Page 73 of The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke

“All routes of escape are guarded, aren’t they?” Grayson smiled in satisfaction. “There is absolutely no way on earth that Adrian can leave this house without encountering at least one of us.”

Adrian had prepared himself both physically and mentally to defend his position to Emma’s brothers. He was more concerned, in truth, with defending her and was ready to take the entire blame for the situation. However, he did not have a clue how to react when he cracked open the door and saw two women standing in the hall.

The younger of the pair, whom he recognized as Emma’s sister-in-law Jane, the Marchioness of Sedgecroft, took immediate advantage of his surprise and barreled through the narrow opening. He cringed when he realized who had accompanied her—hell’s bells. Jane’s companion was none other than Hermia, the large-boned Lady Dalrymple of artistic mischief.

Jane closed and bolted the door with urgency.

He stared at her. “Is Hamm still on the stairs?”

“Yes,” she replied, pressing her ear to the door. “And Devon is patrolling the entry hall. The entire house is surrounded by the enemies of true love.”

Emma covered her face in mortification.

“There’s a perfectly good explanation for why I’m hiding here,” Adrian began, only to hesitate at the direct look Jane gave him. “There is,” he insisted. “Isn’t there, Emma?”

Jane’s dark green eyes sparkled with mirth. “Well, I doubt it will appease four overly protective Boscastle brothers.”

“How did you know he was here?” Emma asked quietly, lowering her hands.

“Charlotte put Harriet to the Boscastle torture,” Jane replied.

Adrian opened his mouth to curse, then reconsidered. “Were you sent to take me prisoner?” he asked Jane with a frown.

“No,” she said. “I’ve come with a plan for your escape.”

“A plan?” He gave her a skeptical smile. “I don’t think it is possible, but I do appreciate your efforts to intercede on my behalf.”

Emma suddenly abandoned her forlorn air and stepped in front of him. “What is it, Jane? Are Julia and Charlotte in on this?”

Jane nodded. “All the female forces, including Chloe, are mobilized and ready to provide the necessary distractions.”

“Then proceed,” Emma said, drawing a breath. “And, Jane, I do not know how to thank you.”

Jane smiled affectionately at her. “When I married into this family, it was with an understanding of how much Grayson cared for each and every one of you—as I do myself. However, my husband and I are not of one mind when it comes to the execution of his duty toward those he loves.”

Adrian cleared his throat. “I beg your pardon, but—”

“Yes, do come on with it, Jane,” Hermia said, unfastening her heavy gold-velvet cloak. “We don’t have all night, and the darkness is our ally.”

Jane’s mouth firmed. “You’re absolutely right. Adrian, sit down and—you will have to remove those boots.”

“My boots?” he said with a blank look as he sat obediently on the chaise.

“Your wig, Hermia.” Jane held out her hand.

Adrian turned white as he fully comprehended what Jane’s scheme entailed. “Her wig? You cannot suggest—Now wait a minute, when I said I would do anything to—”

Hermia tugged off her lacquered gray-blond ring-lets and approached the chaise with a critical frown. “Our hair was not of a dissimilar color in my youth. I do not, however, remember ever once sporting a shadow of beard upon my jaw. Nor a cleft in my chin.”

“Well, we do not have time to shave him,” Jane said.

Emma shook her head at him in embarrassed sympathy. “I’m so sorry, Adrian. It truly hurts me to witness your humiliation.”

“Not as much as it hurts me,” he muttered.

“If you do not wish to watch, Emma,” Jane said, unfastening Hermia’s necklace from the older woman’s neck, “you’d be better served by standing in the closet and making sure Grayson does not enter.”

Emma retreated a step.