Page 89 of Duchess By Accident
And what if she told Natalie? What would he do then?She must not know. If she knew, surely she would have said something before now.She had loved her cousin, the cousin who Adrian had driven into the arms of another. It would stand to reason the woman might dislike him, even want to hurt him.
“She cannot know. She would have used the information before now.” Adrian rolled his shoulders back, trying to draw comfort from his words.
“Has my sister driven you that mad already?” Lord Peter asked as his horse moved beside him. “Or have you always talked to yourself?”
Adrian stiffened, but forced himself to relax. “I find speaking helps when one’s head is full. And yes, I did this well before your sister came into my life.”
Adrian gestured to the horse Lord Peter was riding, a magnificent Black stallion. “You should be careful. That one is a beautiful ride, but can be a little skittish.”
“I like a little challenge.” Lord Peter laughed.
“So does your sister.” Adrian could almost smell Natalie’s perfume in the air around him.
It calmed him, filling him with a sense of ease that was almost enough to stop him worrying about Lady Isabelle.
Lord Peter nodded. “I do not think I have ever seen her like this before.”
“What do you mean?” Adrian canted his head towards the other man, urging his mount into a trot.
“Moonstruck. When we saw you at the ball, whatever is between you was so palpable it was almost indecent.” Lord Peter’s ears reddened. “Honestly, if you had not already been married, I would have been forced to challenge you to a duel for ungentlemanly conduct.”
“Then it is lucky we are married. Your sister would never forgive either of us if we killed one another.” Adrian could picture the anger on Natalie’s face.Did everyone see it when I did not?
He did not like the idea that others had seen something so obvious. It was too close to how he had felt when he discovered the Late Duchess’s secret.
Lord Peter ran a hand through his hair, shaking it out as he did so. “No, nor would Isabelle. I suspect they would both bring us back from the dead just to kill us again.”
“How did you and Lady Isabelle meet?” Adrian asked, finding himself genuinely curious.
“Alexander had sent me to the Earl to negotiate some business matter for him while Rose was unwell. I met Isabelle as I was leaving, and from the moment I saw her… Well, I could not bear the thought of being apart from her.” Lord Peter flushed a deep shade of scarlet.
Adrian nodded. “You love her a great deal.”
“I do. It is why I owe you such a great debt.” Lord Peter gave him a serious look.
Adrian arched an eyebrow at him. “You owe me nothing.”
Lord Peter pointed to him. “You saved my sister from that dastardly Marquess, not once, but twice. And thanks to your efforts, her reputation has been healed enough that the Earl gave me permission to marry my love.”
Adrian felt a snake-like temptation swirl within him.I could ask him to end things, to break things off in repayment of the debt.He looked at Lord Peter, and saw the echoes of his wife in her twin’s face. He remembered the shell he had been when he had visited.
He waved Lord Peter’s assertions away with his hand. “There is no debt between us. If there ever was, Natalie has settled that.”
I pray that I am making the right choice.Lord Peter smiled at him. “Thank you, but should you ever have need, I am at your service. Besides, we are brothers now.”
“I suppose we are.” Adrian could not help but quirk a corner of his mouth upwards.
“I am going to start galloping now!” Melody called.
She was riding a little way in front of them as they had agreed. Adrian watched as she kicked her horse into a gallop, feeling a familiar twist of anxiety that faded as she laughed delightedly.
“She is quite the horsewoman.” Lord Peter remarked. “The race is supposed to start when she reaches that oak tree, is it not?”
“Yes.” Adrian nodded.
“Do you plan on letting her win?” Lord Peter asked.
“No. I gave her a head start for a reason, but she would never forgive me if she thought I let her win.” Adrian gave Peter a firm look. “Which means you must race as well.”
