Again, the ladies looked at one another, seemingly able to discuss matters without saying a word.
Adelaide hoped, if she was to remain part of their group, that talent would eventually extend to her, too.
“Not particularly,” Emma replied sheepishly. “We knew that it was the best thing for us, so we did it, just as you are going to. I cannot claim that it was a bad thing to do, though. None of us can.”
“That is not why I asked. You see… you must have heard the rumors about me, the ones that started a year ago. The ton thinks that I am a madwoman, that I am violent and unpredictable, and that is all because of a man.”
“Which is why I hate most of them,” Cecilia interjected. “Yes, they know. I told them at the time, and I told them before they met you. The thing is, Adelaide, we do not believe such petty gossip. We are aware that it is hardly ever the truth, and when that is proven, we prefer to be in the right.”
“If we had to guess,” Dorothy piped up, “we would assume that it was the other way around, and that it was the gentleman you were engaged to who was the guilty party. Is that right?”
Adelaide could have cried right then. She had never expected anyone to believe her, for it was a most unbelievable tale, but these ladies did. Her heart soared.
“He was. He was awful to me. They all think that he is a pillar of society, while he is anything but. He is aggressive and quick to anger, and I know that he is not going to let me slip away so easily. When I ended the engagement, I-I did not know what he was going to do. I felt the same when he followed me, and I cannot thank the heavens enough that His Grace came to my rescue, even if it means that I am now bound to him.”
“Boundsounds rather violent,” Emma said gently. “Tiedwould be best. You shall be joined together in marriage. And if he was willing to come to your rescue, then it must mean that he feels something for you. All of this will get better in time, you will see.”
Adelaide thought about that the following day on the ride home. Dorothy had graciously allowed her to stay the night, and she had made herself scarce when she heard the Duke return, even though she knew she nothing to fear. Cecilia had rolled her eyes at her, saying that it would get easier in future visits. And that, in and of itself, had helped her feel safer.
She would be welcomed again.
“Did you enjoy your visit?” her mother asked. “You seem lighter.”
“I did. The ladies were wonderful, and they have promised to assist me as I grow accustomed to my new role. They were so kind, Mama.”
“Good. I have always wanted you to make friends, Adelaide, but you never quite seemed to—never mind. Now is not the time to discuss your childhood, but your future. Is your gown beautiful?”
“I do not know how the seamstress will manage to make it. The sketch she showed me was simplyexquisite. My only concern is that it might draw too much attention.”
“You are expected to wear your best dress, dearest. I would not say that there is a better dress than one paid for by four affluent duchesses. Can you believe it? They are very kind. We shall pay them back, of course.”
“Oh, Mama, do not start that. It is a gift from them to welcome me into their group. If you start fretting about paying them back, they will think that I did not see it as the gift that it is.”
“But we must have pride, Adelaide. I do not like accepting handouts. This is not how we used to live.”
“And it is all my fault, I know,” Adelaide snapped, but immediately regretted it.
She did not mean to speak unkindly to her mother. Indeed, not once had her mother blamed her for their situation. She had always believed her and had done everything she could to restore their standing. It was unfair of Adelaide to take her words as an accusation, for she knew perfectly well that was not her mother’s intention, but that was how it felt.
Everyone had thought little of her, and there was no escaping it, so why would the only person who had suffered alongside her feel any differently?
She waited for her mother to respond, but she did not.
Instead, Lady Wynn tucked a curl behind Adelaide’s ear and smiled softly. “Draw me a sketch of your wedding gown,” she whispered. “You always were good at that. I do not want to be the only person who does not know what to expect, aside from your betrothed.”
Adelaide could not refuse such a gentle request.
She made her way to her bedchamber and sat at her desk, staring at the paper with pursed lips. She quickly drew what she remembered, and then admired her work for a moment before realizing that she had something even more important to do.
She took her quill and began to write.
CHAPTER 7
Your Grace,
I hope that this note will not be intercepted. You may think it bizarre of me to fear such a thing, unless you have seen what is happening outside my house. There are dozens of people still, each one wondering just how I managed to become engaged to you.
You should be pleased about that, I suppose. It means that you have squashed the scandal, so I should congratulate you on that. Your position, soon to be ours, remains secure. I also wish to thank you, for I have not yet done so. Despite what you think you have done, you are helping me more than you could possibly know.
