Page 74 of How Not to Marry a Duke

“Duels are illegal.”

“So? They are still conducted.”

Her fingers fisted. A part of her wanted to confront them here as she’d done at the dressmakers. She stayed seated. They weren’t worth the effort. She also knew that if she fought back, the Scandal Sheet would print negative nonsense about her, not them. Worse, any recourse Adeline took would hurt her sister, and Mary didn’t deserve any part of it.

She reached for his arm. “Please. I just want to leave.”

“Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“If they are vicious gossipmongers, then we should use them to our advantage.”

“How?”

“Like this.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against her cheek. The touch was brief, and his warm breath fanned her skin. Stunned, Adeline turned and met his eyes. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss lasted an instant, but all her earlier emotions rushed back in a delicious avalanche. Heat swirled in her veins and her stomach tumbled wildly. Her palm rested on his chest. Under it, his heart thumped hard. He raised his head and captured her eyes. His smile nearly took her breath away.

The gasp from the two women could be heard across the room.

Warwick took Adeline’s hand in his much larger one and stood. “Follow me.”

Her legs were weak, but at that moment, she would have followed him anywhere. He stopped before the two wide-eyed women. “Ladies.”

“Your Grace,” they said in unison, staring up at his chiseled features.

“The answer to your question is yes,” he said.

“Your Grace?” Again in unison.

“Dukes find women from different cultures fascinating and they offer much more scintillating conversation than simple English gossips.”

Speechless, their lips parted.

With a hand on Adeline’s back, he ushered her out of the reading room, then out the front door. Adeline was speechless as a strange sense of satisfaction swept through her.

As Warwick escorted Adeline across the street, his mouth was set in a grim line. “If I could have challenged them another way, I would have.”

“I do not doubt it.”

He grinned. “Instead, I decided to use them, rather than for them to insult you. Malicious gossip or not, tongues will wag.”

Chapter Thirteen

The following afternoon, Adeline returned to the countess’s home after treating a patient. She removed her cloak and handed it to the butler just as Lady Heywood rushed into the vestibule.

“Adeline! You are just in time. The sapphire ballgown was delivered by the modiste’s assistant this afternoon. You must try it on.”

“But I was already fitted at the dressmaker’s shop,” Adeline protested. She’d returned to the dressmaker’s as soon as the gown had been sewn.

“Posh! I missed the fitting. I want to see it on you. Besides, the invitation to the Kirkland ball arrived today, and a lady can never be careful enough to ensure that everything is in order.”

Adeline was tired and wished to rest in her room. She pushed her fatigue aside. Lady Heywood seemed overly excited, and Adeline wanted to please her.

“Shall I summon my maid?” Adeline asked.

“No need. I shall assist you. Hurry along now!”

Adeline followed the lady up the grand staircase and into her bedchamber. A package wrapped in delicate tissue rested on her bed.