Page 70 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“We should go home, I might as well feed this dark mood in front of a nice, warm fire,” Adele tried to inject some humour into her voice, but it came out bitter and dejected. “Perhaps if we are home, I might be able to do something of use.”
Warner canted his head towards her, his brow creasing as his eyes traced her face. “You are being too hard on yourself.”
“Or not hard enough. You were the one who got the chemist to give you that. You are the one who tried to caution me.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “All I have done is make a mess.”
Warner opened his mouth, glanced at the pub, and then back at her. “I have no intention of letting you stew in misery. That will not help us solve this problem. I think it is time that we took a break.”
“What do you mean?” Adele frowned at him.
Warner gave her a frank look, gesturing at her, though his voice was full of kindness. “You are clearly exhausted, and in the mood you are currently in, dwelling on someone’s murder is unlikely to do you any good.”
“But —” Adele began, but Warner cut her off.
“Have you ever had the experience where you have been puzzling at a thing for days, and then the moment you do something else, the answer reveals itself?”
“Usually in the bath.” Adele’s cheeks flushed at Warner’s amused grin. “Or right before bed.”
“Exactly. And even if the answers do not reveal themselves, you will be of little use in this current state. Self-pity does not make for a good investigator.” He massaged his neck and rolled his shoulders back. “Nor does exhaustion, and I am beginning to feel like a rag that has been wrung out.”
“I suppose a rest might be a good idea,” Adele admitted. “Forgetting for a little while could be nice.”
Not that I think I will be able to.How could she forget about things when it felt like there was a noose around her neck? He held out a hand to her and jerked his head towards the pub and its open door.
“We are already dressed as other people, so let us put the Duke and the Duchess and all this sordid mess aside for a few hours.” A look crossed Warner’s face, but it was gone too quickly for Adele to be sure of its meaning. “For a now, I am Mr. Maxwell Thatch, out for a pleasant evening with my wife, Mrs. Elaine Thatch.”
The weight of everything felt like a black cloud on her chest. Yet when her eyes found Warner’s blue ones, it felt like the first rays of sunshine on a cloudy day.
“Very well, Mr. Thatch.” She slipped her hand into his, suppressing the shiver that ran through her at their closeness. “Distract me.”
“You make it sound like a challenge.” He arched an eyebrow at her.
Adele shrugged. “It is either a challenge or an invitation.”
The pub was crowded with a fiddler playing folk music in the corner. The man was talented and played a lively reel that made Adele smile. Several people were clapping in time with the music, laughing and dancing.
They are so carefree.She let the sound of laughter wash over her as Warner ordered them two ales and led them to a table. He moved her seat back for her and gestured for Adele to sit.
“My Lady.” His eyes softened as he looked at her.
“Thank you.” Adele slid into the seat and took a sip of her drink.
The bitterness of the ale suited her mood, even as a warmth spread over her. Warner drank from his own mug, his eyes fixed on Adele as he did.
She arched an eyebrow at him. “And how much of that will end up on the floor?”
“Very little.” Warner massaged his neck. “I think we could both use a drink — a proper drink, perhaps two or three.”
“If I did not know any better, I would think you were trying to intoxicate me,” Adele teased.
Warner chuckled, his blue eyes dancing. “And why would I do that?”
“Why does any man do such a thing?” Adele shrugged.
The amusement fell from Warner’s face, his eyes going hard. “I am not that sort of man. If I wish to enjoy the companionship of the gentler sex, then I want her to be able to choose me.”
“And do they often choose you?” Adele stiffened, her skin prickling as she thought of women fawning over Warner. She had meant her words to sound joking, but the edge of anger betrayed her.What is wrong with me?
“I am a married man, Mrs. Thatch. I only want one woman to lavish me with her attention.” His eyes met hers, and Adele felt a thrill of excitement run through her body.
