“Travel with me to town,” he breathed against her lips.
“To town?”
“Yes, I depart Rosette Park tomorrow.”
He shifted, and she shuddered at the pleasure of him buried so deep.
“It is too soon.”
“I will delay my journey for a couple days. Is this sufficient?”
Adel swallowed. She hardly knew what prompted such an invitation, but he truly wanted her company. A grin split her lips. “Oh, yes, quite sufficient.”
“Good.” Then he lowered his lips to hers once more. And for the rest of the night, Adel knew nothing but bliss.
Chapter Nineteen
Two days later, Adel arrived at one of the most fashionable townhouses she had ever seen in Upper Brook Street, several long tedious hours after departing Hampshire. She was tired, but filled with too much excitement at the thought of retiring. She was never the one to look forward to balls and tea parties, given her dismal receptions these last seasons. But to know it was Edmond she would be making the rounds with filled her with an electrifying thrill.
“You are excited,” he observed with a small smile.
“A bit. I have longed to visit the theatres and Vauxhall. Only Papa and Lady Margaret had been able to afford certain social pleasures, since we were practicing economy, and no gentleman invited me.”
“They were fools…and I am glad they were, for I never would have met you,” Edmond said with sincerity.
She smiled at his compliments though she did not take it to heart. Since he had consummated their vows, he had taken her several times and Adeline would not wish it any other way. But she could still see the reserve in his eyes, and many times, the puzzled look that creased his brows whenever she caught him watching her.
The door to the carriage opened, and he hopped down to assist her out. Large wrought iron gates greeted her, and as they entered, she couldn’t help marvel at the elegance of the townhouse.
As they entered she was introduced to the butler and the housekeeper. Meg had traveled with her, and in quick order Adeline was being directed to her chambers. A large pile of expensive papers tied with a ribbon was handed to her by the housekeeper Mrs. Bromley.
“These are for you, Your Grace.”
She accepted them with a nod, and climbed the stairs, Edmond right behind her. They entered his chamber and a sigh escaped her as they were finally alone. She walked over to the barouche desk in the corner and set the pile of correspondence on it.
“What do you think these are?”
“Invitations to balls, teas, house parties, and begging letters from charities seeking your patronage.”
She glanced at him and heat flushed through her when she saw that he was undressing, his lids lowered with intent.
“Surely you jest, there must be hundreds,” she said, and tried to clear the huskiness from her voice. “I had thought the manner in which we wed would have society shunning me.”
“Come here, duchess.”
She arched a brow, and he smiled.
“Please,” he said with warm sensuality.
She sauntered over to him, and his eyes tracked her movements. He untied her bonnet and tugged the pins from her hair, tumbling the heavy coil to her back. With a sharp tug, he made her stumble into him, then clasped her hips with infinite gentleness. Yet there was nothing gentle in his mien when he spoke, only an icy ruthlessness that made her shivered.
“Society will gossip about you—us—always, but you are the Duchess of Wolverton. You cannot be cut, it is you now who decides who will enter your circle.”
Cannot be cut.
She withdrew from his embrace and moved to the table and selected a few. After breaking the seal of the first three, she lifted her head. “There is an invitation to the Marchioness of Deerwood’s annual ball. That is tonight.”
“Would you like to attend?”
“It is truly strange. My stepmother had always wanted an invitation to this much coveted event, and now I am inundated. Perhaps I shall invite them for a visit from Bath, surely Papa and Lady Margaret will be happy to attend.”
“If that is your wish.”
She glanced at him and grinned. “You are naked, Edmond.”
“A state you will soon be in, Duchess.”
“We are attending this ball tonight.”
“Ah…so that gives us three hours. I have been meaning to make use of that sinful mouth of yours.”
“Doing?” she purred, sauntering over to him.
“You shall see, Adeline.” Then he took her lips in a kiss, and for this moment all else was forgotten as Edmond’s touch roused the unquenchable desire inside once more.
…
Adel donned a dark green gown and the bodice was low enough just to show the flush of her décolletage, and the cinched high waist of the empire gown fell in straight lines to her delicate ankles. Her hair had been curled and arranged in a high pile upon her head, with tendrils cascading down her cheeks. A truly exquisite emerald and diamond necklace circled her throat with the matching earrings at her lobes. Edmond had presented to her several pieces of stunning jewels he’d had England’s most renowned jeweler make for her. Adel had never felt more beautiful and tonight she would be walking out in society for the first time as the Duchess of Wolverton.