Page 29 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“There is very little that can stop us once we have set our minds to a task. Especially when it concerns someone we care about.” Lady Cora stepped in front of Lady Rowen and then nodded towards the sofa. “I am old, and I have no desire to berate a man while looking up at him. Let us sit; perhaps then Rowen will not attempt to throttle you.”
“And what makes you think I will just allow you to berate me?” He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes drifting past the women again, looking for the familiar brown eyes of Lady Adele.
“As I said, young man, your choice in the matter is immaterial. Do not look at me like that — you may be a duke, but there are three of us, and I doubt you would raise a hand to a woman.” Lady Cora gave him a wicked smile.
One wild widow was bad enough, but now, I must contend with the other three?But Warner knew that Lady Cora was right. He would never raise a hand against a woman, even in defence.
“Any man who does such a thing is not fit to draw breath, let alone call himself a gentleman.” Warner’s hands curled into fists, eyes narrowed, before he took a deep breath and forced his face into a more neutral expression. “That does not mean I will not have you escorted from my study; I am not known for welcoming uninvited guests. Either tell me what you want, or get out.”
“Your threats will not work on me. I have faced worse than you, and I will not be cowed.” Lady Rowen took a step towards him, bristling like an angry cat.
Warner stood his ground, straightening so that he towered over her. Before he could say anything, Lady Cora interrupted from the sofa. “Rowen, for goodness’ sake, stop behaving like some silly little schoolboy with something to prove. It will do nothing to help Adele, and it is tiring enough to witness from men.”
His attention jerked towards Lady Cora, his heart hammering in his chest. “Has something happened to Lady Adele? Is she hurt?”
“So now, you pretend to care about her?” Lady Rowen crossed her arms over her chest.
“I may not approve of her behaviour, but this does not mean I wish her harm. Besides, there is still a killer at large, and if she has… If…” He could not make himself say the words.
His mouth was dry as images of Lady Adele — ashen-faced, eyes wide with terror — filled his mind. He had taken a step towards the door almost before he realised and stopped himself with an effort, forcing himself to look at the women around him.
Do not act on impulse alone; that will help no one.He swallowed and took in a deep breath, fighting to keep his emotions from his face.I will not have them see this weakness.“If she has been hurt, it would suggest a greater threat to my family than I first imagined.”
“Of course, that would be all you care about.” Lady Rowen snorted indelicately, and Lady Verity scowled at him, but a thoughtful expression crossed Lady Cora’s face.
“Lady Adele is my cousin’s widow, Lady Rowen. She is important to me, and I would not see her come to harm.” Warner was relieved that his voice was cold and dispassionate. “What has happened to her?”
“We were hoping you would tell us. After all, none of us have seen her since your altercation on the dance floor the other night.” Lady Cora leaned against the sofa, her voice giving away nothing.
Lady Rowen interjected, “What did you say to her?”
“It is none of your concern,” Warner replied coolly.
He recalled their barbed exchange on the dance floor, the way she had shattered his control. The way he had wanted to rip and tear the eyes from every man gawking at her.Did my words truly have such an effect on her?The thought sat uneasily in him, like a splinter worming its way deeper into the skin.
“It is when it means that my friend has not left her house in nearly a week and has denied all visitors wishing to speak to her.” Lady Verity leaned towards him, the sweetness of her smile at odds with the acid in her tone.
Nearly a week?Warner made a dismissive gesture, ignoring the thumping of his heart against his chest. “And how is that my problem? She is your friend. Besides, she has more than enough staff at her disposal; no doubt they will take care of her every need.”
I will not get involved.He had vowed to stay away. Besides, what business was it of his whether or not some widow shut herself away? At least then she would not be causing trouble. Yet, even as he thought this, the words felt hollow.
“Oh yes, the people who treat her at best with politeness and at worst cold indifference.” Lady Verity shook her head.
“I find that hard to believe. Rothwell paid his staff most handsomely, and unless Lady Adele has docked their pay, I can think of little reason that they would treat her unkindly.” Warner frowned and looked at the papers he had been reading before the women had burst into his office.
His eyes drifted to the row he had circled. The row that showed that one maid in particular was being paid nearly double the rest of the staff, and more to the point seemed superfluous to requirements.Why would a bachelor need that many maids?“Are you implying that Adele is some kind of miser? She has changed nothing in the household, and only a heartless fool would dock servant’s pay in the best of times, let alone when they are new to the household.” Lady Rowen glared at him.
“I was simply pointing out that I find it hard to believe the servants would be unkind to her.” In truth, Warner found it hardto believe that anyone would be unkind to Lady Adele.Not with those innocent eyes and that heart-warming smile — Stop.
“I told you this was a waste of time, he is every bit the arrogant cad that —” Lady Rowen began, turning on her heel as though to leave but Lady Cora cut her off with a voice sharp as a whip. “Rowen, that is enough. Sit down, now.”
Lady Rowen glowered but did as she was told. Warner perched himself on the edge of his desk. He knew he should sit properly behind it, but he could not make his legs obey him. Restless energy pulsed through him, making him itch to move.
Lady Cora sighed. “Your Grace, we have come to care a great deal for Adele. As she will not see us, we were hoping you might be able to speak to her.”
“And what makes you think she would even see me? After all, she is far more kindly disposed to you than she is to me.” Warner pictured the fury in the woman’s eyes as they had parted on the dance floor.
“Call it an old woman’s intuition. Besides, it is the gentlemanly thing to do — after all, you are the one who has caused this.”
