Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

" Y our Grace, we've heard such fascinating things about your agricultural innovations!" exclaimed a young debutante, her eyes wide with exaggerated interest.

Edmund suppressed a sigh as he turned to face yet another group of ladies and their eager mamas. He'd lost count of how many such encounters he'd endured over the course of the afternoon, each one chipping away at his already fragile patience.

"Indeed?" he replied, his tone neutral.

Lady Pendleton, a matronly woman with an air of determined curiosity, leaned in closer, undeterred by his obvious discomfort. "Oh, it's all anyone can talk about! Tell us, Your Grace, is it true that you've introduced a revolutionary method of… er… plowing?"

Edmund's eyebrows shot up to his hairline. "Plowing, Madam?"

"Yes!" chimed in another young lady. "We've heard you have a most… vigorous approach to tilling the soil."

Edmund fought to keep his expression neutral, even as he realized the ladies were attempting to flirt using agricultural euphemisms.

"I assure you, our farming methods at Holbrook are quite conventional. We simply focus on sustainable practices and?—"

"Sustainable!" interrupted a third lady, fanning herself dramatically. "How thrilling! And do you personally oversee these practices, Your Grace?"

"I… well, yes, I do inspect the fields regularly," Edmund replied, growing increasingly uncomfortable.

"In your shirt sleeves, I hope," murmured one of the mamas, eyeing him appreciatively.

Edmund cleared his throat, desperately searching for an escape. His eyes scanned the lawn and landed on a familiar figure. Lady Adeline stood with her grandmother, her honey-brown hair gleaming in the sunlight. Even from a distance, Edmund could see the tension in her posture, the forced smile she wore as she nodded to whatever Lady Gillingham was saying.

"If you'll excuse me, ladies," he said, bowing slightly. "I'm afraid I have a… pressing agricultural matter to attend to."

Ignoring their disappointed murmurs and thinly veiled innuendos about "sowing his seeds", Edmund made his way towards a group of gentlemen gathered near the refreshments table. Perhaps there he could find a respite from the relentless and bizarrely agricultural matchmaking attempts.

However, his reprieve was short-lived. A familiar voice, smooth as silk and twice as dangerous, cut through the conversation.

"My, my, Your Grace. I never knew you had such a passion for agriculture. How… quaint."

Edmund stiffened, his entire body tensing up as if preparing for battle. He turned slowly, steeling himself for the sight he knew awaited him.

Joanna stood before him, resplendent in a gown of deep crimson that clung to her curves in a manner just this side of scandalous. Her red lips were curled into a predatory smile, her eyes gleaming with amusement and something darker, more calculating.

"Lady Strathmore," he said coolly, fighting to keep his voice steady. "I wasn't aware you had an interest in farming practices."

Joanna laughed, a tinkling sound that set his teeth on edge. It was the same laugh that had once captivated him, that had echoed in his dreams. Now, it only served to remind him of his foolishness.

"Oh, I have many interests, Your Grace," she purred, taking a step closer. The scent of her perfume—roses and something spicier—wafted to him, bringing with it a flood of unwelcome memories. "Perhaps we might discuss them somewhere more… private?"

Edmund felt the weight of curious gazes upon them. The conversation around them had dimmed, the ton's attention now firmly fixed on this unexpected drama unfolding in their midst. No doubt they were salivating at the prospect of fresh gossip involving the reclusive Duke of Holbrook and the widowed Lady Strathmore.

He could almost hear the whispers starting already. Had the Duke and Lady Strathmore rekindled their relationship? Was she the reason for his long absence from Society? The potential for scandal hung heavy in the air, as tangible as the spring heat.

"I'm afraid I must decline," he said, his voice firm despite his inner turmoil. He took a deliberate step back, putting distance between himself and Joanna. "If you'll excuse me, my grandmother requires my attention."

Joanna's eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of anger breaking through her carefully cultivated mask of seduction. "Come now, Edmund," she said, her voice low and intimate. "Surely you haven't forgotten the… connection we once shared? I've missed our little tête-à-tête ."

Edmund's jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides. How dare she speak of their past so casually, as if she hadn't shattered his heart and his trust in one fell swoop? As if the mere mention of their ‘connection' didn't fill him with rage and pain?

"That's all in the past, Lady Strathmore," he replied, his tone arctic. "And that's where it will remain. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Without waiting for a response, Edmund turned on his heel and strode away, his back ramrod straight. He could feel Joanna's gaze boring into him, could sense the speculation and excitement rippling through the crowd. But he didn't look back. He couldn't afford to show any weakness, any hint that her presence still affected him.

As he made his way across the lawn, his mind raced. He had known that re-entering Society would be difficult, but he hadn't anticipated this. Joanna's appearance had caught him off guard, dredging up feelings and memories he'd thought long since buried.

He quickened his pace, desperate to put as much distance between them as possible.

In his haste, he nearly collided with Lady Adeline, who had been making her way to the rose garden.

"Your Grace!" she exclaimed, taking a quick step back. "I do beg your pardon. I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going."

Edmund found himself momentarily struck dumb. Up close, her green eyes were even more striking than he remembered, flecked with gold and framed by long lashes.

"Not at all, Lady Adeline," he managed after a moment. "Though I must say, for someone so eager to escape my company at Lady Windhurst's, you seem to have a knack for finding me in gardens."

A blush rose to Adeline's cheeks. "I assure you, Your Grace, any encounters are purely coincidental. Unless you're suggesting I'm chasing you through shrubberies?"

Edmund's lips twitched. "The thought had crossed my mind. Though I'd hate to accuse you of impropriety again."

"How generous of you," Adeline retorted, her eyes sparkling with challenge. "And here I thought you were the one in pursuit, given your sudden appearance at every event I attend."

"Merely fulfilling my social obligations," Edmund countered smoothly. "Though I must admit, your presence does make these tedious affairs more… interesting."

Adeline raised an eyebrow. "Interesting? My, what a tepid compliment. I'm positively swooning."

Edmund leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "Would you prefer something more effusive, my lady? Perhaps a sonnet about your eyes?"

"I think not," Adeline replied, fighting a smile. "I've heard rumors of your literary endeavors. I'd rather not risk becoming the subject of a poorly rhymed ode."

Edmund's eyebrow rose. "Rumors of my literary endeavors? I wasn't aware my poetic talents were a topic of gossip."

"Oh, Your Grace," Adeline said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "you'd be surprised what the ton whispers about. Though I must say, ‘poetic talents' might be a rather generous description."

Before Edmund could retort, they were interrupted by the sound of his grandmother's voice, magically amplified to carry across the grounds.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please!"

All heads turned towards Lady Alderton, who stood on a small, raised platform, beaming at the assembled guests.

"As a special treat, I've organized a little diversion for us all," she announced. "A scavenger hunt! Each of you will be given a list of items to find, hidden throughout the estate grounds. The first to collect all items and return to this spot will receive a special prize."

A burst of excitement rippled through the crowd. Edmund, however, felt his heart sink. A scavenger hunt? Surely his grandmother didn't expect him to participate in such a childish game?

"It all sounds very entertaining," Lady Adeline said beside him, though her tone suggested that she found it anything but. "If you'll excuse me, Your Grace. I believe I see my grandmother beckoning me over."

As she moved away, Edmund found himself strangely reluctant to let her go. There was something about her that intrigued him, a depth beneath her polite exterior that he longed to explore further.

"Edmund, darling!" His grandmother's voice broke through his musings. "Do come and help me distribute the lists. And do try to look a bit more enthusiastic, dear. It's meant to be fun!"

With a sigh, Edmund made his way towards the platform. As he handed out slips of paper to eager participants, he couldn't help but notice Lady Adeline standing slightly apart from the main group. Her grandmother appeared to be encouraging her to join in, but her reluctance was evident in every line of her body.

Finally, after what appeared to be a heated whispered exchange, Lady Adeline accepted a list from her grandmother. As the other guests began to disperse, chattering excitedly about their hunt, she set off alone towards the wooded area at the edge of the gardens.

Edmund watched her go, curiosity stirring in his chest. Before he quite knew what he was doing, he had snatched up one of the remaining lists and was following after her.

"And where do you think you're going?" his grandmother's amused voice called after him.

Edmund turned, offering her a slight smile. "To participate in your game, of course. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Lady Alderton's eyes twinkled knowingly. "Of course, dear. Do have fun. And Edmund?" she added as he walked away. "Do try not to get too distracted."

Ignoring the heat rising to his cheeks, Edmund set off after Lady Adeline, his long strides eating up the distance between them. He told himself he was merely curious, perhaps even concerned for her safety, wandering the grounds alone.

But deep down, a part of him he'd long thought dormant stirred to life. The thrill of the chase, the promise of mystery and discovery—it called to him in a way nothing had since before the war.

As he entered the cool shade of the trees, he allowed himself a small smile. Perhaps this childish game wouldn't be so tedious, after all.

Adeline clutched the scavenger hunt list in her hand, her eyes scanning the paper for what felt like the hundredth time. She had already found a peacock feather and a blue ribbon, but the golden acorn ornament continued to elude her.

As she made her way across the expansive grounds of the Alderton estate, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The solitude of the hunt was a welcome respite from the suffocating atmosphere of the party. Here, among the trees and wildflowers, she didn't have to force smiles or endure pitying glances.

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying with it the sweet scent of honeysuckle. For a moment, Adeline allowed herself to imagine a different life—one where she was free to wander beautiful gardens like this whenever she pleased, unburdened by societal expectations and impending exile.

The sound of approaching hoofbeats shattered her reverie. Her heart leaped into her throat as she realized how close she had wandered to the stables. She hadn't meant to come this way—she had, in fact, been actively avoiding this part of the estate.

"It's fine," she muttered to herself, trying to quell the rising panic in her chest. "They're just horses. They can't hurt you from inside their stalls."

Even as she spoke the words, Adeline knew they were a lie. The memory of that long-ago garden party flashed unbidden through her mind—the skittish horse, her father's insistence that she ride it, the sickening sensation of falling…

She shook her head forcefully, trying to dispel the images. "Focus, Adeline," she chided herself. "Find the acorn and get out of here."

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to approach the stable block. The building was impressive, all gleaming wood and polished brass fittings. In any other circumstance, she might have admired its beauty. Now, it loomed before her like a fortress of her worst fears.

As she drew closer, the sounds and smells of the stables enveloped her. The soft nickering of horses, the rustle of hay, the pungent scent of leather and horseflesh—it all combined to make her heart rate quicken.

"Just a quick look," Adeline promised herself. "The acorn might be hanging from one of the beams. In and out, that's all."

She had just reached the stable door when a movement caught her eye. Before she could react, a large bay horse emerged from one of the stalls, its powerful frame filling the doorway.

Adeline froze, her breath catching in her throat. The horse tossed its head, dark eyes rolling as it regarded her. For a moment, neither moved.

Then, as if in slow motion, the horse took a step forward.

A strangled yelp escaped Adeline's lips before she could stop it. The sound seemed to startle the horse, which snorted and pawed at the ground nervously.

"N-nice horse," Adeline stammered, her voice high-pitched and trembling. "Good horse. Stay there. Please, just stay there."

But her words seemed to have the opposite effect. The horse, agitated by her obvious fear, took another step towards her. Its ears were pinned back now, nostrils flaring as it sensed her distress.

Adeline's mind screamed at her to run, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. Her vision narrowed until all she could see was the massive animal before her, its hot breath visible in the cool air.

The horse reared up suddenly, its front hooves pawing at the air. Adeline stumbled backward, tripping over her skirts in her haste to escape. She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of her.

As she lay there, gasping for breath, the world seemed to move in slow motion. She saw the horse coming down, its hooves descending towards her in a terrible arc. At that moment, she was certain she was about to die.

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the impact.