“I depart in three days’ time.”
“Does your offer expire when you leave?”
“Yes,” he said flatly. He’d promised Rosa he would be home in time for her birthday. The hope and excitement that he would be there, had shone brightly in her eyes. He would not disappoint her. Though he could very well travel back to Wiltshire after. There was no need for him to disclose that to the lady, the more time she had to ponder, the more solid objections she would have for her father.
Lady Evelyn offered him a wobbly smile. “You shall have your answer by then. If you will excuse me?”
She turned hastily, but not fast enough to hide the tears glistening on her lashes.
“Lady Evelyn,” he said softly, disturbed to be an unwitting party to her distress.
She stiffened, but remained faced away.
“Yes?”
What could he say? He needed her? Not just any wife. That would surely be a lie. It flummoxed him that he wanted to offer soothing words, to reassure her that their eventual marriage would be a success for her. He gritted his teeth until his jaw ached, and the entire time she remained rooted. Possibly waiting for words that would free her from the hell he wanted to consign her. “Sleep well,” he finally said. Inadequate words, but they were all he had to give.
With a firm nod, she departed, closing the door with a soft snick.
Devil take it all.
Chapter Three
Adel now understood why men imbibed for liquid courage. She certainly felt braver and more confident. She tipped the glass, swallowing the last drop of the delicious tawny brown liquid.
“Would you like another glass?” Evie asked tremulously.
“Hmm,” Adel murmured noncommittally, feeling pleasantly languid. She gave the decanter of Sherry a considering glance. Before she had been a wreck, nerves rioting through her veins, and she had worn the priceless carpet in her chamber to threads pacing like a caged lion. Now she was warm, relaxed, and a bit tingly. “I believe someone needs to bottle and sell this as courage. They would make a fortune.”
Evie laughed and Adel hiccupped.
“Oh dear,” her friend said softly. “How many fingers am I showing?”
Adel frowned. “You are being silly, Evie, and we have no time to waste. While I feel decidedly relaxed, I assure you I am not foxed.”
A snort sounded. “And what would you know about being soused?”
“I saw enough of drunkenness from papa after mother died.”
All the merriment wiped from Evie.
“Forgive me for dampening your happiness,” Adel said softly.
Evie rushed over and clasped her hand. “Never,” she said a bit hoarsely. “You could never dampen my spirits.”
Adel smiled. “Do you think I should change into a simple dress?”
Evie shook her head. “Your nightgown is perfect. Remember to go no farther than the door, and leave it cracked.”
“I will. Now wish me good fortune.”
Her friend’s throat worked. “Adel wait…I…I…do not believe it is wise after all, I—”
“Shush!” Adel said with a soft laugh. “Do not try to drain my hard-worked-for courage. Remember only you and your mother are to come. We want enough ammunition to encourage my father to feel obliged in accepting Mr. Atwood, not gossip fodder for your mother’s guests.” With a quick kiss on Evie’s cheek, Adel tumbled from her room, consternation biting deep. She did feel a bit wobbly? Or was it giddy anticipation of finally being free of Lord Vale?
With swift and somewhat sure feet, she followed the directions Evie had provided. The hallways were empty, but she could hear the faint din of laughter and clinking off glass from below stairs. The last time she checked, it had been half past three in the morning, but it seemed the house guests were determined to be merry until the crack of dawn. Even with such a dire assessment, no anxiety seared her. Selfish, selfish men. Ordering women to stay away from liquor fully well knowing the wondrous properties it possessed.
Footsteps sounded along the corridor, and she made a mad dash toward a linen closet and ducked inside giggling. She waited until the loud steps passed, then opened the door and peeked through the slight crack. Adel spied Viscount Ravenswood, Evie’s brother, standing at a door, looking left and then right. He knocked once and it was flung open to reveal another guest clad in a very sheer and provocative nightgown. A blush reddened Adel’s cheeks when the lady hugged him and her hand slid down to cup Lord Ravenswood’s backside. A husky laugh slipped from him, and as he kissed her and they tumbled into the room. The rogue!
Adel moved cautiously out of her hiding place and hurried along the hallway. After turning left, she counted until she arrived at the fifth door. With a quick glance each way along the hallway, she uncurled her clenched fist and retrieved the keys. A faint stirring of unease tried to rear its head. She closed her eyes and recalled the heavy and frightful press of the earl’s body against hers, his sweaty palms that had dug into the soft flesh of her thighs as he struggled to raise her gown. That, and perhaps much worse she had to look forward to, if she did not succeed tonight. Grief lay heavy on her heart. How she wished her father had listened to her pleas to wed Mr. Atwood. Firming her shoulders, she inserted the key and twisted. The door opened on a soft snick and she entered.