Prologue
Adrian Worthington tappedhis fingers on the table, contemplating the cards in his other hand. The noise at White’s from the surrounding game tables didn’t bother him, only because his mind was filled with more pressing matters. However, time was of the essence, so he must win this game.
He played Commerce well, he must admit, but he would never consider himself an addict like some of his chums. Adrian didn’t mind taking their money at the gaming tables, and he enjoyed the feeling of victory when it happened. But he wasn’t addicted to the sport.
All the men at the table this afternoon were related, and they all shared the same surname. Although Adrian enjoyed being with his cousins, when they crossed paths with an associate and the nameWorthingtonwas called out, Adrian and his cousins responded simultaneously. Quite often it was annoying.
“Adrian, are you going to play your hand or not?”
Adrian glanced across the table at Gavin Worthington, Viscount Lennox. The man’s father was on his deathbed, and Gavin would soon become Duke of Englewood. For now, the man’s only way to keep from thinking of his upcoming role was to gamble. Well, amongst other vices with the lovely ladies, of course.
“In due time,” Adrian replied, pondering his cards.
“Perhaps your mind is occupied this afternoon, my good man. After all, your father just purchased a country estate for you and your brother.” Malcolm Worthington produced a teasing grin as he glanced over the top of the cards in his hand. “I wonder what the true intention is behind the gesture. Does your father want to see which brother can stay alive the longest?”
Snickering circled the table. They all knew Adrian and his older brother, Collin, well enough to realize these were two men who had never seen eye to eye.
Adrian shook his head. “When you visit the estate tomorrow evening for the ball, you shall see that the manor is large enough that my brother and I won’t cross paths often. In fact, we could stay apart for weeks if we plan it correctly.”
Gavin raked his fingers through wavy, dark hair and shifted in his chair as he looked at Malcolm. “I’m sure you have it all wrong. Adrian’s father is trying to end his sons’ lives not by fisticuffs, but through marriage. I’m certain the marquess has planned that his sons will find genteel country women that will capture their hearts.”
Adrian snorted a laugh and rolled his eyes. “How wrong you are, Viscount Lennox.”
“Indeed?” Gavin arched an eyebrow. “Then tell me, why did he plan a ball for you and Collin and only invite the country folks?”
“Father also invited lords and ladies,” Adrian quickly argued. “You did all receive an invitation, did you not?”
“Indeed, I did, but Collin informed me that not many ladies of nobility received invites.” Gavin’s eyes twinkled with mirth.
Adrian didn’t appreciate the way the conversation had turned, making his stomach churn. His father wouldn’t dothat, would he? “Collin must have been heavy into his cups when you talked to him.” Although he didn’t agree with his older brother often, Adrian didn’t believe Collin knew more about the ball.
The snickering bouncing around the table from Adrian’s three cousins didn’t sit well with him, making him very nervous. He would prove them wrong. Even if his father had planned to have his sons marry country women, Adrian would change Collin’s mind, becausehecertainly wouldn’t marry a country woman. Those types of females were only after titled husbands, and Adrian would make certain they couldn’t sink their claws into him or his brother.
“Are you going to play, Adrian?” Broderick Worthington snapped. “I’m scheduled to set sail next week, and I would like to finish this game before then.”
Captain Broderick sailed to different countries in his trading business. Although the man was not titled, he was wealthy in his own right. Sometimes Adrian wished he had that kind of carefree life with no complications, free to sail across the ocean.
“Fine.” Adrian placed two cards on the table and pushed them toward the dealer. “I’d like two more.”
Looking at his new cards, he tried not to smile in confidence. He would win this round of Commerce. Sadly, winning money wouldn’t give his mind any rest, especially not after hearing Gavin’s opinion on why Adrian’s father bought an estate for him and Collin to share. Was it a way to help the brothers repair their rocky relationship? Or was it because the controlling marquess wanted his sons to find destitute wives who were only after a titled husband?
Adrian couldn’t believe his father would be so foolish as to hope his sons would fall in love with commoners, so it must be that the man wanted them to repair their brotherly relationship. He tried not to laugh out loud at the idiocy. The old man must not be right in his mind if he thought that. Regardless, Adrian wouldn’t stay there for very long anyway. He would invest in stocks and find ways to build his own bank account.
When the game returned to Adrian, he grinned and placed his cards on the table, showing his cousins that he had won. Again.
Now, he had a party to oversee, and needed a plan to keep the commoners away from his and his brother’s money.
Chapter One
“This is thevery estate that will either give you happiness or bring ruination to your good name.”
Adrian Worthington pulled his horse to a stop and shifted on the saddle, giving his cousin a quizzical stare. Trey Worthington hadn’t been at yesterday’s card game, so Adrian gave his cousin the grand tour of the estate. Trey had always been the humorous sort, and since the man married, his sense of humor had only expanded. At this moment, Adrian didn’t know whether he should take him seriously or not.
“What the devil are you talking about?” Adrian yanked his leather gloves tighter on each hand. “Ruin my good name… Really. The idea is preposterous.”
Trey tilted back his head and laughed heartily, which nearly caused his hat to fall to the moistened ground. In Adrian’s opinion, that would serve him right. After all, his words were close to a hex, and Adrian wouldn’t stand for it.Ruin my good name… Indeed!
Snapping upright, Trey grasped his hat to keep it from tumbling to the mud puddle next to him. He gestured toward the grand estate. Two separate wings adjoined the main house, and the land stretched on for miles. There was enough room for three different families to reside at Hanover Hall, but for the time being, only Adrian and his older brother would live there.
