“You cannot seriously intend to marry that girl. I know what Lady Withnall said, but really Huntsford, it cannot be true that you love her.”
Since he had yet to admit it to Adela, he certainly was not going to reveal his feelings to Victoria. “I am marrying her because I want her as my wife. No one has coerced me.”
She brushed her fingers lightly along his arm. “Come visit me tonight.”
He shook his head. “No, Victoria. Not tonight or any other night. We are over. You made your choice and it is now up to you to make the best of your marriage. Is your marquess such a terrible fellow?”
“What has come over you? You used to be quite a lot of fun.” She turned away and stormed back to her table of friends.
“Fun. Right,” he said to himself with a snort, shaking his head as he returned to the waiting carriage and climbed in beside Adela. He needed to feel her body against his and inhale the sweet warmth of her skin.
Julius sat across from him beside Eloise, holding tight to the precious book and pouch.
Octavian rode with the others in Phoebe’s carriage.
Ambrose and Julius would pick him up at Phoebe’s afterward.
He liked having his brothers with him again, for their lives often took them in different directions to the far corners of England or the Continent. Even though they frequently corresponded on Thorne business affairs, it wasn’t the same as sitting together in his study and enjoying a port or brandy as they spoke of whatever came to mind.
Julius must have been thinking the same thing, for he had a wistful smile on his face which broadened into a grin when the two of them exchanged glances.
Adela sat quietly as his carriage clattered toward Chipping Way.
He took her hand in his. “What are your plans for tomorrow, Adela?”
“Gory, Syd, and I thought we might spend the day at the Huntsford Academy, but we will stay out of your way. Our time will be spent in the library. Perhaps we’ll take a break at midday and have lunch in a nearby tea shop. You could add a tea shop to your building, you know. I’m sure there is space for it and the patrons will find it very convenient.”
He nodded. “Add it to your list of suggestions. You know I will listen to anything you propose.”
“Well, it can wait. I expect you have a lot to do over these next few days. I’ll try not to be too much underfoot.”
“You are never underfoot. I am always happy to see you.” Then it struck him why she was suddenly sounding so withdrawn. “Adela, whatever was between Lady Victoria and myself has been over for several years now and will not be resumed. I give you my word of honor.”
“It isn’t necessary, Ambrose. I trust you, truly I do.”
“Then why the glum look?”
She let out a soft breath. “These diamonds are so beautiful, even that odious Felicity Rose. I still have trouble understanding how I fit into your heart.”
Julius jumped in before Ambrose could fashion his own answer. “Gad, Adela. Isn’t it obvious my brother is wild about you? You are genuine. A man always knows where he stands with you because you do not lie. Do you understand how precious that is to someone like my brother? On top of this, you are exceptionally pretty.”
“Thank you, Julius. But I hardly compare to those beauties.”
“Hah! You far outshine them. Do you not realize it? And I don’t mean just in looks. It is the entire package of you, including your eccentric, bluestocking ways. I could go on, but I think you get my point.”
Ambrose gave her hand a light squeeze. “Adela, I think you understand me well enough by now to know I will keep to my wedding vows.”
She nodded. “I know, because this is the honorable man you are.”
“But you still look troubled.”
She nodded again. “Not with you. Felicity Rose was there and likely saw you talking to Lady Windhurst. It is a very cruel thing to put her marriage in jeopardy because that wretched girl is so single-mindedly determined to hurt me.”
He laughed lightly in disbelief. “You are concerned about Victoria? After her abysmal treatment of you?”
“She did behave reprehensibly, but–”
“Victoria knew what she was doing and will simply have to bear the consequences of her purposeful actions. Windhurst is a decent fellow and she was openly disdainful of him and their marriage.”
