Sabrina knew she harbored more than a fondness for him. She was beginning to love the man who called himself her husband.
Husband. That word echoed within her mind.
Sabrina decided that she needed to speak to the marquess the first thing the next morning. After that, she would let him court her and see where their relationship went.
Rising from the chair, Sabrina crossed the bedchamber to the highboy. She took the winter rose betrothal ring out of the drawer and stared at it for a moment. Then she slipped it on the third ringer of her left hand.
With that settled, Sabrina began pacing back and forth across the bedchamber. What words could she use to erase the pain she'd caused? Would Adam accept her apology? Would he even agree to see her?
She knew he would not come to Grosvenor Square if she summoned him. The man was too proud to do that. She would go to his town house on Park Lane.
And then an idea popped into her head and brought a smile to her lips. She would make the marquess his favorite sweets, nougat and Turkish delight.
"Come, Winston." Sabrina left the chamber with the wolfhound and hurried down the corridor to the stairs. When she reached the foyer, she called to the majordomo without breaking stride, "I need sugar, honey, eggs, almonds, pistachios, cornstarch, lemon and rose flavorings."
"Yes, my lady." Forbes started after her.
Baxter grabbed his arm and asked, "What is the countess baking this time?"
Forbes grinned at the other man's ignorance. "Nougat and Turkish delight, of course."
"Forbes, where are you?"
"Coming, my lady ..."
At noon the following day, Sabrina stood in front of the marquess's town house on Park Lane. She carried a covered silver tray and reached out with her free hand to bang the knocker. Almost immediately, a tall and dignified-looking servant opened the door.
The majordomo looked down at her and asked in a haughty voice, "How may I help you?"
Uncertain in the face of his superiority, Sabrina hesitated, but then pictured the man staring cross-eyed at her. "I wish to speak with the Marquess of Stonehurst," she announced in a strong voice.
"Who should I say is calling?"
His wife, Sabrina thought. "Lady Abingdon," she said.
"Sabrina, is that you?" she heard Uncle Charles call from inside the foyer. Then, "Let the lady inside."
The majordomo stepped aside to allow her entrance to the foyer. Sabrina smiled as the duke rushed forward to greet her. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "Is something wrong?"
"I must speak with Adam," Sabrina said, dropping her gaze. "I suppose you already know the reason."
"Adam left for Stonehurst last night," Uncle Charles told her. "Stonehurst is his private retreat, a small, renovated castle built on its own island. Come to the study, and we'll speak privately."
Sabrina let the duke usher her down the first-floor corridor to the study. Wherever she looked, she felt Adam's presence.
"Sit here near the hearth," Uncle Charles said. "Would you care for refreshment?"
Sabrina shook her head and sat down. "Is it true, then?"
"As children, Adam and you were wed," the duke verified, sitting in the chair opposite her. "He never meant to withhold the truth, only to give you an option if you didn't care for him."
"Why did you and my father marry us off as children?" Sabrina asked. "I thought that barbaric custom ended centuries ago."
"Even today, the wealthy arrange marriages for their children," the duke said.
"A world of difference lies between arranging marriages and actually having children joined in wedlock," Sabrina countered.
The duke sighed. "The three of us thought Adam and you would make a good match."
"The three of us?" Sabrina echoed, confused by his words.
"Henry, I, and your natural father," he explained.
Sabrina stared in surprise at him. "You know who my natural father is? I asked you before—"
"Many years ago, I swore to keep the secret," the duke said. "I will tell you only if you agree never to reveal his identity."
Sabrina inclined her head. She would have agreed to anything he asked. What she had yearned for her whole life was about to be hers, the knowledge of where she came from.
"Your natural father is Prince Adolphus," he said.
"Prince Adolphus?" Sabrina exclaimed. "Are you saying that King George is my grandfather and the Regent is my uncle?"
Uncle Charles nodded. "You will never be acknowledged."
"And Courtney?"
"Prince Adolphus sired bom of you. On different women, of course."
Sabrina stared into the hearth's flames. Which was more urgent, speaking to Adam or to Prince Adolphus?
"Who was my mother?" she asked.
"I don't know, but I do have some suspicions," he answered.
"Well, whom do you suspect?"
"I would never name any woman unless I knew the facts."
"Prince Adolphus will tell me," Sabrina said, and dropped her gaze to her hands folded in her lap. Though the knowledge she'd always yearned for was hers, the happy satisfaction she should have felt was missing. Now she felt disloyal to her father and aunt for wanting to know her true identity. Any parent who refused to acknowledge a child was actually no parent at all. Henry Savage had taken her into his home and loved her as though she were his. He was her true father, not the man who sired her.
"Sabrina?"
She returned her attention to the duke. "Thank you for telling me all this. When do you think Adam will return? I want to speak to him."
"Who can say?" Uncle Charles shrugged. "Why don't you go to Stonehurst?"
"How far is it?"
"Two hundred miles as the eagle flies."
Sabrina was unable to keep the disappointment off her face. Traveling two hundred miles was out of the question. The journey would take nearly a week, and a chaperon would be required. Neither Aunt Tess nor Belladonna would encourage such a venture. No, she would need to wait for his return.
"Traveling by ship will take less than a day," Uncle Charles said as if he knew her thoughts. "Stonehurst is built on an island off Cornwall. Adam does love his privacy."
"I have no ship and no chaperon," Sabrina replied. "What would people say about my staying at his residence?"
"Child, you are his wife and need no chaperon."
Sabrina wet her lips. If she went to Stonehurst, her future would be sealed. No annulment could be possible. On the other hand, did she really want to go through life without him?
"Several of my nephew's ships are moored in the Thames," Uncle Charles told her. "I am acquainted with his captains and will send them a message that the Marchioness of Stonehurst wishes to go home to her husband."
Sabrina smiled. "When can I leave?"
"With tonight's tide," Uncle Charles answered. "Return to Grosvenor Square and pack your belongings. I assume that wolfhound will be accompanying you."
"Winston goes wherever I go," Sabrina said, rising from the couch.
"I'll send you a message about the time," Uncle Charles said, escorting her to the foyer. "I personally will escort you to the docks."
"Thank you, Uncle Charles." Sabrina leaned close and kissed the duke's cheek.
Fifteen minutes later Sabrina rushed into the foyer of the town house at Grosvenor Square. Still carrying the tray of sweets, she started up the stairs and called over her shoulder, "Send a couple of maids to my chamber to help me pack."
"Pack, my lady?" Forbes echoed.
"Yes, where is my aunt?"
"She's in the drawing room with the others."
Sabrina burst into the drawing room and stopped short at the sight that greeted her. Edgar Briggs sat in one of the chairs and conversed with the two older women, her sister, and Dudley Egremont.
Briggs stood when he spied her. Smiling, he started across the chamber to greet her, but she held up her hand in a gesture for him to stop.
"I cannot visit with you
today because I have another headache," Sabrina lied. "Aunt Tess, may I speak with you upstairs?"
Lord Briggs closed the distance between them and said, "I knew I should never have allowed you to come to London."
"Allowed?" Sabrina echoed in disbelief.
"I know I've lost you," Edgar said, dropping his voice so only she could hear him.
"I was never yours to lose," Sabrina told him, "but we will always be the dearest of friends."
"The marquess despises me," he replied.
As does Winston, Sabrina thought. "Can we speak of this at a later time?" she asked with a twinge of guilt. "I am in a hurry."
''You said you had a headache,'' Briggs said, unable to keep his suspicion out of his voice.
"I am in a hurry to go upstairs." Sabrina looked at her aunt and asked,' 'Will you come with me? Where is Winston?"
Both Aunt Tess and Lady DeFaye rose from their chairs and crossed the chamber to where she stood with Edgar.
"We left Winston in your chamber so he wouldn't frighten any callers," Aunt Tess told her.
"Edgar, be a dear and run along," Belladonna said. "Do visit us again." Belladonna put her arm around Sabrina and ushered her out of the drawing room, saying, "Come, darling. I know just the thing for your headache."
"What mischief are you up to?" Aunt Tess asked as soon as the three of them reached the bedchamber.
"Winston and I are going to Stonehurst," Sabrina said. "Uncle Charles is making the arrangements."
"Thank God you've come to your senses," Belladonna said with relief. "Is there anything you would like to know about bedding your husband?"
"Bedding?" A high blush stained Sabrina's cheeks. "I only want to speak to Adam and cannot wait for his return."
"Adam will assume you want to be his wife if you go to Stonehurst," Belladonna told her.
"That's correct," Aunt Tess agreed. "You'll never go wrong if you follow one simple rule: Trust your husband in all matters."
Lady DeFaye nodded. "Adam will show you how it's done."
"How it's done?" Sabrina echoed, her face draining of color.
"There's nothing to fear," Aunt Tess assured her, patting her shoulder. "Would the world be so populated if there wasn't pleasure in the act?"
"Absolutely not! The world would be deserted," Belladonna answered her aunt's rhetorical question. Then she added mischievously, "To my knowledge, darling, there's only been one immaculate conception, and that occurred almost two thousand years ago. So, you see, millions of women have enjoyed bedding down with men."
Sabrina hadn't thought in those terms, but supposed Belladonna was correct. For better or for worse, she was going to Adam... .
By six o'clock that evening, Sabrina and Winston were ensconced in Adam's quarters on board The Voyager. She'd never traveled by water before and hoped she wouldn't get sick.
Doubts began to swirl around in her mind. Her future would be sealed once she arrived at Stonehurst; she would be Adam's wife until death parted them. Was this what she wanted? More importantly, what did Adam want now? Would he welcome her after the terrible words she'd said? Even worse, would he make her his wife in fact and then exact revenge for what she'd said? No, that was too absurd even to consider. Adam St. Aubyn was a man of integrity.
Her confidence in him made her smile. After watching the wolfhound eat supper with his usual gusto, Sabrina let the ship's rocking motion lull her to sleep.
Sabrina was already dressed and waiting the next morning when someone knocked on her door. "Come in," she called.
The door opened, and Captain Tibbets walked into the cabin. A boy followed him, set a tray on the table, and left.
''I thought you would like a light breakfast while we drop anchor and prepare to disembark."
"We've arrived?" Sabrina said.
The captain nodded. "I have duties on deck and will return in a few minutes."
Alone again, Sabrina knew she would be unable to swallow a bite until after she'd faced her husband. She set the tray on the floor for Winston, who immediately began to eat both of their breakfasts.
Her husband.
Sabrina smiled to herself. Those two words warmed her heart. The only frightening thing was the possibility that he would send her away.
A knock on the door drew her attention away from Adam, and she heard the captain call out, "My lady, are you ready to leave?"
"Yes, Captain."
Captain Tibbetts walked in and was followed by the two seaman who would carry her belongings on deck. Sabrina let the captain escort her down the narrow passageway to the stairs that led on deck.
No fog, Sabrina thought, stepping out into the bright sunlight. She breathed deeply of the crisp, salty air. Overhead, the sky was a healthy shade of blue, so different from London's yellow gloom.
"There's Stonehurst," Captain Tibbets said, pointing at an island in the bay.
The breathtaking beauty of her husband's rocky fortress caught Sabrina by surprise. Crowned by a jewel of a castle, the small island rose toward the heavens. The whole panorama seemed too perfect to be real, an idealized image conceived in an artist's mind.
"What are those buildings near the beach?" Sabrina asked.
"Those are the homes of his lordship's servants," the captain told her. "One can only reach the island by boat, though the trip across the bay is short. Come, my lady. The longboat awaits us."
Sabrina saw that the longboat had already been lowered into the water. Several men, including the first mate, sat in it. Only then did she realize that she would need to climb down the rope ladder to the boat.
"How will Winston get down?" she asked.
"Don't worry about the dog," the captain said. "We'll use the pulley reserved for the sick or injured."
He gestured to where his men were harnessing a struggling Winston into a slinglike contraption attached to a pulley. Taking the silver container of sweets out of her hand, Captain Tibbets said, "You go down first, and I'll see to the dog."
The captain helped her over the side of the boat, and Sabrina started to climb down. The first mate's hands were there to help her the final few rungs. Then Winston was lowered into the boat, and the captain climbed down after the dog was settled.
Within ten minutes the men were pulling the longboat onto the sandy beach near the stone houses of the little village. Several of the island's inhabitants had gathered to watch.
Captain Tibbets helped her out of the boat and handed her the box of sweets. Winston needed no assistance. He leaped out of the boat and began running around on the sand.
"Come, my lady," Captain Tibbets said, offering her his hand. "We must walk up that pathway."
Sabrina looked up at the castle. It seemed higher from the beach than it had from the ship.
"The walk is two hundred and thirty feet up," the captain said.
"Captain Tibbets."
Sabrina turned toward the voice and saw Abdul making his way past the curious spectators. He stopped in front of her and bowed from the waist.
"Welcome, my princess," Abdul greeted her.
Sabrina was shocked by his gesture and words. How did this servant know Adam's pet name for her?
"Will you accompany us?" Abdul asked the captain.
"I'll leave the lady in your capable hands," Captain Tibbets refused. "I have a full cargo, and my men are anxious to set sail."
Abdul nodded and then turned to Sabrina, saying, "Please, come with me."
"Thank you, sir," she called to the captain. "Come, Winston."
Sabrina walked up the long pathway to the castle set on top of the mount. In silence, Abdul walked beside her while Winston raced to and fro and inhaled myriad new scents.
Abdul escorted Sabrina into the castle's great hall with its magnificently timbered ceiling. The walls had been painted a stark white, which emphasized the portraits, banners, and sconces adorning it. The furniture was oak, as was the floor. The white marble hearth blended with the walls.
"Sit, Winston," Sabrin
a ordered, standing near the hearth.
A small, rotund man rushed forward and spoke in a foreign language that she failed to recognize. When Abdul answered in the same language, the little man turned to her and bowed from the waist. Then he hurried out of the hall.
"Razi has gone to find his lordship," Abdul told her. He bowed again and then left the hall.
Alone now, Sabrina felt the insecurities and doubts creeping back into her mind. She felt like an unwanted guest, an intruder. She didn't belong here.
And then Adam walked into the hall. Ignoring the wolfhound's enthusiastic greeting, he paused inside the archway and stared at her.
Sabrina had never seen him dressed so casually. In his black breeches and black shirt opened at the neck, he appeared even more handsome than she remembered.
"What are you doing here?" Adam asked, walking across the hall toward her.
Oh, Lord, he's keeping his expression placid, Sabrina thought. No help there.
"I stopped by to apologize for my bad behavior," Sabrina said, and gave him a tentative smile.
Adam cocked a dark brow at her. "You happened to be in the vicinity of my island and decided to stop by?"
"Yes, my lord," Sabrina replied, trying to hide her smile and dropping her gaze. When he said nothing, she ventured a peek at him and saw his gaze fixed on the betrothal ring she wore on her left hand.
"I've brought you a peace offering," she said, holding up the silver box.
"And what would that be?" he asked, lifting his gaze to hers.
"French sunshine and exotic locales."
Adam smiled then and crossed the remaining distance between them. He accepted her gift and set it on a table. Then he lifted her left hand to his lips and said, "I forgive you, Princess."
"And I forgive you for lying to me," Sabrina replied. Then she amended herself by saying, "As long as you never lie to me again."
"No more lies," Adam agreed.
"No half-truths or omissions either."
Adam inclined his head and smiled at her.
And Sabrina knew that his devastating smile would always remind her of French sunshine.
Adam took her hands in his and drew her toward him. He looked down at her through those blue eyes and said in a quiet voice, "I would have given you an annulment if you had met another gentleman you could have loved."
No Decent Gentleman Page 19
