Page 101 of A Duke for Adela
Adela did, but he was not certain.
What if she did run off again?
Was Octavian going to toss aside his promising career to go after her?
CHAPTER 18
ADELA’S CAVES WEREnear her childhood home in Dartmouth, not very far from the charming Blue Rose Inn where they were staying for the month, perhaps two if their dig proved successful. The inn was a perfect retreat, having a lovely view to the sea, an excellent dining room, and an accommodating staff.
Ambrose had made sure to purchase ropes, pegs, lanterns, shovels, and pickaxes while in London, and had them loaded onto the carriage along with their trunks for the journey. There was a well-stocked mercantile not far from the inn where they could purchase anything they were missing, including ladders and working man’s gloves, something they would need if it turned out they had a lot of digging to do. Adela’s hands were soft and would blister easily. His hands were rougher, but not even he would escape blistered palms if they had to spend hours digging deep down.
“Ambrose, this is marvelous! When did you have time to take care of all this?” Adela asked, her smile radiant as he showed her their supplies.
“I am thorough about everything.”
“I see that you are.”
“So, when were you going to tell me?”
She shook her head in confusion. “Tell you what?”
“That you own the land where your precious caves are located.”
She laughed. “I told you my family was not poor, nor are we fabulously wealthy either. My grandmother left me an inheritance and I used it to purchase this property.”
“A wise move, indeed. I think the treasure in these caves could turn out to be something quite valuable. Not necessarily in financial terms, but for the sake of your discoveries.” In truth, her excitement for this project was infectious and Ambrose found himself eager to start on their hunt for bones.
He also liked the informality, feeling at ease in the simple work clothes he had brought along. Those consisted of dark trousers, coarse linen shirts, a durable leather vest, and old boots that were quite worn in.
The day was beautiful, the wind soft and fragrant as it carried the honeyed scent of wild flowers along with the salt of the sea off Lyme Bay. Adela’s hair was neatly pinned back and she was also dressed for a day in the caves. She had donned her walking boots and wore a dark-colored gown of sturdy material that made her look like a prim governess…one he would very much like to seduce.
He cupped her cheek and drew her close for a lingering kiss.
She enjoyed it, he could tell by the sparkle in her eyes. But she poked him with her elbow and cast him an impish grin a moment later. “Don’t you dare delay us. We have important work to do. Besides, my friends will be meeting us at the caves to help out.”
“Cruel woman, denying me my pleasure.”
She laughed. “I’ll make up for it tonight.”
He chuckled. “Assuming you don’t fall asleep the moment your head hits the pillow. A cool breeze and a full day of physical labor will do that to you.”
She reached up on tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll put the spark back in me if I start to nod off.”
He picked her up and twirled her playfully in his arms. “It is all your fault, you know. You shouldn’t look so tempting.”
“Nor should you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “The ladies in my explorer’s club are going to swoon over you and your gorgeous muscles.”
“How many of them have agreed to join us?”
“All the members, but we’re a very small club. Only two men and three women, not including me. I sent word as soon as we arrived yesterday. They are delighted you are sponsoring our expedition.”
He arched an eyebrow and laughed. “I am a sponsor now, am I?”
She nodded as he set her down. “We have agreed to name one of the fossil finds after you in honor of your generosity.”
He gave a mock shudder. “Oh, no. I will not have a strange animal named after me. You are the one who wants the footnote in the annals of history.”
“Very well, but it is your loss. I would love to have a primitive creature named after me.” She took his hand in hers and led him to the inn’s stable. “Come on. We mustn’t be late.”
