One dance and then she would set him straight. This would never work. He needed to understand.
As the music built in tempo he swung her through the figures. When he pulled her back against his side, he brushed the underside of her breast. His fingers were hot through the cloth. She was out of breath when the music stopped.
Clarke bowed and then smiled. “I’ll fetch us some punch. Wait here. I’ll return in a moment.”
Adeline watched him stride away. His tall legs ate up the floor as he walked. To be out of the way of the dancers, she stepped partially behind a large flower arrangement against the wall.
Lady Beatrice Stokes’ voice emanated from the other side of the flowers, “It is bad enough she is taking advantage of the Duke and Lady Warringham’s generosity. Can you believe it? She has her nerve.” The women with Beatrice laughed.
Adeline hadn’t heard Clarke return.
He took one look at her, and the smile faded from his face. “What’s wrong?”
All she could do was shake her head. She wanted to drag him away, but the woman began talking again. “I saw Lady Warringham sport the dress she is wearing two months back at the Dilstram’s dinner. She thinks she can dance with the Earl? In a borrowed dress? It’s a disgrace she is even in the good graces of the ton. It’s an embarrassment!” There was more feminine laughter.
A flush of shame flooded Adeline’s face as she pushed past Clarke. He called her name as she went through the outer doors and down the steps. She didn’t stop until she reached the far side of the gardens.
She grasped the edge of arbor for support and drew in a couple deep breaths. Rose thorns scraped her bare arm, but that was a pain she could stand. The internal pain from the hurtful words was worse. She clasped one hand tight around the other, but she couldn’t seem to stop shaking. No matter what that horrid little beastie Beatrice said about her, she would not cry.
“Adeline?”
She didn’t need to turn to know who it was. “Go away. Go back to the party.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you talk to me.”
“I thought men always accused women of being the ones who want to talk. Well, I’m the woman here, and I don’t want to talk. Go away. Leave me be.”
“I heard what Lady Stokes said back there.”
“I’m sure you did.” If she were able to dig a big hole with her toes and just drop in, she would be happy. “I did borrow the dress. My family has no money to buy new ones. With nothing to offer, and no dowry I should not assume I have any rights to dance with an Earl. I was caught up in the moment.”
“Look at me.” He wrapped a hand around her upper arm and turned her to face him.
“You belong in there.” She waved a hand in the direction of the house. “I don’t.”
“You belong in there as much as the rest of that lot.”
“I’ll be fine.” She sniffed. “What happened in there was exactly what I feared. I won’t have my family’s shame hurt anyone’s good name. Especially yours.”
“You were worried…” he stopped and shook his head. “You were worried about her statements hurting me? Good God.”
“I am heading back to my father’s estate in the morning. No one will have to worry about other incidents like this happening again.”
“I’m afraid you won’t be able to do that.”
She felt her eyes widen. “You can’t stop me. I’ve made up my mind.”
“You’re right. I can’t stop you, but things have changed. Your father’s land has been entailed.”
“He’s declared it? He’s bankrupt?” Her head dropped. “Oh… God…no.”
“I did not say that. He has not lost the property; it is still tied to your family. But a new occupant will soon inhabit the estate.”
“I can’t stay here, and if I can’t go home...” She felt desperate and lost; her voice was barely a whisper. A tear skittered down her cheek. “I have nowhere to go.”
“There is one way you can return home, you can live there with me. I am the new occupant of Templeman’s.”
“You are… what?”
Clarke reached into his pocket, pulled out a velvet box and dropped to one knee. “Marry me, Adeline.” Inside was a blue sapphire ring encircled with smaller diamonds and filigree.
“Wait… can you repeat…” She felt her knees give way and she sat down with a plop on the ground with her skirts billowed around her.
He smiled, but still held her hand. “I have already asked your father for your hand, and I have also made a silent settlement with him to clear most of his debts. I used the money from my Captaincy and some from my father. He understands my wishes and for once supports them. I have asked permission to legally occupy the estate until a male heir, your father’s grandson, becomes of age. Then the estate will become the boy’s and stay in the family.”