Page 91 of His Scarred Duchess
“I hope you’re happy together!” she called over her shoulder, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You deserve each other!”
As Joanna disappeared down the path, leaving a chorus of giggles in her wake, Edmund turned back to Adeline. He couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips.
“Well,” he drawled, his eyes twinkling with amusement, “that was unexpected.”
Adeline, who had been biting her lip to keep from laughing, finally let out a small giggle.
“Poor Lady Strathmore,” she said, though her voice held little sympathy. “I don’t think this was quite the dramatic exit she had in mind.”
Edmund’s smile softened as he gazed at her, marveling at her ability to find humor in the situation even after everything that had happened. It was just one more thing to love about her.
“Now,” he said, taking her hands in his once more, “where were we? I’ve been such a fool, Adeline. I’ve wasted so much time pushing you away, too afraid to let myself feel anything real for you.”
He then lifted his hands, hesitating for a moment before gently cupping her cheek. His thumb traced the line of her scar, a gesture so tender that it brought tears to her eyes.
“But watching you just now, seeing your strength, your compassion… I can’t deny it any longer. I love you, Adeline. I love you with every fiber of my being.”
A small gasp escaped Adeline’s lips, her hand coming up to cover his. “Edmund,” she breathed, her voice trembling. “Do you mean that?”
He nodded, his gray eyes intense with emotion. “I do. I love your kindness, your wit, your resilience. I love the way you challenge me, the way you see the best in everyone around you. I love your scars, Adeline, because they are part of who you are. They are a testament to your strength, to everything you have overcome.”
Tears spilled down Adeline’s cheeks, but she made no move to wipe them away. “I don’t know what to say.”
Edmund’s other hand came up to frame her face, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears. “You don’t have to say anything. I know I’ve hurt you, pushed you away. I was so afraid of being hurt again that I couldn’t see what was right in front of me. ButI’m not afraid anymore, Adeline. What we have—what we could have… is worth the risk. You’re worth everything.”
Adeline’s lips trembled as she fought to form words. “But what about Joanna? Your past?”
Edmund shook his head firmly. “Joanna was a mistake, a youthful infatuation that I let cloud my judgment for far too long. What I feel for you, Adeline, is real. It’s deeper and truer than anything I’ve ever experienced.”
He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say next.
“I know I have no right to ask this of you, not after everything I’ve put you through. But if you’ll have me, if you’re willing to give me another chance, I want to make this work. I want to be the husband you deserve, the partner you need.”
Adeline froze, her mind whirling with the enormity of his words. For so long, she had dreamed of hearing him say these things, of seeing the love that was now blazing in his eyes. But the memory of his coldness, of the pain she had endured, held her back.
“I… I don’t know if I can trust you,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “How do I know you won’t push me away again the moment things get difficult?”
Edmund’s face fell, but he nodded in understanding. “You’re right to be cautious. I’ve given you no reason to trust me, tobelieve in the sincerity of my feelings. But Adeline, I swear to you, I will spend every day proving my love to you if that’s what it takes. I’ll earn your trust back, no matter how long it takes.”
Adeline’s heart raced as she gazed into Edmund’s eyes, seeing the sincerity and love shining there. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking.
“Edmund,” she began, her voice soft but firm. “You did hurt me. Deeply. There were moments when I thought I’d never recover from the pain of your rejection.”
Edmund’s face fell, guilt etching lines on his forehead. But Adeline wasn’t finished. She reached up, cupping his cheek gently.
“But,” she continued, “despite everything, I’ve come to trust you. To love you. I’ve seen the man behind the mask you wear for the world, and that’s the man I fell in love with.”
Hope flickered in Edmund’s eyes, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. “Adeline, I?—”
She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. “I’m willing to forgive you, Edmund. But I need time. We can’t just pretend the hurt never happened. We need to heal, to rebuild what was broken between us.”
Edmund nodded fervently. “Of course. Anything you need, Adeline. I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ll spend every day showing you how much you mean to me, how sorry I am for the pain I caused.”
A mischievous glint appeared in Adeline’s eyes, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh? And how exactly do you plan to make it up to me, Your Grace?”
Edmund’s eyebrows shot up at her teasing tone, a slow grin spreading across his face. He leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “Well, my love, I have a few ideas. Some of which are decidedly improper for public discussion.”
Adeline felt heat rush to her cheeks, a shiver running down her spine at his words and the warmth of his breath on her skin.
