Page 8 of Miss Thornfield’s Daring Bargain (The Troublemakers Trilogy #1)

Sterling House

London

T o say that Ada was both anxious and annoyed with the current turn of events would be an understatement. While she trusted Basil entirely and was grateful to Mr. Kingston for his efforts in finding her brother, she was uncomfortably aware of the shift in her role. Now that the delicate flower had been secured, she was to be shunted off while the men sorted out the rest of the business.

She understood the logic of it, and she knew that she had no real ability to sleuth at all, but the highhandedness was galling. Basil and Mr. Kingston had determined what was to be done with nary a word and without a single reference to her, as though she were a mere child being transported. Or a piece of luggage. She knew it sounded ungrateful. They were, in fact, older by nearly a decade, but they could have at least pretended to consider her.

Now she was on her way to being deposited at his parent’s London residence. His parents who were the Viscount and Viscountess of Sterling. The moment she met them would be the moment he told them he had shamed their family for a woman who was unworthy. For a friend. They would blame her. There was no way around it. She’d almost rather take her chances by herself. She could lock herself in her bedroom for the night. The prospect of Basil hiding her away in a tower somewhere suddenly seemed far more appealing.

“What are you thinking?” he asked suddenly.

“What?” She turned towards him, but he was looking out the window.

“You’ve sighed three times in as many minutes. What’s wrong?”

She had not. Had she? She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath. “Nothing, it’s only that you are a member of the nobility.”

He shifted restlessly in his seat, as if the mention of that fact made him uncomfortable. “I didn’t realize it mattered to you.”

“Well, it wouldn’t have. But now I’m about to meet your parents.”

“Just my mother,” he looked down at his hand resting on his knee, and one finger began tapping.

Did she have to come out and say it? “Basil. I’m half Chinese.”

He glanced at her. “Are you worried that she’ll throw you out and disown me because I polluted the family line or some such nonsense?”

Well, if he was going to put it that way. “Yes.”

He scoffed lightly and shook his head. “Nothing so dramatic from her, I’m afraid. My father and brother, however, are another story. Either way, they can’t do anything about it. I think the old girl will rather take it in her stride, I imagine.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Although, I wouldn’t mention the annulment to her,” he said glancing at her.

“Why not? Wouldn’t she prefer that?”

“My father would, my mother… she may take the long view. Marriage is marriage and I am only the second son after all. Don’t let her bully you into doing anything you don’t want to do, Ada. She comes across as empathetic, but she is a little tyrant.”

“Right.”

“They are my problem, not yours.”

Were they truly so horrible? He was warning her about them as if they were adversaries instead of his own flesh and blood, and just as he was about to leave her on their doorstep without warning. How would she manage in a den of wolves on her own? She’d never had to face it alone. Now, it seemed, for the next few days at least, she wouldn’t have a choice. “Every hour that passes, this marriage seems like less of a good idea,” she grumbled unconsciously.

Her words fell into a thick silence that seemed to amplify them. With every passing second, they sounded harsher. She stole a glance at Basil and saw him still staring at his hand with a queer smile on his face. The angles of his face seemed harder all of a sudden, as if he’d become a different person. One who wouldn’t comfort her when she cried or hold her hand while she slept in dark rooms.

“Cheer up. You won’t have to live with it for much longer if all goes well. Not everyone can escape their mistakes so easily,” he finally said, his voice perfectly civil, but lacking the affection she’d always associated with him even when he was annoyed.

She winced. Bloody hell . She couldn’t fault his comprehension, but did he have to take it in the worst way possible? Did he really think she saw him as something to tolerate? Is that how he saw himself? The description didn’t match what she knew him to be. “Basil, that’s not what I meant.”

Another silence and he met her eyes. “Then what did you mean?” There was a quiet defiance in his face masking a vulnerability she’d never noticed before now. She never imagined he would need her assurance.

“I never wanted to cause you any trouble with your family. This arrangement was meant to be the shortest path to achieving a goal we both wanted. Now I’m becoming some kind of recompense for a debt you had in a past life.”

He smiled and the sardonic stranger melted away and he was her Basil again, taking her gloved hand in his. “You aren’t as much trouble as you think, honestly.”

Her Basil . When did she begin thinking of him as hers? She leaned her head against his broad shoulder, and tried not to think about how soon she would have to leave his company. She knew she didn’t want him to let go of her hand. Her body warmed as she gazed into his blue eyes. It wasn’t the first time she’d noticed how beautiful they were, but in this moment with her hand in his in the small space of the hired carriage, there was an overwhelming intimacy she hadn’t prepared for. This was more dangerous than when he’d helped her with her dress and sharper than when he’d held her hand as he slept beside her in bed. She had to cut it somehow, had to stop herself from giving away something she couldn’t afford to lose. “Because I take instruction so well?”

He watched her for a moment, as amused realization sank in. “Little liar. That’s what you’ve been stewing over, is it?”

“No.” She slid her hand out of his, and turned her body to face forward with the brattiest expression she could manage.

His expression was dubious, but he shook his head. “Either way, you’re incorrect. It’s because you are useful and levelheaded.”

“Not all the time,” she griped but she couldn’t help the pleased smile on her face.

“I don’t want to frighten you, but my family isn’t like yours was, Ada. My brother and I have never really been close. The closest relationships I have are with Leo and your brother.”

“But your father. This will cause a rift, won’t it?”

“It will. But I’m more concerned for you honestly. They won’t be kind, Ada. They will assume the worst but frankly their bigotry is so generalized it would be a waste of energy to take it to heart.”

She wasn’t sure if he meant that to be comforting or not. My family is wildly racist so don’t take it personally when they inevitably hate you. She supposed it made sense, but she was certain he didn’t know what it was like for his entire existence to be seen as a problem. “Was that meant to be reassuring?”

“It’s the best I can manage at the moment. Worst case scenario, my father keeps a bottle of brandy on the bottom shelf in the westernmost corner of the library. You’re an old married woman now. Feel free to imbibe to your heart’s content.”

She looked at him askance. That was his advice? “Much obliged, I’m sure.”

Ashford Hall, The London residence of the Viscount Sterling was off-putting, to say the least. The white and brown stone residence seemed enormous to Ada as they approached it in the carriage. If there were gardens, then they must have been in the back of the house because all she saw were the walls, the wrought iron gate, and what seemed like a forest of trees.

“How old is your family title?” she asked weakly.

“Same as your family business, about two hundred years give or take,” he replied.

“Oh.” She hadn’t thought of it in quite that way. Did he really see his family title as equivalent to her family’s business?

The carriage came to a halt and the driver came around to open the door. Basil gave her hand a squeeze of support before he exited. She heard him give the footman instructions to move her bag to the front door before he turned to her. She held out her hand for him to take but instead he grabbed her waist and deftly plucked her from the carriage, setting her on her feet on the ground. It took her a full minute to recover from that, which judging by the twitch in his mouth, he found terribly amusing.

“All right?” he asked.

She glared at him while her heart thumped away in her chest. How was she supposed to see him as her brother’s friend when he kept doing things like that? Why was that smug gleam leaving her knees weak instead of stiffening her spine? It was annoying. She was only human after all. No woman would be immune to being snatched up as if she were a pastry or a leaf.

He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, covering it with his other hand, and started down the short driveway to the front door. As they reached the stairs, the door flew open to reveal a pretty, middle-aged woman in a light green day gown with the same medium brown hair and blue eyes as Basil.

“Darling!” she exclaimed, opening her arms to him. He smiled and went to her, dropping Ada’s hand. She hugged him tightly before pulling away and cupping his lightly bearded face in her hands. “Are you finally becoming a pirate?” she teased.

“No mother,” he replied, shaking his head with amused exasperation. “Is The Vicar here?”

She frowned lightly, her mouth pursing. “I do wish you’d stop calling your brother that.”

“I’ll do that when it stops being true. Is he home?”

“No, he’s taken his family for a seaside holiday. They won’t be back for at least a week.”

“Perfect, and father?”

“Does this curiosity as to the location of our family members have anything to do with the young lady standing behind you that you have yet to introduce me to?”

He turned to Ada, who watched him with wide eyes at the foot of the stairs. Whatever warmth she had for Basil did not extend towards her, no matter how civil she was behaving. Ada had a suspicion she would have been nicer if she was a maid.

“I assume you haven’t become so revolutionary as to bring a prospective maid to my front door.”

“Not yet, mother.”

“Well come in then; you weren’t raised in a barn.” She stepped to the side and allowed them in before shutting the door. She gestured to Ada. “Well?”

“Ada, I’d like to introduce you to Lady Euphemia Thompson, the Viscountess Sterling. Mother, I’d like to introduce you to Miss Adelaide Thornfield.”

Ada glanced at him sharply. It was strange how rejected she felt over that slip of the tongue. She had to remember that she wasn’t truly his wife. He certainly had not, for all his kindness.

“Thornfield?” his mother repeated carefully, her eyes fixed on Ada’s hand.

Basil closed his eyes for a moment and gave his head a sharp shake, “Thompson, actually. Mrs. Adelaide Thompson.”

Euphemia’s eyebrows shot up and she took a deep, slow breath before releasing it. Ada braced herself for the worst as the viscountess turned to her with a carefully mild expression. “Delighted to meet you, Mrs. Thompson,” she said.

“And I you, Lady Sterling.” Ada sank into the expected curtsey in response. If that was what the viscountess’s ‘delighted’ face looked like, Ada would drink a bottle of vinegar. That way at least they would appear equally ‘delighted’.

“I’m curious as to how you are acquainted with my son, seeing as that’s a family heirloom on your finger, Mrs. Thompson.”

Ada choked on a gasp and glanced down at the gold band on her finger with roses etched onto the band. Had he given her a family heirloom for a fake wedding? What on earth did he mean by it?

“Based on my son’s inability to remember your last name, I take it that this was a rather sudden turn of events?”

Basil cleared his throat and hid his hands behind his back looking like a naughty boy. “Yes, we’ve just come back from Gretna Green, Mother.”

She stared at him silently for one humming moment. “How very interesting. So, is this a courtesy visit?”

“Not exactly. I… I have a rather urgent matter to see to. I need to leave Ada here for a while.”

“Leave her?” his mother repeated.

“A while?” Ada interjected. If his mother hadn’t been standing in front of her Ada would have slapped him. He made her sound like a parcel!

Basil, to his credit, seemed to notice their reactions and attempted to correct himself. “Rather I was hoping that you could host her for the night. My residence isn’t necessarily up to the standard of care that Miss—I mean that Ada is used to.”

“I think we need to have a talk.”

“Mother, I do not have time for that now.”

“Basil, I have never been in the habit of housing unexplained persons in my home. I shall not be commencing today. Make time,” she replied coolly.

Ada saw, not for the first time, where the steel in Basil came from. Mother and son faced one another for a few tense moments. She was cool and indomitable, and he was stubborn and brimming with frustration. Ada had no interest in getting between them, but what they truly didn’t have time for was a standoff.

With bated breath, Ada reached out and touched Basil’s tense arm. When he glanced at her she squeezed. His jaw twitched, and the mutinous fire gave way to resignation.

“I can give you ten minutes,” he said at last.

“Excellent.”

He didn’t have time for this, and he resented being strong armed into an explanation because his mother was a nosey busybody. But Ada… Once again one look from her had him backing down. It was the smarter choice, he told himself, as he followed his mother into the sitting room with Ada’s hand still on his arm. He was asking a favor, and Ada would have enough to cope with, staying here on her own with his parents. He hated leaving her here. Hated the fact that he didn’t have any safer options for her.

Ada settled down beside him on the sofa facing his mother, and he waited for the first question. He had to leave Ada with at least one ally, even if it was a lukewarm one. His mother’s eyes rested for a moment on Ada’s hold on his arm before she met his stare.

“I imagine you’ve not forgotten that you were engaged to Miss Felicity Ashwood.”

“I have not.”

“And if I recall correctly, you sought out your father in search of a wife, did you not?”

“I did.”

“Then please explain why you have eloped just as the banns have been posted.”

“He posted them?”

“Your brother did.”

Basil closed his eyes against a rising wave of helpless irritation. He’d specifically asked him to let him post the banns himself but trust his brother to step all over any plans Basil had made. “Those will need to be retracted.”

“Yes, obviously. But you understand the effect this will have on not only Miss Ashwood’s reputation but on ours. Especially yours.”

“I do.”

“Then what the hell were you thinking?”

He opened his mouth to reply, then paused at the last moment. Of anyone to know the truth, his mother was undoubtedly the best option, but it was a low bar to clear. Ada had wanted this kept a secret. She hadn’t even allowed her closest friends to tell their parents, which would undoubtedly have simplified the trouble of keeping her from harm. Her uncle was a serious problem, however. The only way past him for certain was for Richard to be found quickly and quietly. Men like Mr. Simon Thornfield would always have people like Basil’s father and brother on their side. Why would she be comfortable with his family knowing the truth? He didn’t want to leave her here on her own. Perhaps this was a bad idea.

He should have taken her to Leo’s mother. She was equally unknown by Trent, and she would have treated Ada like her own family once she knew her relation to Richard. Stupid. He’d been so focused on protecting Ada physically that he’d ignored her mental state. Now it was all he could think about and the look in his mother’s eye wasn’t filling him with confidence. Did he have time to run to the Kingston home now?

Tick tock, Thompson.

A firm compression on his arm drew his attention to Ada and her somber eyes. He’d always cared about her safety, but in such a short period of time she’d become vital to him. He wanted more than her safety; he wanted her smiling. He wanted that damned haunted look out of her eyes. He wanted her to never be afraid again. She squeezed his arm again and gave him a slight nod. It was all he needed.

“Richard Thornfield has been kidnapped.”

“Your oriental friend from Cambridge.”

Basil fought the urge to grind his teeth. “My Chinese friend, yes.”

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Yes. He’s not an object, he’s a person.” He couldn’t keep the ire out of his voice, couldn’t stop it from flashing in his eyes.

His mother’s chin lifted in defiance, and he waited for her to dismiss him, to force him to leave. He wouldn’t back down anymore. If he didn’t take it seriously, his mother never would. Ada may only be his wife for a fortnight but as long as his ring was on her finger, he would protect her as if she was his life mate.

Then the viscountess let out a slow breath and nodded. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Thompson. I did not mean any disrespect.”

Ada nodded but stayed silent.

“So, he is missing?”

“Yes. The foreman had debts and decided to fix them through embezzlement and ransom demands.”

“My goodness.”

“I married Ada to ensure that her family business wasn’t ruined on account of one bitter, greedy employee. The court might argue with an unmarried young woman but not the daughter-in-law of a viscount.”

“Ah.”

“Everything has happened so quickly. I didn’t have time to warn you or father.”

“And your friend?”

“I’ve only just found him. The foreman is entangled with some desperate and dangerous characters and the safest place for Ada was here. I don’t expect your blessing or your recognition. I only ask that you allow her to stay here for a night or two so I can get her brother and return her to him safely.”

“I see.” His mother let out a small breath, then stood and walked over to the bell pull by the door. Within moments a maid opened the door and curtseyed. “Ah, Maria, see to it that the blue room is made up, we shall have a guest here for some time. You will attend her.”

“Yes, mi ‘lady,” she replied, glancing into the room at Basil and Ada.

“And tell Cook to expect one more for dinner,” his mother added, following her stare to where he sat.

The girl’s eyes snapped back to her mistress and then down to the floor. “Yes, mi ‘lady.”

“Is Thomas nearby?”

She gave a jerky nod.

“Send him to me.”

“At once, mi ‘lady.” She curtsied and scampered away, probably half terrified his mother would dismiss her for peering openly at a guest.

He didn’t know how he felt about what had just happened. Part of him was grateful and a bit ashamed that he had doubted her. The other was wondering if it would be enough for Ada. “Thank you, Mama,” he finally said.

“Nonsense. I would be delighted to host my new daughter-in-law. It will give me some time to get to know her since you elected to deny me the opportunity beforehand.”

He opened his mouth to respond but, in the end, kept silent on that point. There was no way to save face without revealing what he hoped to keep from his mother.

“My lady,” Thomas said with a bow.

“Thomas, my son shall need a carriage,”

“No,” Basil stood and rushed over to where she stood.

She turned to pin him with a cool stare. “What do you mean ‘no’?”

He took her hand in his. That coolness was masking something else, he knew. He had hurt her at some point today and there were a few guesses he could make at when and how. Later. “I appreciate the idea, Mama, but where I’m going a viscount’s carriage will be too obvious. I’ll hire a coach when I leave.”

She nodded once. “Very good. Never mind, Thomas.”

Thomas bowed and left the room. Euphemia turned to face Basil with a softer but still guarded expression, before glancing at Ada again. “I’ll leave you to your farewells,” she said and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Farewells . The time had come to leave her behind. After days and nights of near constant contact, he was reluctant to leave, even if he was leaving her in the safest place he could. He turned towards her, unsure of what to do with his hands now that they were alone, and she wasn’t near. What on earth had happened to him? Ada stood and walked over to him, her face full of apprehension and without thinking, he reached out to her.

“Will it be very dangerous?” she asked as his fingers curled lightly around her upper arms. Her small hands rested on his chest, and he wondered if she could feel his heart hammering away behind his ribs.

“Not too much so. You heard the plan. It’ll be in and out. Leo will be scoping out the area to verify where Richard is. I will meet him, and we will get your brother. I’ll be careful, and I’ll get your brother back to you. Don’t worry.”

She nodded, her eyes fixed on her fingers as they clutched at the fabric of his jacket. It wasn’t enough. He knew that. “I think your mother is annoyed.”

“She’s extremely annoyed but not with you. I promise.” He needed to stop touching her, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he tucked a tendril of inky silken hair behind her ear, trying not to notice how soft her skin felt. Would he ever get to do it again?

She nodded again but said nothing more, lowering her eyes to where her hands lay between their bodies, lingering just as he was, needing to touch because words wouldn’t come. He hooked his fingers under her sharp chin and lifted her head so he could see her face. He searched her rich dark eyes intently for a sign that she felt alright. That she knew she was safe, and he wouldn’t leave her somewhere terrible for the sake of convenience. He knew he didn’t have any words to reassure her. The only thing that would do that was Trent behind bars and her brother back in their home. “Ada,” he murmured softly, and her eyes flooded with tears almost instantly. He couldn’t stand it.

He folded her into his arms, his hand cradling her head against his chest. She settled against him as if she’d gone to him a million times. Her forehead rested heavily on his collarbone, and he felt her shoulders shudder silently as her fingers tightened on his coat. He rested his cheek against her hair and closed his eyes, rocking her from side to side, rubbed circles on the center of her back with one hand while the other pressed her closer. He knew what she felt like without her stays, and the difference now was frustrating. It made him want to pull her tighter so he could feel the shape of her under the steel, starch, and silk. “It’s only for tonight,” he murmured. “I promise. Whether I find him or not, I will come for you tomorrow.”

He couldn’t tell who he was reassuring anymore, her or himself. He drew her away carefully, leaned down, and pressed a kiss to her forehead in lieu of where he wanted to kiss her. His fingers brushed over her tear-stained freckled cheek as she gazed into his eyes. The utter trust in her eyes filled his chest with warmth until it ached, until his throat was burning. Everything about her, from her faith in him to how close her face was to his, was overwhelming. He had to break the tension somehow, had to take that look out of her eyes so he could get back in control of his body again.

“Don’t forget the brandy,” he said, and watched as surprise flashed across her face followed by the first genuine gleam of humor he’d seen light up her eyes as she laughed. It left him breathless.

“I won’t. Thank you, Basil,” she whispered.

“Ada, anything for you.” Why had he said that? The words poured out of him without prompting, leaving him embarrassed at their truth but relieved to have them out. Her eyes widened in response and her lips parted to speak but then she looked away as a flush crept over her cheeks. Her full pink lips pressed together, and he’d never wanted anything more than to press his to them in that moment.

Had he made her uncomfortable or was she pleased to hear it? She wasn’t pulling away from him, her body hadn’t stiffened. He wished he had the time to know what it meant, but Leo was waiting and at this rate he would end up being late if he didn’t leave.

Consciously he loosened his grip, lowering his arms and taking a step back from her warm body. “I’ll see you later,” he said, and she nodded in reply.

Not trusting himself to stay a moment longer, he turned and left through the open door where he saw his mother watching him with an odd expression on her face. Panic swept through him like a cold wind. What had she seen? What was she thinking?

“I thought you were leaving,” she said, and he blinked as his brain fought to process it.

“I am. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned and walked to the front door, knowing that he would have to clear the air with her later when there was time. Perhaps when his skin wasn’t aching from the loss of Ada’s touch.

“Basil,” his mother’s voice came from over his shoulder, and he paused. “Have a care with my child.”

He smiled. It was what she’d always said when he was a boy. He hadn’t heard her say that phrase in such a long time. He glanced over his shoulder at her and wondered if he was imagining the glint in her eyes. “Always,” he replied, giving her the response he knew she was waiting for.