Page 83 of Claiming his Cursed Duchess

Lord Claridge looked as though he had dressed deliberately to match his wife, a strange mix of colorful attire, made up of cheap silks, covering them both from head to toe.

Their home was vulgar, too—adorned with gaudy fripperies. It had the distinct feel of two people who lived above their station, squandering money on things they believed lent them an air of wealth, but in fact showed them up in terribly bad taste.

Adam sipped his drink, keeping a keen eye on Rosaline in case she might need his assistance. She was holding court, however, standing within a group of guests who were continually laughing at her dry wit.

He only realized he was smiling when she caught his eye and gave him a knowing look.

I never expected to admire my wife so much.

“Your Grace?”

Adam turned, finding a young footman standing behind him.

“Yes?”

“You have been requested in the study, Your Grace,” the man said, shifting his weight and looking rather fearful.

Adam frowned, glancing behind him at Claridge.

What the devil…?

And then realization dawned.

“Thank you. Lead the way,” he said, placing his drink on a side table and following the man from the room.

They reached the study in short order, not passing anyone on their way, and Adam was grateful for the deserted hallways of the house.

The footman preceded him into the room where Silas stood waiting for him, looking drab in his darkest clothing. Silas gave Adam a meaningful stare and nodded toward the footman.

Adam hastily plunged a hand into his pocket and took out a coin, handing it to the man.

“For your silence,” he muttered, and the footman withdrew. As the door clicked shut Adam speared Silas with a glare. “Can he be trusted?”

“They don’t pay ‘em what they ought, Your Grace. No loyalty in this household, believe me.”

Adam’s heart lurched as Silas held up a letter.

“Is that it?”

“I ain’t read it, Your Grace. I wasn’t sure if you’d wish me to.”

Adam moved swiftly to his side, keeping one eye on the door. Behind where Silas was standing, a bookshelf had been moved aside to reveal a recess in the wall where the strongbox had been placed.

Adam squinted at it, looking at Silas in astonishment, but the other man seemed entirely unabashed at his illegal undertakings.

Adam pulled out the letter with trembling fingers, his heart hammering in his chest as he unfolded the delicate paper.

I have the upper hand at last.

Rosaline was surprised to find herself enjoying the soirée. It was amazing what could be achieved when one ignored one’s family.

She had barely spoken to her aunt and uncle all night, and the event had been all the better for it. In a lull in proceedings, she left the group she had been speaking to in order to search for her husband.

But he was nowhere to be found.

“Looking for someone?”

Rosaline turned to find her uncle standing behind her, his gaze arrogant and sly.