Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

" W ill His Grace be joining you for breakfast this morning, Your Grace?"

Adeline looked up from her untouched plate, startled by the butler's question. She had been lost in thought, replaying the previous night's conversation with Edmund in her mind.

"I… I'm not certain, Thornley," she replied, her voice hesitant.

How to explain that her husband had withdrawn from her, that she had spent the night alone, wondering if she had pushed too far?

Before she could formulate a proper response, the door to the breakfast room swung open, and Edmund strode in.

"Yes, I will be joining the Duchess this morning, Thornley," he said, his voice strained. "Thank you."

Adeline's heart rate quickened as he took his seat across from her. She searched his face, trying to gauge his mood, but his expression was carefully neutral.

"Good morning," she offered, offering a small smile.

"Good morning, Adeline," Edmund replied. He paused, seeming to gather his thoughts. "I… I owe you an apology for my behavior last night. It was ungentlemanly of me to react so coldly to your questions."

Adeline felt a surge of relief wash over her. "There's no need to apologize, Edmund. I understand that the subject of your father is… difficult for you."

Edmund's shoulders relaxed slightly at her words. "Nevertheless, you didn't deserve such treatment. You were only showing concern, and I… I appreciate that more than I can express."

Their eyes met across the table, and Adeline felt a warmth bloom in her chest.

Stop it , she chided herself. Don't read too much into a simple apology.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I hope you know that if you ever wish to speak about it… about anything… I'm here to listen."

A ghost of a smile played on Edmund's lips. "I do know that. And I'm grateful for it, truly."

They fell into a comfortable silence as they began their breakfast. Adeline found her appetite returning, the knot of anxiety in her stomach loosening.

"I'm afraid I have some estate matters to attend to today," Edmund said after a while. "As much as I'd prefer to spend the day with you, duty calls."

Adeline's heart gave a traitorous leap at his words.

He'd prefer to spend the day with me?

She quickly tamped down the hope.

"Of course," she replied, keeping her tone light. "I understand completely. The estate won't run itself, after all."

Edmund nodded, looking relieved at her understanding. "Indeed. But I do plan to join you for dinner this evening if that's agreeable to you?"

"I'd like that very much," Adeline replied, perhaps a bit too quickly. She felt a blush rising to her cheeks and hurried to change the subject. "I thought I might spend the day exploring the library. I noticed some fascinating volumes on my last visit."

Edmund's eyes lit up with interest. "Ah, yes. The Holbrook library is quite extensive. My grandfather was something of a collector. Do you have any particular areas of interest?"

Adeline found herself relaxing into the familiar territory of books and learning. "I've always been fascinated by natural history. I've discovered some fascinating volumes on maritime exploration that I hadn't expected to find. And there's a collection of Persian poetry that's simply breathtaking."

Edmund's eyes lit up with interest. "I'm glad you're finding such treasures. I must admit, I haven't explored those particular sections as thoroughly as I should have."

"Perhaps we could explore them together?" Adeline suggested, a hint of shyness in her voice. "I'd love to hear your thoughts on some of the passages I've found particularly moving."

A warm smile spread across Edmund's face. "I'd like that very much. Your insights have already proven invaluable in our discussions on agriculture. I'm eager to see what you make of these other subjects. Perhaps we could discuss your findings over dinner?"

Adeline's pulse quickened at the prospect. "I'd enjoy that very much," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

As they finished their breakfast, Adeline found herself stealing glances at Edmund. The Edmund of this morning was so different from the closed-off man of the previous night.

Which is the real Edmund?

"Well," Edmund said, rising from the table, "I should be off. The steward is waiting for me. Enjoy your day in the library, Adeline. I look forward to hearing about your discoveries this evening."

As he left the room, Adeline was confused by her own emotions. Relief at their reconciliation, anticipation for their dinner conversation, and an undercurrent of something deeper, more dangerous, that she dared not name.

Get ahold of yourself , she silently scolded herself. You're the Duchess of Holbrook, not some moonstruck girl. It's just dinner and conversation, nothing more.

But as she made her way to the library, Adeline couldn't quite shake the warmth that had settled in her chest.

As the afternoon sun filtered through the library windows, Adeline found herself lost in a fascinating tome on crop rotation.

She was so engrossed that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps until a familiar voice startled her from her reverie.

"I say, Holbrook, your library is positively labyrinthine. I've been wandering these stacks for ages!"

Adeline's head snapped up, her eyes widening in recognition. That voice… she knew that voice. It was the man who had been with Isabella at the masquerade ball, the one who had nearly compromised her!

A moment later, the man appeared from behind a bookshelf, his eyebrows rising in surprise as he spotted Adeline.

"Oh! I beg your pardon, Madam. I was looking for the Duke."

Adeline stood up, smoothing down her skirts nervously. "He's not here at the moment. May I help you with something?"

The man's surprise gave way to a charming smile. "Ah, you must be the new Duchess of Holbrook. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace. I'm Daniel Sterling, the Viscount Ravenshaw, and a friend of Edmund's."

Adeline curtsied, her heart racing. "Lord Ravenshaw. I believe we may have met before, though not formally."

Daniel's brow furrowed for a moment before understanding dawned in his eyes. "The masquerade ball! Of course, you were with… oh dear." He had the grace to look sheepish. "I do hope you'll forgive my behavior that night. I assure you, I had no intention of doing anything ungentlemanly to your sister."

Adeline felt a blush rising to her cheeks as she remembered their encounter at the masquerade ball.

"It is in the past. Though I must say, I'm surprised to find you here, my lord. I wasn't aware we were expecting guests."

Daniel's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Ah, well, I do have a habit of dropping in unannounced. Keeps old Edmund on his toes, you know."

As if summoned by his name, Edmund appeared in the doorway. "Daniel? I thought I heard your voice. I see you've found my wife."

"Indeed I have." Daniel grinned. "And what a delightful surprise it is. I was just telling Her Grace how I got lost in your labyrinth of a library."

Edmund rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Perhaps if you visited with books in mind rather than mischief, you'd find your way more easily."

Adeline watched the exchange with growing amusement. The ease with which her husband comported himself around his friend was a side of him she hadn't seen before.

"Well," Edmund said, turning to her, "since Daniel has taken it upon himself to invite himself to dinner, perhaps we should adjourn to the dining room?"

"Splendid idea!" Daniel exclaimed. "I'm positively famished after my grand library adventure."

As they made their way to the dining room, Adeline found herself stifling giggles at Daniel's dramatic retelling of his "harrowing" journey through the Holbrook library. Edmund caught her eye, an amused smile playing on his lips, and she felt a warm flutter in her chest.

Once seated at the dinner table, the conversation flowed easily.

Daniel leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You'll never believe what happened at Lord Godfrey's last week," he began. "Lord Fairfax, in all his infinite wisdom, decided to wager that he could drink an entire bottle of port while standing on his head."

Edmund chuckled, shaking his head. "Let me guess, it didn't end well?"

"Oh, it was a spectacular disaster." Daniel grinned. "He had chugged down half the bottle before toppling over, right into Lady Beatrice's lap. I've never seen a woman turn quite that shade of purple before."

Adeline gasped, torn between horror and amusement. "Oh, the poor woman! Was she very upset?"

"Upset?" Daniel laughed. "My dear Duchess, she was positively apoplectic. Started beating poor Fairfax with her fan while screeching about ruined silk and impropriety. It was the most entertainment we've had in months."

Edmund's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. "I can just picture it. Though I must say, Daniel, I'm surprised you weren't the one attempting such a feat."

"Me?" Daniel placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. "I'll have you know I've become the very model of decorum and propriety."

"Is that so?" Adeline asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Then perhaps you'd care to explain the tales I've heard about your daring escape from Lady Battersby at the ball held in Almack's? I believe it involved a potted plant and a very confused footman."

Daniel's jaw dropped, his eyes darting between Adeline and Edmund. "How did you… I mean, that's a gross exaggeration, I assure you."

Edmund roared with laughter. "Oh, Daniel, I do believe you've met your match. My wife is far more observant than she lets on. It seems her quiet demeanor allows her to notice things others might miss."

Adeline smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I simply pay attention, Your Grace. People often forget I'm there, which can be quite informative."

"I see married life has given you access to a formidable intelligence network, Your Grace," Daniel said, bowing slightly to Adeline. "I shall have to be more careful about my escapades in the future."

Adeline smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Perhaps you should, Lord Ravenshaw. Though I must admit, your adventures do provide endless entertainment for those of us relegated to the sidelines during such events."

Edmund gave her an appreciative glance. "Remind me never to get on your bad side, my dear. Your knowledge of the ton's secrets is rather terrifying."

"I must say," Daniel piped up, helping himself to another serving of roast, "it's wonderful to see you both so settled. In fact, I don't think I've seen Edmund this happy since?—"

Edmund's sharp glare cut him off mid-sentence. Adeline's curiosity was immediately piqued, but she held her tongue, sensing the sudden tension in the air.

"Since… well, in a long time," Daniel finished lamely, shooting Edmund an apologetic look.

Adeline's mind raced with questions. What was he about to say? And why had Edmund reacted so strongly?

Seeking to dispel the awkward moment, she turned to Daniel with a smile. "Lord Ravenshaw, you must tell us more about your adventures at White's. I hear the gossip there is positively scandalous."

Daniel latched onto the change of subject with obvious relief. "Oh, Your Grace, you have no idea! Why, just last week…"

As he launched into another colorful anecdote, Adeline snuck a glance at Edmund. His posture had relaxed, but she could see a lingering tension around his eyes.

Whatever Daniel had almost revealed, it was clearly a sensitive subject.

The rest of the dinner passed pleasantly enough, with Daniel keeping them entertained with his witty observations and outrageous stories. But Adeline couldn't shake the feeling that she had glimpsed the edge of a mystery—one that involved Edmund's past and his apparent newfound happiness.

As they bid Daniel goodnight, Adeline found herself torn between her burning curiosity and her reluctance to upset the delicate balance she and Edmund had achieved. She watched as the two men exchanged a meaningful look, Daniel's expression apologetic, Edmund's stern but forgiving.

"Well," Edmund said, turning to Adeline as Daniel's carriage pulled away, "that was certainly an eventful dinner."

Adeline nodded, choosing her words carefully. "Indeed. Lord Ravenshaw is quite the character. I can see why you value his friendship."

Edmund's lips quirked in a small smile. "Daniel has been a loyal friend for many years. Even if he does occasionally let his mouth run away with him."

There was a weight to his words that Adeline couldn't quite decipher. She longed to ask about Daniel's unfinished statement, to uncover the story behind Edmund's reaction. But the memory of his withdrawal the previous night held her back.

Instead, she said softly, "I'm glad you have such a friend. And I'm glad he thinks you're happy here."

Edmund's eyes met hers, an intensity in his gaze that stole her breath. "I am," he stated simply. "Happier than I've been in a very long time."

The words hung between them, full of unspoken meaning. Adeline felt her heart rate quicken, hope and fear warring within her.

Don't read too much into it . It doesn't necessarily mean what you want it to mean.

"I'm glad," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, they stood there in the entryway, the air thick with tension and possibility. Then Edmund cleared his throat, taking a small step back.

"It's getting late," he uttered, his tone regaining its usual composure. "Perhaps we should retire for the night."

Adeline nodded, trying to ignore the pang of disappointment in her chest. "Of course. Goodnight, Edmund."

As she made her way to her chambers, her mind whirled with the events of the day. The tender moment at breakfast, the easy companionship during dinner, the flash of something deeper in Edmund's eyes just now—it all pointed to a shift in their relationship, a growing closeness that both thrilled and terrified her.

Be careful , she silently warned herself as she prepared for bed. Don't let yourself fall too hard, too fast. Remember, this is still a marriage of convenience.

But as she drifted off to sleep, Adeline couldn't quite silence the small voice in her heart that whispered, What if it could be more?