Page 3 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“Regent’s punch?” Duke Scarfield arched an eyebrow at his cousin.
Eric shrugged and made a face. “You know that I loathe the taste of champagne.”
“And your new wife shares your distaste?” Was that a hint of amusement in the Duke’s voice? “How very… amenable of you.”
There was something in the twist he put on the word that set Adele’s teeth on edge. She frowned, trying to think of something to say but a voice a familiar voice behind them said, “Pardon the interruption, but we wanted to offer our congratulations to you before the toasting began.”
Adele turned and found herself looking at her mother and father.
Adele smiled at them, relieved to have an excuse to look away from the Duke. “I see you have found Father.”
“You need not sound so surprised, Adelaide.” Lady Pinket, placed her arms gently on Adele’s shoulders, holding her at a little distance as she kissed each of her daughter’s cheeks. “Besides, we would not miss the opportunity to wish you well on your special day.”
Adele swallowed at the stab of pain in her chest, remembering the way her mother had embraced each of her sisters at their weddings.She looked as though she wanted to crush them to her.For me… well, it seems I am second choice.She pushed the thought away.
“I was not surprised, just excited.” Adele resisted the urge to shift from foot to foot and forced herself to meet her mother’s gaze.
“Tone is so easily misread in this sort of situation.” Her father, Lord Simon Carver, Earl of Pinket, nodded beside his wife, brushing a stray lock of white hair from his face. Adele had inherited her wild, russet hair from her father but did not have the luxury of keeping it cut short to tame it.
Eric turned from his conversation with the Duke and smiled at both of her parents. “Earl Pinket, Countess Pinket! A pleasure to see you as always.”
“And you, Marquess.” Adele noticed that her mother’s lips thinned as she glanced at the Duke then back to Eric. “Congratulations on such a happy day for you both.”
“Thank you.” Eric smiled. “I expect it will be quite the adjustment for you, now that your last child has left home.”
“A little, though we have had some time to get used to the idea. After all, that is what daughters do — they marry and leave the family home.” Her mother shrugged, her voice pleasant. There was no trace of sadness in her words.
Adele could not help but remember how at her sister Bianca’s, wedding, her mother’s eyes had been red from crying, her makeup nearly ruined by tears. She curled her fingers into the blue muslin of her wedding dress.It does not matter if they will not miss me; I am about to start my new life.
“I suppose there is some truth to that.” Eric nodded, holding his glass out as a servant refilled the drinks of their small group. “Sons stay closer, but daughters leave.”
“Though that does not mean sons remain in their father’s houses, does it Eric?” a deep voice interjected. “Sons get their taste of freedom, and fathers must suffer the cost of it.”
Vernon Rothwell, Duke of Erindale, squeezed his son’s arm affectionately, the warmth of his tone clearly showing the humour in his words. Adele dropped into a curtsey, the liquid in her freshly filled cup swirling wildly as she did. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother’s lips thin and knew she had seen Adele’s mistake.
Eric laughed, and Adele’s heart twisted at the easy camaraderie between father and son.What would that be like?
“You have only yourself to blame,” Eric teased. “You were the one who wished for me to make something of myself; it is why I bought Kidlington house with my own money and set up my own business ventures.”
“And I am proud of your achievements, but that does not mean I do not miss my son.” He shook his head. “But this is a happy day, and we should dwell on that. I am sure you and your dear wife are eager to begin your new life together.”
The Duke smiled at his son and then beckoned to a servant who was walking towards them. “And in that spirit, I thought I would give you a little gift. These are the glasses that your mother and I used to toast our wedding. I thought you might use them today so that your union is blessed with the same love and happiness we experienced.”
“Father, I —” Lord Rothwell’s voice cracked as he embraced his father.
Adele’s eyes drifted from her husband to his cousin, and she found herself staring at the unexpected softness on the Duke of Scarfield’s face.
“Welcome to the family, Lady Adelaide.” Duke Erindale’s voice turned her attention to him as he placed the glass in her hand.
“Thank you.” Adele smiled at him.
Beside her, Eric raised his glass. She swallowed, her heart speeding up as every eye turned towards them. She ran the gloved fingers of her right hand across her left arm, drawing in a steadying breath.
“On behalf of both myself and my wife, I would like to thank all of you for being here today to celebrate the joining of our two families to one another.” Eric’s voice rang out, and he nodded towards his father and Adele’s parents. “Our thoughts are of course with those loved ones who could not be here today.”
Adele knew he was thinking of his brother Tobias, and her thoughts turned to her sisters, Bianca and Anne who had left after the ceremony. She swallowed and focused on Eric, who had turned to face her.
“To my wife: I may not know what the future holds for us, but I cannot wait for us to find out together. I will do everything in my power to bring you every happiness and joy you deserve.” His brown eyes found hers, and she could hear his hidden meaning. “You and I are about to start what will be a long and happy adventure.”
