Page 59 of His Scarred Duchess
With a sigh, Edmund decided that a ride might help clear his head. As he made his way to the stables, he tried to rationalize Adeline’s behavior. After all, they were still practically strangers, thrust into an arranged marriage. It was natural for some awkwardness and misunderstandings to linger between them.
As he swung himself into the saddle, he resolved to be patient.
He would observe Adeline more closely in the coming days and try to understand her better before jumping to conclusions.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Itrust you’re feeling better this morning, Duchess?” Edmund asked tentatively as he buttered his toast, glancing up at Adeline as she entered the small dining room.
Adeline paused in the doorway, her heart fluttering at his concerned tone. “Yes, thank you,” she replied softly, taking her seat across from him. “I apologize for my… abrupt departure yesterday.”
Edmund’s expression softened slightly. “No need for apologies. I was just worried about you.”
They began their breakfast in a slightly awkward silence. Adeline’s eyes flicked nervously to him, noting the slight tension in his shoulders.
“I was thinking,” Edmund said gently, breaking the silence, “that we might resume our tour of the estate this afternoon. If you’re feeling up to it, of course.”
Adeline set down her fork, her appetite waning. “Edmund, I?—”
“I just thought… well, you seemed so interested in the estate’s workings. But if you’d prefer to stay indoors…”
Adeline’s cheeks flushed, torn between shame and frustration. “It’s not that I don’t want to,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “You don’t understand?—”
“Then help me understand,” Edmund urged, his voice softening further as he noticed her distress. “What is it, Adeline? What’s troubling you?”
Adeline took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, there was a vulnerability in her gaze that gave him pause.
“I’m afraid of horses,” she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Edmund blinked, his anger momentarily forgotten in his surprise. “What?”
“I’m terrified of them,” Adeline continued, her words coming faster now. “Ever since I was a child. It’s… it’s how I got these.” She gestured to the scars on her face, her hand trembling.
Edmund’s expression softened, the hard lines of anger melting into concern. “Adeline, I… I had no idea. What happened?”
Adeline’s gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers twisting in her napkin.
“I was nine years old,” she began hesitantly. “There was a garden party at our estate. Father… he wanted me to ride for the guests. Show off my skills. But the horse was new, skittish. I told him I was scared, but he insisted.”
Edmund leaned forward, his breakfast forgotten. “Go on,” he urged gently.
“The noise of the party spooked the horse,” Adeline continued, her voice barely audible. “It reared up, and I fell… right into a rose bush. The thorns…” she trailed off, her hand unconsciously rising to trace the lines of her scars.
In an instant, Edmund was at her side, kneeling beside her chair. “Adeline,” he breathed, taking her hands in his. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Adeline met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I was ashamed,” she admitted. “I know how important riding is here, how much of the estate management requires it. I didn’t want you to think me weak or useless.”
“Oh, my dear,” Edmund murmured. He reached up, his fingers gently tracing the line of her scars. “There is nothing weak about you. Fear does not make us weak. It makes us human.”
Adeline’s breath hitched at his touch. “You’re not disappointed?”
In response, Edmund leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her scarred cheek. “Never,” he whispered against her skin.
He trailed gentle kisses along the line of her scars, each one a silent apology for his earlier harshness, a promise of understanding.
When he finally pulled back, his eyes were warm with admiration and something deeper, something that made her heart race.
“You survived something terrifying,” he said softly. “You carry the marks of your bravery every day. How could I ever be disappointed in that?”
