Page 79 of Duchess By Accident
“No! That is not possible! I have never seen the thing in my life!” Lord Bolton’s eyes bulged. “He must have planted it.”
“I think we have heard quite enough of your lies, Lord Bolton.” Lady Winchester gestured to the guards. “Get him out of my sight. Take him to the magistrates and tell them what has happened.”
Lord Bolton let out an anguished cry. It took the guards by surprise, and in their moment of distraction Lord Bolton lungedtowards Natalie. She took a step back, desperate to escape him, stumbled and fell.
“You little who-” His words were cut off as Adrian sprung between him and Natalie, shoving his shoulder hard into the other man other man’s throat.
Lord Bolton collapsed to the ground, gasping and retching as he clutched his neck. Natalie could see every muscle of Adrian’s body, see the tension in his every step.
“If you so much as look at my wife again, I will have you hanged.” His voice was ice, his words cracking across the shocked ton like a whip. “No one harms my Duchess.”
The guards collected the wheezing mess from the ground and escorted him swiftly from the room. The angry eyes of the ton followed their descent, and more than a few people looked from Adrian to Natalie with fear.
He turned to her, his eyes soft as he held out a hand. “Did he hurt you?”
She took it and let him help her to her feet. She felt shaky and unsteady as she shook her head. He pulled her to him, and she heard the thunder of his heart in his chest as she rested her head against him.
“It is done.” He muttered, his breath tickling her ear. “It is over.”
He guided her from the ballroom, and she leaned against him, not trusting her legs to hold her weight. The sound of the guest’s angry chatter was silenced as the entrance hall doors swung shut.
“Fetch my carriage, I must take my wife home.” Adrian gestured at someone Natalie could not see.
The sound of footsteps caught her attention, and Adrian tensed, whirling around and putting himself between her and whoever was approaching.
It was Duke Caverton and his cousin, Lady Cecily. Each was grinning broadly.The Marquess was right- it was a conspiracy.And Adrian had not trusted her.
Something in her heart broke. He had done this all, orchestrated this entire thing, and he had not even thought to tell her his plan.He will never let me in.
She felt a lump in her throat.
“Is the Duchess well? I never thought the man would be mad enough to try and harm a woman.” Duke Caverton shook his head. “Was it true what you said about the venture?”
“Every word. The details will be in all the gossip rags by tomorrow.” Adrian looked at Natalie, his eyes full of concern. “If you will forgive me, Caverton, my wife has suffered quite a shock.”
“Yes, of course.” Duke Caverton nodded. “I hope we meet again, Duchess, in less dramatic circumstances. Your husband… He is truly an extraordinary man.”
“He is.” Natalie agreed, her voice trembling.
Adrian pulled her closer to him, every muscle in him tense. The Duke and his cousin left, and a moment later Adrian was guiding her into the waiting carriage.
“You are safe now, Natalie. That man will never hurt you again.” Adrian’s voice was soothing, full of tenderness.
It tore at her heart like a dagger. All she wanted was to believe that he would keep her safe, that he would protect her and in that moment, she almost could. But how could she trust him, if he would not trust her?
“I should not have let my guard down. He should never have been allowed to get that close to you. I am sorry.” Adrian clenched his fist. “He did not harm you?”
Natalie nodded, turning away from him so he could not see the tears running down her face. She did not think she could stand another moment of his kindness.
The weight of her reputation was gone, but in its place was a cold truth. Adrian did not trust her. He would never trust her, never let her in, and without that she could not trust him.
An iron cage formed around her heart. He had honoured his agreement to her. It was time to do the same. She would not break her promise.
This feeling dies tonight.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“It seems neither of us could sleep.” Natalie stood in the doorway of his study, her arms wrapped around herself.
