“You will not. You will be the little lady that you are and make me proud,” Adeline chided gently.
She felt torn. On the one hand, she was living a lie, and it could not be sustained forever. On the other hand, she had grown extremely fond of Louisa and…Greystone and to be parted from either would be a wrench. In Louisa’s case it would be as much of a wrench for her. In Greystone’s case…
Stone has no feeling. Though I saw it last night. A crack in the granite facade. A hint of humanity.
They were midway through their rolls when the rhythm of hooves reached them. Louisa turned, half-standing on her chair.
“Someone’s coming!”
Adeline shaded her eyes. A figure on horseback was riding through the open gates of the stable yard. He dismounted even before the groom had appeared, tall, broad-shouldered, and smiling as if the morning belonged to him. He strode across the terrace towards the lawn.
“Lord Duskwood,” Adeline said, rising, “you’re riding early this morning.”
“Miss Wilkinson,” he returned, giving her a bow. “Forgive me for calling uninvited. The air’s too fine to waste on paperwork.”
Louisa had run to the edge of the terrace steps, shading her eyes against the sun as she squinted up at the newcomer.
“Are you staying for breakfast, Your Lordship?”
He grinned, bowing courteously to her.
“Such fine manners. Your governess is to be commended. I will stay if she allows it.”
At this, he looked at Adeline, smile golden in his handsome face.
Handsome but soft. Gentle, probably, but not commanding. Not mercurial like…
Adeline stamped on that train of thought. It was not her place to compare the merits of two gentlemen of her acquaintance. She had no interest in Lord Duskwood and no right to Winston.
And no interest in him. I cannot allow myself to. For his sake and Louisa’s. I will spare them the pain of being lied to.
She hesitated. “I thank you for the compliment, Lord Duskwood. Please come and join us.
Louisa clasped her hands. “He can sit there. Papa won’t mind.”
Adeline’s mouth opened to object, but Duskwood had already taken the empty chair next to her. He looked around at the garden, at the scattered roses and the high sweep of the house behind them.
“Greystone always surprises me,” he said. “It looks grand at a distance, but up close it feels…lived in. That’s a compliment, by the way.”
“Not to me, I’m afraid. I am a relative newcomer and can take no credit for the house. I am not its mistress,” Adeline said lightly.
She folded her hands in her lap, aware of the warmth still in her cheeks.
“And I am eternally grateful for that,” Lord Duskwood said, his eyes fast on Adeline, his smile giving the meaning to his words.
He is glad that I am not Greystone’s mistress because that would make me the Duchess. Oh Lord! He is showing interest!
Louisa was spreading jam, her attention only half on them.
“You talk funny when you’re shy,” she told Adeline, without looking up.
Adeline felt her blush deepen. His Lordship laughed, easy and carefree.
“You need not be shy on my account. I am not and you have seen me sweaty and bare-chested.”
“I am sure I barely looked,” Adeline replied quietly.
“See?” Louisa said, munching toast and crowing the proof of her earlier statement.
