Accidentally Compromising the Duke(61)
Adel gave her a serene smile and sipped the glass of champagne that a footman had delivered to their box.
“Some say it was enterprising of you to trap him. Too many young ladies are admiring your boldness in securing a top match suitor. There have been at least four incidents this week after the ton has witnessed how much your duke attends you, my dear.”
Before Adel could respond the curtain parted and Edmond entered. He inclined his head to Lady Deerwood, and she rose, dropped into a curtsy, and departed.
Adel grinned. “Your presence always sees my friends scuttling away.”
He sat, then leaned over and brushed a kiss against her lips.
“I see you are determined to keep being scandalous.”
“Quite so,” he drawled. “How are you faring?”
Her skin prickled with awareness. Edmond seemed a bit reserved, and it recalled to mind, his aloofness that morning before he departed for his meetings.
“Never fear, Your Grace, since my arrival I have not spent a minute alone. I have caught up on the latest gossip, and the most remarkable occurrence took place right before the play started.”
He lifted a brow.
“The Earl of Vale stopped by our box.”
Her duke remained unruffled, and her suspicions were proved correct.
“At first his presence startled me, and I was well prepared to kick him in the shin and cause an even bigger scandal of the year, but he apologized most profusely for his un-gentlemanly and frightful behavior, and even begged my forgiveness.”
“As he should.”
“Was it your doing?”
“Yes.”
Pleasure warmed her. “Thank you, Edmond.”
He said nothing further before the light dimmed and the actors came out on stage. Her heart drummed in discomfort.
“Edmond?”
His icy eyes returned to hers.
“Did your meeting go well?”
“It did.”
She nodded.
“We return to Rosette Park tomorrow.”
Her breath strangled. Though she had missed the girls and the serene beauty of the estate, his words caused a shard of pain to stab her heart. “We were to be in town for another two weeks.”
“That plan has been amended.”
It did not escape her that he had not thought to consult with her. A powerful voice rose in a melodramatic song, drawing her gaze to the platform, yet her eyes remained unseeing. Adel slid her hand along his and clasped his fingers.
He tensed and ice crept through her. Then he relaxed and she wondered if his returned indifference was simply her imagination.
…
Something was wrong. Adeline tipped her head against the padded cushion as the carriage rumbled along the coarse country road with speed. A storm was brewing and the coachman wanted to arrive at Rosette Park before the deluge appeared. She only hoped he did not create an accident in his haste. She shifted the curtain for the carriage and peered into the sky. It was only midafternoon, but the sky had darkened with intent. Edmond rode ahead, glancing back so he did not draw too far ahead of the carriage. But at present, his harsh profile stared straight ahead.
After their several wonderful nights together, and the tender and sometimes fierce way he had loved her, she had not expected his sudden distancing. Their sudden departure to Hampshire was jolting. They had intended to be in London for three weeks. She had no idea what had precipitated his withdrawal, and the annoying man had not made himself available to ride alongside with her so she could probe for his reasons.
They had even stopped at the inn earlier, and instead of resting and spending the night, he had ordered a fresh team of horses, mounting a new horse and leaving his previous mount to be brought to Rosette Park on the following day. After a snatched meal they had continued on with their arduous journey. Adel hated the tension coiling through her stomach, and the ache building in her heart.
A sigh of relief escaped her as the carriage rumbled through the gates of Rosette Park. She had missed the girls. They stopped, and the carriage door was opened. Edmond assisted her descent, but her duke was a veritable stranger.
“Edmond, is all well?”
Distant eyes peered down at her. He smiled, a parody really, for it did not reach his eyes. “I am well, Adeline. I will be back in time for dinner at seven.”
“Where do you go?”
“Riding.”
She blinked and glanced to the sky which had darkened even further, and the chill in the air had her tugging her coat closer. “You have been riding for hours, Your Grace.”
“Then I shall ride some more.”
Then with a curt bow, he strolled away and remounted his horse, shouting for a fresh horse rode to the stables. Before she had climbed the steps to the house, she saw him as he tore away from the estate.