Page 28 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“It is not as simple as that, Adelaide, and you know it.”
“What do you mean?” Adele’s heart sunk.Please, please no. Do not say it.
“I have to think of my children. I have to think of their future, and that means I cannot risk associating with the wrong sortof people or having them associate with those sorts of people.” Bianca wrung her hands, but there was no note of apology in her tone.
Wrong sorts of people.Her sister’s words echoed around her head. “And I am the wrong sort of people?”
“They call you the Black Widow for goodness’ sake! People think you murdered your husband. That is all anyone can talk about — that and your little rebellions with your widow friends.” Bianca’s anger poured out of her, so violent that Adele almost recoiled. “Do you know how hard it is to be related to you? The kinds of things people say about you? About me?”
“Do you think that I killed Eric?” Adele asked, still reeling.
“That is beside the point.”
She narrowed her eyes, shaking her head as a numbness spread through her body. “Do you think I killed Eric? Do you truly think I am capable of murder?”
“I do not know what to think.” The words felt like a punch to the gut.
The wind was knocked from her body, and Adele felt as though the world around her was swaying. Something inside of her was cracking, and she could do nothing to stop it.
“If I am such a risk to your name, to your reputation, why on Earth did you invite me? Surely you could have just left it alone?” She shook her head, needing to understand.
“Because if word got out that I did not invite you, it would look like I believed that you had done it. It would only add fuel to their fires and ultimately make it a far worse situation for all of us.” Bianca frowned at her. “I will say, however, that I thought you would have the common sense not to accept.”
“Well ,I am sorry to be such a disappointment to you.”
“Honestly Adelaide, this kind of behaviour is why it is hard for us to get to know one another. You need not be so combative.” Her sister made a dismissive motion, and in her mind’s eye, Adele heard the Duke asking if she was combative. “All I am doing is pointing out what you already know — what you should already know. You are embroiled in scandal, and I cannot risk any of that falling onto my family.”
Adele’s heart turned to lead in her chest.No. No. No!“What are you saying?”
“I am saying that I think it would be best if we remained as we are. Cordial but nothing more. And in future, even if I extend an invitation, perhaps it would be best for you to decline. At least until all of this unpleasantness has blown over.” Bianca stepped away from her.
“You are telling me that you do not want me around.” Adele’s voice was as hollow as her chest felt.
“I am saying that for now you are a risk to my family, and I cannot allow that to continue.” Bianca’s words held no emotion, no apology, no softness.
Tears pricked at the corners of Adele’s eyes. “I am your family, too.”
“Then I hope you will do what is right and think of your nieces.” Bianca nodded towards her. “Now I really must be leaving. I hope you enjoy the rest of the party.”
Bianca turned on her heel and left.
Adele felt hot tears streaming down her face and wiped them away with the back of her hand. She did not care that it would smear her make up.
She crumpled to her knees, clutching her chest as she heaved deep breaths. Her own family did not want her around. Her sister, her own sister, thought she had killed her husband.
“They do not love me. They do not want me in their life.” She tore at the fabric of her dress and let out a painful sob.
She stood on shaky legs, and fled into the night, desperate to be as far away from this place as possible.
Ten
“You! You are going to put this right or so help me!” Lady Rowen pointed a finger angrily at Warner as she glowered at him from the doorway.
Warner stood in front of his desk frowning as he watched Lady Verity and Lady Cora struggle to hold their friend in the doorway. Though, their struggle did not stop Lady Verity glaring at him as though he had done her a personal injury. Lady Cora’s expression was disapproving though Warner could not tell if it was directed at him or her friends.Perhaps all of us.
He glanced past them, expecting to see Lady Adelaide’s familiar messy hair, but there was no sign of her. His heart sunk, and he frowned.
“What exactly am I supposed to have done now? More to the point, how did you get in here? This is my study, and I told Mr. Talbot that I had no wish to be disturbed.”That man will get anearful for this.He half expected him to appear, red-faced and out of breath, but the man did not.
