Chapter 21
Twenty-One
“Adele!” Verity’s excited voice rang out through the gardens, and Adele looked up from her spot beneath the willow.
It had been nearly a week since Adele and Warner had cooked their dinner together, and her burn had nearly healed. Adele had decided to spend the morning outside to enjoy some of the beautiful summer air.
As soon as she saw Verity with a small spaniel at her heels, a broad smile split across her face, only growing larger when Cora and Rowen each appeared, and two children that Adele assumed were Rowen’s followed behind them.
“Verity! Cora! Rowen!” Adele ran to the women and flung her arms around them. “What on Earth are you doing here?”
“Did your husband not tell you?” Verity asked. “He invited us to stay for the week.”
“Warner invited you?” Adele’s heart twisted
“Yes, he thought you would be missing us and felt that it would be good to have us stay with you.”
“I must say, I did not expect him to be quite so generous. When I told him that I could not leave the children for that long, he insisted I bring them. And he sent his own carriages to fetch us all, including Verity and her dog.”
“He told me the carriages were in need of repair.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” Warner’s voice was full of amusement, and Adele whirled to face him. “I know how much you love your friends, and it seemed a shame for you to have to wait so long until we could see them again.”
Adele felt a lump form in her throat, but before she could say anything else, the little girl with Rowen stepped into the centre of the adults. It was then that Adele realised that she was wearing trousers like her brother and had her hair tied up in a very boyish fashion.
“Is that your lake?” the girl asked, pointing to the large lake in the distance.
For a moment, Adele worried that Warner might be cold and distant with the girl, but to her surprise, he knelt down and gave the girl a smile. “It is.”
“Are there any monsters in it?” The girl’s eyes widened in excitement.
Warner shook his head. “Not as far as I know.”
“Oh.” The girl looked crestfallen.
“But we could always go and have a look.” Warner gestured to the lake. “That is, only if you can swim and your mother agrees.”
“I am an excellent swimmer. Mama, can I go and look for monsters in the lake?” The girl turned to Rowen.
“I don’t want to look for monsters.” A small boy peered out from behind Rowen. “They might eat me, and I can’t swim faster than a monster.”
“It’s okay, Ali. I won’t let any monsters eat you. I’ll keep you safe.” His sister patted his hand.
“Nor will I,” added Warner, giving the boy an encouraging look. “No monster has ever eaten anyone on my watch.”
Rowen gave her children an amused smile. “Perhaps, darlings, it would be best to introduce yourself before you ask to go monster hunting.”
“Oh.” Adele watched as the little girl turned towards Warner and Adele and gave them a bow. “My name’s Georgia, but today I’m George. Sometimes I’m Gigi, but today is a George day. And that is my brother, Alistair. He’s always Alistair. Or Ali if you like him.”
Adele saw Rowen stiffen protectively as her daughter introduced herself, as though she was preparing for someone to say that the girl could not be called George.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, George,” Warner replied without missing a beat, and Adele felt her heart glow with pride. “I am Warner Scott, Duke of Scarfield.”
“And I am Adele Scott, Duchess of Scarfield,” Adele introduced herself, smiling at George.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rowen relax. She smiled at the little girl. “You may call me Auntie Adele if you wish.”
“I have lots of Aunties, but not a lot of uncles.” George looked curiously at Warner.
“I would be honoured if you called me Uncle Scott,” he replied seriously.
“What about Uncle Scar? That seems a better name for a monster hunter.” George canted her head up at Warner.
He stroked his chin and then nodded. “Uncle Scar it is.”
George clapped her hands in delight. “And you will take me hunting for monsters? Now?”
“If you wish.” Warner stood up.
Adele only just managed to keep the surprise from her face. She had expected Warner to politely decline. He clearly saw the look on her face and arched an amused eyebrow at her.
“I do! I do!” George began to tug on her brother’s hand. “We can all go together.”
“I am not sure if the Duke has enough boats for that.” Rowen shot Warner a questioning look.
“I have plenty of boats; we just need to ensure we have enough people to row them.” Warner gestured to the small boathouse by the lake.
“I think I am up to the task of rowing.” Rowen straightened, and Adele had to hide the smile she felt creeping across her face at her friends affronted pride.
“I can help too!” George added excitedly.
“You are too little to row,” Alistair pointed out.
“But I’m strong!” his sister insisted.
“Your eyes will be needed to search for monsters,” Adele chimed in, sensing that it would be best not to let the children row and fearing what might happen if they fell overboard.
From Rowen’s grateful look, she could tell the interjection had been the correct thing to do.
“Oh. That’s true. Old people do not have very good eyesight.” George gave the adults gathered around her a sombre look while her brother nodded.
Adele forced herself not to laugh at the child’s serious expression.
“I am not old!” Verity exclaimed, and her spaniel yipped in happy agreement.
Warner added in a stage whisper to the two children. “It is very dangerous to tell a lady that she is old. Far more scary than any monster.”
Adele swatted at her husband who danced away laughing. “You see?”
The children laughed and then began to sprint towards the boathouse, calling over their shoulders, “Last one there is a smelly fish!”
Rowen groaned and tore after her twins. “Slow down! What have I said about running near water?”
Adele watched as Rowen wrangled the twins and Verity darted after them, her spaniel barking at her heels as she helped her friend. Cora shook her head fondly and walked towards the children, leaning on her walking stick for support.
“Thank you.” Adele took advantage of the moment to lean close to Warner as they walked and murmur, “You did not have to do this.”
“It was no trouble.” Warner made a dismissive gesture. “Well, it was a little trouble to keep it a surprise.”
“You do seem to enjoy surprising me,” Adele teased, and an unreadable look passed over Warner’s face, his body stiffening slightly at her words.
He shrugged, turning from her and massaging his neck. “I want you to feel at home here. The widows are important to you, and I wished for you to understand that they would always be welcome here.”
“That is very kind of you.” Adele swallowed around the lump in her throat. “Though you do not have to take any more time out of your day. I am sure we can arrange some other entertainment for the children.”
He arched an eyebrow at her. “I have already told little George that I would take her monster hunting. You know that I am a man of my word.”
“I do, but —” Adele began, but Warner cut her off, firmly though not unkindly.
“But nothing. They are your friend’s children, and I know their happiness is important to you. So it is important to me.” He gave her a sidelong look. “Besides, I am on my honeymoon — there is very little pressing business to which I need attend.”
“I think it will be best if I wait on the shore.” Cora’s voice broke in as they drew level with the rest of the group. “My old bones are not made for clambering in and out of boats.”
“Well, I shall keep you company then,” Adele offered. “I can have the servants bring us some lemonade and snacks.”
Warner moved towards the lake, his fingers twitching slightly as he stepped away from Adele. Her eyes followed him as he joined Rowen and her children by the rowboats.
“And cider, if you have it. I could use something a little stronger after the carriage ride.” Cora sat at the small table and chairs beside the lake.
Adele tore her gaze away from Warner and gestured to one of the passing servants who began to run over towards them.
“Kindly have some refreshments prepared and brought out for all of us. And something for the children too, I expect they will want a bite to eat after their adventures on the lake. Lemonade, cider, some scones and biscuits. Perhaps some sandwiches — ham and cheese I think.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” The servant bowed low and left.
“I would not say no to something to drink.” Verity took a seat besides Cora. “And I expect Pips would be more of a nuisance in the boat. So, I shall stay as well.”
“Well, if you are staying, Adele simply must join the Duke and Rowen and the children. I have always said that in the care of children, one needs at least one more adult than there are children.” Cora gestured towards the boats where Warner was showing the twins how to tie various knots.
“Especially when there is water involved. Besides, I expect the children will want to spend time with their new auntie.”
As if to prove the point, at that moment, George’s voice rang out, “Auntie Adele! Come on! We need to go and find the monsters.”
Adele smiled at the child and made her way towards them. Warner, Rowen, and the two children were already in the rowboat. Rowen was talking to George and Alistair as Warner offered a hand to Adele.
She took it, allowing him to help her into the boat. It rocked as she stepped onto it, and she flailed her arms, trying to steady herself. For a moment, she feared she would fall into the water, and then she felt Warner’s arms pull her to him.
“I will not let you fall, do not worry.” His breath tickled her ears.
Sandalwood washed over her, and she breathed it in.
Millions of butterflies burst to life in her stomach as her heart beat a frantic rhythm in her chest. Warner steadied her, carefully guiding her onto her seat.
Adele was facing him as she sat beside Rowen, who was facing her children at the front of the boat.
“It is a good thing Uncle Scar caught you.” George patted Adele’s hand before scampering back to the bow.
Adele looked over her shoulder at the children but did not risk turning around. The boat was small, and she was shaken from her near fall.
“Let’s go!” Alistair cried excitedly.
“Alistair, stop jumping like that; you’ll fall in.” Rowen’s voice was firm but not unkind
“Sorry Mama.” Alistair hung his head, and Adele turned from the scene as the boat lurched into motion.
The children let out excited cheers, and Rowen motioned for them to stop jumping. The rocking of the boat shifted them, and Adele’s leg pressed against her husbands. She swallowed as heat rushed through her.
Warner’s muscles rippled with each stroke, and Adele felt spots of colour as she watched his powerful arms. Her eyes traced the movement of his muscles, following the lines of them until they found his face. One corner of his mouth quirked upwards.
“The monsters are in the lake,” Warner teased.
“Not unless you are a monster,” Adele shot back, her voice light and joking.
“I assure you I am not.” Warner pulled back on the oars.
“You might be,” Adele teased and dipped her hand in the water. “There is one way to tell.”
Warner’s eyes widened. “I would not do that if I were you.”
“Oh?” Adele grinned at him and splashed him.
Behind her, the children laughed, and they began splashing Warner as well, giggling in delight. Before long, the Duke was drenched.
He wiped his sodden hair from his face and straightened, his eyes flashing. Adele swallowed.
“Satisfied?” he asked, his muscles even more apparent beneath his soaking clothes.
Adele nodded and then caught a mischievous smile on Warner’s face.
“If we are concerned that there are monsters among us, then it seems only right that I ensure that you are not a monster too.” Warner dipped an oar into the water.
“What do you — Aggggh!” Adele let out a shriek as cold water gushed over her.
The children let out squeals of delight, and the boat rocked ominously as everyone began splashing one another. Laughter echoed over the shores of the lake.
And then the boat tilted, and Adele was plunged into the water. The heavy fabric of her dress dragged at her ankles, slowing her strokes and making it hard to swim. She struggled to the surface.
There was a splash, and then she felt warm, strong arms wrap themselves around her. Her head broke the surface, and she drew in a breath of cold air.
“Are you all right?” Warner’s eyes were wide with concern as he turned her to face him. “If I had known you could not swim, I would never have done this.”
“I can swim; I just… I had not counted on the heaviness of my dress.” Adele’s face flushed at the intensity of Warner’s gaze.
“You should be more careful.” Warner pulled something green from Adele’s hair. “What if I had not been here?”
Adele’s breath caught as she realised just how close Warner was. She could count each of his eye lashes. His breath tickled against her skin. She could feel the movement of his body as he kept them both afloat.
Her lips parted.
“Get in the boat!” Alistair’s voice was full of worry. “What if a monster eats you?”
Warner jerked and moved away from her, his breathing heavy. “We should not worry the lad. But trying to get in the boat might upset it.”
Adele nodded not trusting herself to speak.
“I will swim back to shore — we will need to get the Duchess warm and dry, and I do not want anyone else falling in.” Warner called.
“I can get the boat back; you look after Adele,” Rowen called back. “And the two of you, sit down!”
“Lean back.” Warner murmured, facing Adele away from him. “You will float better on your back.”
She let him turn her and leaned against his chest. A shiver ran through her as Warner wrapped his arm close around her and struck out for the shore. They had not gone too far, and soon, he was pulling her from the water.
Verity was waiting for them, fussing over Adele as soon as she was back on solid ground. Adele’s eyes looked for Warner, she opened her mouth to thank him, but the words stuck in her throat.
“I should have the servants get a fire going and arrange something for you to change into.” His body was rigid, and he opened his mouth and then closed it, shaking his head. “Your friends will see you safely home.”
And he left without another word.
Adele felt a pang in her chest as she watched him go. Eventually she turned and found Cora watching her with an unreadable expression. “I think we are in for rather an interesting week.”