Page 55 of How Not to Marry a Duke

Warwick risked his matchmaking godmother.

Adeline risked much worse—her brother’s machinations and an unwanted betrothal to an unscrupulous moneylender. She lowered her lashes to hide her thoughts.

“Am I being too forward?” Lord Bowen’s brow furrowed.

“No. You have been nothing but kind.”

“Would you do me the honor of joining me at one of the tables to eat?”

She raised her gaze to his. She saw interest in his brown eyes. She wasn’t unfamiliar with male attention. And she was hungry. She’d only nibbled on dry toast and drunk a cup of tea that morning. Her foolish thoughts had been filled with the upcoming garden party…and the duke. If the man wasn’t coming this soon after their return to Town, then she saw no harm in having the viscount escort her.

They helped themselves to the lavish buffet and then joined a middle-aged couple on one of the blankets that had been spread out on the vast lawns. It was proper and no one paid them attention. Lady Heywood smiled and waved. Adeline nibbled on teacakes and strawberries and her headache subsided. She barely noticed when the couple rose and left the blanket. It was a pleasant day and—

A hush came over the crowd, and Adeline turned to see what had occurred just as she spotted Warwick enter the gardens. Her pulse quickened. Lady Heywood waved, and he made his way to his godmother’s side.

He commanded attention. His reputation as a recluse was well known in Society—the mad duke, he was called. None of it mattered. With his light brown hair, green eyes, and muscular build, he cut a handsome figure—the type of man women swooned for. Watching the crowd, it was a toss-up as to whether it was the mammas of the ton or their young daughters who eyed him more rapturously. For the first time, Adeline truly understood why he’d fled to the country to live in a modest home.

“May I visit you at Lady Heywood’s home?” Lord Bowen interrupted her thoughts.

Her gaze flew to the man beside her. “I…I…”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. How should she answer? A deep part of her felt slighted, offended at the duke’s late appearance. Hadn’t they come to an agreement? He was to attend balls, parties, dinners…numerous functions to flirt and dance with her. If this was to work at all, he had to participate and not wait until the end of a party to show.

Just then Warwick looked past his godmother to see her sitting with the young viscount. The corners of his mouth turned downward, and his eyes met hers.

If the duke was unhappy, then he had no one to blame but himself. He’d left her to fend for herself for the duration of the party. If only he hadn’t led her and his godmother to believe he’d come, it wouldn’t have been so disappointing. Anger, frustration, and wounded pride made her brow furrow. It was ridiculous, really. She was not the type of woman to experience such useless emotions.

Lord Bowen shifted and touched Adeline’s arm. “Do you prefer chocolates? Or flowers?”

…

Warwick pulled his godmother aside. “Who is Adeline sitting with?”

“That is Lord Bowen. He has been entertaining her for the past hour.”

“I don’t like it.”

“You do not own the lady, Your Grace. She is free to speak with any gentleman she desires. Especially when the man courting her fails to make a timely appearance.” Her disapproval was evident in the inflection of her voice and the steel of her eyes.

Warwick chose to ignore both. His gaze returned to Adeline. She was sitting close to Lord Bowen on the blanket, too close. “She cannot desire the dandy.”

“I never thought I’d see the day, Daniel. I had my doubts, but I see I was worried for no reason.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“You are jealous.”

Warwick’s eyes snapped to hers. “That’s preposterous. Jealousy is a waste of mental energy.”

“Is it?”

“I’d rather spend my time and energy reading scientific journals.” He sounded like a petulant child—completely unlike himself. Dammit. What is Lord Bowen saying to Adeline? He was restless and irritable and had a ridiculous urge to march over to the blanket and yank her away.

“Hmm. You could always leave and allow Lord Bowen to continue to entertain Lady Adeline.”

“No.”

She gave him the I-told-you-so look that had bothered him as an adolescent. It infuriated him even more now. “I’m sure Lord Bowen wouldn’t mind if you simply departed.”