Page 82 of His Scarred Duchess
The butler straightened, his professional mask sliding back into place. “Of course, Your Grace. Right away.”
As Thornley departed to carry out her instructions, Adeline took a shaky breath. She glanced around the grand entrance hall, wondering if this would be the last time she saw it. The thought sent a pang through her chest, sharper than she had expected.
Within minutes, the carriage was ready.
Adeline climbed in, steadfastly ignoring the curious glances of the footmen as they loaded her luggage. As the carriage pulled away from Holbrook Manor, she resisted the urge to look back.
The journey to London passed in a blur. Adeline stared out the window, unseeing, her mind replaying her argument with Edmund over and over.
By the time the carriage pulled up in front of her father’s townhouse, her eyes were dry and her resolve hardened.
“Adeline?” Isabella’s surprised voice greeted her as she entered the drawing room. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?”
One look at her sister’s concerned face and Adeline’s carefully constructed composure crumbled. A sob escaped her lips, and suddenly she was enveloped in Isabella’s arms.
“Oh, Adeline,” Isabella murmured, stroking her hair. “What happened?”
“It’s… it’s Edmund,” Adeline managed between sobs. “He… I thought… but he doesn’t…”
Isabella guided her to the settee, sitting down beside her. “Shh, it’s all right. Take a deep breath and tell me everything.”
Slowly, haltingly, Adeline recounted what happened at the ball and the subsequent argument with Edmund. Isabella listened intently, her brow furrowing with concern.
“That absolute cad,” Isabella muttered when Adeline finished. “How dare he treat you like that?”
Adeline shook her head, wiping at her tears. “It’s not entirely his fault. I… I pushed him too hard. I should have known better than to expect…”
“To expect what?” Isabella demanded. “Love? Respect? Basic human decency? Adeline, you deserve all of those things and more.”
“Do I?” Adeline whispered, her hand unconsciously rising to touch her scarred cheek. “Perhaps I was fooling myself, thinking someone like Edmund could ever truly want me.”
Isabella grasped her sister’s hands, her eyes blazing. “Now you listen to me, Adeline Follett. You are beautiful, inside and out. Those scars are a part of you, yes, but they don’t define you. And if Edmund can’t see past them to the amazing woman you are, then he doesn’t deserve you.”
Fresh tears welled up in Adeline’s eyes, but this time, a small smile accompanied them. “When did my little sister become so wise?”
Isabella grinned, squeezing her hands. “I learned from the best. Now, tell me, what do you plan to do?”
Adeline’s smile faded. “I… I don’t know. I can’t go back, not after… But I don’t know where else to go.”
“You’ll stay here, of course,” Isabella said firmly. “Father’s away on ‘business’—” she rolled her eyes, making air quotes, “—and won’t be back for days. We’ll figure something out before then.”
“But what about your debut? Your suitors?” Adeline protested weakly. “I can’t risk ruining your chances.”
Isabella waved a dismissive hand. “Hang my debut. You’re more important. Besides,” she added with a mischievous glint in hereyes, “I rather think Lord Pembrook likes me for more than just my unblemished reputation.”
Despite everything, Adeline found herself chuckling. “Isabella! You scandalous thing.”
“There’s that smile,” Isabella said softly. “It’s going to be all right, Adeline. We’ll face this together, just like we always have.”
As the sisters embraced once more, Adeline felt a glimmer of hope in her chest. She might be lost and heartbroken, but she wasn’t alone.
Edmund glared at the untouched breakfast tray on his desk. “Thornley,” he barked, “have Midnight saddled. I’m going for a ride.”
The butler, who had been hovering near the door, bowed stiffly. “Right away, Your Grace.”
As Thornley retreated, Edmund caught a glimpse of the man’s worried frown. He scowled, turning to stare out the window.
Three days.
