Chapter 16 #2
Her nostrils flared as she regarded him.
He thought he was going to fight her, but she did not.
She let him guide her through the maze of people until they reached the stall with spiced cider.
Adrian quickly paid for mugs for all the sisters.
Victoria raised her eyebrows in surprise but seemed pleased.
“You finally completed your plans, Daphne,” Victoria said. “Roasted chestnuts and spiced cider!”
“My day is complete, Vicky!” Daphne admitted happily.
“You require the warmth, Duchess,” Adrian said, nodding, even as he sipped from his own mug.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she responded, as she also took a long sip of the sweet liquid.
“It seems that His Grace does have a heart beneath the reputation,” Victoria teased, nudging her twin. “I suppose I can forgive him for stealing my sister. My twin sister!”
“You have a delightful sister, Lady Victoria,” Adrian said solemnly, keeping his tone dry and his expression stern.
However, he felt himself being peeled away, laid bare to Daphne and his sisters.
He was enjoying the common pleasures! “Of course, you are bound to lose her to marriage. I am simply grateful that it is to me and not to someone else.”
Victoria burst into laughter, drawing some disapproving glances from strangers.
“Ha! Well, I can’t possibly argue with that one. The two of you seem fortunate to have found one another,” she remarked.
They navigated the fair to see more of the items on sale.
Adrian stopped at a small stall selling handcrafted items, his eyes drawn to a necklace with a silver locket that was shaped like a crescent moon.
On the silver moon were pieces of lapis lazuli.
As the Duke of Wolfcrest, he could afford more than this piece—much, much more—and yet, something about it struck him.
“What an uncommon piece,” he said with some amazement. “I did not expect to see something like this at a market fair. The moon represents your quiet strength, Duchess.”
He did not bother to haggle, giving the vendor more than he asked for.
“Thank you, my lord!” the man exclaimed.
It was quite something to be thanked by someone who did not even know who he was. For who would think the Duke of Wolfcrest would be buying cheap trinkets from a market fair?
He helped Daphne put the necklace around her neck, joining her much more expensive sapphires. Her eyes lit up more than they did, though, when he gave her the more precious jewelry. Something was different today. Something almost magical.
“It is lovely, Your Grace. Thank you.”
It was not the end of their walk, though. He thought he would rush home as soon as they bought what they needed, but they walked for half an hour more.
But peace never really settled well for a man like Adrian. It was soon shattered by the presence of the one man he was protecting Daphne against.
“Good day to you, Wolfcrest and Duchess,” the smooth cultured voice greeted.
Briarwood’s voice always sent a prickle of irritation racing up Adrian’s spine. Not only did he invade their privacy and interrupt any conversations they might have been having, but he stood too close for comfort. He was with two gentlemen, who looked just as grave as he.
Adrian’s grip on Daphne instinctively tightened. It was only then that he realized that he had somehow relaxed along the way.
Briarwood seemed genuinely amused by the protective gesture. His lips curved into a knowing smile Adrian hated. He then gave Daphne a low bow, while one hand pressed on his chest. His eyes were on the Duchess the whole time, as if he were assessing his property.
“Duchess,” he murmured. “I am delighted to see that you have been allowed to partake in today’s festivities. I had heard that your horrible husband had locked you away in a tower while he spent his evenings roaming the streets of London.”
Immediately, Daphne’s face flushed a mortified shade of red.
“I… I…” she stammered.
Briarwood laughed lightly. “Your innocence is truly rare in this age.”
Adrian trembled with anger, knowing that the Earl chose his words well like weapons.
He knew that Daphne was not unaware of his nighttime habits.
She understood that her place was in the home while he attended to business.
And yet, the way Briarwood said it, coupling the good together with the bad, made it seem as if Adrian was abandoning his wife while he went in search of more frivolous types of entertainment.
“Lord Briarwood.” Daphne regained her composure quickly. “What brings you to the market?” She paused and gestured to Adrian and her sisters with her free hand. “My husband and I realized that we need to enjoy our favorite treats with family.”
Adrian’s heart skipped at the way she said, “husband and I” and “our treats.” She was making it clear to Briarwood that they were a team.
“Have you nothing to say now, my lord? Are you not enjoying the market? Have you found a few delightful things to purchase?” she continued.
“Purchase?” Briarwood asked, chuckling. “I am merely ensuring that Wolfcrest takes care of his most valuable acquisition.”
Daphne’s eyes bulged with rage, and Adrian had to remind himself that they were in public.
“I believe that he must be very careful,” the Earl added.
After the insult came the threat. Of course.
“What I do should not concern you, Briarwood. You do not have to think about my wife, either. She is my wife and not yours, for good reasons. I can assure you that I will never let anything distract me from her. Of all people, you should know much about her worth.”
The tension had become too heavy, which was unexpected for a day out at the market fair. Some of the ordinary folks had started darting glances at them, curious at why two members of the peerage were at odds with each other and verbally sparring in public, no less.
“Enjoy your walk with your friends, my lord,” Adrian continued dismissively, giving the word “friends” a special tone of derision. “We have other pressing matters to attend to, such as enjoying each other’s company.”
The dismissal was cold. Briarwood could only glare back.
Even he knew that causing a scene would hurt his reputation, no matter how secure he felt about it.
Finally, frustration replaced the smug look on his face, but he did hold the Duke’s gaze for an extended period.
They were passing deadly intent back and forth with each other.
Then, Briarwood gave Daphne one final, tight smile before disappearing into the crowd, flanked by his two sullen men. Adrian did not relax until they were in their carriage on the way back to Wolfcrest Townhouse.
The carriage ride was silent, diminishing the lightness of the market fair walk.
Daphne held the necklace locket in her hand, reminding herself that Adrian had chosen it for her.
It was not expensive, but it was worth more than her precious stones.
It kept her grounded even as Adrian vibrated with furious energy.
He sat beside her, which was a change that she welcomed.
However, his eyes were sending daggers at the streets outside.
“Your Grace, Briarwood is now fully aware that he cannot touch me, not when I am with you. Not when I am your wife. The market fair achieved two things today. We had an enjoyable time while we also established how united we are.”
She touched his arm as she spoke. He flinched a little, making her back away from him.
“You do not understand at all, Duchess. Briarwood will not stop until I do something to stop him.”