Page 75 of His Scarred Duchess
“I’m doing well, Grandmama,” she replied. “Better than I expected, if I’m being honest.”
Lady Gillingham’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Oh? Do tell, my dear. What’s changed?”
Adeline felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she thought of Edmund’s heated gaze, his whispered words on the dance floor. “Edmund has been… kind,” she said carefully. “Attentive, even. It’s not at all what I anticipated when we first got married.”
A knowing smile played on Lady Gillingham’s lips. “I’m glad to hear it. You two seem well-suited, from what I’ve observed.”
“Do you really think so?” Adeline asked, unable to keep a hint of hope from her voice.
Lady Gillingham patted her hand. “I do, indeed. You complement each other well. Edmund needs someone with your strength and compassion, and you, my dear, deserve someone who appreciates your worth.”
Adeline bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before asking, “Grandmama, do you think it’s possible for a marriage of convenience to turn into something more?”
Lady Gillingham’s eyes softened. “Ah, my dear. I wondered if we might have this conversation soon.” She paused, a wistful smile crossing her face. “Did you know that my marriage to your grandfather was arranged?”
Adeline’s eyes widened in surprise. “No, I had no idea. You always seemed so… in love.”
“Oh, we were.” Lady Gillingham chuckled. “But it didn’t start that way. When we first married, we were little more than polite strangers. But we became friends, confidantes. And then, one day, I realized that somewhere along the way, that man had become the love of my life.”
Adeline felt a lump form in her throat. “How did you know that it had become more?”
“It was the little things,” her grandmother replied softly. “The way my heart would flutter when he entered a room. How I found myself wanting to share every triumph and sorrow with him. The feeling that no matter what challenges we faced, we could overcome them together.”
As Lady Gillingham spoke, Adeline found herself thinking of Edmund. The warmth of his smile when she mastered a new riding technique. The pride in his eyes when she contributed to discussions about estate management. The way he had defended her against theton’scruelty.
“I see those wheels turning in that clever head of yours,” Lady Gillingham remarked, breaking into Adeline’s thoughts. “Remember, my dear, love isn’t always a lightning bolt. Sometimes it’s a slow burn, building gradually until suddenly you realize your whole world has changed.”
Adeline nodded, her mind whirling with possibilities. “Thank you, Grandmama. For sharing that with me.”
“Of course, my darling,” Lady Gillingham replied. “Just promise me you’ll keep your heart open. Edmund is a good man, despite his gruff exterior. Give him a chance to surprise you.”
Before Adeline could respond, Lady Alderton’s voice cut through their quiet moment.
“Miriam, darling! There you are. You simply must come and say hello to Lady Pershing. She’s just returned from her grand tour of the Continent and has the most scandalous stories to tell.”
Lady Gillingham shot Adeline an apologetic look. “Duty calls, my dear. Will you be all right on your own for a bit?”
Adeline nodded, forcing a smile. “Of course, Grandmama. Go, enjoy your gossip. I’ll be fine.”
As she watched her grandmother being whisked away by the ever-exuberant Lady Alderton, Adeline found herself alone once more. She made her way to a secluded alcove, needing a moment to collect her thoughts.
Her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind.
“… love isn’t always a lightning bolt. Sometimes it’s a slow burn…”
Adeline thought of the growing warmth between her and Edmund, the gradual building of trust and understanding.
Could it be?she wondered to herself, her heart racing at the possibility.Could Edmund and I find what Grandmama and Grandpapa had?
The very thought both thrilled and terrified her. There was still so much she didn’t know about Edmund, so many walls he had yet to let down.
And yet, the idea of a future filled with genuine love and companionship was tantalizing.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Imust say, Holbrook, your plans for expanding the sheep farming operations are most impressive,” Lord Weatherby said, his eyes alight with interest. “Have you considered exporting wool to the Continent?”
Edmund felt a surge of satisfaction at the genuine curiosity in the older man’s voice.
