Page 22 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

Now he might spend time getting to know her. With a chaperone, if her uncle felt a widowed woman required one. He peeked at Madalene and his heart soared. Damn, she was spectacular. And more importantly, she no longer had a husband.

Arabella’s gaze also traveled to the beauty in emerald. Her body stiffened and her bottom lip stuck out. Arabella’s jealous wrath was legendary, and he would not allow Madalene Spencer to fall victim to it.

The brazen viscountess’ loud whispers were preposterous since she loved to be the center of attention. “Madalene was seen in quite a precarious position. And you will never guess with whom.”

Why was the damnable woman tormenting him? Stephen held his breath, waiting to hear his name.

“Mr. Adams,” Sylvia said.

Surely, he had heard wrong. “What?”

Lady Beaumont’s lips crooked into an evil grin. “I think you mean,who. Hugo Adams, Sir Saxton’s solicitor. They say Madalene Spencer was so scandalous in New York that she had to come here for a fresh start. She was not even here for a weekend before she…Well, I dare not provide the specifics of what she was seen doing since we are in pleasant company.”

So, the temptress had left his embrace to find satisfaction in Hugo Adam’s arms? Blimey hell. Stephen was an utter fool. Blood surged through him with such violent force that it felt as though his eyeballs might explode from their sockets.

Lady Beaumont cleared her throat. “Shh.”

Their hostess glided up to the viscountess and kissed the trouble-making woman on the cheek. “Sylvia, I am sorry I did not greet you when you arrived. There was some trouble with some of our help. I trust your rooms are to your liking.”

“Henrietta, I admire how you make everything look so lovely in this monstrosity of a castle,” Sylvia said. “’Tis not as modern as our Wayward House, but we are settling in, are we not, girls?”

Arabella wrinkled her nose until her pretty face resembled a mole rat. “Rose and I must share a bed.”

“But the bed is so big,” Rose said. “And St. Alban is lovely. Thank you for inviting me, Lady Saxton. I believe I shall thoroughly enjoy myself.”

“Sylvia,” the baroness said, “when you reached out and asked if you might attend, Sir Saxton and I were delighted to have you join us.”

Stephen knew it. “Sir Saxton insisted Lord Beaumont be in attendance for the week,” his arse. Lady Beaumont had coerced an invitation. Well, if it was her way of shoving Arabella into his arms, the manipulation was for naught.

“Beaumont, would you care to join me for some fresh air?” the major asked, masterfully extricating himself from the awkward conversation.

Lord Beaumont nodded.

“Papa, may I come with you?” Rose asked.

The viscount grunted his approval, and the three of them excused themselves. Stephen envied their departure, wanting nothing more than to escape into the gardens to process the new information about Madalene Spencer.

“Gentlemen, please forgive me for discussing business.” Their hostess frowned at Lady Beaumont. “Sylvia, what do you mean by recommending those men to assist with this week’s entertainment? They caused quite a scene during my painting party and were the reason I was not there to greet you.”

“What men?” Sylvia asked.

Lady Beaumont flicked her wrist. “Dyrle and Miggins.” She shook her head. “Nay. Myrle and Diggins.”

“Who?” Stephen asked at the same time as Calhoun.

“Do you mean my butler’s nephews?” Lady Beaumont asked. “Because their names are Levi and Jarvis.”

Lady Saxton’s brow furrowed. “Then who are the men Sir Saxton hired?”

“If they are not Fletcher’s nephews, I have not the faintest idea. Now let us discuss something more interesting than the help,” the viscountess said.

“I should like a drink.” Arabella stuck out her lower lip and stared at Stephen with puppy dog eyes.

He did not have time for Sylvia’s gossip or Arabella’s pointless attempts to lure him into courtship. “Where are Myrle and Diggins now?”

“I know not,” Lady Beaumont said. “The last time I saw them, they were being escorted from the hothouse. I told Elias to terminate their employment immediately. Why do you ask? Do you know them, Captain?”

“Perchance,” he said.