“Yes, Mother. We thank you. Now, please sit.”
At last, her mother sat back down.
Adelaide sighed with relief. It had been a slow process, but her mother had been changing since the loss of her father, and with what Adelaide had been through, it had worsened.
It was why, even though she was not pleased with her husband, she was grateful to board the carriage and leave for her new home. They would be traveling for the rest of the day, as they both needed distance from London. And that was unnerving, as she did not know what to say to him.
To her surprise, he spoke first.
“I apologize for my outburst.”
“Oh! It is quite all right. It has been a long day, after all. I also apologize for my mother’s speech. She means well, but…”
“But she is not of sound mind. I can see that.”
“You can imagine my fears, then. Fortunately, the ton never noticed because they were too busy watching me. But now, with my absence, I fear they will see it.”
“Fear not. They shall not send her to Bedlam, or any of the things that you were threatened with. There is a kindness granted to those who were once in love, so she will be fine for a while.”
He spoke with a certain wisdom, as though from experience, but Adelaide did not pry. He was trying, and she did not want to push him too hard.
“I do fear what will happen when such charity wears thin,” she muttered.
“We will take care of her. That is what you wished to discuss with me, isn’t it?”
Adelaide whirled to him in surprise. She had been afraid to speak with him about the situation, as she had expected him to accuse her of only wanting his money. But of course, that was not how he perceived her. He knew that she had shared in his reluctance and was not marrying him for his money or his title.
“In a way,” she admitted. “You see, my mother has never been alone. She had seven brothers and sisters, and then, when she married my father, they never spent a day apart. Then she had me. She does not know loneliness, and I fear what will happen when she does.”
“And, of course, there is the matter of your family’s estate.”
“You know, then,” she said quietly.
“I did not seek to learn of it. I had not asked for a dowry because it was my preference. Knowing that your mother has such a difficulty, however, I have been thinking that we could assist her. It is my duty to protect your family as well as you, and I can do that with relative ease.”
Adelaide thanked him and then settled in her seat. She was pleased to know that she had a good man for a husband, for fundamentally, that was what he was. He wanted to do right by her, and he was making that known with his actions.
She felt like a petulant child, for she knew that actions were far better than mere words, but it was not what she wanted. She wanted him to change his mind about what he wanted for them, but that was too much to ask. She had enough, as it was.
She had a good husband, one who would make sure she would want for nothing. He would give her freedom, care for her mother, and let her act as she pleased.
It was everything that she could ask for, as long as she accepted the one thing that she did not like, and she was beginning to wonder if she could do that.
For she was trying hard not to fall for him, while he was assuring her that he would never do the same for her.
CHAPTER 9
Cassian wondered, as they arrived at Ashford Hall, if his wife would smell the smoke.
It had lingered long since the fire, but there were times when he was convinced that he was imagining it. However, what he was certain existed was the blackened half of the estate. He watched as Adelaide stared up at it, her shoulders trembling.
To his knowledge, she was unaware of what had happened there. But he did not think she needed to know, and she did not ask.
“It is…” she trailed off. “It is large.”
“Indeed. Fear not, you will not be charged with running it.”
She looked at him with confusion, for they never discussed her not having an active role in the running of her household. That was, after all, what a duchess did. It was her duty to ensure that everything ran smoothly.
