Page 46 of How Not to Marry a Duke

“We gave each other a chance. It happened while we were leaving a ball. A driver had lost control and his carriage was about to strike an elderly woman. Charles sprinted in the path of the runaway carriage and saved the woman just in time. He hadn’t a care for himself. I never saw anything like it.”

“It must have been shocking.”

“It was! I knew I had been wrong about him. I approached him at the next ball and asked him to dance.”

“You didn’t!” Adeline covered her mouth with her hand.

“It’s not something I readily confess, but it’s true. Charles quickly bowed and took my hand, and no one at that ball knew of my boldness save the two of us. He asked my father for my hand in marriage a week later.”

Adeline smiled. She took a bite of scone and chewed. Her nervousness eased. Lady Heywood had an easy manner, and she understood why Warwick cared for her. She was different, and just what a highly intelligent young boy had needed to survive beneath his parents’ roof. The duke and duchess hadn’t understood their son.

But his godmother had.

Adeline was different as well. She’d rather help a villager than gain a coveted Almack’s voucher for a Wednesday evening assembly.

“You care for my godson?”

Adeline swallowed a lump of scone. The woman was direct. “Yes.”

It was true. She did care for the duke, though not in the manner that this woman wished to believe. She admired him for his intelligence, and she owed him a debt for dealing with Edwin. God only knew how Edwin would have retaliated had she continued to refuse his demands. Would she already be betrothed to the moneylender? The truth was she could be grateful to the duke and still find him maddening.

“Warwick never gave me a straight answer. How did you meet? At the theater? A dinner party? A country ball? I asked him, but he never answered.”

Adeline set down her teacup. “We didn’t meet at a country ball.”

“I’m not surprised. Warwick dislikes them and avoided them in Town. I never believed he’d begun attending balls while he was away.” The countess set down her own teacup. “Do not leave me in suspense, child. Was it through friends?”

“I’m a healer and we met when he came to me for a healing salve.” They’d decided to stay close to the truth without revealing the entire truth. It was more believable, and Adeline would be a horrid liar if they concocted a wild story of love and romance.

The countess pursed her lips. “Truly?”

“The burn on his forearm is healing well.”

The lady threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, that’s rich and not what I’d thought at all!”

“You are shocked?”

“It takes much to shock me, my dear, but I admit I’m surprised. Where did the daughter of an earl learn how to heal wounds?”

“My mother was a healer and midwife before she married the earl. Oftentimes, I accompanied her.”

“Fascinating. You said you helped treat Warwick. Pray tell me, was his injury due to one of his inventions?”

“Yes.”

She tsked. “Stubborn man! I understand his need to pursue his intellectual passions, but he forgets his position. He is a duke, after all!” The countess looked her over. “You are quite unexpected, my dear.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“You’re what my godson needs. He was not what his parents expected.” She reached out to touch Adeline’s hand. “I shall enjoy hosting you for the remainder of the Season.”

“I’m grateful.”

“Nonsense. I’ve been alone for far too long. It will be a pleasure to have you and your companion. I’ve already received invitations for garden parties, dinners, as well as the Kirkland ball, which is the social event of the Season.” She leaned forward, her green eyes alight with excitement. “And from the way my godson spoke of you, I believe it will be an interesting few weeks. I hope the gossips wag their tongues.”

Chapter Nine

“I like her. I fear it will be a problem,” Adeline said.