Page 37 of The Tantalizing of a Scandalous Rake

“He’s certainly no angel,” she admitted.

“He left my sister with child,” the man spat.

Rosie’s expression gave nothing away but she shot Adam a look. “Adam?”

“I most certainly did not.” Adam paused. “You’re Kingsley?”

Now he knew where he recognized the man. His features were similar to that of Miss Kingsley’s. He’d only known the family vaguely before the scandal hit and did not think he’d even been introduced to the oldest brother.

“An inconvenient name for you to hear, no doubt, seeing as you and your brothers have escaped the furor.” Kingsley wriggled against the bonds. “Now release me and let us do this as gentlemen. I demand a duel.”

Rosie gasped. “Most certainly not.”

“I’m not shooting you, Kingsley.”

He glared at Adam. “I would shoot you.”

“Not likely, I’m an incredible shot.”

“I have righteousness on my side,” Kingsley spat back.

“Oh yes, that’s won many a duel,” Adam said dryly. “But your shot would be wasted.” He moved closer and bent to meet Kingsley’s gaze head-on. “I did not leave your sister with child. Neither did my brothers. It is all a falsehood.”

“And I am to believe that am I? I am to believe the word of a Lord of Scandal Row?”

“Has your sister stated I am the father?”

Kingsley’s cheeks reddened. “Of course not. She is a fine, upstanding woman. She would not speak of such matters.”

“So you have no proof but the word of the scandal sheets that I am the father?”

“You are the only one left. You must marry her.”

Adam glanced at Rosie who lifted her hands.

“I am sorry your sister is in such a position and would that I could help you find the blackguard who did this to her, but I did not leave her with child. I swear it.”

“Why should I believe the word of a man such as yourself?” Kingsley jerked forward. “I should have killed you.”

“Wait.” Adam gestured toward Kingsley. The man clearly had his sister’s honor in mind but he hardly appeared the murdering sort. “You stabbed me?”

“I should have stuck you a second time.”

“You would have killed the wrong man, Kingsley. I’ll say it again. I did not leave your sister with child. I have scarcely had more than the briefest conversation with her—and with your mother present. Not enough time to make a child, I would wager.”

Kingsley narrowed his gaze at him. “You are a coward. You would run rather than refute these rumors.”

Rosie folded her arms. “He has a point.”

“You are taking his side? He stabbed me!”

∞∞∞

She shrugged. She could not decide whether to be angry at him or not. Although she believed him, she had to wonder why he had hidden the reason for his visits to the lakes from her. “Whydidyou come here?”

He blew out a breath. “Because...my mother told me to.”

“Your mother told you to?” she repeated, unable to keep the amusement from her voice.

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