“I assume the thinking was if you are his brother-in-law, he would never want to duel with you,” she said. “That is a high price to pay for peace, brother. And what of Emilia? If he has such a temper, is it fair to tie her to him?”
“I said he is not dangerous to women, didn’t I?”
“You do not know that for certain. If we do not even sit at a table with that family, we should not arrange matches with them.”
“Grandmother—”
“You are the earl now. You must think for yourself.”
“What ridiculous advice, Clara. He is barely out of school.” Grandmamma entered the library as she spoke. “I’ll not have you further complicating the matter by urging Theo to an unseemly independence from my advice.”
“I am twenty-one,” Theo muttered, flushing.
“Are you? Well, a year more or less hardly signifies.”
“I am not complicating anything,” Clara said.
Her grandmother sat down. Back straight and head angled just so, she assumed the pose of the queen of all she surveyed. At the moment that included Clara.
“Your behavior today meant the duke left before I—we—could settle things. If that is not a complication, what is it?”
“A reprieve. For Emilia. For all of us, while you reconsider this extraordinary notion of marrying her to that man.”
“He seemed suitable enough to me. Too French, but what can you expect with that mother of his, and the way he stayed abroad all this time. Still, a few weeks and he will step into his correct role in life and do what he must to reclaim his place among us. He knows that he needs to wed a girl with your sister’s impeccable breeding, and we will benefit by having him close, where we can keep an eye on him so the past cannot harm Theo.”
“You cannot also think he is dangerous to my brother. Has everyone here lost all sense?”
“As always, you assume you know all of it because of how my son favored you. However, there is much you do not understand. I do not take this step lightly. I will not have anything happen to Theo, especially with his heir presumptive being that insufferable cousin. Leave this to me, Clara. Emilia will marry Stratton, and all will be well.”
Lest Clara not appreciate how the last word had been given, her grandmother lifted a book, opened it, set her spectacles on her nose, and began reading.
Clara looked at Theo, hoping to find an ally for her objections.
He turned away to pour himself another brandy.
Chapter Three
Adam handed his hat and crop to the servant at the door of White’s. He strode through the club’s salon.
Glances shot his way. Heads bowed to each other. Enough silence fell that he heard the low buzz of whispers.
He proceeded on, nodding acknowledgments to men who could not resist looking more directly. A few returned smiles far too hearty for casual acquaintances.
He exited the salon through a door at its end and sought the back stairs to the second level.
“Sir, I am afraid that all of the chambers are in use.” The servant’s gentle rebuke caught him halfway up the stairs.
He turned. The servant saw his face and flushed. “My apologies, Your Grace. I did not realize it was you. Welcome back, sir.”
“They are above, I assume.”
The servant nodded. Adam climbed to the landing.
Sounds came from behind one of the doors. Male voices, and laughter. He pressed the latch and walked in.
Two men stared at him, struck mute with surprise.
“Hell,” one of them finally muttered. “Brentworth here speculated that you might show up today, but I told him you would never come.”
