'No,' Caine interrupted. 'She stays with me.'
'Think of the scandal,' Colin argued.
'It's almost summer, Colin,' Caine countered. 'Most of the ton is away from London now.'
'It only takes one witness,' Colin muttered.
'I've said no, Colin. She stays with me.'
His hard voice didn't suggest his brother continue the argument. Colin sighed, then reluctantly nodded agreement.
Jade wasn't certain she understood. 'What did you mean by one witness?'
Colin explained. Jade looked appalled by the time he'd finished telling her the damage that could be done by one malicious gossiper. Sterns sat down next to Jade, patted her hand, and said, 'Do look on the
bright side, mi'lady. Mi'lord won't have to post it in the dailies now.'
She turned to glare him into silence. Sterns couldn't be intimidated, though. He squeezed her hand.
'Do not fret, dear lady. It has all been arranged.'
She didn't know what he was talking about but his grin suggested he was up to something. Sterns turned her attention, however, by arrogantly motioning to his empty tea cup. She immediately went to fetch a fresh urn.
As soon as she'd left the room, Sterns turned to Caine. 'Your guests should be arriving in half an hour's time.'
'Guests? We can't be having any bloody guests,' Colin bellowed.
Nathan nodded. 'Damned right we can't. Caine, are you out of your mind to invite
Caine was staring at Sterns. 'I didn't invite anyone,' he said. A hint of a smile turned his expression. 'Why don't you tell us who these guests are, Sterns?'
Everyone was staring at the elderly man as though he'd just grown another head. 'I have taken the
liberty of inviting your parents, Jade's uncle and cohorts, and one additional guest.'
'What the hell for?' Nathan demanded.
Sterns turned to smile at him. 'The ceremony, of course.'
Everyone turned to look at Caine. His expression didn't tell them anything.
'The license, Sterns?' Caine asked in a blase tone of voice.
'Secured the day after you signed the request,' Sterns answered.
'Isn't this man your butler, Caine?' Sir Richards asked.
Caine wasn't given time to answer that question, for Nathan blurted out, 'She'll argue fierce.'
Colin agreed. 'I don't think Jade has come to terms with her future just yet.'
'I'll persuade her,' Caine announced. He leaned back in his chair and smiled at his butler. 'You've
done well, Sterns. I commend you.'
'Of course I've done well,' Sterns agreed. 'I've seen to everything,' he boasted.
'Oh?' Nathan asked. 'Then tell us how Caine's going to convince Jade?'
In answer to that question, Sterns removed the empty pistol he'd concealed in his waistband. He dropped the weapon in the center of the table.
Everyone stared at the pistol until Sterns broke the silence again. He addressed his remarks to Richards.
'I believe I overheard you suggesting the pistol be aimed at Lady Jade's shoulders, or was I mistaken?'
The laughter was deafening. Jade stood at the door, the urn in her hands while she waited for the men
to calm down.
She then poured Sterns his tea, put the urn on the sideboard, and returned to her seat. She noticed the pistol in the center of the table, but when she asked what it was doing there, she couldn't get a decent answer. The men had all started laughing again.
No one would explain. Jade guessed someone had told a bawdy jest and they were too embarrassed to share it with her.
Jade was ready to return to their plans. Caine surprised her by suggesting she return to her room.
'Why?' she asked. 'I thought we were going…'
'You need to pack your things,' Caine said.
Jade nodded. 'You just want to tell more of your jests,' she announced before she took her leave.
They were all smiling at her like happy thieves looking over their booty. She didn't know what to make
of that. The two guards were waiting for her in the foyer. They helped her carry the gowns Sterns had placed in Caine's wardrobe down to her chambers, then waited outside in the hall while she packed.
When she was finished with her task, she sat down by the window and began reading the book she'd
only half finished two nights ago.
A short time later, there was a timid knock on the door. Jade closed her book and stood up just as Black Harry came into the room.
