Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Chapter Thirteen

As they walked into Andrew's home, Addie kept peeking at Theo, trying to catch his eye. But he couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze. He wasn't sure what he would see there and that scared him.

A footman greeted them, leading them down a hall he had never been through. A door on their left was open, and the servant motioned for the two of them to enter. Peering in, there was a small staircase descending about five steps before opening into a large room. Theo offered a stiff arm to Adelaide, and together they walked into the room. He could feel the slight shake of her hand as it gripped his elbow. Without thinking, he reached over to give it a reassuring squeeze.

Her bright eyes searched his face in the low lighting of the room, but he maintained his stony facade, still reeling from the blow of being lied to. Dejected, she dropped her head back down as they stepped from the final tread on the staircase.

It was a relatively large room that had a cavernous feel to it, a half story beneath the rest of the house. However, it was still decorated tastefully with large rugs of warm hues covering the floor and lamps casting a soft glow over the room. One long table was set in the middle of the room, reaching all the way down to a massive fireplace. Sitting at the table's end was Lord Trotten and Lord Farrington.

As if his blood wasn't already running cold, now he had to sit in the same room as the bastard that had ruined his sister. Theo shook his head, trying to think past the emotions that clouded his senses. If Addie was Princess Adelaide—which made so much goddamn sense that he hated himself for not seeing it before—and Andrew was going to reveal as much tonight, then the viscount, Lord Trotten, should leave. Immediately.

After ending his engagement with Emilia, the man had joined the House of Lords and proceeded to fight against everything that Andrew supported. Why the devil was he here? Lord Trotten was a friend of the king. Well, perhaps friend was too light a word. The man was the king's political adviser, his connection to parliament, his trustee.

Theo scanned the room again, this time for Andrew. Instead, he saw Lord Clemonte and Lady Humphries entering the room. Lord Clemonte was a close friend of Andrew's, which is why Theo had known that the baron wouldn't mind lending the use of his personal library to their cause. Though his demeanor had always been more robust and louder than that of Andrew's, Theo respected him. He was an overall affable fellow.

Theo wasn't as familiar with Lady Humphries, however. She was a widowed countess well known for her alluring character; most men wished for nothing more than to get past her sensual and peculiar facade. As a stunning brunette, she had sharp features to match that of her tongue. Hooded green eyes, and a beauty that only seemed enhanced by her age, there had been many things said about the accolades of Lady Humphries. But not many ways to determine their truths.

"Kingfield, good evening," Lord Clemonte said, giving Theo a firm handshake.

Theo nodded in response. "Lord Clemonte."

"And who do we have here?" Lord Clemonte gave a curious look at Addie.

"This is Miss Addie Singleton," Theo responded while Addie gave him a polite curtsy.

Lord Clemonte opened his mouth to greet Addie but was quickly interrupted.

"We meet again, Miss Singleton," Lord Farrington said as he stood, walking to join them.

Addie gave another curtsy. "What a pleasure, Lord Farrington," Addie murmured.

He took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. "The pleasure is all mine."

Addie gave him a small smile, and Theo frowned. Deeply.

"Well, I must simply join in on the action," a female voice drawled. But before they could continue any further in the exchange, Andrew strode into the room from a door in the opposite corner which Theo hadn't even seen.