Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

" A deline, wait!" Edmund called out, his heart racing as he watched his wife approach the agitated horse.

The animal was still snorting and pawing at the ground, its eyes wild with fear after Joanna's unexpected tumble into the Serpentine. Park-goers scattered, giving the horse a wide berth, but Adeline moved forward with a determination that belied her usual hesitation around horses.

"What is she doing?" Isabella gasped, clutching Lady Gillingham's arm. "She can't—Grandmama, you know how terrified she is of horses!"

Edmund held his breath, every muscle in his body tensed up, prepared to spring into action if needed. But Adeline's voice, soft and soothing, carried across the tense silence.

"Easy there, beautiful," she murmured, her hand outstretched. "It's all right. No one's going to hurt you."

The horse's ears flicked forward, its nostrils flaring as it caught her scent. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, its stance began to relax.

"That's it," Adeline continued, taking another careful step forward. "You're safe now. Let's get you away from all this commotion, shall we?"

With a gentleness that made Edmund's chest ache, she took hold of the horse's bridle. The animal allowed itself to be led, following her away from the water's edge and the gawking crowd.

"I can't believe it," Lady Gillingham whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Our Adeline, facing her greatest fear like that."

Edmund couldn't take his eyes off his wife. The woman before him was a far cry from the timid, self-conscious girl he'd first married. This Adeline radiated a quiet strength, a grace under pressure that left him in awe.

As Adeline handed the horse off to a coachman who had come running at the commotion, Edmund found his feet carrying him towards her of their own accord.

"Adeline," he said softly as he approached.

She turned around, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes bright. "Edmund, I?—"

"That was incredible," he interrupted, unable to contain his admiration. " You were incredible."

Adeline blinked, surprise evident on her face. "I… thank you. I'm not sure what came over me. I just couldn't bear to see the poor creature so frightened."

Edmund shook his head, a rueful smile playing on his lips. "You never cease to amaze me, Adeline. Just when I think I have you figured out, you do something like this and leave me breathless."

A blush crept up Adeline's neck, but she held his gaze. "You give me too much credit, Your Grace. I simply did what needed to be done."

"No," Edmund said firmly, taking a step closer. "You did so much more than that. You faced your fear head-on, without a second thought for your own safety. Do you have any idea how remarkable that is?"

Adeline's eyes widened at his vehemence. "Edmund, I?—"

Their intimate moment was suddenly interrupted by a loud, indignant squawk from the direction of the Serpentine.

"My gown! My hair! This is an outrage!"

Edmund and Adeline turned to see Joanna emerging from the lake, looking like a very angry, very wet peacock. Her elaborate hairstyle had come completely undone, falling in rat-tails down her back. The red riding habit, once so fashionable, now clung to her like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination.

"Someone help me this instant!" Joanna demanded, her voice reaching a pitch that made nearby birds take flight.

A few gentlemen stepped forward, clearly torn between chivalry and the desire to avoid the dripping woman.

Joanna batted their hands away. "Not you, you oaf! You'll wrinkle the silk!" She stomped her foot, sending a spray of water in all directions.

The crowd, which had been watching in stunned silence, burst into poorly concealed laughter. Lady Gillingham didn't even try to hide her mirth, chuckling openly at the spectacle.

"Oh my," she said, wiping a tear from her eye. "I haven't witnessed such entertainment since Lord Rutherford's pig escaped at last year's fête."

Joanna's head whipped around at the laughter, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Edmund and Adeline.

" You! " she hissed. "This is all your fault!"

With as much dignity as she could muster—which, given her disheveled state, wasn't much—she marched over to her horse. The animal eyed her warily, clearly unsure about this new, water-logged version of its mistress.

"Oh, stop giving me that look," Joanna snapped at the horse. She grabbed the reins, nearly slipping on the wet grass in the process. "We are leaving this instant!"

With a final glare at Edmund and Adeline, she began to lead her horse away. Each step produced a comical squelching sound, and a trail of water followed in her wake.

"I hope you're happy together!" she called over her shoulder, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You deserve each other!"

As Joanna disappeared down the path, leaving a chorus of giggles in her wake, Edmund turned back to Adeline. He couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips.

"Well," he drawled, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "that was unexpected."

Adeline, who had been biting her lip to keep from laughing, finally let out a small giggle.

"Poor Lady Strathmore," she said, though her voice held little sympathy. "I don't think this was quite the dramatic exit she had in mind."

Edmund's smile softened as he gazed at her, marveling at her ability to find humor in the situation even after everything that had happened. It was just one more thing to love about her.

"Now," he said, taking her hands in his once more, "where were we? I've been such a fool, Adeline. I've wasted so much time pushing you away, too afraid to let myself feel anything real for you."

He then lifted his hands, hesitating for a moment before gently cupping her cheek. His thumb traced the line of her scar, a gesture so tender that it brought tears to her eyes.

"But watching you just now, seeing your strength, your compassion… I can't deny it any longer. I love you, Adeline. I love you with every fiber of my being."

A small gasp escaped Adeline's lips, her hand coming up to cover his. "Edmund," she breathed, her voice trembling. "Do you mean that?"

He nodded, his gray eyes intense with emotion. "I do. I love your kindness, your wit, your resilience. I love the way you challenge me, the way you see the best in everyone around you. I love your scars, Adeline, because they are part of who you are. They are a testament to your strength, to everything you have overcome."

Tears spilled down Adeline's cheeks, but she made no move to wipe them away. "I don't know what to say."

Edmund's other hand came up to frame her face, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears. "You don't have to say anything. I know I've hurt you, pushed you away. I was so afraid of being hurt again that I couldn't see what was right in front of me. But I'm not afraid anymore, Adeline. What we have—what we could have… is worth the risk. You're worth everything."

Adeline's lips trembled as she fought to form words. "But what about Joanna? Your past?"

Edmund shook his head firmly. "Joanna was a mistake, a youthful infatuation that I let cloud my judgment for far too long. What I feel for you, Adeline, is real. It's deeper and truer than anything I've ever experienced."

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say next.

"I know I have no right to ask this of you, not after everything I've put you through. But if you'll have me, if you're willing to give me another chance, I want to make this work. I want to be the husband you deserve, the partner you need."

Adeline froze, her mind whirling with the enormity of his words. For so long, she had dreamed of hearing him say these things, of seeing the love that was now blazing in his eyes. But the memory of his coldness, of the pain she had endured, held her back.

"I… I don't know if I can trust you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "How do I know you won't push me away again the moment things get difficult?"

Edmund's face fell, but he nodded in understanding. "You're right to be cautious. I've given you no reason to trust me, to believe in the sincerity of my feelings. But Adeline, I swear to you, I will spend every day proving my love to you if that's what it takes. I'll earn your trust back, no matter how long it takes."

Adeline's heart raced as she gazed into Edmund's eyes, seeing the sincerity and love shining there. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking.

"Edmund," she began, her voice soft but firm. "You did hurt me. Deeply. There were moments when I thought I'd never recover from the pain of your rejection."

Edmund's face fell, guilt etching lines on his forehead. But Adeline wasn't finished. She reached up, cupping his cheek gently.

"But," she continued, "despite everything, I've come to trust you. To love you. I've seen the man behind the mask you wear for the world, and that's the man I fell in love with."

Hope flickered in Edmund's eyes, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. "Adeline, I?—"

She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. "I'm willing to forgive you, Edmund. But I need time. We can't just pretend the hurt never happened. We need to heal, to rebuild what was broken between us."

Edmund nodded fervently. "Of course. Anything you need, Adeline. I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll spend every day showing you how much you mean to me, how sorry I am for the pain I caused."

A mischievous glint appeared in Adeline's eyes, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to make it up to me, Your Grace?"

Edmund's eyebrows shot up at her teasing tone, a slow grin spreading across his face. He leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Well, my love, I have a few ideas. Some of which are decidedly improper for public discussion."

Adeline felt heat rush to her cheeks, a shiver running down her spine at his words and the warmth of his breath on her skin.

"Edmund!" she gasped, half-scandalized and half-thrilled.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with desire. "Too much?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice.

In response, Adeline did something she never thought she'd have the courage to do in public. She grabbed the lapels of his coat and pulled him down, crushing her lips to his.

For a moment, Edmund froze in surprise. Then, with a low groan, he responded, one hand tangling in her hair while the other wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

The kiss was everything Adeline had dreamed of and more. It was passion and tenderness, apology and forgiveness, all wrapped up in the heady rush of lips and tongues and shared breaths. She poured all her longing, all her love into the kiss, and felt Edmund respond in kind.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, she was vaguely aware of the shocked gasps and whispers from the park-goers around them. But she couldn't bring herself to care. All that mattered was Edmund, the love shining in his eyes, the way he held her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

"Well," came Lady Gillingham's amused voice, breaking through their bubble of bliss, "I suppose that settles that, doesn't it?"

Adeline turned around, still wrapped in Edmund's arms, to see her grandmother and sister watching them with matching grins. She felt a blush creep up her neck but couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face.

"I suppose it does," she agreed, leaning into Edmund's embrace.

Edmund pressed a kiss to her temple, then gave Lady Gillingham a formal bow. "My lady, I hope I can count on your blessing to take my Duchess back home? I know I've made mistakes, but I swear to you, I will spend the rest of my life making her happy."

Lady Gillingham's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh, I don't know. What do you think, Isabella? Should we make him grovel a bit more?"

Isabella, who had been watching the scene unfold with starry eyes, shook her head emphatically. "Oh, please say yes, Grandmama! It's all so romantic!"

"Very well," Lady Gillingham sighed dramatically, though her smile belied her stern tone. "I suppose we can give you our blessing. But mark my words, young man, if you ever hurt my granddaughter again…"

"You'll have my full permission to thrash me within an inch of my life," Edmund finished solemnly.

Adeline couldn't help but laugh, joy bubbling up inside her. "I think that can be arranged," she teased, reaching up to smooth a lock of hair from his forehead.

As they made their way out of the park, her hand firmly clasped in his, she felt as though she were walking on air. There was still much to discuss, wounds to heal and trust to rebuild. But for the first time in what felt like forever, Adeline was filled with hope for the future.

A future with Edmund by her side, loving her, supporting her. A future where her scars were badges of honor rather than marks of shame. A future filled with laughter, and love, and yes, perhaps a few more scandals along the way.

As they reached their carriage, Edmund helped her in, then paused before joining her.

"Adeline," he said softly, his eyes intense. "I love you, more than I ever thought possible."

Adeline's heart soared. "I love you too, Edmund," she replied, her voice steady and sure. "Now and always."

With one last passionate kiss that set the ton's tongues wagging for weeks to come, they settled into their seats.

As husband and wife, as partners, as two halves of a whole that had finally, beautifully, come together.