“Adeline, may I call you Adeline?”
She nodded.
“Your brother has asked me to escort you safely to your estate in Wiltshire. He said he will keep Bellamy at bay until he can figure out how to pay off your father’s debts.”
“But how will he pay them off if I do not marry Bellamy?” The idea of escape lit a bright flame of hope in her chest. But thinking about poor George, beaten and broken, quickly doused the feeling. “If I leave, who will protect George?”
“George is a grown man who can handle the mess your father has made. Their choices will have consequences, but I can protect you if you allow me to help.”
Adeline swallowed around tears that threatened at the sincerity that burned in his eyes. This was no time for emotion; she must think clearly. Her father’s actions had put the family at risk; if she were honest, she had very little sympathy for him. He deserved to face the consequences of his actions. But George, was he involved, too? Or desperately trying to clean up Father’s mess? She chewed on her thumbnail.
“He won’t let me leave,” she said.
Kingsbury gently pulled her hand away from her mouth. “Adeline, pack a trunk with some clothes and necessities, and we will go.”
“Now? No, I cannot leave. If I don’t marry Bellamy, there will be no way to keep those men at bay. No way to pay off the debt. I will not sacrifice George. He always protects me. Now it’s my turn to protect him.”
“At what cost? He doesn’t want you to marry Bellamy any more than I do. You cannot fix what your father has done. It is not your job.”
Yes, it was. Perhaps she could avoid marrying Bellamy somehow; an engagement was not binding. She just needed time to think through the options. Running away from home with a handsome stranger was not the solution. No matter how tempting.
“Why do you care what happens to me?” She genuinely did not understand Kingsbury’s concern.
He moved closer, crowding her up against the balustrade. “Of course I care what happens to you. You can’t kiss a man like you did me last night and not expect him to fall madly in love with you.”
Her mouth fell open.In love?Then she narrowed her eyes. “You are teasing me again, you rogue. My brother asked you for a favor, and you said yes because he is clearly a pathetic mess right now.” That was why. Kingsbury was a man of honor. He would of course help a friend when asked.
“It’s true that your brother asked me to keep you safe.” His hand stroked gently down her cheek; she shivered despite the warm coat around her. “But that kiss seared my soul. You are my priority now.”
All she could do was stare at him; her breath frozen in her chest. No one had ever made her a priority, ever. Then, her inner voice spoke up.Don’t be a fool. This man’s flirting game is top-notch. He is manipulating you into doing what he wants.
“No, I cannot leave George when he is so vulnerable or my mother when she is so distraught over what happened. I may still be able to figure something out.” She shrugged off his greatcoat and shoved it at his chest. “You must leave now, Lord Kingsbury.”
“But Adeline—”
She pushed at his chest. “No. No more romanticisms. No more talk of running away. I will marry Lord Bellamy, and he will pay off my father’s debts. I will keep my family safe.” She pointed at the window. “Now, please leave.”
Kingsbury stared at her for a long moment. Then he folded his coat over one arm and turned to leave. Once he was gone, Adeline inhaled a deep draught of cold air and turned her face up to the sky. What had she done?
Chapter Fourteen
Malcolm strode awayfrom the Rawlings home, his frustration at full steam. He walked south for fifteen minutes before hitting the gate to Hyde Park and realizing he had gone west instead. Bollocks! He turned sharply on his heel and started back the way he came. Adeline Amberley had him all turned around. She wasn’t thinking clearly.Or perhaps she was part of the scheme to sell the stolen items.No, he wouldn’t believe it. Although she hadn’t seem inclined to leave when given the chance.
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. She had been clearly upset about George and was obviously operating under some sense of familial duty. But he would be damned if he’d let her marry Bellamy out of a sense of duty. Damn it. What was he supposed to do? The lady had said no. He couldn’t throw her over his shoulder like a caveman and abscond with her.Or could he?
By the time he arrived at Whitehall, he had a plan. Now, he just needed to give his report to Admiral Daniels. A twinge of guilt pinched his gut. Adeline would probably not be happy with him if she knew he was going to rat out her family. He’d given Danby the choice to give him the artifacts. Like his sister, the man didn’t know what was good for him. Malcolm paused at the top of the stairs to straighten his jacket sleeves and smooth his windblown hair back into place. A naval officer always acted honorably. This was his assignment and he must report what he knew.
He knocked on Admiral Daniels’s door.
“Enter,” his superior’s voice barked out.
Malcolm opened the door and entered. The admiral sat behind his large maple desk, a pair of spectacles perched on the end of his long nose.
“Commander Iveson. Since you are arriving without an appointment, I assume you have news. Sit.” The admiral pulled his spectacles off and set them aside.
“Thank you, sir.” Malcolm took a seat and set his hat in his lap. “I know where the artifacts are being kept.” He hesitated, picturing Danby’s bruised face.
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Did you acquire them?”
