Page 75 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“Why?”
You make me less than I need to be.Adele was so free and uncaring, and he had let himself got caught up in her recklessness. He had slipped, and now, he was paying the consequence for it.
He could not say that to her. He could not tell her that. His carelessness had put her at risk just as much as it had let him shirk from his duty to his cousin.
“They are his private thoughts –— I think the least we can do is treat them with respect.” It was a part of the truth, the part he could share with her. “He trusted me.”
Warner turned away from Adele, not trusting his resolve to hold if he looked at her. If he let her brown eyes pull her to him.
“I want to read the journal alone, Adele.” Warner took another sip of his drink, leaning his head against the wall. “I need to read his journal alone. Free of interference and distractions.”
He thought of the feeling of her hand in his. Remembered the wildness of her laughter as they had run through the street like school children up to no good. If he read this journal with her, he would not see what he needed to.
He owed his cousin more thoroughness than that. He had sworn to keep Adele safe, and the best way to do that would be to solve his cousin’s murder. And he could not do that when Adele seemed to steal all rational thought from his mind.
“I have to do this alone.” Warner swallowed, his voice toneless and empty. “It is for the best.”
“I see.” Adele’s voice jerked him back to the present. “I know how much he meant to you, and I can tell that this is important to you. I will leave you be.”
He heard the sound of her footsteps retreating towards the door. He listened to it open. His resolve snapped.
Twenty-Seven
Free of interference and distraction.Warner’s words echoed in Adele’s mind as she tossed and turned in her bed. Each word had been a knife in her heart.
She had been a fool not to see it before. She had let herself get caught up in a fantasy, in the idea that he would want her the way she wanted him. All of those moments of almost kisses, of deep connection.
“He did not want me. How can he want me when clearly he does not trust me?” Adele’s voice cracked with emotion. “He may not think I killed his cousin, but he does not trust me either.”
Why else had Warner pulled away from her so quickly? There had been no warmth in his voice when she had gone to see him. All she had felt was a cold distance.
“He did not even let me touch him.” Adele shook her head.
The first rays of sunlight streamed through her bedroom window. The door opened, and for a wild moment, she thought it was Warner, but it was not.
Her maid, Greta, smiled at her, carrying a tray laden with breakfast things. “His Grace thought you might wish to take breakfast in your rooms today, Your Grace.”
“And what about His Grace?” Adele asked.
“He is eating in his study,” Greta explained.
“I see.” Adele got out of bed and let Greta dress her.
Warner was pulling away. It was clear that this revelation had hurt him deeply, but instead of letting her in, he was shutting her out. He wanted to be left alone, to grieve in peace. Adele knew it would be selfish to force the issue.
I can do this for him.He had treated her with such kindness and warmth. He had seen what she needed even before she had, and now, he was telling her what he wanted.
“Greta, would you mind fetching my suitcases?” Adele moved to her cupboard.
“Of course, Your Grace. Will His Grace need his as well? I had not realised you were planning a trip.” Greta canted her head towards Adele.
Adele shook her head. “It is only me who will be going.”
She tried to keep the pain from her voice. Her heart ached, but she forced herself to smile at the maid. Greta smiled back. “Of course, Your Grace. And do you know where you will go?”
“I have not decided yet, but I think I will be gone some time.” Adele’s voice shook, and she turned away so that Greta would not see her face.
“I will pack accordingly.” Greta answered and then left the room.
