Page 84 of Duchess By Accident
“Well… The servants had a little pool going. On when you two would realise how you felt about each other. One of the servants overheard Duchess Emberly wagering with Duke Emberly and well, it got the rest of us started as well.” Julia was making the bed, pulling up the covers and fluffing the pillows with a little too much focus.
“Rose started this!” Natalie let out an indignant yelp. “The Pembletons and their habit of wagering on someone else’s lovelife never ceases to amaze me. And she managed to inspire the servants to get involved as well.”
“Only because you two were either going to fall in love with each other or murder one another. And for a time, it was almost impossible to say.” Julia clasped her hands in front of her.
“Well, I am glad we did not murder one another. Though there is still time for that. As much as he has my heart, he is still the most utterly infuriating man on the planet. Even if he is also the most thoughtful and wonderful man as well.” Natalie smiled as she thought of Adrian, the smell of his cologne seeming to fill her mind.
“Yes, though I was the one who won the bet in the end. And I used the winnings to buy myself a new dress for church on Sundays.” Lips curved in a smug little smile, Julia curtseyed and left the room.
She hastily ate her porridge, wiped her mouth, but as she walked past the bed to get to the door, she noticed a small folded note on Adrian’s pillow. She picked it up, and read:
My dearest Little Thief,
You looked far too sweet to wake, and altogether too irresistible when you are conscious.
Natalie’s cheeks flushed as she read, and she was grateful that Julia had already left. “I will show him just how distracting I can be.”
No doubt, you are already vowing to teach me a lesson in distraction – I know you so well. On the subject of distraction, Melody is still fixated on this idea of a puppy and to pull her mind from this fascination, I have suggested that we play in the garden.
When you have woken and dressed, you will find us there.
Yours always,
Your fox.
P.S. Melody has asked when she can meet the rest of her cousins. Shall we journey to Emberly or would you rather play the hostess?
Natalie folded the note and tucked it into a pocket, a warmth spreading through her.It is going to be a glorious day.
Natalie found Melody and Adrian down by the willow tree. Each was holding a stick and batting at the other in a dazzling show of sword play. She stopped and watched them a moment, revelling in how soft he was with her.
Adrian looked up, his eyes meeting hers, and a broad smile spread across his face, even as his eyes seemed to dance with flames. She felt as though she had swallowed several live eels.
Melody took advantage of her father’s distracted and stabbed him with her sword. Natalie clapped as Adrian clutched at his sides, groaning in a prolonged death.
“You came!” Melody flung her arms around Natalie. “Did you see me fence with Father? I am getting rather good!”
“You are indeed.” Natalie returned the embrace. “Do you think we should stab him again, just for good measure?”
“I heard that!” Adrian opened an eye and sat up. “You know, it is really rather poor form to stab a man when he is already down. It is altogether ungentlemanly behaviour.”
“I never professed to be a gentleman, dearest. And I should think you would like me far less if I was.” Natalie teased. “Besides, it is important to ensure your opponent is really dead. That is the lesson all great novels teach you. If you turn your back without checking, they will no doubt come back and you shall have to fight all over again.”
“Then it is a good thing we do not live in a novel. Are you going to help me up?” Adrian’s eyes were full of mischief.
“A big strong man like you surely does not need the help of a waifish thing like me.” Natalie turned to Melody. “What do you think, should we rescue your father?”
“I do not know if we are strong enough to lift him.”
“Well, it seems we shall have to leave him here while we go on our own adventure.”
“An adventure?”
“I thought that it would be a wonderful day to go for a ride – perhaps to the ruins.”
“I think it would be even more fun to race to the ruins on horseback.” Adrian stood up and walked over to them, gently kissing Natalie on the cheek as he did. “Unless of course, you are both afraid of losing?”
“To you?” Natalie laughed. “Not a chance. I suspect Melody will be my only competition.”
