“The thought never occurred to me.” She would marry this man and spend a lifetime with him. Who is he? Honorable. That much she knew. Though he admitted to wanting a wife for his children, he could wed any one of the beautiful, well-dowered, and well-connected young ladies of society. She had accurately assessed the envy in many of their eyes as he bowed over her hand.
“I…I am not very polished,” she admitted. “I fear I would disappoint you as a hostess and as your wife. I have no doubt you would prefer a duchess of high moral character and excellent references.”
“Are you by chance trying to inform me of your lack of such faculties?”
“Of course not.” With a frown she added, “Surely you are not overlooking the fact I had planned to compromise Mr. Atwood.”
“What could or should have happened has never interested me much. What did happen was you compromised me. I have decided it is fate, since I am in need of a wife. This is the final time I will ask this question, Miss Adeline. Are you certain you wish to be my duchess?”
She swallowed, forcing the lump to dispel, and stepped over the petrifying ledge she had perched on since she climbed into his bed. “Yes.”
Savage satisfaction emanated from him.
“What expectations would you have of me as your duchess?” Even saying the title out loud did not diminish the surreal feel.
“I want there to be only honesty between us. It is important to me that you never lie to me.” Torment flashed in his eyes and echoes of pain vibrated in his voice.
Who had lied to him? “Yes, Your Grace.”
“All subjects pertaining to my previous wife are forbidden. I will care for you and protect you with my life. I will be faithful, and I will endeavor to be a kind husband.”
She nodded, her heart pounding. “Thank you for your honesty, Your Grace.”
“Edmond.” He tugged her closer, and her heart tripped alarmingly. “I trust we have shared enough intimacies where formalities are not required between us. Please call me Edmond.” Piercing eyes ran over her in a caress that was distressingly bold and intimate. “Will you honor me with the same inti
macy, Adeline?” he asked with a charm that made her wary.
“I…” Why was she hesitating? The hard lump formed again in her throat. “Yes…Edmond. I know we’ve only just met, but do you think,” she asked slowly, “that there will ever come a time when you might fall in love with me?”
He considered her, and her cheeks burned with humiliation at the prolonged silence. The waltz ended, and he drew her towards the countess and earl. Lady Margaret and Papa were waiting, both looking anxious. The duke gave a slight nod to Lord Gladstone and the man smiled. Everything next passed in a daze for Adel. She became aware of the stunned silence in the ballroom as Lord Gladstone commanded their attention. Glasses were raised, and applause sounded as he announced the engagement of the Duke of Wolverton to Miss Adeline Hays.
She glanced up at the duke. He surveyed the throng, a cold disinterest in his eyes, his manner that of an overlord watching his subjects. Nerves erupted in her stomach. Instead of feeling relief that she had been saved from ruination, Adel wondered what she had consigned herself to. One thing she was certain of, despite the foolish hopeful sentiments in her heart, she must never mention love to the duke again.
Chapter Nine
Seven people were present in the Pembington House chapel to witness Edmond’s marriage to Miss Adeline. Sitting in the pews quite somberly were the Gladstones and their two children, Lady Evelyn and Viscount Ravenswood, then his bride’s family, Sir Archibald, and Lady Margaret. One of Edmond’s most trusted friends, the Marquess of Westfall, was also in attendance, his golden eyes coolly mocking as he stood witness.
There was a rustle and Edmond looked to the entrance of the small chapel. His heart jolted. It seemed in the two days he had been away obtaining a marriage license and sending orders back to Hampshire, he had forgotten how truly ravishing Miss Adeline was. She walked towards him on her father’s arm, in a lovely rose-colored gown, with a low cut neckline that just stopped short of being provocative. Her raven black hair was pinned and plaited into a complicated arrangement save a few wispy tendrils had escaped to decoratively cascade around her face. Someone had been thoughtful enough to provide her with a posy of rosebuds which she held in a death grip.
She reached his side and held his gaze as she faced him. The satisfaction worming itself through him made him wary.
The rector, whose parish covered the Gladstone estate, started the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate…”
The rector’s voice faded as Edmond observed Adeline. She swallowed and her hazel eyes whispered over his face, searching. What she looked for Edmond did not know, but it was as if she had lifted her hands, and trailed the tip of her fingers over his cheek. Her stare was rousing, provoking, and in the depth of her eyes he saw the need for reassurance.
The rector continued, “Your Grace, Edmond Elias Alastair Rochester, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” he vowed.
The rector shifted to Adeline.
“Miss Adeline Georgiana Hays, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” she said with a voice that trembled slightly, then she smiled.
Damnation, she is beautiful.