Free An Unexpected Gentleman by Alissa Johnson Page B

names.”
    Adelaide digested that silently for a moment. She wasn’t sure what to say. She wasn’t sure she could speak around the lump that formed in her throat. It had been so long since someone had offered to help, longer still since she’d had an offer of friendship. She couldn’t find the words to express what it meant to receive both.
    “I’m grateful,” she managed at length. And because she couldn’t think of a more adequate sentiment, she repeated it. “I’m so grateful.”
     
    T he abrupt departure of the ladies from the study left Connor in what most men might consider an unenviable position—facing the suitor and two champions of a compromised lady. Connor didn’t mind the silent and tense atmosphere in the least. In fact, he took dark pleasure in ignoring the brothers and staring at Sir Robert until the man looked away, then shifted his feet, then squirmed, then caved.
    “I will not remain in the same room with this libertine a moment longer!” Sir Robert announced and bolted for the door.
    The entire process took less than thirty seconds. Which—to give credit where credit was due—was a solid twenty seconds longer than Connor had anticipated. Sir Robert had held his ground in the garden longer than expected as well. Apparently, the baron had grown some sort of backbone over the years. Connor estimated his half brother to now be in possession of two, possibly three, full vertebrae.
    Connor straightened from the bookshelf and gave a passing nod at Lord Engsly and Lord Gideon as he headed for the door. He felt under no particular obligation to speak with the men. He’d not invited them into the affair.
    “A word, Mr. Brice.”
    Connor turned at the sound of Engsly’s order and considered each man coolly and carefully.
    He knew little of Lord Engsly, and he’d met Lord Gideon only once before—through the bars of a prison cell. Their wives, on the other hand, had been regular visitors to the prison. Before they’d come to their fortunes by way of their husbands, they’d scratched out a meager existence by, amongst other things, mending the clothes of officers and well-to-do prisoners.
    But, despite their brief acquaintance, Connor was inclined to like Engsly and Lord Gideon. They had reputations for being levelheaded and fair-minded men. They were also known as men who were not above a bit of brawling when the occasion called for it. In that regard, he wasn’t concerned about the marquess or his brother. He was, however, a little concerned about the marquess and his brother. Lord Engsly had speed. Lord Gideon had a sturdy cane and the strength to break it over a man’s head. Connor had honed his fighting skills on the streets of Boston and thought he might be able to take the pair of them, but not without cost.
    “Have your word, then.”
    “Where are you staying?” Engsly asked.
    Lord Gideon answered for him. “He and his men are at the widow Dunbar’s cottage.”
    “Spying on me, were you?” Connor inquired with a raised brow.
    Lord Gideon’s lips curved. “I had the sense to bribe the clever half.”
    Irritation bit at him. “You stand with Sir Robert?”
    “I stand with my family,” Lord Gideon corrected.
    “Ah.” That made more sense. “Thomas.”
    Thomas Brown. The boy who’d been tossed in the cell next to his. No more than twelve, and naïve with it. Connor had looked out for the lad until his release. Lord Gideon and Freddie had taken over after that.
    “Worried I might lure him back into iniquity?” Connor asked with a smirk.
    “Oddly enough, I was concerned you couldn’t be trusted with an innocent.”
    “That is peculiar.”
    Lord Engsly took a step forward. “Did you force your attentions on Miss Ward?”
    “I did not.”
    “Did you mislead her into thinking you were a member of this house party?”
    “I never lied to her.” About that, specifically.
    “That was not the question.”
    Connor shrugged. “The ladies do like a bit of mystery.”
    “Was