Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

" I trust you're feeling better this morning, Duchess?" Edmund asked tentatively as he buttered his toast, glancing up at Adeline as she entered the small dining room.

Adeline paused in the doorway, her heart fluttering at his concerned tone. "Yes, thank you," she replied softly, taking her seat across from him. "I apologize for my… abrupt departure yesterday."

Edmund's expression softened slightly. "No need for apologies. I was just worried about you."

They began their breakfast in a slightly awkward silence. Adeline's eyes flicked nervously to him, noting the slight tension in his shoulders.

"I was thinking," Edmund said gently, breaking the silence, "that we might resume our tour of the estate this afternoon. If you're feeling up to it, of course."

Adeline set down her fork, her appetite waning. "Edmund, I?—"

"I just thought… well, you seemed so interested in the estate's workings. But if you'd prefer to stay indoors…"

Adeline's cheeks flushed, torn between shame and frustration. "It's not that I don't want to," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You don't understand?—"

"Then help me understand," Edmund urged, his voice softening further as he noticed her distress. "What is it, Adeline? What's troubling you?"

Adeline took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, there was a vulnerability in her gaze that gave him pause.

"I'm afraid of horses," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Edmund blinked, his anger momentarily forgotten in his surprise. "What?"

"I'm terrified of them," Adeline continued, her words coming faster now. "Ever since I was a child. It's… it's how I got these." She gestured to the scars on her face, her hand trembling.

Edmund's expression softened, the hard lines of anger melting into concern. "Adeline, I… I had no idea. What happened?"

Adeline's gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers twisting in her napkin.

"I was nine years old," she began hesitantly. "There was a garden party at our estate. Father… he wanted me to ride for the guests. Show off my skills. But the horse was new, skittish. I told him I was scared, but he insisted."

Edmund leaned forward, his breakfast forgotten. "Go on," he urged gently.

"The noise of the party spooked the horse," Adeline continued, her voice barely audible. "It reared up, and I fell… right into a rose bush. The thorns…" she trailed off, her hand unconsciously rising to trace the lines of her scars.

In an instant, Edmund was at her side, kneeling beside her chair. "Adeline," he breathed, taking her hands in his. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me?"

Adeline met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I was ashamed," she admitted. "I know how important riding is here, how much of the estate management requires it. I didn't want you to think me weak or useless."

"Oh, my dear," Edmund murmured. He reached up, his fingers gently tracing the line of her scars. "There is nothing weak about you. Fear does not make us weak. It makes us human."

Adeline's breath hitched at his touch. "You're not disappointed?"

In response, Edmund leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her scarred cheek. "Never," he whispered against her skin.

He trailed gentle kisses along the line of her scars, each one a silent apology for his earlier harshness, a promise of understanding.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were warm with admiration and something deeper, something that made her heart race.

"You survived something terrifying," he said softly. "You carry the marks of your bravery every day. How could I ever be disappointed in that?"

Adeline felt a warmth blooming in her chest, a tentative hope that perhaps Edmund truly could see beyond her scars, beyond her fears.

As he gathered her into his arms, she allowed herself to relax into his embrace, feeling, for the first time in years, truly seen and accepted. The weight of his arms around her provided a comfort she hadn't realized she'd been craving.

For a moment, she allowed herself to forget about the circumstances that brought about their marriage, about the expectations of her as Duchess, and simply existed in the safety of his arms.

A loud clatter from the sideboard shattered the moment.

Adeline jumped, her head whipping around to see a red-faced footman fumbling with a dropped serving dish.

"I beg your pardon, Your Graces," the young man stammered, his eyes wide with mortification.

Edmund cleared his throat, reluctantly stepping back from Adeline. "It's quite all right, Ted. No harm done."

As the footman scurried away, Adeline felt a blush rising to her cheeks. She smoothed her skirts, suddenly acutely aware of how intimate their position had been.

"Perhaps," Edmund said softly, his voice drawing her attention back to him, "we should discuss how to proceed with the estate tour."

Adeline nodded, her hands clasped tightly in her lap to hide their trembling. "Yes, of course."

Edmund pulled up a chair beside her, close enough that their knees almost touched.

"Adeline," he began, his tone gentle. "I want you to know that there's no pressure. If you're not comfortable with the idea of riding, we can find alternative ways for you to see the estate."

His consideration touched her deeply.

He truly does care .

A warm feeling spread through her chest at the thought.

"That's very kind of you," she replied, offering him a small smile. "But… I think I'd like to try. If you're willing to be patient with me, that is."

Edmund's face lit up with a smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Of course. We'll take it as slowly as you need. Perhaps we could start with a gentle mare? Just a short ride around the closest fields?"

Adeline took a deep breath, steeling her nerves. The thought of getting on a horse still sent a shiver of fear down her spine, but Edmund's earnest expression and the warmth in his eyes gave her courage.

"I'd like that," she said, surprised to find that she meant it. "Though… would you mind if we waited until tomorrow? I think I need a little time to prepare myself mentally."

"Of course," Edmund agreed readily. He reached out, taking her hand in his. The gentle brush of his thumb across her knuckles sent a thrill through her. "We'll do this at your pace, Adeline. I promise you, there's no rush."

As she looked into his eyes, Adeline felt a surge of gratitude and something else, something warmer and more profound that she wasn't quite ready to name. For the first time since their wedding, she felt truly hopeful about their future together.

"Thank you, Edmund," she murmured. "For understanding. For… for seeing me."

Edmund's smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that made him look boyish and charming.

"Always," he said, bringing her hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

As they finished their breakfast, making plans for the coming days, Adeline stole glances at her husband.

With each shared smile, each gentle touch, she felt the walls around her heart crumbling just a little more.

Edmund watched Adeline carefully as they approached the stables the next morning. Her steps were hesitant, her fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of her riding habit.

"Are you certain you want to do this?" he asked gently. "There's no shame in changing your mind."

Adeline took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "No, I… I want to try. I trust you, Edmund."

Her words sent a warm flutter through his chest. "Very well. We'll take this slowly, I promise."

As they entered the stables, the rich scent of hay and horse filled the air. Edmund noticed Adeline stiffen slightly, her eyes darting nervously from stall to stall.

"Good morning, Your Graces," the stable master, Mr. Greene, greeted them with a bow.

"Good morning, Greene," Edmund replied. "We'll be taking a gentle ride today. Perhaps you could show Her Grace some of our docile mounts?"

"Of course, Your Grace. Right this way."

As they walked down the line of stalls, Edmund kept a reassuring hand on the small of Adeline's back.

"Each horse has its personality," he explained softly. "Much like people. The key is finding one that matches yours."

Adeline nodded, her eyes wide as she took in the various horses. "They're… larger than I remember," she murmured.

Edmund chuckled. "I suppose they would seem so. Ah, here's one I think you'll like. This is Buttercup. She's?—"

A loud snort and the sound of hooves pawing at the ground interrupted him. In the stall across from them, a magnificent black stallion tossed his head, rolling his eyes as he regarded them.

Adeline visibly paled, taking a step back. Edmund quickly moved to stand between her and the agitated horse.

"That's Midnight," he said, his tone gentle. "A bit too spirited for beginners. Best to give him a wide berth for now."

Adeline nodded shakily. "N-noted."

Seeing her distress, Edmund made a quick decision. "Greene, why don't you bring out old Apple? I think she'd be perfect for Her Grace's first ride."

The stable master nodded, disappearing into a stall further down. Moments later, he emerged leading a plump, dappled grey mare. The horse's gentle eyes and unhurried gait immediately put Adeline at ease.

"Hello there," Adeline said softly, her voice wavering only slightly.

"Would you like to give her a treat?" Edmund asked, producing an apple from his pocket. "She's rather fond of her namesake."

Adeline hesitated for a moment before accepting the fruit. Edmund showed her how to hold her palm flat, and she offered the apple to the mare with trembling fingers.

Apple's velvety lips tickled Adeline's palm as she delicately took the treat. A small giggle escaped Adeline's lips, surprising both of them.

She cautiously reached out to stroke Apple's nose. As Adeline's hand made contact with the soft muzzle, a fleeting memory surfaced—of younger, carefree days spent in the stables. She blinked, momentarily disoriented by the rush of long-buried recollections.

Edmund noticed her hesitation. "Are you all right?"

Adeline nodded, a mix of emotions playing across her face. "Yes, I… I just remembered something. From before."

Understanding dawned in Edmund's eyes. "Your riding lessons as a child?"

"Yes," Adeline said softly. "I'd almost forgotten."

"She's so gentle," she marveled.

Edmund felt a surge of pride at her bravery. "Indeed she is. Shall we see how you do in the saddle?"

Adeline's nervousness returned, but she nodded resolutely. "I'm ready."

Edmund positioned himself beside Apple, explaining each step as he helped Adeline mount. "Left foot in the stirrup, grab the pommel here, and swing your right leg over. There you go, nice and easy."

Once Adeline was settled in the saddle, Edmund adjusted her posture and the length of her stirrups. He couldn't help but notice how the rich fabric of her habit hugged her curves, how the morning sunlight brought out the honey tones in her hair.

"How does that feel?" he asked, his voice slightly husky.

Adeline looked down at him, her cheeks flushed with fear and exhilaration. "Strange. But… not unpleasant."

Edmund smiled up at her. "You're doing wonderfully. Now, let's take a slow walk around the yard to get you accustomed to the movement."

He took Apple's reins, leading her in a gentle circle. Adeline gripped the pommel tightly at first, but as they continued, he saw her slowly begin to relax.

"That's it," he encouraged. "Feel how she moves. Try to let your hips move with her gait."

After a few circuits of the yard, Edmund looked up at Adeline. "How would you feel about venturing out onto the grounds? We'll keep to a walk, and I'll lead Apple the whole time."

Adeline bit her lip, considering. "I… I think I'd like to try," she said finally.

"Excellent." Edmund beamed.

He mounted his own horse, a steady bay gelding, and they set off at a sedate pace.

As they rode side by side through the lush grounds of Holbrook, Edmund found his gaze continually drawn to Adeline.

With each passing minute, he saw her confidence grow. The tension in her shoulders eased, and a small smile played at the corners of her mouth.

"It's beautiful," Adeline said softly, her eyes taking in the rolling hills and verdant forests. "I had no idea the estate was so vast."

Edmund nodded, pride swelling in his chest. "It's been in my family for generations. Every tree, every stream has a story."

"Will you tell me some of them?" Adeline asked, her eyes bright with interest.

Edmund smiled, touched by her genuine curiosity. "Of course. See that old oak tree over there?" He pointed to a massive, gnarled tree standing sentinel at the edge of a meadow.

Adeline nodded, shading her eyes against the sun to get a better look.

"That tree has been there longer than Holbrook itself," Edmund continued, his voice taking on a storyteller's cadence. "My grandfather used to tell me how, when he was a young man, he would often come to sit beneath its branches and read. One summer afternoon, he was distracted from his book by the sound of laughter. He looked up to see a young woman who had wandered onto the property while picking wildflowers."

"Who was she?" Adeline asked.

Edmund's eyes took on a faraway look. "None other than my grandmother, of course. Grandfather always said it was love at first sight. They talked for hours that day, under the watchful eye of my grandmother's maiden aunt, who had accompanied her on her flower-picking expedition."

He chuckled softly. "In the days that followed, they would often meet there—always with Grandmother's aunt in tow, of course. When Grandfather finally worked up the courage to propose, he insisted that it be under that very oak."

His smile widened. "The way he told it, he was so nervous—both from the magnitude of the question and Grandmother's aunt's disapproving gaze—that he stammered through the entire speech he'd prepared. He was certain he'd made a fool of himself, but Grandmother said that his nervousness was endearing. She claimed that any man willing to face down her formidable aunt for her hand was worth keeping."

Adeline laughed, the sound bright and clear in the summer air. "Oh, I can just picture it! Your poor grandfather, trying to be romantic with a stern chaperone breathing down his neck. Your grandparents must have been quite the pair."

Edmund nodded, a fond smile playing on his lips. "They were. Their love for each other and Holbrook shaped this place in so many ways. I hope… well, I hope we can add our own stories to these grounds."

He glanced at her, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. She met his gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly as she squeezed his hand.

"I'd like that very much," she said softly.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Edmund noticed Adeline beginning to tire.

"Shall we head back?" he suggested gently. "You've done remarkably well for your first ride."

Adeline nodded, both relief and accomplishment on her face. "Thank you, Edmund, for being so patient with me."

"It's my pleasure," he replied, surprised by how much he meant it. "I'm proud of you, Adeline. Facing your fears like this… it takes real courage."

As they made their way back to the stables, Edmund found himself marveling at the woman beside him. Her strength, her determination, her quiet grace—all of it combined to create a picture of beauty that went far beyond the physical.