Page 9 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“What on Earth is going on?” Adele decided to intervene, relieved that her voice sounded far more stately than she expected.
“Lady Kidlington —– I tried to tell them you were not receiving visitors, but they were rather insistent.” Mr. Jenkins adjusted his somewhat ruffled livery.
Adele nodded. “I can see that, Mr. Jenkins, and while I appreciate your efforts, I suspect it may be easiest to allow my guests through to the drawing room.”
“As you wish.” Mr. Jenkins allowed the women to pass him.
Adele stood aside as the three ladies traipsed into the drawing room. They were an odd assortment of women, and Adele did her best to keep her expression neutral, trying to remember what polite smiles should look like.
“You will have to forgive our persistence, Lady Kidlington, but we felt it of utmost importance to meet you. Especially in light of the circumstances,” the middle of the three women spoke.
She was taller than both of her companions with long, dark hair styled into a practical bun. Her clothes were nice though Adele could see some signs of wear, and a few places where the repairs had been done by a skilled but not masterful hand.
The coolness of her tone put Adele’s back up. “If you are here to gawk at me, I will ask my guards to escort you from the room immediately.”
To her surprise, the youngest of the women clapped her hands together and let out a delighted laugh that filled the room as she flipped back her long auburn hair. “Oh, thereissome fire in you. How wonderful! She will fit in most splendidly.”
This remark did nothing to soothe Adele’s nerves or her irritation.
“I think it would be best for us to introduce ourselves, Verity, before we test our dear Lady Kidlington’s temper.” The oldest of the three gave her companions a fond but reproachful look before turning toward Adele.
She had elegantly styled grey hair, kind blue eyes and a warm, almost maternal smile. “I am Lady Cora Lovett, widow of the late Sir Henry Lovett. This is Lady Verity Creswall, Dowager Viscountess of Nettle.”
She gestured to the woman with auburn hair. Lady Verity curtseyed and grinned at Adele. Adele curtseyed back.
The final woman introduced herself, her voice full of quiet confidence. “And I am Lady Rowen Berrymore, Dowager Countess of Irving. My late husband was the Earl of Irving.”
“It is a pleasure to meet all of you.” Adele hesitated and then blurted, “Why are you here?”
“We have come to extend an invitation to join our little group.” Lady Verity gave Adele a conspiratorial look. “You may have heard of us.”
“The Black Widows!” Adele’s jaw dropped as she looked at each of the women, realising who they were.
“Indeed.” Lady Rowen nodded.
“Why would you call yourselves that??”
“What I have learned, in my long life, is that words have power. If you claim something as your own, it ceases to be able to hurt you,” Lady Cora explained.
“But are you not worried what people will think of you?” Adele had flopped onto the sofa, and the other women took this as an invitation and sat down opposite her.
“Why would we?” Lady Rowen arched an eyebrow at her.
Lady Verity laughed. “Let them say what they like; we do not need their good opinion.”
“That is easier said than done.” Adele could not keep the bitterness from her voice. “I feel as though I am being shunned by all of society. You are the first people to visit me since it all happened. Even my own family… It would seem that you are the only people who do not wish to keep your distance.”
Adele’s feelings broke free, and words poured from her. “It is bad enough that I am a widow, but I feel like I am being torn apart on every front. Half the scandal sheets aim to imply I am some murderous harlot, desperate for a bit of power, the other half claim I am dishonouring the institution of marriage by even claiming to be a widow.” She let out a bitter laugh.
“I would say there are plenty of people who do far more than you to disgrace the sanctity of marriage.” A flash of anger crossed Lady Rowen’s face, and Adele wondered what had caused it.
“Perhaps the papers are right, after all — we did not even consummate the marriage.” Her cheeks flushed scarlet.
To her immense irritation, the image of the Duke’s smirk as he suggested she had killed her husband just to avoid such a thing filled her mind. Her indignation boiled over, adding to the flush of her cheeks.
Lady Rowen’s words snapped Adele back to the present. “The ton do not know what they are talking about, the scandal sheets even less. Consummation or lack thereof only need be considered if you wished to seek an annulment. Though, why you would seek such a thing is quite beyond me.”
Both Lady Rowen and Lady Verity wrinkled their nose as though the mere suggestion was distasteful. Adele shook her head and sighed. “That may be the law, but I fail to see how it will help me get back into the ton’s good graces.”
