Chapter 21

Adam's POV

I downed another glass of scotch, but it wasn't helping. The scene from earlier kept playing in my head - Stella stumbling into me, her hands catching herself on my chest, that little gasp she made...

Get it together. I told myself. She's just part of the plan.A convenient solution. Nothing more.

But my mind had other ideas, replaying how she'd looked up at me with those big eyes, how her fingers had traced over my-

A knock interrupted my thoughts. Thank God.

"Mr. Lancaster?" Stella's voice came through the bathroom door."Um, I have a small problem..."

"What now?"

"I... kind of forgot to bring clothes in with me." She sounded embarrassed. "Could you maybe help me out?"I couldn't help but smirk. "You could always come out like that,Mrs. Lancaster. I won't mind."Ha ha, very funny." I could practically hear her eyes rolling. "Come on, I'm getting cold in here.""Oh? Weren't you just calling me a bastard earlier?"

There was a pause, then in the sweetest, most obviously fake voice. "Oh Mr. Lancaster, how could I ever say such a thing?You're so successful, so handsome, so talented... just absolutely perfect in every way."

I actually had to bite back a laugh.

Then I called a servant to bring her clothes. Found the shortest silk nightgown to her.

"...Why do I feel like you're up to something?"

"No idea what you mean." I walked to the bathroom door.nightgown in hand. "Just helping my dear wife."

The door cracked open just enough for her arm to reach out. I held the nightgown just out of reach.

"Really?" She made another grab for it."Please?"

"There, was that so hard?" I let her snatch it, catching a glimpse of bare shoulder as she pulled back.A few minutes later she came out, and I immediately regretted my choice of nightgown. The silk clung to every curve,making it really hard to remember why this was supposed to be just business.She plopped down on the edge of my bed like she owned it.'1tImay have... fallen into the fountain," she admitted, interrupting my dangerous train of thought.

Before I could process that concerning piece of information,we heard shouting from the guest wing. Doors slamming, people yelling.

Stella's face lit up like Christmas had come early. "Oh, this is gonna be good."

Before she could move toward the sound, I maneuvered my wheelchair to block her path. "Going somewhere?"

"To watch the show, obviously." She grinned. "Come on, I'll push your chair. You know you want to see this."

"You look way too happy about this."

I studied her face- the barely concealed amusement, the calculating intelligence behind those innocent eyes. "Lead the way." I gestured to my chair's handles. "Since you're so eager to be helpful."

Her hands were surprisingly gentle as she guided my chair through the manor's halls. The contact shouldn't have affected me, but every slight adjustment of her grip sent awareness skittering down my spine.As we approached the guest wing, volces carried clearly through the omnate hallway.

"Damn i.c. who's knocking?" A male voice, thick with alcohol.groaned from behind one of the dloors.

"It's all Stella's fault!" Lucy's shrill accusation rang out. "She was meeting a man in the guest room at this hour!"

My jaw clenched involuntarily. The thought of Stella with another man...

"Is this the kind of behavior we should expect from the Winston's adopted daughter?" Thomas's wife's voice dripped venom.

Stella chose that moment to make our presence known,her voice carrying that perfect blend of aristocratic disdain and innocent confusion. "My, what a gathering! Who's having secret rendezvous in our family's guest rooms?"

Lucy whirled toward us, her face flushing an unattractive shade of red. "Stop pretending! Everyone saw you entering this room!""Me?" Stella's laugh was pure silk. "Lucy, you must be mistaken. I've been with my husband all the night."Thomas's wife sneered. "Adam' room? We all know how...enthusiastic you are about Lancaster men. First Brian, now"Stella." Brian stepped forward, his face a mask of false concern. "If you're in some kind of trouble. you can tell me."

I felt Stella's hands tighten slightly on my wheelchair before she replied. her voice arctic. "Brian, remember your place. I'm your uncle's wife now. Such concern is... inappropriate."

"Though I did get my clothes changed." she continued thoughtfully, her tone taking on a suggestive edge that made my blood heat. "The bathroom activities were rather... vigorous.My husband can verify that."

"My wife's clothes were just delivered to our room 20 minutes ago," I cut in coldly, enjoying how the crowd shifted uncomfortably.

Lucy's face contorted. "But I indeed saw-

"Oh, darling." Stella's smile was pure poison honey."It's so easy to mistake things in the dark. Should we schedule an eye exam for you?"