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He gritted his teeth and ruthlessly pushed away all such thoughts. Her eyes widened and she lowered her lids, but he saw the flash of disappointment. What the hell had she expected, for him to return her smile?
Not more than a minute later the ceremony ended.
I have a new wife.
He shook away the slow pump of disquiet and directed his thoughts to the greater accomplishment of the day. His daughters now had a woman in their life.
It was sheer torture, but it took discipline for him to only press a soft kiss to her cheeks, and ignore the temptation of her lips.
…
She was a duchess. Adel was still unsure how it had all happened. A week ago, her only thoughts had been to escape the oppressive feeling of living with her father and stepmother, and maybe, existing as Mrs. James Atwood, then eventually with his support open a bookshop.
Never had she imagined her life could have taken such a drastic turn with so little warning or preparation. Seated at the breakfast table, she did her very best to ignore the imposing presence of Edmond. Adel turned back to her half-eaten breakfast, stared at the scrambled eggs and sliced ham for a moment, then pushed the plate away with a grimace. She was a nervous wreck and unable to appreciate the thoughtfulness of Lady Gladstone, who despite everything had made the day a bit more bearable for Adel. The countess had ensured that breakfast was made available in a smaller dining room for her, the duke, and her family. She had even decorated the room with bountiful vases of orchids and lily.
“Will you be staying for the rest of the house party, Your Grace?” her stepmother asked.
Adel waited for his response. Since he had brushed his cold lips on her cheek in the chapel, he had not acknowledged her. At first she had been baffled, then hurt, then her feelings shifted to gratefulness. She could not endure any attempts at polite conversation.
She felt as if she were in a sea, drowning in uncertainty and trepidation. She was sure of nothing—the duke, his children, her wedding night, and their future. Everything was so overwhelming, she preferred to be silent and not be prodded to converse.
Thankfully, her father and Lady Margaret had ignored her as well, and they had spent the last hour, chattering away at Edmond. Adel doubted he got in more than a few words, though he seemed content to remain stoic.
“We depart for Hampshire at noon,” he said.
Oh. “I know no one in Hampshire.” Why had she opened her mouth? His piercing regard prompted her to force a smile to her lips. “Though I hear it is most congenial there,” Adel said.
“Your sisters will be very excited to visit your new home. The country air will do wonders for their health,” Papa said, already trying to ensure Lady Margaret’s daughters were seen to be connected with Wolverton.
Lady Margaret gave her husband a sweet approving smile.
“It does you credit, Your Grace, that you would have your family to the famous Rosette Park for a visit in short order.”
It took Adel several moments to realize Lady Margaret spoke to her. She was now Your Grace. Good Heavens! A visit to Rosette Park? Not that Adel minded, her stepsisters were good natured, even if a bit silly at times, but it was certainly too soon to have every one descended on them. “With Edmond’s approval you will all be welcome to visit for a spell, however, Papa, I think it is best that the duke and I have the first few weeks alone so we may learn each other. Remember we hardly even got a chance to converse properly…and here we are, wedded.”
Her stepmother’s eyes pinched in irritation and her father frowned, and then nodded. “Of course, my dear. We will take to the waters in Bath for a few weeks. We’ve leased a house at Camden Place and the girls are looking forward to traveling down.”
The duke said nothing, taking too long before he removed his unnerving regard from her back to Lady Margaret.
Good lord. When will I be comfortable with him? But the better question was, had that been admiration she saw in his eyes?
Adel was filled with relief they would be departing in two hours’ time. The journey to Hampshire would take the better part of the day, and they might very well arrive at Rosette Park tomorrow. She lowered her napkin. “If you will excuse me, I must oversee the packing of my
belongings.” She pushed back her chair, as the duke stood. After dipping into a shallow curtsy, Adel hurried from the dining room, able to feel his roving stare burning through her dress like a heated caress.
Chapter Ten
Adel shifted the curtains of the carriage and peered into the dark. Under the banner of moonlight she made out the powerful form of the rider ahead. The duke. They had been traveling for several hours, and she had passed the time by reading. Now the carriage lantern was not sufficient for her to discern the words on the pages, and the passage of Theodore Aikens’s latest espionage tale was thrilling and quite rousing.
The coach turned into what looked like the driveway of a lively inn despite the late hour and rolled to a stop. Edmond was the one to assist her from the equipage.
“Thank you,” she said smiling up at him.
He nodded curtly and held out his arm.
“It wouldn’t be amiss to smile,” she muttered.
“Why would I be smiling when there is no cause?”
