Page 99 of His Scarred Duchess
Adeline raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps because you were too busy ‘sampling brandy’ to notice?”
Daniel clutched at his heart dramatically. “Et tu, Duchess? Your words cut deep!” he sighed, shaking his head. “Alas, it seemsI’m doomed to be the last bachelor standing. Tell me, Edmund, is married life truly as blissful as you make it seem, or are you merely putting on a brave face for the masses?”
Edmund chuckled, pulling Adeline closer. “It’s better than I ever could have imagined, old friend. Though I doubt you’d survive a week of domestic bliss without breaking out in hives.”
“You’re probably right,” Daniel conceded with a laugh. “Still, seeing you two like this and now Lady Isabella…” he trailed off, a genuine smile replacing his usual smirk. “It does make a man wonder what he’s missing.”
Adeline, touched by the rare moment of sincerity from the usually jovial Daniel, reached out to pat his arm. “Don’t worry, Daniel. I’m sure there’s a lady out there who can match your wit and tolerate your unique charms.”
Daniel’s eyes lit up with mischief. “My dear Duchess, was that a challenge? Because I’ll have you know, I never back down from a challenge.”
“Oh Lord,” Edmund groaned good-naturedly. “Now you’ve done it, Adeline. We’ll never hear the end of this.”
“Indeed not!” Daniel declared, puffing out his chest. “Mark my words, by this time next year, I shall be a married man myself. And my wedding will be twice as grand as yours, with thrice the brandy!”
As he launched into an increasingly outrageous description of his hypothetical future nuptials, Adeline leaned into Edmund, stifling her laughter in his shoulder. Edmund pressed a kiss to her temple, his shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth.
In that moment, surrounded by laughter and love, Adeline felt a sense of wholeness she had never experienced before.
Life, it seemed, had a funny way of working out, after all.
Edmund frowned at the untouched plate across from him, the silence of the breakfast room suddenly oppressive. It wasn’t like Adeline to miss their morning meal; it had become a cherished ritual, a quiet moment of connection before the demands of the day pulled them in different directions.
“Thornley,” he called, unable to shake the growing sense of unease. “Has the Duchess sent word about joining me for breakfast?”
The butler appeared at his elbow, his face a mask of professional concern. “I’m afraid not, Your Grace. However, her lady’s maid did mention that Her Grace was feeling a bit under the weather this morning.”
Edmund’s heart skipped a beat, his mind immediately conjuring up a host of worrying scenarios. “Under the weather? Did she say in what way? Has a doctor been called?”
“I don’t believe so, Your Grace. The maid seemed to think it was merely a case of fatigue, nothing more.”
But Edmund was already on his feet, his breakfast forgotten. “Thank you, Thornley. I think I’ll go check on Her Grace myself.”
He took the stairs two at a time, his concern growing with each step. Adeline had seemed fine at the garden party just days ago, radiant even. What could have changed so quickly?
Reaching their chambers, he knocked softly. “Adeline? My love, are you all right?”
A muffled “come in” was all the invitation he needed.
Edmund entered to find Adeline still in bed, propped up against a mound of pillows. Her face was pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes, but she managed a small smile at the sight of him.
“Adeline,” Edmund breathed, crossing the room in three long strides. He perched on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in his. “What’s wrong? Shall I send for the doctor?”
Adeline squeezed his hand reassuringly. “No need for that, darling. I’m quite all right, just a bit queasy this morning.”
Edmund furrowed his brow in concern. “Queasy? Are you sure it’s not something more serious? Perhaps something you ate at the party?”
A mysterious smile played on Adeline’s lips. “I don’t think it was the food, Edmund. Though I suppose you could say I’m expecting something.”
For a moment, Edmund stared at her blankly. Then, as understanding dawned, his eyes widened in shock. “Expecting? You mean you’re…”
Adeline nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “We’re going to have a baby, Edmund.”
The world seemed to tilt on its axis as the full impact of her words hit him.
A baby. They were going to have a baby. He, Edmund Pemberton, the Duke of Holbrook, was going to be a father.
“Oh, Adeline,” he breathed, gathering her into his arms. “My love, my darling girl. Are you certain?”
