Page 93 of How Not to Marry a Duke

She’d tossed and turned in bed once she’d gotten home. She’d replayed images of her heated lovemaking with Warwick over and over, and she’d cherish their shared night forever.

What she’d told him was true. She had no regrets. The problem was she had fallen in love with him, but when she’d even mentioned the word, he’d visibly recoiled. Somehow their relationship had become a perilous one; for her to remain in London and stay by his side would be unwise. Eventually their charade would have to end, and she’d be left with a torn and tattered heart.

Instead, she’d told him she’d been away too long and needed to check on her cottage. What she truly needed was time and distance between them. Her emotions were a whirlwind whenever he was near. She’d been more affected by their lovemaking than she could have imagined, while he’d been concerned with his honor.

A knock on her bedroom door drew her attention. She went to open it to find Lady Heywood standing outside.

“I wasn’t sure your maid was telling the truth. You are leaving?”

“It will be a temporary visit to the country. I shall return.” It was not a lie. She would return. Mary was here and she wouldn’t stay away forever.

“My goodness, I hope so. Have I done anything to make you uncomfortable, my dear?”

Adeline knew she meant the time she’d “accidentally” left her door open as she was trying on her ballgown. Despite Adeline’s initial dismay when the duke had found her in a state of undress, it had turned into an unexpectedly pleasurable afternoon.

“You have done nothing wrong, my lady,” Adeline said. “In fact, you have made the stay wonderful for both Miss Hasmik and me.”

“I assume Hasmik will accompany you on this sojourn to the country.”

“Yes.”

Lady Heywood clucked her tongue. “I was enjoying her companionship. Miss Hasmik is a wealth of knowledge on many topics, and her stories of growing up in Egypt are fascinating.”

Adeline took the lady’s hand in hers. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and hospitality. I promise we shall return.”

“I believe you, but I must ask. Is my godson aware you are leaving town? Even for a short trip, as you say?”

She lowered her gaze, not wanting to lie. “Yes, he knows.” The truth.

“Is he accompanying you?”

“Not right away.” Still the truth. Warwick had mentioned returning to finish his work.

“Hmm. I can only assume he did something wrong. I know how stubborn the duke can be.”

“He has done nothing improper.” He’d been honest from the beginning. She had changed and lost her heart.

“Hmm. I find that hard to believe. Warwick has not proposed. To me, that is improper.”

A stab of guilt centered in Adeline’s chest. The countess had supported her from the beginning. It was on the tip of her tongue to confess everything.

Adeline’s lips parted. “We…we—”

A knock on her bedroom door interrupted her train of thought. A young maid stood in the doorway.

“You have a visitor, my lady.”

“The duke?” Lady Heywood inquired.

“No, my lady. The visitor is Lady Adeline’s sister.”

“Mary?” Adeline asked. “I will meet her in the parlor.”

“I will leave you to your sister,” Lady Heywood said.

Adeline clutched the ornate railing as she descended the grand staircase and hurried to the parlor. Mary leaped to her feet at the sight of her sister.

“Adeline. I received your message. Must you leave Town already? It seems like you just arrived. And what of the duke?”