Page 7 of Duchess By Accident
The warmth of her hand spread through him, cutting through the rage and fear filling his body. He shook his head, breathing deeply, the smell of her perfume filling his head.I must be calm. Control. I must stay in control.
“That is the second favour you have asked. Be careful, little sparrow, you are racking up quite the bill.” His eyes met hers, his voice cool and even.
“It is one I will happily pay to keep a child safe from harm.” Lady Natalie glanced down and hastily removed her hand from his. “I have already made a deal with the devil. What harm is another?”
“What harm indeed?” He murmured. “You shall wait here while I make the necessary arrangements.”
He strode past Lady Natalie. As he opened the door and prepared to step into the corridor, he turned to face her.
“As enjoyable as this visit has been, let us not make a habit of it.” He jerked his head towards the window. “I will be in touch when I have the information you want.”
He closed the door behind him and beckoned to a servant, explaining what he wished and asking that he bring him his valet, Mr. Kember.
A moment later, the man appeared.
“Kember, I want to know everything there is to know about Lord Bolton.” Adrian said without preamble. “And while you are at it, dig up everything you can find on Lady Natalie Rokesby.”
Knowledge was power, after all.
Chapter Three
“Ishould never have trusted him.” Natalie glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner.
It had been three weeks since she had spoken to Duke Blackwood. And she had heard nothing from him. At each reading of the Banns, Natalie had felt her hope dwindle and fade.
“Never have trusted who?” Rose asked.
“It does not matter.” Natalie sighed and glanced down at the wedding dress she was wearing. “It is too late to do anything about it now.” I should have known better than to trust any man. My brothers are the only decent ones.
The church loomed before her, seeming more like a prison than anything else. She supposed in a certain way it was as good as one.
“I had not thought they would fix the spoke of the carriage quite so quickly.” Natalie gestured to the carriage behind them. “Perhaps I should have damaged more wheels.”
“I do not know how you would have fit it in to your schedule, what with letting the dogs out of the kennels, releasing the horses from the stables and ‘losing’ your slippers.” Rose gave her a pointed look.
“And do not forget insisting that at least three different bouquets be fetched because the first few had faults.” Olivia, Natalie’s older sister added, a note of admiration in her voice. “I assume it was you who put the boys up to vomiting on the Marquess’s shoes?”
“They were perfectly happy to assist me.” Natalie smiled, but it felt forced.It bought me a few hours at least.
“I do not think a third fainting spell will be believed.” Rose muttered as she looked at Natalie, worry in her eyes. “Twice was already a stretch.”
“I know.” Natalie swallowed, feeling tears prick at the corner of her eyes. “I do not want to cry. I do not want to let him win.”
“He has not won. Not yet.” Olivia handed her a handkerchief. “There is still time.”
“I feel like there is a noose around my neck and with every moment it grows tighter.” Natalie rubbed her neck and the necklace she was wearing.
It was not the gaudy thing the Marquess had tried to force her to wear, but a peridot pendant that her niece Daphne had given her that was supposed to be good luck. She rubbed the stone.
Behind the door of the church, they could hear the muffled sound of a commotion. Natalie glanced down the road yet again. There was still no sign of anyone coming to rescue her.
Olivia squeezed her hand. “Goodness Natalie, I wish we could do more. The man is utterly loathsome.”
“I hate him. I hate this whole situation. I wish I had never been so trusting.” Natalie shook her head. “And now it is too late.”
“You could always poison him.” Olivia suggested, and Natalie was not entirely sure if she was joking. “Nigel happens to know rather a lot on the subject.”
“Natalie is not a murderer. Unlike Nigel’s beastly cousin.” Rose gently reprimanded Olivia.
