained firm. “Yes she is.”
“What is this nonsense you are spewing?” Longleigh demanded, storming forward, spittle flying from the corners of his mouth as he raged. “I will have you thrown out if you do not leave this home in the next quarter hour, and you will be leaving alone. Am I understood?”
“You are understood. However, you are wrong. I will be leaving with the Duchess of Longleigh when she returns, and there is nothing you can do to stop us.” Maintaining his sangfroid required every modicum of his determination.
He wanted nothing more than to rage and rail, to tell the duke what he thought of the vile man. But he did not. He would not cause a scene for Tilly’s sake. Moreover, he was keenly aware of the secrets he yet kept from her. If Longleigh revealed the truth to her before Adrian could explain, he feared all would be lost.
Longleigh sneered. “I am more than aware that my wife is a dedicated whore, but lowering herself to run away with a despicable mongrel such as you is a depth to which she will never sink. She would lose everything. You are fooling yourself if you think she will go.”
“Nevertheless, she has already agreed to accompany me. We only waited for your return so there would be no question of our adultery. You have no recourse but to sue Tilly for divorce now.”
He ought to feel the swelling tide of victory, but instead, he felt only bitterness.
Bitterness and fear, because he had so much to lose.
“That I will not do. Your arrogance will cost you.”
It was a threat, and Adrian accepted it as such. “I am prepared for that. Tilly and I have fallen in love, and we wish to marry.”
A sudden commotion interrupted their conversation. No less then three policemen by their uniforms and hats.
