"I hadn't thought of that. I mean, I knew it was difficult to hide such a situation, but I hadn't thought about being compelled to offer for the young lady."
"Given that she's so vastly different from the women you normally show interest in, I think she might be very good for you."
Adam's eyes rounded. "Then you're not going to lecture me?"
A smile slowly spread across the burnished planes of Nick's cheek, and he shook his head. "It's time you married."
"I . . . I'm not planning on consummating it."
Nick snickered. "That's the opposite of what I told Fiona when I agreed to wed her."
"You mean even though you were marrying as a business arrangement, you desired her?"
"I must have. I didn't think I loved her, but I realize now I've always loved her." He looked up at his younger brother. "I hope you will come to love Miss Hastings. I don't pretend to know her, but I do know she's a decent sort."
Adam was aware of a huge, gnawing void. He wanted what Nick and Lady Fiona had, but that would never happen. Did Nick not know he was serious when he said he'd never love anyone but Maria? In deference to Miss Hastings, he chose not to argue the point. "I think for Miss Hastings' sake, no one else—not even William—needs to know that I've only just met her, that it's not . . . not a love match."
"I agree." Nick turned even more serious than his normal self.
“She will have to petition the Court of Chancery for permission to marry.”
“Then she’s under age?”
Adam nodded. “And now has no guardian, no living relative. You are close to the Lord Chancellor, are you not?”
“Yes,” Nick said. “I’ll take care of that. We’ll get Devere to be her temporary guardian—since he’s family and since Lord Eldon smiles more favorably upon earls, Devere will be an excellent temporary guardian for Miss Hastings. I’ll obtain all the necessary approvals tomorrow, with Lord Eldon’s help.”
For a few moments they were silent, the only noise that of the hissing fire that reflected on Nick's face. Finally Nick turned to him. "Let me ask you this. Did you not find the change in her uncle's will suspicious?"
Chapter 7
"Precisely what I was thinking," Adam said. "Given Miss Hastings' propensity for wailing, I didn't want to bring up the subject until after I could calm her down. But I intend to look into the business."
"Shady dealings, I should say."
"Had Miss Hastings not been there at the solicitor's establishment, I would have torn into him."
"He sounds like a bloody idiot."
"He did let us see the revised will."
"I doubt that was ethical."
"She was one of the beneficiaries."
Nick shrugged. "I'll give him that."
"Before I bring in old Emmott," Adam said, "I think Miss Hastings and I will poke about the Ceylon Tea Company."
Nick's brows hiked. "Then you're going to share your suspicions with the lady?"
"She may look young—younger than she is—but she's not without intelligence. Once she calms down, she'll begin to question the validity of the new will."
Nick regarded his brother with an amused expression. "Does this mean the bank will be void of your presence for three straight days?"
Adam thought for a moment before he answered. "I suppose it does. I do have a very capable clerk."
"Does this mean you're not going to get foxed tonight?"
Why was it his older brother always managed to sound like a scolding father when he was only a year older than Adam? "I suppose it does. I may not be in love with Miss Hastings, but I have a new interest, and that is to take care of this young woman."
Nick folded arms across his chest. "Exactly as I said. Miss Hastings will be good for you."
* * *
"Let's begin in the morning room," Lady Fiona said.
Like a glutton with food, Emma devoured all the sensory details which flashed before her on the way to the morning room. Glittering crystal chandeliers, ablaze with hundreds of candles, suspended from heavily decorated ceilings far above. The floor of carrara marble upon which they tread was bordered with sienna marble. The massive arched Palladian windows, pedimented doorways, and gilded pilasters spoke to the classical influences that governed this amazing house.
The morning room—the smallest chamber she'd seen here—was all scarlet and gilt. Even though it was not being used this evening, a fire blazed in the hearth. Everything she saw bespoke the finest quality. The draperies and upholstery were of silk, and she wondered if the gilt cornices over each of the chamber's three windows were of real gold.