Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

" W e've arrived, Your Grace," the coachman's voice called out, breaking the tense silence that had fallen over the carriage.

Edmund straightened, his gaze shifting from the passing landscape to his new bride. Lady Adeline—no, he corrected himself, the Duchess of Holbrook now—sat across from him, her green eyes wide as she took in the imposing facade of Holbrook Manor.

As the carriage rolled to a stop, Edmund cleared his throat. "Before we disembark, there are a few matters we should discuss, Duchess."

Adeline's attention snapped back to him, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "Of course, Your Grace. What did you wish to speak about?"

Edmund steeled himself, pushing aside the memory of their passionate encounter in the stables. This was not a love match, he reminded himself sternly. It was a marriage of convenience, orchestrated by their meddling grandmothers, and it was best that they both understood that from the start.

"I believe we should establish some ground rules for our… arrangement," he began, his tone businesslike. "This is a marriage of convenience, nothing more. We will, of course, live together as befits a duke and duchess, but I see no reason for us to intrude on each other's private lives."

He watched as Adeline's expression shifted, relief and something that looked almost like disappointment flashing across her face.

"I understand," she said, her voice neutral. "Is there anything else?"

Edmund nodded, forging ahead. "Yes. While I have no intention of interfering in your personal affairs, you will be expected to attend certain social events with me. As the Duchess of Holbrook, your presence will be required at?—"

"Attend events?" Adeline interrupted, her brow furrowing. "You wish me to accompany you to social gatherings?"

"Obviously," Edmund replied, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. "I need to forge connections for business reasons, and as my wife, you?—"

"Your Grace," Adeline cut in again, her hand rising unconsciously to her cheek, her fingers tracing the line of her scar. "I… I'm not the kind of wife to be paraded around. Surely you must realize that my presence would be more of a hindrance than a help in your business endeavors."

Edmund felt a surge of frustration, both at her words and at the delicate gesture that drew his attention to her scar.

Did she truly believe he found her appearance off-putting? The scar, far from detracting from her beauty, only served to enhance the strength and resilience he saw in her. It was part of what had drawn him to her in the first place, though he could hardly admit that now.

She's still the most captivating woman I've ever met . Scars or no scars, she outshines every insipid debutante in London.

But as quickly as the thought came, Edmund pushed it aside. Unbidden, an image of Joanna flashed through his mind. He remembered how captivated he had been, how easily he had fallen for her charms. And how brutally she had betrayed him.

The memory of that pain, still raw after all these years, hardened something inside him. He couldn't allow himself to be vulnerable again, couldn't risk his heart or the future of Holbrook for fleeting emotions.

This marriage was a business arrangement, nothing more. He had to remember that. Adeline might be beautiful, might stir feelings in him he thought long dead, but he couldn't afford to indulge in such dangerous sentiments.

Instead of the words of admiration that threatened to spill from his lips, he fixed her with a steady gaze.

"I don't care about any of that," he stated firmly, his tone perhaps harsher than he had intended. "You are the Duchess of Holbrook now, and you shall carry out your duties as such. Your appearance is irrelevant to the matter at hand."

He saw a flicker of hurt pass through Adeline's eyes at his cold words, and for a moment, he almost relented. But he forced himself to remain impassive.

It was better this way, he told himself. Better for both of them if they maintained a proper distance—if they didn't allow sentiment to complicate their arrangement.

"Our grandmothers may have orchestrated this match," he said, his tone softening slightly despite himself, "but we must make the best of our situation. I expect you to fulfill your role as Duchess, just as I shall fulfill mine as Duke. Is that understood?"

This is for the best , Edmund told himself as he watched a range of emotions flash across Adeline's face. We can't allow personal feelings to complicate matters. This is simply a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more.

But even as he thought it, a small part of him rebelled against the idea. The memory of their kiss, the fire that had ignited between them, threatened to overwhelm his carefully constructed walls of indifference.

He pushed the thoughts aside ruthlessly. There was no room for such sentiments in this marriage. They would do their duty, nothing more and nothing less.

As the footman opened the carriage door, Edmund offered his hand to Adeline. "Shall we, Duchess? Holbrook awaits."

Adeline's heart raced as she stepped down from the carriage, her hand resting lightly on Edmund's arm. Before her loomed Holbrook Manor, its grand fa?ade a testament to centuries of wealth and power. This was to be her home now, she realized with awe and trepidation.

As they ascended the broad stone steps, the massive oak doors swung open, revealing a line of staff waiting to greet their new mistress. Adeline straightened her spine, determined to make a good first impression despite her nerves.

"Your Grace." A distinguished older man stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Welcome home. I am Mr. Thornley, the butler. On behalf of the entire staff, may I offer our congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you, Thornley," Edmund replied, his tone warm but formal. "Allow me to present Her Grace, the Duchess of Holbrook."

Adeline inclined her head graciously, offering what she hoped was a friendly smile. "I'm pleased to meet you all," she said, her voice clear despite her nervousness. "I look forward to getting to know each of you."

As her gaze swept over the assembled staff, she couldn't help but notice the flicker of surprise in their eyes. Some looked away quickly, while others stared for a moment too long before remembering their manners. She felt her cheeks flush, all too aware of what had caught their attention.

Edmund, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrent of discomfort, began introducing the senior staff members. "This is Mrs. Fairfax, our housekeeper," he said, indicating a plump, motherly woman who curtsied deeply.

"Welcome, Your Grace," Mrs. Fairfax offered, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners. "I've prepared the Duchess's chambers personally. I do hope everything will be to your liking."

Adeline smiled, grateful for the woman's warmth. "I'm sure it will be lovely, Mrs. Fairfax. Thank you."

The introductions continued. Mr. Greene, the taciturn head groom; Mrs. Potts, the cheerful cook; and Hannah, a petite young woman with bright, inquisitive eyes who was to be Adeline's lady's maid.

As they moved inside, Adeline couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, evaluated. The weight of centuries of tradition and expectation seemed to press down on her with each step she took across the polished marble floor.

"I'll have Thornley show you to your chambers," Edmund said, his voice pulling her out of her thoughts. "I'm sure you'd like to rest after our journey. We'll dine at eight."

Before Adeline could respond, he had turned away, striding purposefully towards what she assumed was his study. She watched him go, a familiar ache settling in her chest. Even here, in his own home, he couldn't wait to be away from her.

"This way, if you please, Your Grace," Thornley's voice broke into her melancholy thoughts.

Adeline followed the butler up a grand staircase and down a long corridor adorned with portraits of stern-faced Pembertons from ages past. At last, they came to a stop before an ornate set of double doors.

"These are your chambers, Your Grace," Thornley said, opening the doors with a flourish. "His Grace's rooms adjoin yours through that door there." He indicated a connecting door on the far wall. "Will there be anything else?"

Adeline shook her head, managing a small smile. "No, thank you, Thornley. That will be all for now."

As the butler bowed and retreated, closing the doors behind him, Adeline finally allowed herself to relax. She looked around the opulent bedchamber, taking in the silk-draped four-poster bed, the delicate furniture, and the large windows overlooking the estate's manicured lawns.

It was beautiful, she had to admit. But it felt more like a grand guest chamber in a royal palace than a home. Certainly not like the warm, cozy rooms she'd left behind at her father's estate. The grandeur was undeniable, yet it lacked the personal touches that made a space truly one's own.

A soft knock at the door roused her from her musings. "Come in," she called, turning to see Hannah enter with a curtsy.

"I've come to help you change for dinner, Your Grace," the young maid said, her eyes bright with barely contained curiosity. "Is there anything in particular you'd like to wear?"

Adeline hesitated. She hadn't given much thought to her wardrobe, truth be told. "Perhaps the blue silk gown?" she suggested, naming the first gown that came to mind.

As Hannah busied herself with laying out the chosen dress, Adeline found herself longing for some human connection in this strange new world she'd entered.

"Hannah," she began hesitantly, "might I ask you something?"

The maid looked up, surprise evident on her face. "Of course, Your Grace. Anything at all."

Adeline took a deep breath. "His Grace, the Duke… what sort of man is he? I mean, what is he like here at home?"

Hannah's brow furrowed slightly as she considered the question. "Well, Your Grace, His Grace is… he's a fair master, to be sure. Demanding, but never cruel. He works long hours in his study, and he's very particular about the running of the estate." She paused, then added with a small smile, "The staff respects him greatly, though I daresay some find him a bit intimidating at times."

Adeline nodded, absorbing this information. It aligned with what she'd noticed about Edmund so far—he was competent and dutiful, but distant.

"And… does he entertain often?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual. "Have many guests?"

The maid shook her head. "Oh no, Your Grace. His Grace rarely hosts visitors, save for his grandmother on occasion. He's not one for social gatherings, you see. That's why everyone was so surprised when we heard of the marriage and the news that there would be dinners and balls and the like. Begging your pardon, of course," she added hastily, a blush rising to her cheeks.

"No need to apologize," Adeline said softly. "I understand."

As Hannah helped her dress for dinner, Adeline's mind whirled with this new information. Edmund was clearly a solitary man, set in his ways.

Where did she fit into this carefully ordered world he'd created for himself?

Dinner was a quiet affair, with Edmund engrossed in some papers he'd brought to the table. Adeline picked at her food, the knot in her stomach growing with each passing minute.

As the clock struck ten, Edmund stood up. "If you'll excuse me," he said, not quite meeting her eyes. "I have some correspondence to attend to. Goodnight, Duchess."

Adeline watched him go, her heart sinking. She'd half-hoped, despite his earlier words about their marriage being one of convenience, that he might…

No. Clearly, he had no interest in pursuing anything beyond the barest minimum of interaction required by their positions.

Later, as she lay alone in the vast, unfamiliar bed, Adeline stared at the connecting door to Edmund's chambers. It remained resolutely closed, a silent testament to the gulf between them.

She was the Duchess of Holbrook now, she reminded herself sternly. She had a role to play, duties to fulfill. Her feelings—her disappointment, her loneliness, her foolish hopes for something more—had no place in this new life.

With a heavy sigh, Adeline closed her eyes, willing sleep to come. Tomorrow would be a new day, her first full day as mistress of Holbrook Manor. Whatever challenges it might bring, she would face them with the grace and dignity befitting her new station.

Even if, in the secret corners of her heart, she longed for so much more.