Page 78 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
She gave her a wry smile. “It is not the Duke’s fault that my heart is broken. He has not lied to me. He told me that it was a marriage of convenience. He bought me a house, and it is inmy name. He has been generous and thoughtful, and I am being ungrateful.”
“It is not ungrateful to want to be wanted,” Verity insisted, her voice full of warmth and tenderness that pulled at Adele’s heart.
“But it was foolish. A man like him would never love a woman like me.” Adele’s voice broke, and she wiped a tear from her face.
Verity threw her arms around Adele and squeezed her tight. “How could you think that, my dearest Adele, when you are so easy to love?”
“Besides the Duke clearly cares for you. If he did not, he would not have done all the things he has done for you,” Cora pointed out, her voice kind.
But not like I want him to.“It does not matter. There is no future with him. At least, not like that.”
“Are you a fortune teller? You seem to think you know just what the future will hold.” Cora arched an eyebrow at her.
“I have no idea what it holds, but I do know what it does not. Warner does not love me. He does not want me, and he does not trust me. How can there be a future with him?” Adele slumped against the sofa.
“All I am saying is that none of us know what might happen. He may yet surprise you.”
Something stirred in Adele’s chest, but she squashed it like a bug and shook her head. “I cannot let myself hope, Cora. I do not think my heart can bear it. I have been alone before; I will do it again.”
Rowen put an arm around Adele. “You will not be alone. You will have us. And you are so close now that you will scarcely be rid of us.”
“You are ours, Adele, and you always will be. And we will never let you go,” Verity added.
Adele peered at her friends. Each of them smiled a kind smile so full of love that some of the ache in her heart lifted. She might not have Warner, but she would not be alone.
This will have to be enough.
Twenty-Eight
“Isee the rumours are true,” Toby said as he strode into Warner’s study and sat in the seat opposite him.
Warner blinked blearily at his cousin. He shook his head, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. He ran a hand across his face, surprised to find the start of a beard on his jaw and cheeks.
His head pounded, his mouth felt like it was full of cotton wool. The half empty bottle of scotch beside him made his stomach turn. It had been two days since Adele had left, since he had let her go. At least, Warner thought it had only been two days. It had been hard to keep track.
The journal lay open on the desk beside him.
“What are you doing here?” Warner asked hoarsely. “Why did no one announce you?”
Toby looked around the room. “Mr. Turner did announce me; you simply did not acknowledge him.”
Warner’s brow furrowed. It was a mistake; it only worsened the pain in his head. He let out a groan and clutched it, the taste of whiskey strong in his mouth.
“You look like hell, cousin. And you smell like it too.” Toby wrinkled his nose.
Warner stood up, resting one hand on the desk to steady himself.Am I still drunk?“Did you come here just to goad me?”
“No, I wanted to congratulate you on finally seeing the truth.” Toby ran a hand through his hair, the corner of his lips quirking upwards into a smile that did not meet his cold eyes.
“What are you talking about?” Warner wished his head did not feel so thick.
He reached for one of the cups on the table, sniffing it. It was tea. He drank it and frowned. It was cold, but it helped get the foul taste out of his mouth.
Toby peered around them. “I note your wife is not here. Apparently, you forced her out.”
“I did nothing of the sort; Adele left of her own accord.” Warner’s chest twisted.
She had sent for her sewing things the day before. Warner had stayed in the study, not wanting to risk seeing his wife. Seeing the chill in those warm brown eyes. He found out when the servants had left that he need not have bothered; she did not come herself.
