Page 56 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“Then why not tell me?” She bit her bottom lip. “Please? It will distract me from the pain.”
Warner swallowed. He knew he should not, but he found that the last bits of his resistance had crumbled when he had seen the burn on her hand.
“I inherited young. I was only sixteen, and all of a sudden, I was handed a duchy. My mother… She was heartbroken at the loss of my father. She was utterly inconsolable for months, and I did not want to add to her pain.” He shrugged. “But I was angry. No, furious. I was furious that he had died, that the world had taken him from us, and that I was now the man of the house.”
“What did you do?” Adele’s voice held no judgement.
Warner moved away, looking for a bandage in the drawers — the cook always kept a supply of such things on hand in case someone was injured in the kitchen. “I drank so much that the days blurred into one. I gambled. I… well, I did many things I am not particularly proud of.”
“You were a child. Few would handle such a weight well, especially so young and without support.” Her eyes were full of an indignant anger that warred with the gentleness of hervoice. “You would hardly be the first man to struggle under such pressure.”
“I am a duke, Adele. That means something. In my fury, I nearly lost everything.” He shook his head. “I ruined my reputation, and my actions damaged the estate, almost beyond repair. My mother was too caught up in her own grief to see what was happening, but I knew in my heart that what I was doing was wrong. But I could not stop. I wanted to burn and for the world to burn with me. I did not care if I lived or died or what would happen to the estate.”
“What changed?” Adele asked.
“Rothwell.” A lump formed in his throat, and he pushed the memory of his cousin’s dying breaths from his mind. “He found me late one night and brought me home. I thought he would be angry, that he would shout at me and tell me what a disgrace I was.”
“I cannot imagine him doing that.” Adele winced as Warner began to wrap the bandage around her burned hand, trying his best to be gentle.
“He did not. He simply told me that he was disappointed. That he knew I was better than this.” Warner gave her a wan smile. “He apologised — said that he should have intervened sooner. He helped me get everything back. He saved me. And since that day… Well, I have tried to stay on the path he put me on.”
“It sounds like he cared for you a great deal.” Her fingers brushed against his knuckles. “It is good that you had someone who could look out for you like that.”
“It is why I value rules. They ground me. They remind me of the path he wanted for me. The path that I must uphold.” He met her gaze.
“But what about the path you want?”
“Duty, Adele — that has to come first.”
“Is it not possible to have both?”
“Your Grace? Is everything all right?” Mrs. Streatley’s voice tore through the moment, and Warner turned to see her standing by the door. “Do you need me to send for a physician?”
Adele stiffened beside him, and he moved in front of her, blocking his wife from view. He saw Mrs. Streatley and Mrs. Green waiting by the door of the kitchen.
“That will not be necessary, Mrs. Streatley,” Warner replied. “I have seen to the Duchess’s injury.”
“I see.” Mrs. Streatley looked from Warner to the cook and back to Warner, a tentative expression on her face. “You will forgive my impertinence Your Grace, but might I suggest that the Duchess would be best looked after in the drawing room? Mrs. Green is anxious to get dinner underway.”
“Your concern is noted, Mrs. Streatley. Having spoken to the Duchess, she has made me aware of how kindly the staff have treated her since her arrival and how much she wished to show all of you her thanks. As such, we have decided that the cooking staff are to be given the rest of the day off.”
“But dinner —” Mrs. Green began, but Warner cut her off. “— is no longer your concern.”
Mrs. Green looked as though she was about to argue but managed to stop herself under Warner’s cool gaze. Mrs. Streatley gently took Mrs. Green by the arm and pulled her into a curtsey.
“That is very kind your Graces.” Mrs. Streatley spoke before Mrs. Green could say anything. “I shall see that the other kitchen staff are told of this.”
To her credit, Mrs. Streatley hid her surprise well; it was only betrayed by the slightest shift of her eyebrows. She inclined her head once more. She tugged Mrs. Green from the room before the other woman could say another word.
Warner turned to find Adele looking at him with a puzzled expression on her face. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you may have upset Mrs. Green, but your heart was in the right place. This way, your generosity will be what they remember.” He shrugged.
“Thank you.” Adele squeezed her hand in his, giving him a shy smile.
“It is my pleasure.” Warner could not help but return her smile.
He watched as Adele flexed her fingers experimentally and then nodded to herself. “I should be able to make the pie filling though you may need to knead the dough.”
