Page 88 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
The smell of sandalwood mixed with the perfume that lingered in the sewing room. His eyes roved across her face, and for a moment, all thought left her. She swallowed and moved away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She could still feel his eyes on her.He is only being kind.
“I still cannot quite believe it is all over.” Adele swallowed. “Or at least, that it will be soon. Though, I am not sure what to do about Martha.”
“Toby and I will see that she is looked after.” Warner was still looking at her, his eyes intent.
The tightness she had seen in him earlier had not vanished. If anything, it had intensified. The muscles of his body were taught, like a spring waiting to be uncoiled and sprung. She realised that he was uncomfortable.He wants to leave.
“Thank you. For everything.” Adele swallowed around the lump in her throat. “This house, your thoughtfulness while we were together. What you did for me today. I do not think I have ever heard so many people say such kind things about me.”
The lump grew larger as Adele recalled how Cora, Verity, and Rowen had all spoken of her character.They said that I was the most honourable, kind-hearted, and sweet woman they had ever met.Even Anne and Bianca had been full of compliments.
Her heart felt as though it was too big for her chest. She remembered Warner, striding into the room, and the way all eyes had snapped to him.
“I do not know what I would have done without you.” Adele ran a hand across her wrist and winced at the raw skin.
Warner’s eyes darkened. “Did they do that to you? Did they hurt you.”
His voice was full of barely contained anger that made Adele’s heart squirm and her voice catch. “It was the manacles though Queen Charlotte had them removed as soon as she saw them.”
“You should put something on that. I can have a salve made up.” Warner flexed his fingers as though reaching for something. “I will see that the man who put those on you never sees the light of day.”
“He was only doing as he was instructed. Your uncle was the one who sent him.” Adele hugged her arms around herself, in part to keep her from shaking and in part to stop herself from reaching towards Warner.
“I do not care. He hurt you,” Warner growled softly. “He will not get away with it.”
Adele balked at his anger and tried to move past the subject. “I tried to argue my case, but everything I did, the Duke simply twisted.”
“My uncle has always been very good at such things. He has a knack for making people feel like they are to blame.” Warner’s eyes darkened, reminding Adele of a sea in storm. “I should have realised sooner.”
“He fooled everyone. It had not even crossed my mind until I saw him in the chamber this morning.” Adele shuddered as she remembered the look Warner’s uncle had directed at her.
“I am glad that he will face justice.” Warner’s voice was hard as marble. “I might even pay him a visit myself.”
Adele imagined Warner walking towards his uncle in the stocks. She could picture his face, full of anger as he watched children and passers by pelt him with rotten fruit. And she knew that if he saw it, beneath his anger, something rotten would begin to sprout.
“You do not need to see him humiliated.” Adele almost took his hand but caught herself in time and clenched her fingers into fists. “That is not the kind of man you are.”
“It is no less than he deserves,” Warner growled. “He could have killed you. He did kill Eric.”
“His suffering will not undo his crimes.” Adele’s voice was gentle. “I hate him, and the world will be a better place, but I will not debase myself by sinking to his level. You should not either. You are better than that.”
“You sound rather sure of that.” Warner gave her a wry smile.
“I am.” Adele closed her eyes. She knew what came next, what she had to do, she felt heat behind her eyes. “I expect you will be glad to put all of this behind you; your debt to Eric is paid.”
Warner froze at her words, but Adele did not pause, she opened her eyes.He does not want me, and I will not continue to be a burden. He has done enough for me already.“You can stop looking after me. And you know that I will be surrounded by my family. My friends. By people who love me.” Adele’s voice caught on the last words and the fierce burning behind her eyes became tears. “You will be able to shut the book on this and go back to your life.”
She felt his arms wrap around her, pulling her close to him. The sweetness of his embrace only made it worse. She could feel him rubbing slow circles against her back. Tears streamed down her face. “I am sorry.”
“What are you sorry for? You have been through hell over the last day or so. You have sat in a cell; your sisters told me they took you away in chains.” His arms tightened around her. “You have nothing to apologise for.”
“I do not want to be a burden.” The words squeezed themselves past the lump in Adele’s throat. “You deserve so much better than that.”
“You have never been a burden.” His words were gruff and fierce, reverberating deep in his chest. “You will never be a burden.”
“Perhaps not a burden but an obligation…” Adele tried to stop the tears from flowing, but they came fast and free. “I know that you are only being kind, but please, it only makes this harder. We do not need to pretend any more, and I cannot… I cannot…”
She pulled herself out of his grasp, digging her nails into the palms of her hands as she tried to stop the sobs that threatened to overwhelm her.Why does he have to be like this? How am I supposed to pretend that my heart does not break every time he holds me, knowing that he will never love me.
