Page 38 of Taming a Beastly Duke
“Darling, I have been beside myself with worry,” she said, stepping back to examine him. “You look far better, I daresay. Perhaps all you needed was a few days of rest.”
Marcus laughed, surprised at how unburdened it sounded.
“You speak as if you intended to give me a few days to rest,” he said, his words lighthearted for the first time in longer than he could remember.
His grandmother laughed, embracing him again.
“And I will never do so again,” she said. “In fact, I expect you to attend the ball this evening.”
Marcus looked at the dowager duchess warily, mindful of his condition. He was better, true enough, and he intended to stay that way. He preferred to wait a few more days before prancing about as if he hadn't a care in the world. However, he knew his grandmother too well, and he was certain he would relent in the end. He decided he might as well agree and save the time arguing.Perhaps, if he rested as much as possible until the ball began, he might feel as though he had returned to his former self.
“Very well,” he said with a stiff smile.
***
Adelaide entered the ballroom to find everyone including Helena waiting to greet the guests for the ball. However, finding her aunt preparing to play hostess with her friend was not what surprised her. Marcus was not only out of his chamber for the first time in days, but he also looked like a different man.
His dark hair was clean and neatly combed, his formal black evening clothes were crisp and fresh, his eyes were alert and focused and free of their former misery, and while there was still the faintest pallor in his face, he stood taller, looking stronger and more assured that Adelaide had ever seen him.
“Adelaide, darling,” the dowager duchess said, giving her a warm smile. “Would you and Helena mind going inside and mingling with the guests until Marcus, Edith and I have greeted all the prompt arrivals?”
Adelaide smiled, gathering her dark green skirts and dipping into a curtsey.
“I would be honoured,” she said.
Helena joined her, looking stunning in her own light purple satin gown. The two women entered the room, each taking a glass of champagne from footmen who were serving them on silver trays and walking around the outer edge of the floor where guests would be dancing.
“You look beautiful, my dear,” Helena said, glancing toward the doorway as she spoke. “And I am certain that I am not the only one who noticed.”
Adelaide gave a sidelong look and saw the duke quickly looking away. She could not be certain, but she thought she saw a small smile teasing his lips.
“Aunt Helena, you are incorrigible,” she whispered, her cheeks burning madly.
Helena laughed and shrugged.
“I know that expression, darling,” she said.
Adelaide looked away timidly.
“I am sure that I did not give him any looks,” she insisted, hoping she was telling the truth.
Helena raised an eyebrow and gestured subtly toward the duke.
“I was not talking about you, dear,” she said knowingly.
Adelaide glared at her aunt, but she did not get any more time to discuss the matter with her. At that moment, guests began entering the ball, and Adelaide watched Helena greet them as skillfully as an actor used the stage. Adelaide looked to the doorway, where the Duke stood with his grandmother and sister. At first, she beamed, watching as he gave polite smiles to each partyof guests. However, she soon noticed that people started gossiping about him before they were even out of earshot.
“He was near death just days ago,” one gentleman said to another as they walked past Adelaide as if she did not exist. “Such a sudden recovery seems rather odd, does it not?”
The other gentleman nodded, oblivious to the pointed stare she was giving them.
“It does,” he said. “Though I suppose it is better than murdering another young lady. I heard there are women who Her Grace is hosting. Let us hope they do not meet the same fate as that of Lady Charlotte at his hands.”
Adelaide walked around the men, stopping in front of them so they would either have to stop walking or run right into her.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” she said with the most disingenuous smile. “It seems you are well-versed in specific gossip topics. However, I am sure you are aware that reputations are fragile things. It would cause me great distress to witness such uncharitable remarks yield unforeseen consequences.”
The gentlemen exchanged glances as Adelaide never dropped her eyes from their faces.
