Page 45 of His Scarred Duchess
Before Edmund could respond, Adeline chimed in, “Oh yes, and it’s been quite successful, hasn’t it, Your Grace? I was reading just the other day about the benefits of nitrogen-fixing crops. Fascinating stuff, really.”
Edmund blinked in surprise. He hadn’t realized Adeline had taken an interest in the agricultural techniques used on the estate.
“Indeed,” he said, recovering quickly. “We’ve seen a remarkable improvement in soil fertility. But tell me, how have your own crops fared this year?”
As the Earl launched into a description of his estate’s yields, Edmund found his attention drawn back to Adeline. She was listening intently, her green eyes bright with interest. But even as she nodded along, he noticed how she subtly raised her hand to her cheek, as if to shield it from view.
The pattern continued throughout the meal. Adeline was charming and engaging, her wit and intelligence on full display. Yet, there was always that underlying current of self-consciousness, the little gestures and movements designed to keep her scars hidden from view.
It stirred something in Edmund’s chest, a feeling he couldn’t quite name. Pride in her accomplishments, certainly. Admiration for her resilience and grace under pressure. But also a growing sense of… protectiveness? A desire to tell her she needn’t hide, that her scars were simply a part of who she was, not something to be ashamed of.
But of course, he said nothing of the sort. Instead, he watched and listened, increasingly aware of the remarkable woman he had married.
As the dishes were cleared away, the Earl leaned back in his chair with a contented sigh. “I must say, Your Grace, you’ve outdone yourself this evening. The meal was exquisite, and Her Grace is absolutely delightful company.”
Adeline blushed prettily at the compliment, ducking her head in a way that once again obscured her scars. “You’re too kind, my lord. We’re simply happy to have you and Lady Tarlington with us this evening.”
Later that night, as their guests departed, Edmund found himself lingering in the entrance hall. Adeline stood nearby, bidding farewell to the Earl with a warm smile that made something twist in Edmund’s chest.
As they stepped back into the manor and the doors closed behind them, Adeline turned to him, her eyes bright with triumph and fatigue. “Well, Your Grace,” she said, a hint of a challenge in her voice, “I trust the evening went well?”
Edmund nodded, struggling to maintain his aloof demeanor. “It was… satisfactory,” he conceded, the words feeling inadequate even as they left his mouth. “You handled the crisis quite well, Duchess.”
A small smile played at the corners of Adeline’s lips. “High praise, indeed, coming from you,” she said, a teasing note in her voice that both thrilled and alarmed him.
For a moment, Edmund was tempted to say more, to acknowledge the impressive feat she had accomplished. But the memory of Joanna’s betrayal reared its ugly head, reminding him of the dangers of allowing anyone to get too close.
So instead, he simply inclined his head. “Good night, Duchess,” he said, his voice gruffer than he had intended. “I’m sure you must be tired after such an eventful day.”
As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of the disappointment that flashed across Adeline’s face. It struck him like a physical blow, and he found himself pausing, half-turning back towards her.
But the moment passed, and her expression smoothed into polite indifference. “Good night, Your Grace,” she returned softly. “Sleep well.”
As Edmund made his way to his chambers, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had missed something important, some opportunity that he couldn’t quite define. But it was better this way, he told himself firmly. Safer.
Even if the thought of Adeline’s smile, of the competence and grace she had displayed throughout the day, lingered in his mind long into the night.
Chapter Eighteen
“Lady Adeline! Or should I say, Your Grace? How utterly delightful to see you!” Lady Windhurst’s shrill voice cut through the low hum of conversation in the opulent ballroom.
Adeline plastered on a smile, steeling herself for the onslaught she knew was coming. “Lady Windhurst, how kind of you to invite us. Your home is lovely as always.”
She glanced to her side, only to realize that Edmund had already been whisked away by Lord Rutherford, leaving her to face the curious crowd alone.
One month into their marriage, and still, she found herself wishing for his steadying presence at social events, even if their relationship remained cold and distant.
“Oh, you simply must tell us everything,” Lady Windhurst gushed, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed curiosity.“We’ve all been dying to know how married life agrees with the notorious Duke of Holbrook!”
Adeline’s heart sank. She had known this dinner party would be a trial, but the reality of facing theton’sinsatiable appetite for gossip without Edmund by her side was more daunting than she had anticipated. Still, she was the Duchess of Holbrook now. She had a duty to perform, a role to play.
“I assure you, Lady Windhurst, married life is quite agreeable,” Adeline replied, infusing her voice with a warmth she didn’t entirely feel. “His Grace is an exemplary husband.”
“But surely you must have some anecdotes to share?” Lady Windhurst pressed, clearly unsatisfied with Adeline’s diplomatic response. “The Duke has always been such a mystery to us all. Tell me, does he truly spend all his time poring over account books, or does he have some secret passion we’re all unaware of?”
Adeline felt a blush rising to her cheeks, painfully aware of the crowd that had gathered around her, ears straining to catch every word. She opened her mouth, not entirely sure what she was going to say, when another voice chimed in.
“I heard he’s quite the expert horseman,” a young debutante piped up. “Is it true he once raced his stallion against a thunderstorm and won?”
