Page 66 of Claiming his Cursed Duchess
Henry’s expression grew serious, his lips pressing together into a thin line. “He can be gruff, yes. But beneath that gruff exterior…there’s a good man. A loyal man.”
The word ‘loyal’ struck her in a way she hadn’t anticipated. It echoed in her mind, reverberating through the hollow of her chest. That was something she could respect, something she could understand. She had yet to discover if Adam embodied it, but the word itself had a depth, a steadiness that was undeniably comforting.
Still…
She let her thoughts drift back to Henry as he continued, his voice growing soft with emotion.
“You know, there was a fire…a terrible fire…”
A sudden coldness swept through Rosaline’s chest, the image of a man—young, terrified, and burning—striking her with an unexpected force. She could only nod, encouraging him to continue.
“Adam…” Henry’s voice cracked slightly with the emotion of the memory. “He risked his life to save me. He fought his way through the flames, pulled me to safety. He even tried to save David…”
Rosaline, her throat tight with sudden emotion, barely whispered, “David?”
“Our brother. The middle one,” Henry explained, his eyes clouding with grief. “He…he didn’t make it.”
A heavy silence hung between them, and Rosaline could feel her heart aching for the pain Henry still carried, for the loss that had shaped him.
“I…I am so sorry, Henry.” She placed her hand gently on his arm, offering him what little comfort she could.
“It was a long time ago,” Henry said, his voice thick with the past. “But Adam…he never forgave himself. He carries the guilt of that day with him still.”
Rosaline, touched by his vulnerability, gazed at him with a deep sense of empathy. She could see the sadness etched into his eyes, and she understood, perhaps better than anyone, what it was like to live with scars—visible and invisible.
“He shouldn’t blame himself. He saved you.”
Henry looked at her, his eyes searching her face as if looking for some sign of understanding.
“You…you understand.”
“I understand the weight of loss,” Rosaline said softly, her gaze drifting to the scar on her cheek. “The scars we carry, both visible and invisible.”
Henry seemed to ponder her words for a long while, and when he spoke again, his tone was lighter, though still tinged with earnestness.
“Adam may seem…intimidating at times,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips, “But beneath that, he’s a protector. He’ll always look out for you, Rosaline. You’ll be safe with him.”
Rosaline, touched by his words, felt a strange warmth spread through her.Safe?The thought was both comforting and unsettling.
As the music swelled, they continued to dance, their earlier conversation dissolving into the rhythm of the waltz. But as her eyes lingered on Henry’s easy charm and gentle kindness, a part of her mind wandered back to her husband.
She caught his gaze across the room, her breath catching in her throat.
Adam was standing near the edge of the crowd, a towering figure of composure. The way he moved through the room was as effortless as a lion among sheep, surveying his domain with the sharpness of a king.
His eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of something dark and intense passing between them.
Her heart gave an involuntary flutter as a strange, electric tension snaked through her body.
What is this man doing to me?
Chapter Twenty-One
“You think you can ignore me, Duke?” Claridge hissed, his tone full of venom. “You underestimate me.” He leaned in after Mr. Finch had walked away.
Adam had been forced to introduce the scum to his business associate. Poor Mr. Finch had had to endure Claridge’s ramblings, and was even polite enough to actually participate in the conversation. He had even claimed to consider Claridge’s business proposal.
Adam did not care. No man could intimidate him like that. Adam had been forced to wed Rosaline—which had turned out to be less unpleasant than he’d expected—but now, Claridge was making new demands.
