“I have known you to be honorable and have good sense, Edmond, but marrying a young miss with such little acquaintance and nothing to recommend her, I simply cannot credit it.”
“According to Lady Gladstone, Miss Adeline is an extraordinary young lady in temper, intellect, and manners, at least until she entered my room,” he said wryly.
“And what is your opinion of Miss Adeline after she acted with such…wanton impropriety?”
“I think she is a woman to be admired.”
He did not turn at his mother’s soft gasp. Instead he analyzed his assessment. “She is not a mincing miss. She has courage and a good deal of audacity. Even with the threat of ruination hanging over her head like a sharpened sword, she resisted marrying me. My title and wealth held no appeal for her, and that more than anything showed me her character.” Edmond thought of the fire in Adel’s eyes earlier, the determination and fury that had flushed her cheeks transforming her from lovely to bewitching. “She is beautiful, bold, and not without charm. Her head barely reaches my chin, and her hair is raven, its thickness and beauty I have never seen, and her eyes…they are honest and exquisite.”
He thought of her interaction with his children, how she had strived to make them happy and at ease, despite her own turbulence and anxiety. “She is kind and thoughtful, fearless where she should be wary…and I can see her core of strength. Even if I had not married her, she would not have crumpled underneath society’s disdain.”
And he had hurt her with his thoughtlessness. A curiosity to know her filled his veins, yet he had no notion how to connect with her. He was not even sure he wanted to, despite the manner in which she tugged at him. How long could he truly avoid her for?
Edmond had done a good job on the ride from Wiltshire to Hampshire, making no effort to ride with her in the carriage. After introducing her to his daughters, he had been relieved when Rosa’s tea party dispersed. He had been filled with a vision of taking Adeline to his bed. He had ridden away, desperate to cool the ardor he would not act upon. Perhaps it was better to be in her presence and render himself immune to her sensuality, instead of staying away where whenever he glimpsed her, it would be like drowning in desire and desperation for her touches and kisses.
His mother said nothing. He turned and faced her. Wonderment had settled on her features, and if he was not mistaken, her cheeks were damp with tears. With only the light from the fireplace illuminating the library, it was hard for him to tell.
“She sounds lovely,” she finally said. “I am
quiet eager to introduce her to our society.”
“I am sure she will be happy for your patronage, not that she needs it, but she believes she lacks social polish.”
“Well I daresay she is correct, being the daughter of a baronet is a far cry from being a duchess.”
He said nothing to that assessment.
“Do you think her a young lady you might come to love?”
“Is there something in the air I am not aware of?”
His mother arched a brow. “Your new duchess has already spoken of love to you?” Shock and something suspiciously like amusement colored her tone. “I know you are adverse to loss, but I urge you to not be too cold with her. This can be an opportunity for you to be happy again.”
Would she ever stop her meddling ways? She’d had a list in her writing desk of women he could possibly marry before he had even asked. “I am content.”
“No, Edmond, you are simply existing. They’re quite different, I assure you. Your father died eighteen years ago, and sadly I only existed for you, now I am slowly awakening, and the difference is inescapable.”
“Have you met someone?” he asked, beyond curious as to who would have captured her fancy, after the ruthless way she had guarded her heart after his father’s death. He and his mother had more in common than she realized.
“I will arrange for the dowager house to be opened and staffed, and I will retire there by the end of the month.” With that she rose. “Good night, Edmond.”
“Good night, Mother.”
The soft snick of the latch indicated her exit, and Edmond turned his mind to his duchess. He had been harsh when he ordered her to never visit the chambers that by right belonged to her. But when he had spied her there, his reaction had been instinctive and without much thought. Since Maryann’s death he’d not been able to visit the chamber too often. Each instance in which he had crossed the threshold the intolerable memory of too much blood, its metallic scent and the taste, would fill every crevice of his being. Her wail that it had been his desire for an heir, why her life had been jeopardized always haunted him.
It was time to have the room gutted and reorganized for his new duchess.
His heart jolted. Despite the fact he did not enjoy his too visceral reaction to her, he had to make strides to welcome Adel more thoroughly into his life. It was not as if he could damn well ignore her for the duration of their marriage, where if life was indeed favorable to them, they would have a union of at least another forty years or more.
He chuckled ruefully. Never had he imagined in as little as a few days of meeting her, he would be thinking of the future. Life had been so bleak for such a long time, and he had been content to reside in the mire of grief. The needs of his children had ripped him from that endless cycle, and now it seemed his new wife was awakening another part of his soul.
He wasn’t sure if he should be alarmed…or simply embrace the curious fascination unfurling in his heart.
…
Adel stirred, kicking off the coverlet that had tangled between her legs. The memory of the night rushed through her, and she winced. How would she face the duke? She groaned, despising the flutter working its way in her heart. She had so many questions and doubts; it was a miracle she had succumbed to sleep so quickly after he’d departed. How would she even go about facing his wall of reserve? She’d not expected this at all. Not that she’d had many expectations when she came to think of it. Being a duchess had never been in her realm of aspirations.
There was a soft knock on the door.