Page 34 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
The Duke’s blue eyes flashed in her mind.You are no killer.Perhaps he could — no. Adele pushed the thought away. She had seen what happened when you relied on men.
She needed to prove her innocence, but how? Her efforts at the King’s Arms had turned up little information that was usable. She knew she looked the most guilty, but that was only if Eric was the target.What if someone else was supposed to be the victim?
Her eyes fell on an invitation that she had received days earlier, the military ball at the Duke of Scarfield’s estate.
“I think it is time I paid my father-in-law a visit.”
Twelve
“What is she playing at?” Warner muttered to himself as he watched Lady Adele disappear out of the ballroom.
It had been a few days since he had seen the widow, and the last place he had expected to see the woman was at the military ball on his estate. He decided that whatever Lady Adele was doing, it was unlikely to be good.
Warner knew that the sensible thing to do would be to have one of his guards return the woman to the ballroom or remove her from the estate, but his feet had other ideas.Besides, she might accost my uncle, and that is the last thing he needs.
His mind made up, Warner slipped from the ballroom and caught sight of Lady Adele disappearing up the stairs. He followed her, watching as she slipped into his study. Frowning, he crept in after her, closing the door behind him.
The sound startled Lady Adele and she whirled around, eyes wide as she clutched her chest and leaned against the desk for support. “What are you doing here?”
Warner arched an eyebrow at her.
“I could ask you the same question.” He folded his arms across his chest and walked towards her, perching on the end of the table beside her. “Especially as I am not the one skulking about places I should not be.”
“I am not skulking.” Lady Adele stiffened, her eyebrows creasing as she looked at him.
“You are trying to avoid notice; why else would you be wearing that?” He gestured to the gown she was wearing.
Lady Adele threw up her hands and made a frustrated noise. “There is no pleasing you, is there? What is wrong with my dress now?”
Unlike her last dress, this gown was simpler. It was understated and plain, an unremarkable shade of pale blue silk. Her hair was done up fashionably, and it drew his eyes to the slight curve of her neck.
The necklace around it was delicate gold, and he wondered who had given it to her. He felt a stab of irritation as he imagined any number of men pressing jewellery into her hand, trying to winher affections.She would not wear such a thing; no doubt she would think it a chain.
It unnerved him just how comforting he found that thought.
He shrugged. “The last time you were at a ball, you wore a dress so fine that the queen herself would be jealous. And now, you have tried to escape notice by wearing a dress that is unremarkable and plain. Which may have worked if you were not as beautiful as you are.”
“You really are incapable of complimenting someone without also insulting them.” She shook her head, but Warner thought he saw the corners of her mouth quirk upwards.
“Perhaps I am simply out of practice.” Warner made an expansive gesture, taking in the room around them.
Her voice was teasing. “Then you should remedy that.”
“Are you offering to help?” He leaned forwards.
A faint flush of red crept across Lady Adele’s cheeks, somewhat undermining the cool tone of her voice. “If I said yes, that would be the height of vanity.”
“One could argue that it is simply a way of assisting a friend.”
“That would imply that you were a friend, Your Grace.” She gave him a mischievous smile.
He stood up and moved in front of her, towering over her as she perched against the desk. “As delightful as I find your little attempt at distraction, the fact remains that you were clearly trying to escape notice. I was simply pointing out the unlikeliness of such an occurrence.”
“You mean that it is unlikely I would escapeyournotice.” She gazed up at him.
“Perhaps.” He had meant the word to sound dismissive, but it came out more earnest than intended. To his satisfaction he saw Lady Adele’s blush deepen.You are playing a dangerous game, Warner.“Now tell me, Marchioness, what are you doing in my uncle’s study?”
“I need to speak to him. I had hoped I might catch him at the ball, but I could see no sign of him.” She glanced around the room. “Where is he?”
