He wouldn’t throw a man out into the night,Persephone said to herself.
“Very good, Your Grace.” Barton made the appropriate bow and turned to quit the room.
Persephone felt a rising panic. “Barton,” she called out to him, stopping his departure.
“Yes, Your Grace.” Barton faced her and dipped his head.
“Who is the visitor in the drawing room?” She saw out of the corner of her eye that Adam was looking at her. If his expression weren’t so full of shock, he might have appeared disapproving.Do not be intimidated,Persephone reminded herself.
“Mr. Gordon Hewitt, Your Grace.”
“What is your argument with Mr. Hewitt?” Persephone asked Adam, turning her head to look at him. Adam immediately looked away. And he did not answer. She glanced at Harry, hoping for some information.
“Mr. Hewitt has had the effrontery to be the heir presumptive.” Harry gave her a knowing look.
“He is family?” Persephone asked, her shock growing.
“Unfortunately,” Adam muttered.
Persephone sat in complete indecision. She couldn’t imagine throwing a member of her family out of her house. And, yet, Adam seemed so insistent.Do not be intimidated.
“Is it absolutely necessary, Adam, for Mr. Hewitt to leave Falstone tonight?” Persephone quickly covered the nervous break in her voice.
“Obviously you haven’t met the man.” Adam’s tone fairly crackled with dryness.
“Would it be such an imposition for him to remain for the night?” Persephone forced herself to continue. “You could just as easily insist that he depart in the morning.”
Silence reigned in the room, stretching out uncomfortably. She clenched her hands in her lap to stop their nervous shaking. Never had a man so intimidated her, but she was determined not to let him see that.
Adam tapped his fingers on the table, his mouth set in a tense line, his countenance that of man pondering something. She couldn’t tell if he was angry.
Maybe Harry was wrong. Maybe shows of courage and determination didn’t garner Adam’s respect but his condemnation.
What have I done?Persephone silently asked.
Harry and Barton seemed entirely unaffected by the tense silence, as if Adam’s disapproving mood were a common occurrence, which, Persephone quickly acknowledged, was probably the case.
“Excellent suggestion, Persephone,” Adam quite suddenly said. “I do believe Hewitt may liven up the castle during Harry’s absence.” Adam turned to Harry. “How long do you intend to be in Scotland?”
“A fortnight or so.” Harry sported a mischievous grin.
Adam nodded as if in approval. “Barton.” Adam’s usual authority asserted itself in full measure. “Put Hewitt in the Orange Chamber.”
Barton bowed his understanding and left the dining room.
Harry sputtered in an attempt to stifle a laugh. “He’ll never last the fortnight.”
“He’ll last,” Adam insisted. “But he’ll hate every minute of it. The West Tower is only slightly more welcoming than the dungeons.”
“I am actually sorry to be missing this,” Harry said.
“Hewitt will not make a return visit.” Adam nodded decisively. “And he’ll leave mewling like a kitten.”
Persephone actually regretted her interference when faced with the satisfaction on Adam’s face as he contemplated the apparent misery of Mr. Hewitt. It seemed she’d only made things worse.
* * *
Two gentlemen were in the breakfast room when Persephone arrived the next morning. One was Adam. The other was a stranger to her.
