Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

" G ood morning, Your Grace. Shall I open the curtains?"

Adeline stirred, blinking against the dim light. For a moment, she was disoriented, the unfamiliar surroundings confusing her sleep-addled mind. Then, in a rush, the memories of the previous night came flooding back.

"Yes, thank you, Hannah," she managed, her voice slightly hoarse.

As her lady's maid moved to let in the morning light, Adeline became acutely aware that she was alone in the massive bed. Edmund's bed. Heat rose to her cheeks as she realized Hannah must know exactly why she was here instead of in her chambers.

"Did you sleep well, Your Grace?" Hannah asked, her tone carefully neutral as she turned back to the bed.

"I… yes, thank you," Adeline replied, pulling the sheets up higher despite being fully covered by her nightgown. "What time is it?"

"Just past eight, Your Grace. His Grace left for his morning ride about an hour ago, but he instructed the kitchen maids to prepare breakfast for two in the small dining room. I believe he plans to join you when he returns."

Adeline felt a flutter in her chest at this news, her earlier disappointment at waking up alone fading. "Oh, I see. Thank you, Hannah."

As Hannah helped her into her dressing gown, Adeline couldn't help but wonder about Edmund's intentions. Was this a good sign, or merely a polite gesture after their intimate encounter?

"Shall we proceed with your toilette, Your Grace?" Hannah asked, gesturing towards the vanity.

Adeline nodded, moving to sit before the mirror.

As Hannah began to brush out her hair, Adeline found herself staring at her reflection. The woman looking back at her seemed different somehow. Her eyes were brighter, her cheeks still flushed with a combination of embarrassment and lingering pleasure.

"Your hair is lovely today, Your Grace," Hannah commented as she began to style it. "It has such a nice shine to it."

"Thank you," Adeline replied absently, her eyes drawn to the scars on her cheek.

Edmund's words from the night before echoed in her mind.

These are the marks of a fighter, of a survivor. They're to be admired, not scorned.

"Hannah," she said suddenly, "do you think… do you think I'm very plain?"

Hannah's hands stilled in surprise. "Plain, Your Grace? Not at all. You're quite beautiful if you don't mind my saying so."

Adeline met her maid's eyes in the mirror. "Even with…" She gestured vaguely to her scars.

"They don't take away from your beauty, Your Grace," Hannah said firmly. "They're part of who you are. And if I may be so bold, I think His Grace agrees."

Adeline's breath caught. "What makes you say that?"

Hannah smiled softly as she resumed styling her hair. "Just the way he looks at you, Your Grace. When he thinks no one's watching. It's… well, it's quite romantic, really."

Adeline felt a warmth bloom in her chest at Hannah's words. Could it be true? Did Edmund really see her the way he'd claimed to last night?

"There," Hannah said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "All finished. Which gown would you like to wear today, Your Grace?"

As Adeline considered her options, she found herself wondering which dress Edmund might like to see her in.

"The blue one, I think," she decided. "With the lace trim."

While Hannah helped her dress, Adeline's mind wandered back to the previous night. The passion in Edmund's eyes, the reverence in his touch. For the first time since their wedding, she allowed herself to hope that perhaps whatever this is between them could become something more.

"You look lovely, Your Grace," Hannah remarked as she finished lacing up the gown.

Adeline studied her reflection once more. The woman in the mirror looked confident, almost radiant. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "Thank you, Hannah."

She made her way to the small dining room, her heart fluttering with anticipation. As she entered, she found Edmund already seated, his riding clothes exchanged for more formal attire. He rose immediately upon seeing her, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Good morning, Adeline," he said, his voice low and intimate. "I trust you slept well?"

"Very well, thank you," she replied, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks as memories of the previous night flooded her mind. "And you? I hope your ride was invigorating."

Edmund's eyes sparkled with amusement as he pulled out her chair. "Indeed, it was, though not nearly as invigorating as last night's activities."

As Adeline sat down, his hand brushed against hers, sending a thrill through her. She looked up to find his gaze fixed on her, intense and warm.

"You look beautiful this morning," he murmured, his fingers lingering on hers for a moment before he returned to his seat.

"Thank you," Adeline replied, slightly breathless. "I'm glad you approve of my… attire."

Edmund's lips quirked in a small smile. "I assure you, my dear, I approve most heartily."

As the footmen served their breakfast, Adeline found herself marveling at the easy intimacy that had sprung up between them.

"I hope you don't mind," Edmund said as he buttered a piece of toast, "but I've arranged a tour of the estate for us this afternoon. I thought you might like to see more of Holbrook."

Adeline's eyes lit up. "That sounds wonderful. I'd love to learn more about the estate. In fact, I was hoping we might discuss some of the agricultural innovations you've introduced. I heard talk of your crop rotation system."

Edmund looked pleased. "I recall you said you were interested in agriculture."

"I find all aspects of estate management fascinating," Adeline admitted. "Though I fear my knowledge is largely theoretical. Perhaps you could enlighten me?"

The double meaning of her words hung in the air between them, and Edmund's eyes darkened slightly.

"It would be my pleasure," he said, his voice husky. "I'm always eager to… share my knowledge."

As Edmund launched into an explanation of his four-field system, Adeline found herself captivated not just by the information, but by the passion with which he spoke. She asked intelligent questions, delighting in the way his eyes lit up as he elaborated on various points.

"You're quite knowledgeable," Edmund remarked, looking impressed.

Adeline smiled, reaching for the jam. As she did so, her hand brushed against his once more. This time, neither of them pulled away.

"There's a great deal you have yet to learn about me, Your Grace," she said softly. "I hope you'll find me… full of surprises."

Edmund's thumb stroked the back of her hand, sending shivers up her arm. "I look forward to making many such discoveries," he murmured.

Their eyes met over the table, the air between them charged with unspoken desire.

For a moment, Adeline thought he might abandon breakfast altogether and carry her back to his chambers. Instead, he cleared his throat, reluctantly withdrawing his hand.

"Perhaps we should discuss the tenant farms," he suggested, his voice slightly strained. "I've been considering some improvements to their cottages."

Adeline nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. "An excellent idea. Happy tenants make for a prosperous estate, after all."

As they continued their discussion, Adeline found herself increasingly intrigued by Holbrook—and admittedly, its master. Edmund's dedication to his land and his people was evident in every word, every gesture. It was a side of him she hadn't expected, and she couldn't help but feel a growing respect for the man she'd married.

When breakfast finally concluded, Edmund rose and offered her his arm. "Shall we begin our tour? There's much of the estate I'd like to show you."

Adeline took his arm, acutely aware of his closeness but trying not to read too much into it. "Lead on, Your Grace. I'm eager to learn more about Holbrook."

As they left the dining room, Adeline felt a curious mix of emotions—excitement at the prospect of exploring her new home, nervousness about the changing dynamics between her and Edmund, and cautious hope that perhaps their marriage could be more than just a convenient arrangement.

Whatever lay ahead, she was determined to approach it with an open mind and a steady heart.

As they stepped into the gardens, Edmund found himself acutely aware of Adeline's presence beside him. The morning sunlight caught in her hair, giving it a honey-gold sheen that made his fingers itch to touch it.

"Your rose gardens are magnificent," Adeline remarked, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest. "I've never seen such vibrant blooms. Do you use a special fertilizer?"

Edmund blinked, surprised by her question, and impressed.

Most ladies would simply comment on the beauty, not inquire about the cultivation .

"Indeed we do," he replied, unable to keep the enthusiasm from his voice. "We've developed a mix of bone meal and fish emulsion that seems to work wonders. Would you like to know more about the process?"

"Absolutely," Adeline replied, her face lighting up. "I've always been fascinated by horticulture. At home, I used to experiment with different planting techniques in a small corner of our garden."

As Edmund launched into an explanation of their fertilization methods, he found himself captivated by Adeline's intelligent questions and insightful comments.

She's not just beautiful , but very sharp too.

Their conversation flowed easily from roses to other aspects of the estate. Edmund was pleasantly surprised to find that Adeline had a basic understanding of crop rotation and animal husbandry.

"I must say, you're quite knowledgeable," he noted, unable to keep the admiration from his voice. "Where did you learn all this?"

Adeline's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment. "Books, mostly. And observing our estate's steward when I could. I've always believed that knowledge is power, even in fields Society deems… unsuitable for ladies."

Edmund felt a surge of respect for her determination. "Well, I for one find your intellect refreshing. And I must say, it becomes you."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with tension. Edmund's hand brushed against her waist as he guided her around a corner, and he felt her shiver at his touch.

"Perhaps," he said, his voice low and husky, "we should return to the house. You'll need to change into your riding clothes for our tour of the outer fields."

Adeline's breath caught, and for a moment, Edmund thought he saw a flash of panic in her eyes. But it was gone so quickly that he wondered if he'd imagined it.

"I… I'm afraid I'm feeling a bit faint," she said, her voice suddenly breathy and weak. "Perhaps we should delay our tour. If you'll excuse me, I think I need to lie down."

Before Edmund could respond, Adeline had turned on her heel and was hurrying back towards the house, leaving him standing alone in the garden.

He frowned, confusion and disappointment washing over him.

The sudden change in her demeanor was unexpected. One moment she had been engaging him in intelligent conversation, the next she was making excuses to leave.

Perhaps I misread her interest . Or maybe she's simply overwhelmed by her new position as Duchess.

With a sigh, Edmund decided that a ride might help clear his head. As he made his way to the stables, he tried to rationalize Adeline's behavior. After all, they were still practically strangers, thrust into an arranged marriage. It was natural for some awkwardness and misunderstandings to linger between them.

As he swung himself into the saddle, he resolved to be patient.

He would observe Adeline more closely in the coming days and try to understand her better before jumping to conclusions.