Page 25 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“How those men look at me is none of your concern.” Her tone was icy cold. “I am not your wife.”
“It is my concern — you are too innocent to know what they are like. You are far too trusting.”
“I think I can handle a few stares. I do not need your protection.” “Nor do I want it.”
“That was not what you said the other night.”
“That was different. Or do you think my looking nice at my sister’s birthday party is as dangerous as the King’s Arms?”
Yes. Especially when it makes me want to tear the eyes out of every man ogling you.He clamped the words down, refusing to let them out as he twirled her around the dance floor. “You look more than nice by a rather significant margin.”
She was easily the most stunning woman in the room — how could she not see that? He hated what it did to him. How could a dress make him so easily lose control.It is because it is unexpected. You did not think someone in mourning wear would choose something like this. That is all.
He wished he felt more convinced of his own words.
“That might sound like a compliment. Yet you make it sound like I have committed a crime.” Her tone was acerbic.
“If I did not know better, I would say you are jealous.”
“Then it is a good thing you are wiser than that.” Warner swallowed.
“You know, I have spent days trying to figure out which is the real version of you. That laughing, funny man in the pub, or the cold and bullish duke I first met, and now, it would seem I have my answer.” She shook her head. “Was it all just an act?”
No.“I have no wish to be the man I was in my youth. That man is as good as dead, and I will not bring him back. Not for some silly girl, no matter how pretty she is.” His temper flared as panic gripped him. “I will not be that man again.”
“Why are you so afraid?” She prodded him in the chest.
“Because one of us has to be. You are so damned determined to be independent, to push anyone and everyone away, that youcannot even see the danger you are flinging yourself into.” He towered over her, blood roaring in his ears.
“You are a hypocrite.”
“Stubborn —” he began, but she cut him off.
“Inconsiderate.”
“Impudent.”
“Might I have a word with my sister, Your Grace?” a voice said from behind him, and Warner gave a start.
He and Lady Adelaide broke apart, and he remembered where they were. Standing in the middle of a crowded ballroom, having an argument. Shame filled him. It had been a long time since he had lost control like this.
He turned to find himself staring into a face that was eerily similar to Lady Adelaide’s but nearly twenty years older.
“Of course.” He took another step away. “I will take my leave of you.”
He turned and left, refusing to spend another moment with the woman who loathed him more than anything else in the world. “I will leave her alone. She is entirely too dangerous to do otherwise.”
Nine
Adele was still shaking from her argument with the Duke, her eyes following him as he swept from the room and out of the ballroom.
Her cheeks were flushed red, and she was panting slightly as she turned to face her sister, Bianca, who was standing before her with an exquisitely polite expression on her face. Adele could feel the eyes of the other guests upon her and mentally kicked herself for her behaviour.
I have given the Duke exactly what he wanted. Proof that I am incapable of not causing a scene.
“Shall we adjourn to the veranda?” Bianca asked, and Adele nodded, letting her sister lead her out of the crowded ballroom.
The cool night stung Adele’s face, soothing the redness of her cheeks somewhat. She took a deep breath and looked up into the night sky.
