Accidentally Compromising the Duke (9 page)

“It’s the duke.”

“Wolverton?”

“Yes…it seems as if Viscount Eldridge has won the wager. He swore the duke would make an appearance tonight and Lord Westfall bet twenty guineas he would not!”

Several ladies actually turned so they could see as he descended the stairs. He looked handsome, clad in black trousers with a matching jacket and silver brocade waistcoat. His dark hair was tamed, and Adel fancied she could see the piercing silver of his eyes from where she stood.

“Will he go to her or cut her?”

Adel felt sick at that whisper. She had rejected his offer. And he had no notion that she had tried to speak with him earlier, but had been told he had been out riding. What if he ignored her for the duration of the ball? That would cement in society’s eyes, that she was soiled and unworthy. Firming her jaw and straightening her spine, she scanned the crowd. Satisfaction curled inside her that many were unable to meet her gaze for long. It was a small triumph but she welcomed it.

Many greeted him as he came off the final steps. Lord and Lady Gladstone were one of the first to approach him, and they smiled and chatted as if nothing were amiss. After a few minutes the duke inclined his head and walked away. The crowd parted as he moved with purpose not toward her, but away.

Adel’s heart pounded and in desperation she went to the refreshment table and collected a punch glass.

“He is cutting her
.” A whisper to her left reached her ears.

Tears pricked her lids. Should she stay? Or should she try to slip away unnoticed. It did not take her long to realize that such an endeavor would be impossible. The attention of the lords and ladies at present was split. Some ogled her and the others were craning their necks, making no attempt to not be obvious as they watched Wolverton.

If she left they would know she was fleeing in shame, and the slander would be worse tomorrow. She dreaded reading about her own escapades in the scandal sheets. Although Adel stood in a sea of people, she had never felt so desperately alone. It was quite evident she was at this moment, a pariah. No one moved close, even Lady Margaret was carefully nearing the terrace door, her eyes wide with apprehension as she watched the duke. As if on cue, Adel’s cheeks smarted where her stepmother had slapped her earlier, when she’d informed them she rejected the duke and asked if they could arrange an audience, so she could correct her error.

It seemed as if she could do nothing right.

Another wave of titters crested through the ballroom, and her gaze unerringly landed on the duke’s broad shoulders. He was beside the orchestra. He bent to say something to one of their number. The musicians nodded, and he sauntered away, bold and graceful…right toward her. Adel’s hands shook, fearing she would spill the punch she had yet to sip, she placed it on the refreshment table with a soft clink.

He stopped in front of her, and it was as if the entire room held its breath.

A few seconds later the violins sounded, and the scandalous strain of a waltz filtered on the air, shocking her. The duke bowed, then straightened and held his hand out to her. “Miss Adeline, would you honor me with a waltz?”

From the periphery of her vision she saw her stepmother wilting in relief, and even Evie smiled, her eyes filling with tears. Adel wanted to fling herself into his arms and shout for relief. His public show of support must mean that he still desired to marry her. Her sisters were saved; her family was not ruined, if she did not botch it further. She sank into a curtsy. “I would be honored, Your Grace.” Then she rose and stepped into his arms as if she belonged there.

On cue the rousing strains of the waltz filled in the ballroom. Adel was painfully aware they were the only couple dancing. It seemed the members of society who were packed into the Gladstone ballroom were now content to watch them in stunned silence.

The duke held her firmly, at a respectable distance, but there was something possessive in his embrace. Her heart tripped in her chest. As she soared with him, the dozens of eyes boring into her back faded. “Thank you for being kind after my earlier stubbornness.”

“Think nothing of it,” he reassured her, his regard piercing and intent.

“Why have you singled me out? Not that I am ungrateful,” she hastily added.

His mouth curved faintly. “You are very direct. It is a trait I admire.”

“Thank you.”

“My attentions to you now are a double edge sword. If I walk away without any announcement of our impending nuptials, your ruination will be completed. Yet if I had ignored you, the result would have been the same.”

The slow thud of her heart was painful. Adel was only distantly aware of other couples eagerly taking their places on the dance floor. Did this really mean he still wanted to wed her? Without taking his eyes from her, he spun her into several wonderful spins, the power and grace in his movements thrilling. His eyes were truly wonderful, the harsh gray color of the sky as it heralded a winter storm. Now they were filled with a guarded awareness and cool intelligence. A surge of interest to understand Edmond stirred in her heart.

“I never thought you would have such care for my reputation. You hardly know me, Your Grace, and I thank you.” It mattered to her that he had been thoughtful. When was the last time someone truly had given a fig about her? Warmth poured through her veins. “Do you still want me to be your duchess?”

Triumph flared in his gaze. “Yes.”

Relief twisted through her. “Thank you, I’m very much obliged to you.”

“I will have my solicitors draft the agreement and present to your father. I will also obtain a special license, and we will wed by Friday.”

She gasped. “That is in two days’ time.”

“Yes.”

Adel spluttered. “Surely that will be impossible. Would it not be best to have a courtship period of at least six months and then a quiet wedding?”

She did not want society’s judgmental eyes upon them when they cemented their vows. “There are already rumors there may be a…a…child,” she ended on a furious whisper, blushing profusely. “If we wait it will be evident to all, nothing of import happened.”

A dark brow arched. “The only part I am in agreement with is a quiet wedding. My offer is by this Friday or we do not wed at all.”

He seemed so cold and uncompromising she almost faltered. “May I inquire as to why the urgency?”

“My daughters expect me at Rosette Park by Sunday.”

Rosette Park
. Even Adel had heard about the beauty and wealth of that estate. “Surely after—”

“No.”

Her hands tightened on his, and he glanced at their clasped palms. He shifted one of his fingers in a soothing stroke over her knuckles. The caress was unexpected, but what was even more startling was the heat that pooled in her veins. “I hardly know you,” she gasped.

“Are you committed to marrying me?”

She nodded slightly.

“Then why does it matter if we wed a few days from now, or in a few months? Unless your intention is to call off the engagement, when the furor eventually dies down? Let me assure you that will make an even greater scandal.”

The thought had not even occurred to her. She simply did not know him, like she had known Mr. Atwood. Adel winced. Much good that had done her. They had been friends for years and yet he had been persuaded away.

“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 intimacy, 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.

He gritted his teeth and ruthlessly pushed away all such thoughts. Her eyes widened and she lowered her lids, but he saw the flash of disappointment. What the hell had she expected, for him to return her smile?

Not more than a minute later the ceremony ended.

I have a new wife
.

He shook away the slow pump of disquiet and directed his thoughts to the greater accomplishment of the day. His daughters now had a woman in their life.

It was sheer torture, but it took discipline for him to only press a soft kiss to her cheeks, and ignore the temptation of her lips.

…

She was a
duchess
. Adel was still unsure how it had all happened. A week ago, her only thoughts had been to escape the oppressive feeling of living with her father and stepmother, and maybe, existing as Mrs. James Atwood, then eventually with his support open a bookshop.