Page 23 of His Scarred Duchess
Lady Alderton peered around him, craning her neck as if expecting to see someone following in his wake. “Is everything all right, my dear? You were gone for quite some time.”
“Everything’s fine, Grandmother,” Edmund replied, perhaps a touch too quickly. “I simply needed to take the air.”
His grandmother raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Take the air? Is that what they’re calling it these days? And I suppose you needed quite a lot of it, considering how long you were gone.”
Edmund felt a flush creeping up his neck. “Grandmother, please. It’s nothing of the sort. I assure you, I was alone.”
“Mhm,” Lady Alderton murmured, clearly unconvinced. “Well, whatever—or whoever—was occupying your time, I’m glad to see you’ve returned in one piece. Though your cravat is looking a touch askew, darling.”
Edmund’s hand flew to his neck, adjusting the fabric with a barely suppressed groan. Trust his grandmother to notice such a detail. “It’s merely the evening air, Grandmother. Nothing more.”
Lady Alderton’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Of course, dear. The evening air can be quite… invigorating, can’t it?”
Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, Edmund changed the subject. “I believe it’s time we took our leave,Grandmother. The hour grows late, and I have an early meeting tomorrow.”
For a moment, it seemed Lady Alderton might press the issue further. But then she nodded, a slight frown creasing her brow.
“Very well, if you insist. Though I must say, you’re passing up a golden opportunity to mingle further. There are still so many lovely young ladies I wanted to introduce you to.”
“Another time, perhaps,” Edmund said, offering his arm to escort her out of the ballroom.
As they made their farewells to their hosts, he couldn’t help but let his gaze wander once more, searching for a glimpse of honey-brown hair or the flash of green eyes.
But his lady in blue was nowhere to be seen. As they stepped into their waiting carriage, Edmund found himself filled with a curious mix of frustration and anticipation.
He hadn’t even learned her name, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths would cross again.
As the carriage rolled through the darkened London streets, his mind drifted once more to their encounter in the garden. The way she had challenged him, her quick thinking, her determination—all of it combined to create a puzzle he found himself eager to solve.
“You’re awfully quiet, my dear,” Lady Alderton observed, breaking into his thoughts. “Are you quite sure nothing’s troubling you?”
“I’m fine, Grandmother,” he said, patting her hand reassuringly. “Merely thinking about the future of Holbrook. There’s so much to be done.”
Lady Alderton nodded, though her eyes studied his face intently. “Indeed there is, my dear. Indeed, there is. Though I can’t help but feel there might be more occupying that mind of yours than merely crop rotations and tenant agreements.”
Edmund smiled enigmatically. “Perhaps, Grandmother. Perhaps.”
Chapter Ten
“For heaven’s sake, Adeline, sit up straight. And do try to arrange your skirts to hide that ghastly stain.”
Lord Brenton’s exasperated voice cut through the tense silence of the carriage. Adeline, who had been staring out the window at the passing London streets, turned to face her father. His face was etched with disapproval, his eyes fixed on the red punch stain that marred her pale blue gown.
“I’m sorry, Father,” she said, attempting to smooth her skirts. “I assure you, it was an accident.”
Lord Brenton snorted. “An accident? My dear girl, nothing in those ballrooms is ever truly an accident. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to have one’s daughter looking like she’s been in a tavern brawl?”
Adeline felt a flare of indignation. “I hardly think a punch stain qualifies as?—”
“It’s not just the stain,” her father interrupted, his voice rising. “It’s the spectacle. Your rushing out of the ballroom, disappearing for who knows how long. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that I needed a moment to compose myself after being publicly humiliated,” Adeline retorted, her temper rising to match her father’s. “Or would you have preferred I burst into tears in front of the entire ton?”
Lord Brenton’s face flushed an alarming shade of red. “What I would prefer, Adeline, is for you to comport yourself with the dignity befitting your station. Is that truly so much to ask?”
Adeline bit back a bitter laugh. Dignity? When had thetonever afforded her any dignity? But she knew better than to voice such thoughts to her father. Instead, she took a deep breath, forcing her voice to remain calm.
“I apologize if my actions caused you embarrassment, Father. It was not my intention.”
