Page 40 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“Then you will be stuck with me.” His eyes glittered. “And I doubt you want that.”
“Because you are so desperate for my company?” Adele rolled her eyes. “Fret not, dear Duke, I am unlikely to fall in love with the castle. And even if I did, I would not leave you homeless.”
“How kind. Regardless, I want you to know that you will have somewhere to call yours.” He shrugged.
“Why? Are you already sick of my company?”
“Hardly. I simply know how much you value your freedom.” Warner gestured around them. “I know you will be itching to return to separate lives.”
Separate lives.She nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. “Thank you.”
“It is my pleasure.” His eyes flicked towards her and then away again.
She could feel his fingers on her chin and hastily pushed the thought away, forcing herself not to touch the spot he had held. “The wedding —”
“I have applied for a special license. We can be married at my London house; that will allow us to keep the numbers down,” he cut in. “We do not need to make a spectacle.”
“But I will still be able to invite the widows?” Adele’s heart squeezed.
“I doubt I could stop you. They would probably storm the grounds if I tried.” He shook his head.
“Almost certainly.” Adele laughed, imagining her friends barging through the door.
“Is there anything else you would like at the wedding?” Warner asked. “Whatever you wish, it will be done.”
Adele laughed. “You sound like you are about to promise me the moon in the sky.”
“Is that not what young men in love do?” He gave her a mischievous smile. “I, for one, am determined to play my part.”
“Then I shall expect poems and roses daily.” She laughed.
“And what about me?” He moved towards her. “Will you grant me some token of your affection?”
His closeness stole her breath away, and she swallowed.
“I believe a lock of hair is rather customary.” She pursed her lips, thinking about all the women who had given their beaus such a gift. Her heart twisted. “Who knows, it might make people think you have tamed me.”
Bitterness crept into her words, and she made to turn away from the Duke, but he caught her hand in his and gently tugged her towards him.
“Only a fool would want to tame you.” His voice was like thunder in a storm, low and rumbling. “And I am no fool.”
She swallowed. “Then I suppose it is lucky that I am marrying you.”
It scared her just how much she meant it.
Fourteen
“Toby! When did you get in?” Warner strode across his study towards his cousin.
Toby was still dressed in his military uniform. His dark hair was cut short, and there were dark circles under his eyes. Toby’s usually warm green eyes seemed distant and grey. Warner peered more closely at him, his heart sinking as he pulled the man into an embrace. His cousin stiffened at his touch.
Warner’s heart twisted, but he reined his emotions back in as he stepped away from Toby.
“This calls for a drink.” Warner clapped his hands together and moved towards the decanter and glasses. “A scotch, I think.”
Toby said nothing, sitting in an armchair by the fireplace. Warner poured out a generous measure of whiskey and handed it to him, taking the seat opposite him.
“Where is Father?” Toby glanced around. “I was told he was staying with you.”
