Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

" A deline! Oh, how wonderful to see you!" Isabella's excited squeal echoed through the foyer as she flew down the stairs, nearly tripping over her skirts in her haste.

Adeline couldn't help but smile at her sister's enthusiasm, opening her arms just in time to catch her in a fierce embrace. "Careful, Bella! You'll ruin your dress."

Isabella pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Never mind the dress. I've missed you terribly. But what are you doing here? Is everything all right?"

Adeline's smile faltered slightly. "Everything's fine. I just… needed to see a friendly face."

Isabella furrowed her brow, but before she could press further, she looped her arm through Adeline's and began leading her towards the drawing room.

"Well, I'm delighted you're here. Come, you must tell me everything about life as a duchess!"

As they settled onto the chaise lounge, Isabella rang for tea, then turned to Adeline with an expectant grin. "Now, spill. How is married life treating you?"

Adeline smoothed her skirts, buying herself time as she considered her response.

"It's… different than I expected," she said finally. "Holbrook Manor is beautiful, and the staff have been kind. But it's a big adjustment."

Isabella leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "And the Duke? Is he as cold and unapproachable as everyone says he is?"

Adeline felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she remembered the heated moment in the carriage.

"He's… complex," she said carefully. "Not the most approachable, perhaps, but he has his moments of sincerity."

"Moments of sincerity?" Isabella repeated, her eyebrows raised. "That sounds thrilling, indeed. Come now, Adeline, surely there must be more to tell. How was your wedding night?"

"Isabella!" Adeline gasped, her face flaming. "That's hardly an appropriate topic for a debutante!"

Isabella's peal of laughter filled the room. "Oh, please. I'm not a child, Adeline. Besides, it's just us here. You can tell me."

Adeline shook her head, fighting a smile. "Some things, dear sister, are better kept secret. Even from you."

"Oh, you can be such a spoilsport." Isabella pouted, but her eyes were twinkling. "Very well, keep your secrets."

"You must at least tell me how your first Season is going. Have any suitors caught your eye yet?" Adeline asked.

Content to have changed the subject, she settled back in her seat, listening as Isabella launched into an animated account of her recent social engagements. Her sister's enthusiasm was infectious, and Adeline found herself relaxing for the first time in days.

"… and then Lord Darwood asked me to dance for a second time!" Isabella finished, her cheeks pink with excitement. "Can you believe it?"

Adeline smiled, reaching out to squeeze her sister's hand. "I can, actually. You're a delightful young woman, Bella. Any gentleman would be lucky to court you."

Isabella beamed at the praise, then sobered slightly. "I do wish you could be here for it all, though. It's not the same without you."

A lump formed in Adeline's throat. "I wish I could be here too," she said softly. "But you're doing splendidly on your own. I'm so proud of you, Bella."

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening, followed by heavy footsteps in the hall. Moments later, Lord Brenton appeared in the doorway, his eyebrows rising at the sight of Adeline.

"Adeline," he said, his tone neutral. "This is an unexpected visit."

Adeline rose, curtsying slightly. "Father. I hope I'm not intruding."

Lord Brenton's eyes swept over her, taking in every detail of her appearance. "Not at all. Though I must say, I'm surprised to see you in London. Is all well at Holbrook?"

"Yes, Father," Adeline replied, fighting the urge to fidget under his scrutiny. "I merely wished to visit Isabella."

"I see." Lord Brenton's gaze sharpened. "And how is married life treating you? I trust you're fulfilling your duties as Duchess adequately?"

Isabella jumped to her feet, indignation flashing in her eyes. "Father! Adeline's only just arrived. Surely this interrogation can wait?"

Lord Brenton's lips thinned, but before he could respond, Isabella plowed on. "In fact, Adeline and I were just about to take a turn in Hyde Park. The weather is lovely, and it would be a shame to waste it indoors."

"I'm not sure that's wise," Lord Brenton said, furrowing his brow. "The park will be crowded at this hour. Perhaps it would be better if you remained here. I believe Lord Pembrook mentioned that he'd call this afternoon."

Isabella lifted her chin defiantly. "Lord Pembrook can wait. I haven't seen my sister in weeks, and I intend to spend time with her while she's here."

Adeline, seeing the storm brewing in her father's eyes, quickly intervened. "Actually, Bella, I'm afraid I can't stay much longer. I hadn't intended to make this a long visit."

"But you've only just arrived!" Isabella protested, her face falling.

Adeline forced a smile, even as her heart ached at the disappointment in her sister's eyes. "I know, and I'm sorry. But I have duties to attend to at Holbrook. Perhaps we can arrange a longer visit soon?"

Isabella's frown deepened, but after a moment, she nodded reluctantly. "I suppose. But you must promise to write more often. I miss you terribly."

"I promise," Adeline said, pulling her sister into a tight embrace. As they parted, she whispered, "Be patient with Father. He means well, even if he doesn't always show it."

Isabella rolled her eyes but nodded. "I'll try. But only because you asked."

As Adeline prepared to leave, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. She had come seeking comfort and clarity, but instead, she found herself more conflicted than ever. The warmth of her sister's love contrasted sharply with the cool formality of Holbrook Manor, leaving her adrift between two worlds.

With a final wave to Isabella, she stepped into her waiting carriage, her mind already racing with thoughts of the reception that awaited her at Holbrook Manor.

One thing was certain—her impulsive visit to London had done little to quell the turmoil in her heart.

Edmund glared at the ledger before him, the neat columns of figures swimming before his eyes.

He'd been staring at the same page for what felt like hours, unable to focus on the task at hand. Instead, his mind kept drifting to the carriage ride, to the softness of Adeline's skin beneath his fingers, the warmth of her breath on his cheek…

With a growl of frustration, he threw down his quill. It hit the ledger with enough force to splatter ink across the page, ruining hours of meticulous work.

"Damn it all," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

A discreet knock at the study door pulled him from his brooding thoughts.

"Yes, what is it?" he snapped.

Thornley appeared in the doorway, looking unperturbed by his master's foul mood. "Lord Ravenshaw to see you, Your Grace. Shall I show him in?"

Edmund sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes, fine. Show him in."

Moments later, Daniel sauntered into the study, his customary grin faltering slightly as he took in his friend's disheveled appearance and the ink-stained ledger.

"I say, old chap," he said, raising an eyebrow, "you look like you've been wrestling with the hounds. Everything all right?"

Edmund waved off his concern, gesturing for him to take a seat. "It's nothing. Just some… accounting difficulties."

Daniel's eyes narrowed skeptically as he plopped down into the chair across from the desk. "Accounting difficulties. Right. And I suppose that's why you look as though you haven't slept in days?" He glanced around the study. "Speaking of which, where's this new wife of yours? I was rather hoping to meet the woman who's managed to tame the notorious Duke of Holbrook."

Edmund's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Adeline is… indisposed at the moment. She's resting in her chambers."

"Ah, I see," Daniel replied, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I suppose I'll have to wait for another opportunity to make her acquaintance. Do pass on my regards, won't you?"

"Did you come here to criticize my appearance and be snoopy, Daniel, or is there an actual purpose to your visit?" Edmund asked, his tone sharper than he'd intended.

"Peace, my friend," Daniel said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I merely came to see how married life is treating you. The ton is positively abuzz with speculation, you know."

A muscle in Edmund's jaw ticked. "Is that so? And what, pray tell, are they saying?"

Daniel leaned back in his chair, studying him carefully. "Oh, the usual nonsense. Some say you've become a recluse, others say that you're madly in love and can't bear to be parted from your bride. A few of the more imaginative sort are even suggesting you've whisked your new Duchess off to the Continent for a grand tour."

"Ridiculous," Edmund muttered. "Don't these people have anything better to do with their time?"

"Come now, Eddie," Daniel drawled, using the childhood nickname he knew his friend despised. "You can't blame them for being curious. You've always been something of an enigma, and now you've gone and married a woman who half the ton had written off as a spinster. It's bound to set tongues wagging."

Edmund's eyes flashed dangerously. "Adeline is the Duchess of Holbrook now. I'll not have anyone speaking ill of her, is that clear?"

Daniel's eyebrows shot up at Edmund's vehemence. "Crystal clear, old boy. But you still haven't answered my question. How are you finding married life?"

Edmund stood up abruptly, moving to the window to gaze out at the manicured grounds of Holbrook Manor. "It's… an adjustment," he replied. "But Adeline is… she's…" he trailed off, unsure how to put into words the tumult of emotions she stirred within him.

How could he explain the way his heart raced when she entered a room, or the fierce protectiveness he felt when he thought of the ton's cruel whispers?

"She's what?" Daniel prompted gently.

Edmund shook his head, turning back to face his friend. "She's a suitable wife. Capable, intelligent. She'll do well as Duchess."

Daniel's expression was uncharacteristically serious. "Is that all she is to you? A ‘suitable wife'?"

For a moment, Edmund was tempted to confide in his oldest friend. To tell him about the moment in the carriage, about the way Adeline's laugh made something warm unfurl in his chest. But the memory of Joanna's betrayal rose like a specter between them, and his walls slammed back into place.

"What else should she be?" he asked coolly. "Ours is a marriage of convenience, nothing more."

Daniel sighed, rising to his feet. "If you say so, old chap. But if I may offer a word of advice?"

Edmund raised an eyebrow, waiting.

"Don't let the ghosts of the past blind you to the possibilities of the present," Daniel said softly. "Adeline is not Joanna. And you, my friend, deserve a chance at happiness."

With that, he clapped Edmund on the shoulder and stepped out of the room, leaving him alone with his turbulent thoughts.

As the door closed behind his friend, Edmund sank back into his chair, his eyes drawn to the ink-stained ledger. The neat columns of figures, once so orderly and predictable, now seemed to mock him with their simplicity.

How had his life become so complicated? And more importantly, what was he going to do about the growing, undeniable attraction he felt for his wife?

With a heavy sigh, Edmund reached for a fresh sheet of paper. He had ledgers to balance, an estate to run. He couldn't afford to let himself be distracted by matters of the heart.

And yet, as he dipped his quill in the inkpot, he couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had shifted.

That perhaps, despite his best efforts to maintain his emotional distance, Adeline had already begun to breach the carefully constructed walls around his heart.