Page 61 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
Warner jerked and moved away from her, his breathing heavy. “We should not worry the lad. But trying to get in the boat might upset it.”
Adele nodded not trusting herself to speak.
“I will swim back to shore — we will need to get the Duchess warm and dry, and I do not want anyone else falling in.” Warner called.
“I can get the boat back; you look after Adele,” Rowen called back. “And the two of you, sit down!”
“Lean back.” Warner murmured, facing Adele away from him. “You will float better on your back.”
She let him turn her and leaned against his chest. A shiver ran through her as Warner wrapped his arm close around her and struck out for the shore. They had not gone too far, and soon, he was pulling her from the water.
Verity was waiting for them, fussing over Adele as soon as she was back on solid ground. Adele’s eyes looked for Warner, she opened her mouth to thank him, but the words stuck in her throat.
“I should have the servants get a fire going and arrange something for you to change into.” His body was rigid, and he opened his mouth and then closed it, shaking his head. “Your friends will see you safely home.”
And he left without another word.
Adele felt a pang in her chest as she watched him go. Eventually she turned and found Cora watching her with an unreadable expression. “I think we are in for rather an interesting week.”
Twenty-Two
“Duchess makes clothes for orphans — my, my, but you have been busy, have you not?” Lady Cora’s voice was quietly amused as she found Warner in the entrance hall.
Warner turned to face her, dismissing his steward and straightening the lapels of his coat absently. It was a blue velvet coat in his house colours with embroidery that Adele had added as a surprise to him.
The widows had been staying with them several days, and tonight was the night of their grand ball. Warner took in the decorations scattered around him.
“Pardon?” He tried to keep the distraction from his voice, even as he itched to re-summon his steward and ensure that everything was well in hand.I did not check about the drinks; what if he mistimes the wine?
“The newspaper stories, Your Grace. It is a wonder you found time to do it, what with preparing for one of the most extravagant balls I have ever been invited to.” Lady Cora gestured around them.
“What stories?” Warner stiffened, distracted for a brief moment from his fussing over the ball preparations.What does she know?
“The ones about your dear wife. The ones that seem to be appearing with some regularity. The clothes for orphans being the latest in such stories.” Lady Cora leaned on her walking stick, fixing him with a firm gaze. “Truly, admirable work.”
“Does anyone else know? If the ton have discovered that I have been behind this, that will undo much of my work.” Warner strode towards her, his eyes narrowing.
Lady Cora shook her head. “Those feckless fools have not the wit to put things together. In truth, it was only your admission that proved my own suspicions. And I assumed that it was not Adele, especially as she did not even tell us.”
“She is too humble for her own good. She probably thought you would think her terribly arrogant for doing such a thing.” Warner remembered the tears in his wife’s eyes when he had found her in the wee hours of the morning, hunched over children’s clothes. “And she holds herself to such a high standard. I found her in tears over some tiny mistake she had made in one of the dresses. It took me hours to convince her that no one would even notice the mistake. Most orphans receivedlittle more than rags, and here she was making them clothes that befit children of nobility. And do you know what she said to me?”
“What?” Lady Cora asked.
“They have had a hard enough life. The least I can do is give them something pretty that is all their own.” His heart swelled as he remembered the defiant look in her eyes. “I think she thought I would make fun of her, call her naïve or some such thing. But all I could think was how much better the world would be if more people had her kind heart.”
“Which is why you made sure the papers got wind of the story. And the half a dozen others that have gone to print since you were married. Those stories about her rescuing dogs from an illegal fighting ring, the one about her donating her dowry to fix the church roof — and to cap it all off, you have this ball where everyone can experience her generosity and grace first hand.” Lady Cora gestured around them. “You play the part of a doting husband rather well.”
“She makes it easy to do so,” Warner replied, his eyes drifting to the stairs he knew his wife would soon descend. “She hardly demands anything, expects even less. She never has — The least I can do is give her joy wherever she can find it.”
“Of course.” Lady Cora nodded.
“It is why everything must be perfect.” Warner rubbed his face with his hand. “There can be nothing to find fault with. I would have everyone who attends speak about this for decades tocome. I want them to speak of her generosity — that is why we have ordered the most expensive wine and champagne. Which reminds me, I should really check on the musicians; I have made some minor changes to the songs requested.”
“Your Grace, if I might give you a word of advice.” Lady Cora moved towards him, holding a hand up to stop Warner as he made to walk down the hall towards the ball.
Warner hesitated and then nodded, looking at the woman. “You may.”
“For this ball to be perfect, you must relax. I have heard you check in with your steward at least three times in the last hour.” Lady Cora gave his arm a gentle pat. “And as you do not strike me as the sort of man who hires idiots, then we must assume that your staff know what they are doing.”
