Allegra watched as the butler shuffled out and Tristan seated himself, lifting the covers off the dishes as he did so. Despite her nervousness she knew that she was hungry, and the scent of food that wafted through the air made her suddenly ravenous.
"Mrs. Small has outdone herself," observed Tristan as he eyed the meal. "Despite her not being aware of our arrival, I think this will be quite acceptable. Would you care to try the veal?
Allegra nodded. Tristan served her silently, and then looked at the bottle of wine that sat near his elbow. "A decent vintage," he murmured. "Would you care for some?"
"Please." She watched as the liquid filled her crystal glass and she reached for it eagerly.
"Be careful, my dear. I'll want you to be alert later," Tristan said softly.
Allegra's eyes met his, and she flushed. It wouldn't do for him to know she was having second thoughts. There was no going back for her now, and Tristan was her only point of security. "I will," she said softly. She turned her attention to her meal, careful to avoid his eyes.
As she picked up her fork she was startled by a sudden burst of noise in the hallway. The sound of urgent knocking echoed through the cavernous foyer, and a man's voice could be heard shouting something in the distance.
"What could that be?" asked Tristan, rising to his feet. "Excuse me, Allegra. I'll get rid of this troublesome intruder."
Allegra watched him stalk out of the room, not daring to acknowledge the sudden hope that had flared in her heart. It couldn't be Adam, she told herself sternly. He was far away, in London, probably with Lady Manning. He would never have followed her here. There were too many rifts between them that could never be repaired.
Putting down her glass, she stood and went to the door, peering cautiously out into the hall. She could see that Baxter had made his way to the front door, and was muttering under his breath as he pulled it open. There was clearly far too much activity today to make the old man happy. Tristan stood behind him, a look of impatience on his dark face.
"Causing all this commotion late at night. I've never heard of such a thing," Baxter said as he swung the door open. "No one would have acted this way in your father's time."
He stepped backwards as the figure standing on the threshold, wearing heavy riding boots and a greatcoat, burst into the house. The intruder was still shrouded by darkness, but the shape of his figure, his height and the breadth of his shoulders, made Allegra draw in her breath.
"Where's your master?" he demanded of Baxter, and Allegra felt a thrill of joy shoot through her. It was unmistakably Adam's voice. It was clear that he was furiously angry, and she had no doubt that a share of that anger was for her, but her heart sang anyway. He had come for her, she thought in a daze.
"What the devil are you doing here?" snapped Tristan. For the first time since Allegra had met him, he seemed to be truly surprised. The lazy, laughing look was gone from his face, replaced by blank amazement.
"I'm here for my wife, of course," said Adam sharply. "And some of your blood." His hand went the sword hilt that was hidden in the folds of his coat.
"Don't be melodramatic, Gravesmere, it’s ill bred as well as unnecessary,” Gresham drawled. “I won't keep your wife if she doesn't want to stay." Tristan seemed to have regained his composure.
"It's not only Allegra I'm here for. I demand satisfaction as well." Adam advanced on the other man. "You've made the two of us dance to your tune, and that's not something I care for. You'll pay for it."
Tristan laughed. "You shouldn't have come here, Gravesmere. Your histrionics are wasted on me, I'm afraid. Take your wife and go, if she'll have you, but don't expect to take out your frustration on me. You've caused your own problems."
"If you've hurt her, Gresham, you'll pay." Adam strode past him and looked around the hall, momentarily surprised. "This is a damned gloomy place to take a woman."
"I rather think you've done her more harm than I ever could. I've caused her considerably fewer tears than you have."
Adam swung back to him. "Where is she? Do you have her locked up somewhere?"
"You would think that," sneered Tristan. “No, she's in the dining room, enjoying a good dinner. Would you care to join us?"
Adam strode down the hall, his boot heels ringing on the stone floor. "No, I don't mean to sit down with you. I'll collect Allegra and we'll be gone."
"And if she doesn't want to go with you?" Tristan's voice held a hint of annoyance. "This flight was her idea. She seemed to want nothing more than to be done with you entirely."
Adam paused. "I'll convince her she was wrong. Now, where is she?"
Chapter 30
A Ewer in Time
Allegra pulled back into the dining room as Adam's gaze swept the dark hallway. Her heart was racing with exhilaration. He had come for her. But why? Was it simply out of pride, or did he honestly care? She resisted the urge to run out into the hall and throw herself into his arms. She had humiliated herself enough the night before.
When Adam strode into the dining room, Allegra was sitting at the table, sipping wine out of her glass. Her eyes flew open in feigned surprise at the sight of him, and she gasped.
"Adam! What are you doing here?"
"I've come to take you home," he said. At the sight of her, he felt the familiar rush of passion, the overwhelming sense of need that she always exerted over him. He loved her, he realized. She was the woman who completed him, who shared his interests as well as his bed. Aware of Gresham standing behind him, a cynical smile on his face, he resisted the urge to rush to the other side of the table and snatch her up in his arms.
"Why? What do I have to return to there?" Allegra's voice rang with challenge and her fingers tightened on the stem of her glass.
"We'll talk about that later. Just come with me now. Mother is worried about you."
"I won't go back just because your mother misses me," said Allegra softly. "I can't live that way anymore."
Adam tapped his toe impatiently. "I didn't ride all this way just to bandy words with you, Allegra. You'll come with me now and we'll discuss this later." He strode around the table and grasped her wrist, drawing her to her feet.
Fatigue, surprise, and the wine she had drunk made Allegra unsteady on her feet. The red liquid in the glass she still clutched spilled over the rim, splashing onto her skirt. She looked down in surprise, swaying slightly. A nervous giggle rose to her lips as she surveyed the damage.
"Damn you!" Adam rounded on Tristan, shedding his coat in one rapid motion. "You've gotten her drunk. You wanted to make sure she wouldn't try to resist you! How dare you prey on her that way?"
Before Allegra could even blink, Adam's fist shot out, connecting squarely with Tristan's chin. He staggered back, falling to one knee.
"That was stupid, Gravesmere," Tristan growled, stroking his bruised face. "I've put up with your arrogance for as long as I can."
"My arrogance? You're the one who thought he could play God with my life, and Allegra's." Adam advanced, his hands still clenched into fists. "How much was Louisa going to pay you?"
"Pay me?" Tristan rose, his face suffused with rage. "Did she tell you that? I'll have her hide as well. But first I'm going to beat you to a pulp."
He swung at Adam, connecting neatly with his opponent's nose, and then the two men were fighting in earnest, pummeling each other with a fury born of long-suppressed hatred. The sound of flesh contacting bone filled the room, as the men grunted and swayed, each trying to inflict permanent damage on the other.
Allegra gaped at them for a moment, and then put her wine glass down with a snap. "Stop it!" she commanded, her voice ringing with anger. It was obvious to her that, while her presence here might have provided the impetus for the fight, the two men were engaged in a struggle with much deeper roots. "What the hell do you think you're doing? I won't have two men quarrelling over me like drunks in a public house."
"Stay out of this, Allegra," grunted Adam, not taking his eyes off Tristan. He aimed an
other heavy blow, which Tristan deflected.
"You're bleeding," he observed, nodding at the cut over Adam's eye.
"You'll be unconscious before I'm done with you," Adam replied. He swung again, and this time broke through, landing a heavy blow to the side of Tristan's face. The fight resumed in grim silence.
"I won't stay out of this!" shouted Allegra. "You two are just bullies. Tell me, do I go to the victor as spoils of war?"
Infuriated by the lack of response, she snatched up a heavy silver ewer chased with gold that Mrs. Smart had placed on the dining room table. In an attempt to relieve the gloom in the dining room, the housekeeper had filled it with flowers. Without thinking, Allegra emptied the contents over the two men impartially, drenching them in a stream of cold water.
"Damn it! What the--" Adam staggered backwards from his opponent, spluttering. Water rolled off his hair and down his shoulders, soaking the fine linen of his shirt. "Have you gone mad?" he demanded, turning on Allegra.
"Have I gone mad? Look at the two of you! Fighting like stable boys. What is the meaning of this?"
"The meaning of this, my dear," said Tristan, attempting to wipe the water out of his eyes, "is that your husband is a fool. But he has come for you, which argues for some sort of devotion. Do you want to go back to London with him?"
Allegra hesitated, looking at Adam. He was soaking wet, a bedraggled flower was stuck in his hair, and danged onto his shoulder, and blood oozed from the wound over his eye, but he still looked beautiful. She longed to reach out and touch the muscles in his chest, outlined by the damp cloth of his shirt. But why was he here? Was it only because she was a possession of his that he meant to keep, or was there some deeper meaning to his presence?
"I don't know," she said softly.
"Allegra, you must come back with me. I--I think I may have been wrong. We need to talk about what has happened."
"Why do you think that?" Allegra allowed a tiny blossom of hope to unfurl in her heart.
"I've discovered that Louisa--that Lady Manning--is not the woman I thought she was. She's plotted against you and I suspect all our quarrels go back to her. To her, and to Gresham here. They were working hand-in-hand." He glowered at Tristan.
"What?" Allegra's eyes flew to Tristan's face. He looked slightly ashamed, but defiant. "I thought you were my friend."
"I'm no one's friend, child. And if you and your husband were troubled, you need to look for the cause between the two of you. No one can tear apart a couple that truly understands one another."
"But did you plot against us?"
Tristan shrugged. "I had my reasons for my actions. I don't suppose you would feel they were worthwhile, but I did."
"You see, Allegra? He's been using you all this time. Come home with me and I swear to make everything right." Adam held out his hand, his eyes warm with promise.
Allegra hesitated, despite her with to give in. "I thought everything was right before, when we returned from Gravesmere," she whispered. "But then in London it was still all wrong. I can't go through that again, Adam."
"You won't have to," said Adam. He glared at Gresham, who stood nearby, watching them with a cynical smile on his face. ""All I want is to protect you, and to care for you. This time it will be different. I love you, Allegra."
"Oh, Adam. I love you, too." With a happy sigh Allegra melted into his arms, ignoring the dampness of his clothing that threatened to seep into her own. His lips came down on hers, blotting out all the unpleasant memories of the last weeks. She gave a tiny sigh of pleasure and leaned into him, giving herself up to the kiss.
"How touching." Gresham's voice broke the silence after some moments. "But now that you're so happily reconciled, I hardly imagine you wish to remain here in this gloomy castle. How do you mean to get your wife to London, Gravesmere? I presume you rode here?"
Adam looked up, surprised. "Of course. It was the fastest way. I didn't think about returning."
"Of course you didn't." Gresham shook his head. "Take my carriage. I will return your horse to town sometime soon."
Adam frowned. "That's not necessary--" he began, but Allegra tugged on his sleeve.
"Don't be stubborn, Adam. We must get home somehow."
Adam looked down at her face, and saw the exhaustion reflected there. "Very well. I accept your offer for my wife's sake," he said stiffly.
"A wise choice." Gresham stepped aside. "You are naturally welcome to spend the night here, if you would prefer."
"No, we'll go home," said Adam firmly.
"As you wish." Tristan bowed low before Allegra. "Believe me, Your Grace, I did not intend to injure you. It was your husband who I wished to revenge myself upon. If you truly love him, then he is very lucky indeed. Your affection is more than he deserves."
Adam made a growling sound in his throat and tried to step forward, but Allegra restrained him with a gentle hand. "I think it best if we--all of us--" she added, glancing up at Adam, "Stay away from one another in the future."
"That is probably a wise decision." Tristan turned away. "I'll send someone to prepare the carriage."
As he turned to ring for Baxter, there came another rousing staccato of knocks on the front door. A small smile crossed his lips, and he moved forward, stalling Baxter, who once again emerged from the back of the house, muttering under his breath.
"I'll get it," he said.
"Who can that be at this hour?" asked Adam.
"I don't know," answered Allegra. "He didn't mention expecting anyone else."
Tristan swung the heavy door open to reveal a slim figure on the doorstep. It stepped forward, waving a piece of paper that it held in its hand.
"What is the meaning of this, Lord Gresham? If you are playing some foolish trick, let me tell you that I have no patience for it."
"You're late," responded Tristan, with just a hint of amusement in his voice. "What took you so long?"
"What took me so long? I wasn't home when your note arrived, as I am occasionally occupied on matters that involve neither you nor my ridiculous family. When I discovered it I came as quickly as I could, but some preparation was involved. Now, where is the silly child?"
The figure pushed back the hood of the fur lined cape it wore, and shining blond hair was revealed in the dim light of the candles.
"Caroline!" burst out Adam. "What are you doing here?"
Caroline swung around, startled to hear her brother's voice. Adam emerged from the shadows near the dining room, Allegra in tow.
"You see, your trip was unnecessary," said Tristan, a note of apology in his voice. I'm sorry to have dragged you from your comfortable home on such a dreary night."
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Adam. "Did you mean to harm my sister as well?"
"Goodness, Adam, what happened to you? And to you, for that matter, Lord Gresham?" Caroline leaned forward, looking at them both in surprise. "You're soaking wet. And bloody. Don't tell me that you've been fighting."
The men both looked slightly embarrassed. Adam shuffled his feet.
"I found him here, with Allegra, obviously planning a seduction," said Adam. "You can hardly blame me."
"Of course I can blame you. I suppose you dashed in here, full of bluster, determined to defend your wife's honor. What a pity you didn't take note of it weeks ago."
Adam flushed. "That's hardly fair, Caroline. I only discovered today that I was wrong about Allegra."
"Anyone with half a brain would have known it long ago," countered Caroline. "What have I been telling you for weeks?"
Adam's mouth set in a thin line. "I should have listened to you, I suppose. But the evidence against her seemed overwhelming. I've apologized to Allegra, and she's been good enough to forgive me."
"You're very sweet, Allegra," said Caroline tartly. "Are you sure you know what you're doing, in taking this ass back?"
"You mustn't scold Adam," said Allegra spiritedly. "My behavior helped inflame the situation. I might have behaved better when he f
irst came home. It was just that I was hurt, and nervous."
"Then it seems you don't need me after all." Caroline sighed. "What a shame that I bothered to come at all. And here I thought I was going to save you from your folly, Allegra. It seems Adam has done that himself."
"How did you know to come here?" asked Allegra curiously. "Did Adam tell you?"
"Adam? No, of course not. Lord Gresham sent me a note this afternoon telling me that you were determined to flee with him. He asked me to follow after you, as he was certain that you would change your mind. He didn't want you to be compromised, in the event that you backed out."
Allegra frowned up at Tristan. "You didn't wish to run away with me?"
"You're very lovely, my dear, but I've realized for some time that you love your husband. I have standards, you know, and do prefer to avoid conducting affairs with women who are pining for other men. Please accept my apologies if I was wrong, but I thought you would speedily change your mind and wish to return home."
"Oh." Allegra bit her lip. "I was having second thoughts, especially after the things you said." She paused. "Did you do that on purpose? Asking me all those ridiculous questions?"
"It seemed that you needed to be reminded of what you were leaving, and what you were going to," said Tristan apologetically.
"Hence the gloomy castle, as well, I suppose," said Caroline. "Really, this place is dreadful. I don’t suppose your housekeeper has turned it out in decades." She ran a finger over a ledge, and wrinkled her nose at the dust.
"I'm sorry all of you dislike my ancestral home so much," said Tristan, sardonically. "It wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if you left me alone here."
"Thank you," said Allegra, ignoring his words.
"There's nothing to thank me for. If I hadn't been bent on making mischief, none of this would have happened in the first place." Tristan took her hand and kissed it lightly, ignoring Adam's glare. "I'm glad matters were put to rights at the end. Of course, it seems your husband came to his senses and my efforts were unnecessary. Still, they were well-intended."
A Most Unusual Situation: A Traditional Version Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 1) Page 27
