Page 86 of His Scarred Duchess
“But what about Father? And Edmund?” Adeline asked, twisting her handkerchief.
“They can stew in their guilt for a while,” her grandmother said firmly. “It’ll do them both good to realize what they’re missing without you.”
Adeline felt a spark of hope ignite in her chest. “Do you really think so?”
“I know so,” Lady Gillingham replied, patting her hand. “You’re stronger than you know, my dear. And it’s high time both those men realized it.”
As the afternoon wore on, Adeline felt the weight on her chest lifting. Her grandmother’s unwavering support and sharp wit were a balm to her bruised heart.
“You know,” Lady Gillingham mused as they sat down to dinner, “I always thought Edmund needed a good kick in the pants. I just never imagined my granddaughter would be the one to deliver it.”
Adeline nearly choked on her soup. “Grandmama! I didn’t kick him!”
“No, but you stood up to him. And to your father,” her grandmother pointed out. “That takes courage, my dear. More courage than either of them has shown lately.”
Adeline felt a warmth bloom in her chest—a feeling she realized was pride. “I suppose you’re right,” she said softly.
“Of course, I am,” Lady Gillingham winked at her. “Now, let’s discuss how we’re going to make those two beg for your forgiveness. I’m thinking public humiliation might be in order.”
As Adeline laughed at her grandmother’s increasingly outrageous suggestions, she felt truly unburdened for the firsttime in days. Whatever happened next, she knew she had at least one person firmly in her corner.
The tavern was dimly lit, the smell of ale and smoke heavy in the air. Edmund sat across from Daniel, barely touching the tankard in front of him, his eyes fixed on some distant point beyond the rowdy patrons.
Daniel, ever the lively companion, had been regaling him with stories in a failed attempt to lift his spirits.
“You know, Edmund, I’ve seen you gloomy before, but this—this is downright miserable,” Daniel said, leaning back in his chair and taking a long swig from his drink. “If you don’t snap out of it, people will start thinking I’ve lost my charm.”
Edmund didn’t respond, only shook his head as he stared into the tankard. “It’s not something you can joke away, Daniel,” he muttered.
“I’m not trying to joke it away,” Daniel countered, his tone more serious now. “But drowning yourself in ale and silence isn’t going to fix anything. If you miss her, do something about it. Sitting here wallowing isn’t getting her back.”
“I’ve already made a mess of things,” Edmund replied, his voice strained. “What could I possibly say that would make it right?”
Daniel sighed, leaning forward. “You’re the Duke of Holbrook, for heaven’s sake. If you can’t win back your own wife, what hope is there for the rest of us mere mortals?”
Edmund shot him a look, but it lacked its usual fire. “I appreciate your attempt at humor, but this isn’t some game, Daniel.”
Daniel shrugged, finishing his drink. “Suit yourself, but don’t come crying to me when she finds someone else who knows how to apologize.”
With that, Edmund stood abruptly, throwing a few coins onto the table. “I’m going home.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow. “That’s more like it. Maybe the spirits there will loosen that stubborn tongue of yours.”
Without another word, Edmund strode out of the tavern and into the cool night air.
He made his way back to Holbrook Manor, his mind turning over Daniel’s words.
The next morning, Edmund found himself in his study again, the remnants of a sleepless night weighing heavily on him. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, but it did little to warm the cold knot in his chest.
He stared at the half-empty glass of brandy in his hand, the same one he’d poured the night before when he’d returned from the tavern.
Daniel’s words echoed in his mind, urging him to do something—anything—but here he was, still wallowing in his misery. He lifted the glass to his lips and took a slow sip, letting the burn of the brandy distract him for a moment.
It didn’t help.
Before he could sink further into his thoughts, Lady Alderton swept in, her eyes blazing with fury.
“Edmund! What have you done?”
