Page 82 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
Adele had reached the doorway, and Mr. Jenkins turned to face her. Anne was beaming at her though she could see a hint of nervousness in her expression. Bianca stood a little behind her,holding an ornately wrapped box in her hands and standing stiffly.
“I hope you do not mind our popping in, Addie; we wanted to give you a little house warming present.” Anne gestured to Bianca. “Is now a good time?”
For a moment, Adele hesitated, and then she nodded. “Mr. Jenkins, will you have some refreshments brought into the Eastern drawing room?”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Jenkins bowed and stepped aside to let Adele’s sisters into the townhouse.
“Oh goodness, it is beautiful!” Anne clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Thank you.” Adele swallowed. “I cannot take much credit for it, I am afraid. Warner —I mean the Duke — he did all of it.”
At the mention of Warner’s name, Adele’s heart seized, but she ignored it and focused on guiding her sisters to the drawing room. “I would offer you a tour, but I fear I am getting used to it myself.”
“That is quite all right; we came here to see you, not your house.” Anne sat across from her, and Bianca sat beside her.
“Really?” Adele asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Yes. And to give you this.” Bianca handed Adele the box.
Adele took it and unwrapped it. Inside was a beautiful sewing kit with needles and thread and a thick volume on French dressmaking. Adele looked at her sisters.
“When I was staying with you, I could not help but notice your sewing room. I did not know if you would have everything in the new house, but I thought perhaps you would enjoy this. It is quite a rare book — the dressmaker was actually one of our distant relations, and well…” Anne trailed off, looking between Adele and Bianca.
Bianca sat stiffly in the chair, and Adele felt the tension between them. “Thank you. They are lovely. But why are you really here?”
The question was directed at Bianca, but Anne answered, her voice a higher pitch than usual, “What do you mean?”
“The last time I saw Bianca, I left with the impression that she had little desire to see me at all,” Adele said coolly.
Bianca winced, and Anne paled, but before Anne could explain, Bianca’s eyes found Adele’s. “I know what I said, and I know that you must still be angry with me.”
“Not angry, just hurt,” Adele corrected. “I would have thought with the latest bits in the paper, you would have avoided me like the plague.”
“I deserve that.” Bianca took a deep, steadying breath. “And I might have, if Anne had not knocked some sense into me.”
Adele saw the spots of colour on Bianca’s cheeks and suspected that the words might be more literal than metaphorical.Clearly Anne is rediscovering some of her fire.It was a comforting thought.
She swallowed and met Bianca’s eyes. “Then you do not believe I killed the Marquess?”
“No.” Bianca shook her head. “To be honest, it was not really me who believed it. Martin has been distant recently, and when I asked him about it, he mentioned the rumours around you. That it had made him look differently at me. I thought if I could cut ties, then perhaps it would fix things.”
“And did it?” Adele asked, her arms crossed over her chest.
“No. I caught him with one of the maids a fortnight ago, and three days ago, I received a letter from a friend asking why I did not visit her when I was in Cambria. Apparently, she saw Martin and I strolling arm in arm — she was quite convinced until I explained I was in London the entire time.” Bianca’s eyes narrowed, her hands curled into fists even as her voice cracked with emotion. “I do not think I have ever been so embarrassed.”
“Apparently our brother-in-law has something of a type,” Anne added grimly. “While his eyes wander, he has little imagination. Most of the women look very similar to our Bianca.”
“It is partly how it has gone unnoticed. If he was spotted from a distance, one would assume he was with me.” Bianca’s lip curled. “Though, perhaps he simply did not care if he was caught.”
“I am sorry, Bianca.” Adele thought of the way her sister’s husband had often looked at her and supressed a shudder. “I had hoped he had mended his ways. Or that perhaps the rumours were untrue.”
“I am sorry that you were caught up in the unpleasantness, Adelaide. You did not deserve that. And well… I think I would rather have my sisters than some cheating excuse for a husband. That is… if you would be willing to forgive me?” Bianca’s eyes met Adele’s, and it was impossible to miss the fear and hope within them. “I would like to know you — for my children to know their aunt.”
“I would like that too.” Adele took Bianca’s hand in hers. “I find that I am also rather in need of my sisters at the moment.”
Bianca gave her a sad smile and pulled her into a hug. “Oh little, Adelaide, what a trio we are.”
Adele let out a soft laugh. “Please, call me Adele or Addie. I have always hated Adelaide.”
