Page 39 of His Scarred Duchess
Edmund’s brow furrowed slightly, as though her words had surprised him. “I didn’t mean to imply?—”
“No, you were quite clear,” Adeline interrupted, a spark of defiance igniting in her chest. “A marriage of convenience. Nothing more. Tell me, Your Grace, do you plan to itemize our interactions? Perhaps we could draw up a schedule for meals and social appearances.”
Edmund’s jaw tightened. “There’s no need for sarcasm, Duchess.”
“Isn’t there?” Adeline challenged, her green eyes flashing. “I thought we were discussing the terms of our arrangement. Shall we negotiate how often we’re to exchange pleasantries in the corridors?”
“This isn’t a joke, Adeline,” Edmund growled, leaning forward.
“Oh, I’m well aware,” she retorted. “But if we’re to maintain this farce of a marriage, we should at least agree on the particulars. How many times am I allowed to smile at you in public before it becomes too romantic?”
Before Edmund could respond, the carriage hit a particularly deep rut in the road, jostling them both.
The sudden jolt sent Adeline careening forward. Edmund’s hands shot out instinctively, catching her by the waist to steady her.
“Whoa!”
For a moment, they froze, their faces mere inches apart, Adeline’s hands braced against Edmund’s broad chest.
Time seemed to stand still as their eyes met. Adeline’s breath caught in her throat as the flecks of gold in his stormy gray eyes seemed to glow. His hands, warm and strong on her waist, sent a shiver of awareness through her body.
Edmund’s gaze dropped to her lips, and she felt her heart race. Was he going to kiss her? Did she want him to? The air between them seemed to crackle with tension, thick with unspoken desires and fears.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Edmund leaned in. Adeline’s eyes fluttered shut, her body swaying towards him of its own accord. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek, the slight tremors in his hands as they tightened on her waist.
Just as their lips were about to meet, the carriage wheel hit another bump, jolting them back to reality. Adeline’s eyes flew open as Edmund abruptly released her, both of them retreating to opposite sides of the carriage.
“I apologize, Your Grace,” Adeline stammered, smoothing down her skirts with trembling hands. “How clumsy of me.”
“Not at all,” Edmund replied, his voice rougher than usual. He cleared his throat, avoiding her gaze. “These country roads can be treacherous. I should have warned you.”
As they settled back into their seats, the awkward silence descended once more. Adeline turned her gaze to the window, watching as the London streets and buildings gave way to the lush countryside beyond.
She was a duchess now, married to one of the most sought-after men in England. She should have been ecstatic.
Instead, as the miles rolled by and Holbrook Manor drew closer, Adeline couldn’t shake the feeling that she was heading not to a bright new future, but to a gilded cage of her own making.
Chapter Sixteen
“We’ve arrived, Your Grace,” the coachman’s voice called out, breaking the tense silence that had fallen over the carriage.
Edmund straightened, his gaze shifting from the passing landscape to his new bride. Lady Adeline—no, he corrected himself, the Duchess of Holbrook now—sat across from him, her green eyes wide as she took in the imposing facade of Holbrook Manor.
As the carriage rolled to a stop, Edmund cleared his throat. “Before we disembark, there are a few matters we should discuss, Duchess.”
Adeline’s attention snapped back to him, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. “Of course, Your Grace. What did you wish to speak about?”
Edmund steeled himself, pushing aside the memory of their passionate encounter in the stables. This was not a love match, he reminded himself sternly. It was a marriage of convenience, orchestrated by their meddling grandmothers, and it was best that they both understood that from the start.
“I believe we should establish some ground rules for our… arrangement,” he began, his tone businesslike. “This is a marriage of convenience, nothing more. We will, of course, live together as befits a duke and duchess, but I see no reason for us to intrude on each other’s private lives.”
He watched as Adeline’s expression shifted, relief and something that looked almost like disappointment flashing across her face.
“I understand,” she said, her voice neutral. “Is there anything else?”
Edmund nodded, forging ahead. “Yes. While I have no intention of interfering in your personal affairs, you will be expected to attend certain social events with me. As the Duchess of Holbrook, your presence will be required at?—”
“Attend events?” Adeline interrupted, her brow furrowing. “You wish me to accompany you to social gatherings?”
