Chapter Six
Adelaide was not initially aware of the crowd that began to gather around the duke and her. Not until she heard a woman utter a loud, sharp gasp as she spoke.
“That is the Duke of Lochville,” she said, her words filled with accusation.
Adelaide looked up, horrified, just as an elderly gentleman with a brown cane cleared his throat.
“A rather compromising situation for them both, I dare say,” he said, sneering with disdain.
Adelaide looked at the Duke, searching for any reaction or guidance.
But he was still looking at her, as though he had not yet been pulled from the spell which had enthralled them both.
For a brief second, she almost forgot about the whispering crowd surrounding them.
The passion returned with such ferocity that for a second, she did not mind that she was once more compromised.
In fact, with the duke’s thigh where it was placed, she longed for him to ensure that she was permanently ruined, no matter how many people were watching.
A well-known voice interrupted the reverie yet again, as if summoned from the very ether.
“Oh, heavens,” Lord Edwin said, kneeling beside the scandalized couple. “Are either of you hurt?”
The duke also reacted to his cousin’s voice.
He shook his head, glancing first at Lord Edwin, then at the growing crowd of whispering onlookers.
His eyes settled again on his cousin, and Adelaide saw him frown.
She looked at the gentleman, expecting to see the concern she heard in his voice mirrored in his eyes.
But instead, she saw something almost predatory and calculating in them.
He blinked and it was gone, but not before it ignited an odd dread within her.
“I am fine,” the duke said, pushing himself off of Adelaide. Lord Edwin offered his hand, which the Duke reluctantly accepted as he heaved himself to his feet. Before the duke could turn back to Adelaide, his cousin reached down and gently pulled Adelaide upright, as well.
“Are you injured?” Lord Edwin asked, looking down at her skirts.
Adelaide followed his gaze, noticing how torn the hem of her dress was. She flushed, trying vainly to brush away dirt and the rips in the fabric.
“No,” she said, wincing as sharp pains invaded her elbows and lower back.
The duke’s eyes widened, and he went to reach for her. But Lord Edwin put his hands on her shoulders first, looking at her with what could only be genuine concern.
“Where is the pain?” he asked, looking around at the people who were still gawking as if watching a theater performance. “All is well here. Please, move along. You have witnessed all there is to see here.”
Adelaide was not surprised when no one moved, and they all continued sporadically whispering. But Lord Edwin did not get the chance to repeat himself. The dowager duchess, Helena and Edith came running from the shops, nudging their way through the crowd.
“Adelaide, darling, are you all right?” Helena asked, rushing to her niece and surveying her.
Edith noticed her ripped skirts, gasping softly.
“Are you hurt?” she asked, putting her hands to her cheeks.
Augusta Lockhart put her hands on her grandson’s shoulders, her eyes filled with tears.
“Let us get the two of you to Mr. Morrison, the physician” she said.
The duke shook his head, pulling away from his grandmother.
“I am perfectly fine, Grandmother,” he said. “Miss Barrett on the other hand seems to be in some pain.”
Adelaide shook her head, offering a smile. But she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, causing more pain in her legs, which made her flinch again.
“I am well,” she said, trying to prevent her jaw from tightening with the pain.
The women were unconvinced. They circled her as the dowager duchess nodded to Lord Edwin.
“Help your cousin to the carriage,” she said urgently. “We must get them home. I shall send word for Mr. Morrison to come and examine both of you.”
Adelaide and the duke both opened their mouths to argue. But the Dowager Duchess shook her head, her eyes frantic but her mouth set in a thin straight line.
“That is not a request,” she said with a tone that allowed for no argument.
Lord Edwin nodded, putting his arm around the duke, who surprisingly did not resist. The ladies continued to attend to Adelaide as they escorted her to the carriage and throughout the journey back to the manor.
But no further arguments from her would be heard.
The women rushed around the mansion issuing orders, then ushered Adelaide to her chambers.
About an hour later, Mr. Morrison knocked on her door.
“Aunt Helena, please,” Adelaide insisted, even as the physician began unpacking his medical bag. “This truly is not necessary.”
Her aunt shook her head with tears in her eyes. It was evident that she was terribly shaken and upset, her usual calm demeanor replaced by frantic concern.
“We could have lost you, darling,” she said tearfully. “We must ensure that your injuries are not serious.”
Adelaide sighed, collapsing back onto the bed. The women exited the room, closing the door behind them. Mr. Morrison gave her a warm smile and patted her hand gently.
“Do not worry, Miss Barrett,” he said. “This will not take long.”
Adelaide nodded, offering a weak smile in return.
“I apologise,” she said. “I am certain that this shall prove to be a most egregious waste of your time. Indeed, I find myself feeling quite..” She gasped, wincing fiercely as the doctor pressed on her left elbow.
He nodded, giving her hand another pat.
“It is best to be cautious, my lady,” he said.
Adelaide tried to relax as the physician began his examination. But her thoughts would not settle. She had suffered yet another compromising public humiliation. But she could not forget that His Grace had saved her life. Nor could she forget how it felt to be in his arms, despite all the onlookers.
After listening to her breathing and examining her legs, neck, lower back, and arms, Mr. Morrison gave her a reassuring smile.
“You have suffered some bruising, particularly on your elbows and back,” he said. “It is only minor, however. Your muscles may be a bit sore, as well. But you shall be restored to your former self within a day or two.”
Adelaide nodded, though she barely heard him. She was still in deep thought about what had happened. But she did not get any more time to reflect on the event, as when the physician opened the door, Sophia and her aunt entered the room.
“Are you all right?” Helena asked, cupping Adelaide’s face in her hands.
Adelaide nodded, wincing as she repeated what the physician had said. Helena did not look convinced. She turned to Sophia, pointing to the wardrobe.
“Fetch Adelaide another dress,” she said. Then, she looked at Adelaide. “Lie back. Do not move too much. You risk injuring yourself worse.”
Adelaide opened her mouth to repeat what Mr. Morrison had said.
She looked up at the door, hoping to seek for his assistance reassuring her aunt of her well-being.
But the physician was gone, undoubtedly to speak to the duke and dowager duchess and collect his pay.
Thus, Adelaide was left with her aunt hovering around her as though she had just given birth.
“Let me help you stand,” she said, putting an arm around Adelaide and hoisting her from the bed gently before she could protest. She continued supporting her as Sophia began removing the ruined dress.
“Gently, now, Sophia,” Helena said, perhaps more sharply than she intended. “You must not pull too hard. You can damage her injured muscles.”
Adelaide gave Sophia a sheepish look, but the lady’s maid only winked and nodded with understanding.
“Yes, milady,” she said, trying again with the dress.
Gradually, she tuned out her aunt’s incessant worrying, her mind returning to the moments she had spent in the duke’s arms. His strength, both in his arms and below, the heat of his body against hers, and the way his eyes had darkened with concern still made her pulse quicken and her cheeks flush.
Once again, she longed for nothing other than to feel the Duke’s passionate touch.
***
Once Mr. Morrison left, Marcus stormed out of the mansion and to the stables.
He was glad that Miss Barrett was all right, and he knew that the proper thing to do was to check in on her.
However, he could not stay in the manor another moment longer right then.
He needed to sort through his thoughts, which consisted of nothing but the warmth of Miss Barrett.
He retrieved the horse the stable-boy saddled for him, wasting no time in spurring the animal into the fastest gait of which it was capable.
He pushed the mount hard across the countryside, the wind whipping at his coat as he tried to outrun the memory of Miss Barrett in his arms. Thoughts of her soft curves pressed against him, her breathless gasp, and the way she had melted into him tortured him as much as they enticed him.
He knew she had felt the physical proof of his desire for her, and when she was as reluctant to pull away as he had been, he knew she had been equally as tempted.
As if summoned by a waking nightmare, the winter gardens of Lochville Manor flashed through his mind.
There, he saw Charlotte’s lifeless body lying in the snow, her blood turning the pristine white to a violent crimson.
He clenched his jaw as he loudly cursed the unwanted image, the contrast between that cold horror and the vital warmth of Miss Barrett’s body against his tore at his conscience.
I am unworthy of this desire, he thought, growling into the wind which was hitting his cheeks. I do not deserve any chance at happiness while Charlotte’s death remains unresolved.
He had to stay away from Miss Barrett. No matter how much his body yearned for her.
Marcus rode until late afternoon, when he returned with windburned cheeks and a mind no more at ease than when he started his ride.
He summoned his valet to help him change out of his riding habit and into a dull gray wool suit, then sought out his grandmother.
He intended to tell her that for as long as she was entertaining Miss Barrett and her aunt, he would return to his country-seat.
However, when he found her in the drawing room, the words died on his lips.
Augusta was having tea with Edith, Lady Helena, Thomas and Miss Barrett.
And just settling in to join them was Edwin.
“I am relieved to see that you will be all right,” he was saying as Marcus entered. “I shudder to think what might have befallen you. It was nearly unbearable to wait this long to call upon you and enquire after your well-being.”
Tension began building in Marcus at once, and he silenced the words he had ready on his lips.
Augusta was giving her youngest grandson approving smiles as he fawned over Miss Barrett’s health.
Marcus gave his grandmother a stiff kiss on the cheek, nodding curtly to the other people in the room before moving to the fireplace.
He was careful to avoid Miss Barrett’s direct gaze, though he gave her a sidelong glance, unable to stifle his concern.
She did appear to be well, and she was smiling, which instantly weakened him.
But he looked away and was quickly distracted by Miss Potter’s sudden appearance with a teacup already poured.
“Here you are, Your Grace,” she said with a smile that seemed overly innocent.
He nodded, taking the cup and dismissing the maid. He did not know why she made him so uncomfortable. He only knew that he was always glad when she was gone.
“Marcus, you are just in time,” his cousin said. “I was just preparing to invite the ladies to join me at the Pump Room tomorrow morning. Naturally, that invitation extends to you and Thomas, as well.”
Marcus choked back a chortle as he sipped his tea.
“That sounds delightful,” he said flatly. “I can think of nothing better than bathing with two men.”
Edwin laughed heartily, a sound which grated Marcus’s nerves.
“These ladies are so lovely, I doubt that we will have any time to pay attention to one another,” he said solicitously.
Marcus bristled at the insinuation, incensed that Edwin would conceive of Miss Barrett in such a manner.
Perhaps, it was hypocritical though, considering the way he had thought of her since their first interaction in the library.
But to see their grandmother, Edith, and Lady Helena giggling, as though what he had said was perfectly innocent and harmless, while he knew the opposite was true, infuriated him.
His knuckles whitened as he gripped the mantle, and he barely resisted the urge to snarl at his cousin.
“Perhaps the mineral water will help soothe your illness,” Thomas said in his usual calm, comforting voice.
But even his friend could not reduce the anger building in Marcus.
Along with the agitation came more dizziness, which further soured Marcus’s mood.
It was clear that Edwin had intentions toward Miss Barrett.
While Marcus knew he was no good for such a beautiful, sweet young lady, he couldn't help but notice the way Edwin gazed a little too long at her and smiled with a shyness that Marcus knew he lacked when she met his eyes.
It was evident that Edwin was determined to pursue Miss Barrett.
All others may perceive only the allure of which Edwin was most certainly capable.
But Marcus knew there was far more to his cousin, and that those intentions were far more impure than his own were.
The women laughed in harmony as Edwin began telling some tale about a rescue he performed at the Pump Room many years prior. Marcus watched with barely contained irritation as Edwin pretended to accidentally touch Miss Barrett’s hand as he reached for the tray of cakes.
She blushed and laughed, but it was nervous, not relaxed and delighted, as it had been with Edith in the milliner’s shop.
He decided right then that he would not be leaving for his country-seat.
He did not know precisely why but protecting Miss Barrett, from whatever Edwin’s machinations, was more important than keeping himself away from her.