Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

" Y our Grace, a message has arrived from London," Thornley announced, interrupting Edmund's brooding.

Edmund looked up from the ledger he'd been staring at for the past hour, his mind elsewhere. "Thank you, Thornley. Just leave it on the desk."

As the butler retreated, Edmund sighed, running a hand through his hair. He'd been on edge all day, unable to shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Adeline's absence hadn't gone unnoticed, and despite his best efforts to focus on estate matters, his thoughts kept drifting back to her.

The sound of carriage wheels on gravel caught his attention. Moving to the window, he saw her descending from the carriage, her back rigid, her face a mask of composure that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Before he could think better of it, Edmund was striding out of his study and down the corridor. He rounded the corner just as Adeline was ascending the stairs.

"Where have you been?" The words came out harsher than he'd intended, colored by hours of worry he refused to acknowledge.

Adeline started, nearly missing a step. "Your Grace," she said, her voice neutral. "I didn't realize my comings and goings were of interest to you."

Edmund felt a spark of irritation at her evasiveness. "You left without a word. The entire household has been in an uproar."

"Has it?" Adeline arched an eyebrow. "How strange. I was under the impression that our private lives were our own business. Isn't that what you said, Your Grace?"

His own words, thrown back at him, stung.

"That's not… I didn't mean?—"

"What did you mean, then?" Adeline pressed, ascending a few steps until they were eye to eye. "Because from where I stand, you've made it quite clear that ours is a marriage of convenience, nothing more."

Edmund's jaw clenched. "That doesn't mean you can just disappear without a word. You have responsibilities now, Adeline. Duties to this household, to the Holbrook name."

"Duties?" Adeline's eyes flashed. "Is that all I am to you? A duty to be fulfilled?"

"That's not what I said," Edmund growled, his patience wearing thin.

"Then what are you saying?" Adeline challenged. "Because I'm finding it rather difficult to understand what exactly you want from me, Your Grace."

The title, spoken with such bitterness, grated on Edmund's nerves. "What I want is for you to behave like the Duchess you are!"

"And how, pray tell, should a duchess behave?" Adeline's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Should I simper and fawn? Pretend I don't notice when my husband can barely stand to look at me?"

Edmund reeled back as if she'd slapped him. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't pretend," Adeline said, her composure cracking. "I've seen how you flinch when you look at my face. How you always keep your distance. If you find me so appalling, why did you agree to this marriage in the first place?"

"Appalling?" Edmund repeated, incredulous. "You think I find you appalling?"

"Don't you?" Adeline's voice was barely above a whisper now, the fight seeming to leave her. "Like everyone else?"

The vulnerability in her voice, the pain in her eyes, cut through Edmund's anger like a knife. He shook his head, struggling to find the right words.

"Adeline," he said softly, taking a step towards her. "Look at me."

When she didn't move, he gently tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"You think I care about these?" he asked, his thumb tracing the line of her scar. Adeline flinched at his touch, but he persisted. "I don't."

Adeline's eyes widened in disbelief. "But?—"

"I have been to war," Edmund continued, his voice low and intense. "I have seen men torn apart by cannon fire—watched friends die in my arms. These," he said, his fingers ghosting over her cheek, "these are the marks of a fighter, of a survivor. They're to be admired, not scorned."

Adeline's breath hitched, her eyes searching his face as if looking for any sign of deception. "You… you mean that?"

Edmund nodded, suddenly acutely aware of how close they were standing. He could feel the warmth of her body, smell the faint lavender scent of her hair.

"I've never lied to you, Adeline," he murmured. "And I won't start now. You are… you're the most captivating woman I've ever met."

A soft gasp escaped Adeline's lips, her eyes widening at his admission. Edmund felt something shift between them, a tension that had been building since that moment in the carriage finally reaching its breaking point.

"Edmund," Adeline whispered, and the sound of his Christian name on her lips sent a shiver down his spine.

He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "Tell me to stop," he murmured. "Tell me you don't want this, and I'll stop right away."

For a moment, Adeline was silent, and Edmund's heart pounded in his chest. Then, slowly, her hand came up to cup his cheek.

"Don't stop," she breathed.

It was all the invitation Edmund needed.

With a low groan, he captured her lips with his own, pouring all the pent-up passion and longing of the past weeks into the kiss. Adeline responded with equal fervor, her arms winding around his neck as she pressed herself closer to him.

Edmund's hands roamed over her body, marveling at the softness of her skin, the warmth of her curves. He trailed kisses along her jaw, down the column of her throat, relishing the soft sighs and gasps he coaxed out of her.

"You're beautiful," he murmured against her skin. "So beautiful, Adeline. I've wanted to make you mine for so long."

Adeline's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him back up for another searing kiss. "Show me," she whispered against his lips. "Show me how much you've wanted me, then."

Edmund pulled back slightly, searching her face. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice hoarse with desire. "Once we start, I don't think I'll be able to stop."

Adeline's eyes, dark with passion, met his unflinchingly. "I don't want you to stop," she said. "I want you, Edmund. All of you."

With a growl, Edmund swept her into his arms, carrying her towards his chambers.

Edmund's lips trailed down her jaw, leaving a path of fiery kisses. His breath was hot against her skin as he reached the delicate curve of her neck, where he nipped gently at the sensitive hollow.

Adeline gasped, her fingers clutching his shoulders, her body arching toward him, desperate for more. His hands roamed over her, their touch both firm and teasing, sending waves of anticipation coursing through her.

Every inch of her body hummed with need, aching for the closeness only he could offer.

She barely had time to catch her breath before his mouth was on hers again. He kissed her hungrily. She threaded her fingers through his hair, bringing him closer to her. She moaned as he lowered her to the bed, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Edmund nibbled on the hollow at the base of her throat. Adeline let out a small whimper, aching for him to get closer.

He pulled away from her, and she let out a cry of frustration, which was quickly silenced when he tugged her dress down over her breasts. He ran his thumbs over her nipples. Adeline reflexively went to cover her bareness, but he gently pushed her hands away.

"Don't," he said, his voice husky. "I want to see all of you."

He lifted her off the bed and gently turned her around. With nimble fingers, he unlaced the stays of her dress, pulling them down and away from her body. He tugged down her undergarments, and when she was completely naked, he turned her back around to face him.

Adeline had never felt so vulnerable, but something in his eyes told her she was safe with him. His gaze held desire and adoration, and it reassured her in ways she couldn't explain.

His hands were gentle yet possessive as they roamed over her exposed skin. Adeline shivered under his caress, her body responding to his every touch. She had never felt such intensity before, a connection that transcended mere physical attraction.

As he explored her, his words were filled with praise for her body. His voice, husky with desire, whispered promises of pleasure. Adeline's heart raced, overwhelmed by the raw hunger she saw in his eyes.

Edmund's lips brushed against her ear, his voice a low, intoxicating whisper. "You have no idea what you do to me, Adeline. Every inch of you… I crave it, I need it."

She bit her lip as a shiver coursed through her, her pulse quickening. "Then take me," she whispered, her voice filled with vulnerability and desire. "Show me I'm yours."

Edmund's lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. "I already have, my Duchess," he whispered, his fingers trailing down her spine. "But I intend to leave no doubt."

He then moved down and licked her nipple. Adeline whimpered.

Edmund ran his hands up her thighs, causing a shiver of desire to course through. "Are you mine, Adeline?"

"Yes, Edmund," she whispered, her eyes never leaving his.

He took one of her legs and threw it over his shoulder, and then he bent down to flick his tongue between her thighs, lightly touching her taut bud.

A cry of carnal pleasure tore from Adeline's throat. She bucked against him, but he held her fast. He licked her again, his tongue swirling around her bud.

Adeline couldn't control herself—her thighs began to tremble, and stars formed behind her eyelids as he continued his ministrations. She knew she was ready to take him inside her.

When he stopped licking, she let out a small moan of protest, but when she felt the heat of his hard shaft entering her, she gasped.

Edmund plunged into her in one hard thrust. When she didn't pull away, he continued to drive himself into her. He settled into an unrelenting rhythm, each thrust pushing her closer to the edge.

His hands gripped her waist, and she clung to him, surrendering to the pleasure coursing through her veins.

The world around her faded away, leaving only the sensation of their bodies coming together. Time seemed to stand still as their passion reached its peak.

"My beautiful wife. Come undone for me, darling," he whispered to her.

Adeline's breathing grew labored. Every movement became more urgent, driving them both towards the brink of ecstasy. With one final thrust, she found release, her body shuddering with pleasure. Edmund let out a roar as he spilled into her.

As they lay entwined, their breathing slowly returning to normal, a sense of contentment washed over Adeline.

This was what she had dreamed of when she was alone at night. She had longed for someone to desire her. And tonight, Edmund had filled that void.

He gave her a gentle kiss and then rolled onto his back. Adeline curled up against him and threw an arm over his chest.

With their bodies entwined, Adeline felt the barriers between them crumble. In Edmund's arms, she caved into the sweet depths of sleep.