Page 90 of His Scarred Duchess
“What is she doing?” Isabella gasped, clutching Lady Gillingham’s arm. “She can’t—Grandmama, you know how terrified she is of horses!”
Edmund held his breath, every muscle in his body tensed up, prepared to spring into action if needed. But Adeline’s voice, soft and soothing, carried across the tense silence.
“Easy there, beautiful,” she murmured, her hand outstretched. “It’s all right. No one’s going to hurt you.”
The horse’s ears flicked forward, its nostrils flaring as it caught her scent. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, its stance began to relax.
“That’s it,” Adeline continued, taking another careful step forward. “You’re safe now. Let’s get you away from all this commotion, shall we?”
With a gentleness that made Edmund’s chest ache, she took hold of the horse’s bridle. The animal allowed itself to be led, following her away from the water’s edge and the gawking crowd.
“I can’t believe it,” Lady Gillingham whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Our Adeline, facing her greatest fear like that.”
Edmund couldn’t take his eyes off his wife. The woman before him was a far cry from the timid, self-conscious girl he’d first married. This Adeline radiated a quiet strength, a grace under pressure that left him in awe.
As Adeline handed the horse off to a coachman who had come running at the commotion, Edmund found his feet carrying him towards her of their own accord.
“Adeline,” he said softly as he approached.
She turned around, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes bright. “Edmund, I?—”
“That was incredible,” he interrupted, unable to contain his admiration. “Youwere incredible.”
Adeline blinked, surprise evident on her face. “I… thank you. I’m not sure what came over me. I just couldn’t bear to see the poor creature so frightened.”
Edmund shook his head, a rueful smile playing on his lips. “You never cease to amaze me, Adeline. Just when I think I have you figured out, you do something like this and leave me breathless.”
A blush crept up Adeline’s neck, but she held his gaze. “You give me too much credit, Your Grace. I simply did what needed to be done.”
“No,” Edmund said firmly, taking a step closer. “You did so much more than that. You faced your fear head-on, without a second thought for your own safety. Do you have any idea how remarkable that is?”
Adeline’s eyes widened at his vehemence. “Edmund, I?—”
Their intimate moment was suddenly interrupted by a loud, indignant squawk from the direction of the Serpentine.
“My gown! My hair! This is an outrage!”
Edmund and Adeline turned to see Joanna emerging from the lake, looking like a very angry, very wet peacock. Her elaborate hairstyle had come completely undone, falling in rat-tails downher back. The red riding habit, once so fashionable, now clung to her like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination.
“Someone help me this instant!” Joanna demanded, her voice reaching a pitch that made nearby birds take flight.
A few gentlemen stepped forward, clearly torn between chivalry and the desire to avoid the dripping woman.
Joanna batted their hands away. “Not you, you oaf! You’ll wrinkle the silk!” She stomped her foot, sending a spray of water in all directions.
The crowd, which had been watching in stunned silence, burst into poorly concealed laughter. Lady Gillingham didn’t even try to hide her mirth, chuckling openly at the spectacle.
“Oh my,” she said, wiping a tear from her eye. “I haven’t witnessed such entertainment since Lord Rutherford’s pig escaped at last year’s fête.”
Joanna’s head whipped around at the laughter, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Edmund and Adeline.
“You!” she hissed. “This is all your fault!”
With as much dignity as she could muster—which, given her disheveled state, wasn’t much—she marched over to her horse. The animal eyed her warily, clearly unsure about this new, water-logged version of its mistress.
“Oh, stop giving me that look,” Joanna snapped at the horse. She grabbed the reins, nearly slipping on the wet grass in the process. “We are leaving this instant!”
With a final glare at Edmund and Adeline, she began to lead her horse away. Each step produced a comical squelching sound, and a trail of water followed in her wake.
