Page 58 of His Scarred Duchess
Edmund’s thumb stroked the back of her hand, sending shivers up her arm. “I look forward to making many such discoveries,” he murmured.
Their eyes met over the table, the air between them charged with unspoken desire.
For a moment, Adeline thought he might abandon breakfast altogether and carry her back to his chambers. Instead, he cleared his throat, reluctantly withdrawing his hand.
“Perhaps we should discuss the tenant farms,” he suggested, his voice slightly strained. “I’ve been considering some improvements to their cottages.”
Adeline nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. “An excellent idea. Happy tenants make for a prosperous estate, after all.”
As they continued their discussion, Adeline found herself increasingly intrigued by Holbrook—and admittedly, its master. Edmund’s dedication to his land and his people was evident in every word, every gesture. It was a side of him she hadn’texpected, and she couldn’t help but feel a growing respect for the man she’d married.
When breakfast finally concluded, Edmund rose and offered her his arm. “Shall we begin our tour? There’s much of the estate I’d like to show you.”
Adeline took his arm, acutely aware of his closeness but trying not to read too much into it. “Lead on, Your Grace. I’m eager to learn more about Holbrook.”
As they left the dining room, Adeline felt a curious mix of emotions—excitement at the prospect of exploring her new home, nervousness about the changing dynamics between her and Edmund, and cautious hope that perhaps their marriage could be more than just a convenient arrangement.
Whatever lay ahead, she was determined to approach it with an open mind and a steady heart.
As they stepped into the gardens, Edmund found himself acutely aware of Adeline’s presence beside him. The morning sunlight caught in her hair, giving it a honey-gold sheen that made his fingers itch to touch it.
“Your rose gardens are magnificent,” Adeline remarked, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest. “I’ve never seen such vibrant blooms. Do you use a special fertilizer?”
Edmund blinked, surprised by her question,andimpressed.
Most ladies would simply comment on the beauty, not inquire about the cultivation.
“Indeed we do,” he replied, unable to keep the enthusiasm from his voice. “We’ve developed a mix of bone meal and fish emulsion that seems to work wonders. Would you like to know more about the process?”
“Absolutely,” Adeline replied, her face lighting up. “I’ve always been fascinated by horticulture. At home, I used to experiment with different planting techniques in a small corner of our garden.”
As Edmund launched into an explanation of their fertilization methods, he found himself captivated by Adeline’s intelligent questions and insightful comments.
She’s not just beautiful,but very sharp too.
Their conversation flowed easily from roses to other aspects of the estate. Edmund was pleasantly surprised to find that Adeline had a basic understanding of crop rotation and animal husbandry.
“I must say, you’re quite knowledgeable,” he noted, unable to keep the admiration from his voice. “Where did you learn all this?”
Adeline’s cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment. “Books, mostly. And observing our estate’s steward when I could. I’ve always believed that knowledge is power, even in fields Society deems… unsuitable for ladies.”
Edmund felt a surge of respect for her determination. “Well, I for one find your intellect refreshing. And I must say, it becomes you.”
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with tension. Edmund’s hand brushed against her waist as he guided her around a corner, and he felt her shiver at his touch.
“Perhaps,” he said, his voice low and husky, “we should return to the house. You’ll need to change into your riding clothes for our tour of the outer fields.”
Adeline’s breath caught, and for a moment, Edmund thought he saw a flash of panic in her eyes. But it was gone so quickly that he wondered if he’d imagined it.
“I… I’m afraid I’m feeling a bit faint,” she said, her voice suddenly breathy and weak. “Perhaps we should delay our tour. If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to lie down.”
Before Edmund could respond, Adeline had turned on her heel and was hurrying back towards the house, leaving him standing alone in the garden.
He frowned, confusion and disappointment washing over him.
The sudden change in her demeanor was unexpected. One moment she had been engaging him in intelligent conversation, the next she was making excuses to leave.
Perhaps I misread her interest.Or maybe she’s simply overwhelmed by her new position as Duchess.
