Page 18 of How Not to Marry a Duke

She assumed satisfying his curiosity would make her work easier. His brow furrowed as he studied the plant, turning the clay pot as he eyed it. “The leaves are thick and fleshy and deep green color. There are white spots on the leaves, and the edges are sharp to the touch. It is quite unusual.”

His observations sounded like something from a scientific journal. Adeline broke off two of the thick leaves and a clear juice appeared.

“Interesting,” he said.

She placed a pestle and crucible on the table. “Other herbs are helpful for burns as well, such as chamomile and lavender.” She added drops of chamomile from a vial and the juice from the plant to the crucible, then reached for the pestle. All the while, she was aware of his penetrating gaze watching her.

The aloe vera didn’t have much of a scent, but the chamomile and lavender both perfumed the air with a delicate floral fragrance. Once the poultice was ready, she reached for his injured arm. He held up his other hand. “Will it sting? The flour doesn’t.”

“No. The poultice is soothing. But for it to work, it must be applied twice a day. The bandages must be changed as well.”

“Does that mean you will be the one to change the dressing?”

“Who else? If infection sets in, I don’t want you to blame my pet pig on your suffering. Besides, your butler isn’t a healer.”

His lips quirked and he nodded. She carefully applied the poultice to the burn, then began to wrap his arm in clean bandages. His free hand touched hers, light as a butterfly. His fingers were long and tapered, strong. “You were right,” he said. “It didn’t hurt.”

She froze and stole a glance at his face beneath lowered lashes. Warwick looked at her intently, something alarming in his green gaze. An unwelcome awareness tingled through her, and she forced an even tone despite her thumping heart. “Do not remove the bandages until I visit. You will find some relief, but it will take time for the burn to fully heal.” As she secured the last of the bandages, she was aware of the breadth of his chest, the warmth of his skin.

“Thank you.”

She swallowed, suddenly unable to find her voice. Goodness. Why did he have to be so attractive? He was the type of man who could make a woman forget herself and do foolish things.

A frightening thought crossed her mind. If he wasn’t maddening, she just might find herself one of those women.

…

Just as the Duke of Warwick was to leave, the front door creaked on its ungreased hinges.

“Adeline! I found the peppermint and hyssop.” Hasmik’s face, which was flushed from her journey, turned a shade of pink as she spotted the duke alone with Adeline. Wisps of red hair had escaped from her turban and created a frizz around her round face. “I didn’t realize you had a visitor!” she said breathlessly.

“Come sit, Hasmik. I’ll fetch you water,” Adeline said.

Hasmik shook her head, her gaze never leaving Warwick’s face. “I’m fine. Good day to you, sir. Are you ill?”

“No,” Warwick said.

Adeline pursed her lips. “Hasmik, may I introduce you to our neighbor, His Grace, the Duke of Warwick.” Adeline motioned to the older woman. “Your Grace, this is my companion, Miss Hasmik.”

Warwick bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hasmik.”

Hasmik gaped and the basket of herbs slipped from her fingers to scatter across the floor.

Hasmik looked awestruck. Standing in the middle of her parlor, the duke was striking in a dark, captivating way. If only he wasn’t so frustrating. If only she wasn’t embroiled in a fake courtship with him. How were two such different people supposed to pull it off?

Adeline’s gaze lowered to the floorboards, and she sighed. She hadn’t had a moment to clean the shattered vase and buttercups on the parlor floor. With the addition of the herbs, she didn’t look forward to cleaning the mess.

Warwick picked up the basket and handed it to the older woman.

“Forgive me for my clumsiness, Your Grace. It’s not every day that a duke visits.” Hasmik’s gaze settled on the duke’s bandaged arm. “Ah, I see. You are not ill but injured. Has Lady Adeline treated you today?”

“I won’t take any more of your time.” Warwick turned to Adeline. “Shall I expect you later today to change the dressing? Miss Hasmik is welcome as well, of course.”

The country was a refreshing change from the stifling stiffness of London. Other than Hasmik, no one here knew that Adeline had been alone with a bachelor for a good part of the afternoon. Still, manners prevailed, and Adeline would never visit the duke’s home unaccompanied. Hasmik would act as her chaperone.

Adeline nodded. “You can expect us before dark.”

Hasmik waited until the door closed behind Warwick before whirling to face her. “A duke! Our neighbor is a duke?”