If Adrian had his way, he wouldn’t even let their guests know he was a Dorsey. Immediately, an idea popped into his head. The more he pondered on the scheme, the more he liked it. Gradually, excitement filled his chest, making him anxious to try it. “Actually, I have a better solution.” He laughed. “I shall have Collin introduce me asMr.William Dorsey, his long-lost cousin.”
Trey shook his head. “I fear, my good man, your idea will not work. Everyone around here knows that Collin and William Dorsey are brothers.”
“Fine, then I shall have Collin introduce me as Adrian Dorsey, the family’s cousin from a small town down south.”
Trey narrowed his gaze on him. “And pray, why would you want to be called Adrian?”
Adrian grinned. “We’ve known each other since we were young boys, and yet you don’t know my middle name?” Adrian nodded. “I think my plan will work perfectly as long as my brother doesn’t muck things up.”
Trey snorted with laughter. “And I know Collin well. Hewillmuck things up.”
Adrian rolled his eyes. “Then I suppose we’ll have to keep him drinking port all evening. His mind will be spinning too much to think properly, and when he’s that foxed, he doesn’t talk much.”
“Poor Collin, old man.” Trey’s grin widened. “There are so many ways I could play with his mind, you just cannot fathom.”
Adrian laughed. “You forget, I remember your pranks well. So, I’m certain I could imagine just what you could do to my poor brother.”
“If I do something, I cannot let my beautiful Judith see. She’d refuse to speak to me for a whole week.”
Adrian knew his cousin enjoyed joking about Judith, but a blind man could see how much Trey loved his wife and would do anything to please her.
“I only see one problem with your plan,” Trey said.
“And what, pray tell, is that?”
“What if people ask Collin about the welfare of his brother? After all, both of you are supposed to be in residence.”
“I’ll have Collin tell everyone that I had business elsewhere, and I’m not planning on living at Hanover Hall for at least a fortnight, or maybe even longer.”
Trey laughed and shook his head. “I wish you well with that adventure, as long as your brother agrees.”
“I’ll make certain he goes along with my plan.”
Adrian and Trey reached the estate at the same time and dismounted. After handing the reins to the waiting groomsman, Adrian led his cousin in through the front door. The butler hurried toward them to take their hats, but Adrian shook his head in a silent dismissal. The sweet aroma filling the house let him know what kind of tarts and cookies the kitchen staff were preparing for the party.
Adrian and his cousin stopped in the spacious hallway. As Trey’s gaze moved around to the built-in bookcases made with dark wood lining the walls, Adrian studied the sunflower-cushioned settees that attached to each side of the curving staircase.
“This is truly amazing,” Trey whispered in awe. “I’ve never seen bookcases built into the walls such as these.”
“Father told us that the designer of the manor loved working with wood, and as I take you throughout the place, you’ll see just how much wood is actually used in each room. Father said he was also surprised how very little the owner was asking for this manor.”
“Oh, speaking of your father,” Trey said, “I’d heard he’d been called to Ireland on business.”
Adrian laughed. “You must not remember my father very well. He isalwayscalled to Ireland on business.” He rubbed his chin. “He’d mentioned before leaving this last time that he had some urgent business with Collin, as well. Unfortunately, the two men are never in the same place at the same time.”
“Do you know what this urgent matter with Collin is about?”
Adrian shrugged one shoulder. “I’m sure it has something to do about the family’s coffers, but I’m not worried about it.”
Adrian stood back and allowed his cousin to inspect everything at his leisure. Slowly, Adrian moved toward the back of the corridor, leading him under the winding staircase and to one of the many doors that led into the kitchen. He’d spent more time in a room similar to this one than his brother had. Grace, their cook, had taught Adrian more about life than his tutor ever had.
His mouth stretched into a smile as he thought of all the late nights he’d stayed up, listening to her tales of when she was a young woman traveling the world with her father. Grace, God rest her soul, had had more adventures in her young life than Adrian had experienced at the age of twenty-eight.
Looking out the window, a flash of teal caught his eye. The figure darted from one manicured shrub to the next in the yard. Scowling, he moved closer to the window to get a better look. Then a second figure in pink hurried to join the first.
Finally finding a window that helped him see better, he studied the two women giggling behind a shrub. By the look of their faded dresses, tattered bonnets, and untidy hair, he suspected their purpose. They’d probably heard about the party being thrown at the manor that evening and were trying to get a glimpse of the two wealthy bachelors who’d be hosting it.
Adrian gritted his teeth. It disgusted him to see women fall all over themselves in hopes of being introduced to men of title and wealth. Their sole purpose was to entice the men to fall in love with them just so they could look down their noses and haughtily stroll from one shop to the next in town, spending money to their hearts’ content.
