Part 10 (1/2)
Chapter 8.
Adrian stared at the door to Room 327. Perhaps it would be wiser to knock rather than use the key Vincent had supplied. He had realized on the way here to the Langham, if Evie wasnt here, as he prayed, he would be making an enormous fool of himself. Still, it was a risk he was willing to take. One could certainly recover from humiliation and embarra.s.sment. If he had lost his wife, his heart would be shattered.
He had wondered as well if an indiscretion on her part was something he could forgive. It would be difficult, of course, perhaps the most difficult thing he had ever attempted. But if the situation were reversed, wouldn't he hope she could forgive him? Still, he wasn't entirely certain he could.
He turned the key over in his hand and debated the merits of using the key versus knocking. Knocking would be the proper thing to do. But bursting in unannounced had a certain dramatic appeal to a man in his turbulent state of emotion. Besides, due consideration did not seem to be something he cared for at the moment. No, rash, impetuous behavior was calling his name.
He slipped the key in the keyhole and rather wished he could simply kick the door in with his foot. Now that would be dramatic and most satisfying.
Adrian opened the door, stepped into a fair-sized sitting room tastefully appointed with a sofa, chairs, a fireplace, a small desk near the window, and a decorative dressing screen in one corner. He closed the door quietly behind him. He wasn't at all sure it was necessary to be quiet, although if one was going to surprise one's wife in the act of infidelity, one should ensure it was indeed a surprise. An opened bottle of champagne sat in a silver bucket on a cloth-covered cart in the middle of the room. And wasn't that just the right touch for seduction? A distinct giggle sounded from the partially opened door on the right wall.
A giggle? He was making her giggle? Adrian couldn't recall the last time his wife had giggled. b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l. He clenched his fists, stepped toward the door, and regretted he hadn't brought a pistol.
The door to the bedroom opened wider. ”Excellent idea.” Radington laughed and backed into the sitting room, a sheet wrapped around him. His gaze still focused on whom he was addressing. Evie, no doubt. Fury flamed Adrian's face.
”I shall be-” Radington turned, grabbed the bottle of champagne, and caught sight of Adrian.
In the tiny part of his mind that still retained a modic.u.m of rationality, Adrian marveled that any man's face could show so many emotions in such a short amount of time. Shock on Radington's too handsome face s.h.i.+fted to disbelief, then became caution and curiosity.
”Waterston,” he said carefully.
Adrian's jaw tightened. ”Radington.”
”I didn't expect to see you again so soon.”
Adrian scoffed. ”No doubt.”
”Why are you here?”
”I've come for my wife.”
”Your wife?” Radington stared in confusion. ”Why would your wife want you to come here?”
”No.” Adrian glared. ”I haven't come in place of my wife! I have come here to find my wife.”
Radington stared as if Adrian was mad. ”I don't-”
”Good Lord, Derrick, don't be an idiot,” a female voice sounded from the other room. A voice not Evie's. Relief rushed through him, embarra.s.sment right on its heels. ”He thinks you're here with Lady Waterston.” Beryl appeared in the doorway, tying the sash of her wrapper. ”Don't you, Adrian?”
Adrian pointed at a very confused Radington. ”He had a note from my wife last night arranging a meeting in your library.”
Beryl turned narrowed eyes on the other man. ”Goodness, Derrick, can you not be content with just one woman at a time?”
”I ... I ...” Radington had the look of a man who wasn't entirely innocent.
”Did you or did you not receive a note from Lady Waterston last night?” she demanded.
”I received a note,” he said slowly. ”It was not signed, and when I saw her in the library, I a.s.sumed ...” He glanced at Adrian. ”Only for a moment, mind you, that it was from her.”
”Ah-hah!” An odd sort of triumph rang in Adrian's voice.
”One would think you would recognize my hand-writing by now.” Beryl sighed. ”The note, you silly man, was from me.”
”Ah-hah!” Radington smirked.
”Oh.” Adrian drew a deep breath. ”It appears I have made a mistake,” he said with all the dignity he could muster.
”I should say so.” Indignation colored Radington's voice.
”Outrage is not as effective, Derrick, when one is not appropriately dressed. Or dressed at all.” She rolled her gaze toward the ceiling. ”Do put something on.”
Radington stared at her. ”Lest you forget, this is my room.”
She raised a brow.
”Very well.” Radington huffed and returned to the bedroom.
Beryl crossed her arms over her chest and studied Adrian for a long moment. ”I must say this is turning out to be a more interesting afternoon than I had expected.”
”My apologies,” Adrian said in a gruff manner. ”I thought ... that is to say, I a.s.sumed ... well ...”
”You thought your wife was having an affair with Derrick.”
”Obviously a mistaken a.s.sumption on my part. After last night ...” Adrian squared his shoulders. ”Apparently I leapt to an inaccurate conclusion.”
”Goodness, Adrian, I can't imagine your wife meeting a man in a hotel. It's far too daring for her. And I daresay your wife is too dull to have an affair.”
”She is not the least bit dull.”
”Not to you perhaps,” Beryl murmured.
”I don't think she's dull,” Radington called from the other room.
Adrian ignored him. ”And she can be most daring.” Was he actually defending his wife's capacity for unfaithfulness? ”Too loyal perhaps but she is not the least bit dull.”
”And with Derrick?” She shook her head. ”I would think she had better taste.”
”I can hear you, you know.” Radington stepped into the doorway, now wearing a dressing gown, and frowned. ”Exactly what do you mean by better taste?”
”My dear man, you are quite delightful and I enjoy being with you immensely. I only mean that Lady Waterston would choose someone far more discreet.”
”I am most discreet.” Radington glared.
”Hardly.” Adrian snorted. ”An afternoon meeting in a hotel is scarcely discreet.”
”Well, it certainly wouldn't do to have anyone see her going into my house,” Radington said firmly.