Page 2 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘Well, no. That’s to say, I don’t think she’ll?’
‘She wouldn’t respond because, presumably, she doesn’t wish to be found.’ Adam lifted his shoulders and his fork simultaneously.
‘We had a disagreement and she can be right wilful if she don’t get her way. She’s most likely sulking somewhere but I don’t have time for her histrionics.’
‘What’s that to me? Search the room if you’re not prepared to take me at my word that I’ve never laid eyes on your sister.’ Since Adam had already decided that the women crouching at his feet was no relation to this bombastic bully, he didn’t consider that he’d spoken untruthfully. ‘And when you’ve satisfied yourself that I haven’t abducted your rebellious relation perhaps you’ll have the goodness to leave me in peace. My supper’s getting cold.’
The man looked as though he would indeed like to conduct a search but something about Adam’s manner made him hesitate, just as Adam had known it would.
‘Beg pardon, but this is the only room left wot I haven’t looked in and if she ain’t here then I don’t know what’s become of her. It’s most vexing.’
‘Was that the stage I heard departing a short time ago?’ Adam asked the landlord.
‘Aye, sir, bound for Portsmouth.’
‘Then perhaps she was on that?’
‘No, I don’t think so cos I was watching it and she didn’t…’
The man left his sentence unfinished and barged out of the room, spluttering expletives and yelling for his horse. The landlord apologised several times more before withdrawing, and once again blessed silence reigned.
‘You can come out now,’ Adam said. ‘He’s gone.’
He lifted the tablecloth, stood and extended a hand to help the woman out of her cramped hiding place. She placed a small gloved hand in his and he felt a shock of awareness. God’s teeth, what was wrong with him? Then, still struggling to regain his composure, he caught his first proper sight of her face and cursed roundly beneath his breath.
Even allowing for the fact that he’d been deprived of feminine company these several months, she was still a diamond of the first water. Enormous green eyes dominated a heart-shaped face that was sufficiently tanned to indicate a preference for the outdoors. She possessed high cheekbones, a delicate, turned-up nose and temptingly plump lips. A dark spiral curl had escaped from beneath her hood and she impatiently pushed it behind her ear as she emerged from beneath the table. As she did so her cloak fell away and Adam was rewarded with his first sight of a body that was at least as spectacular as her face.
He sighed, cursing the circumstances that had brought them together. She was in a highly agitated state and scared half out of her wits. He had more than enough problems of his own to be going on with but already knew that he wouldn’t be able to turn his back on her. At the very least he would do everything in his power to protect her from the vulgar mushroom who appeared intent upon spiriting her away.
‘Thank you, Major.’ She spoke in a well-modulated but slightly accented voice. ‘I’m indebted to you for your assistance.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Adam bowed. ‘Mrs, er…?’
‘Oh, Smith. Mrs Smith.’
‘Smith?’ Adam quirked a brow.
‘Yes.’ She inverted her chin. ‘Mrs Simon Smith. What do you find so diverting about my name?’
‘Nothing whatsoever.’ Adam attempted to smother his mirth. ‘And Mr Smith is…’
‘No longer of this world.’
She spoke with genuine-seeming regret, causing Adam to accept that part of her account, at least, wasn’t a poorly constructed work of fiction. She’d lost someone close to her quite recently but he doubted whether that unfortunate person’s name had been Smith. ‘You have my sympathies, ma’am.’
‘Thank you.’
She briefly bowed her head and then seated herself in the chair Adam was holding out for her, removing her hood as she did so. At liberty to observe her features more closely he realised her face was not tanned, as he’d first thought, but her complexion was naturally dark. From the slight accent he’d discerned, her raven-black hair, and the fiery passion that flashed through her eyes when he smiled at her name, he suspected she was of Spanish origin. But it was evident she didn’t wish to reveal her true identity, and his inherent good manners prevented him from questioning her on the subject.
He watched her quite closely but she didn’t appear to be the least little bit curious about him. Instead her eyes were focused upon the food on the table. When her pink tongue spontaneously forced its way between her lips he realised she was having a difficult time concealing the fact that she was exceedingly hungry.
‘Can I persuade you to share my supper, Mrs. Smith? The landlord has furnished me with enough food for a small army. I was just now wondering what to do with it all without offending his wife’s sensibilities.’
He expected her to demure but she picked up his fork and set to with alacrity. For such a slight creature her appetite was legion and she demolished half the plate’s contents in record time.
‘Oh, forgive me, Major.’ She coloured as she dabbed her lips with his napkin. ‘I appear to have commandeered your supper.’ She spread her hands. ‘It’s just that?’
‘You’ve not eaten for some time, I collect.’ Adam smiled at her and she blushed more deeply still. ‘Pray, don’t apologise, ma’am. I have no appetite and so you’ve done me a service.’ He picked up his tankard and watched her over its rim for a moment or two in silence. ‘But have you considered what action you’ll now take in order to avoid your…er, brother?’
