He was curious about her motives, but there was nothing he could do about them. Not only that, but the most unkind part of him wanted Adelaide to see for herself just how vile she was.
He wanted her to learn a lesson about trusting his mother. Since no amount of warnings had done it, he would have to let her bear the full brunt of his mother’s cruelty.
He went to the library, where he took a seat in a quiet corner and closed his eyes. The smell of old paper was intoxicating, and even though he had no real desire to read, it was a comfort simply being there. It was quiet, secluded, and that was precisely what he needed.
Then, he heard something fall to the floor.
“Does it ever fail?” he muttered, pushing himself to his feet.
Following the source of the noise, he found Adelaide standing there with wide eyes, with a book clutched tightly between her fingers.
“I did not know that you were here,” she said quietly.
“Nor did I know you were here,” he replied, walking toward her. “What happened?”
“I was trying to grab a book,” she explained, her cheeks pink. “It was on the top shelf, and I could not quite reach it. I stretched, and I knocked this one down.”
“Which was it?”
She pointed to a thick volume, and he wondered how she intended to pull it down, even if she could reach it. With a low chuckle, he pulled it down with ease and deposited it on a table, before turning away.
“Thank you,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. “Did you—your mother…”
“If you think it is a good idea, I will not stand in your way.”
“I wanted to know what you thought, now that we are alone. I did not want to refuse her, not when she so terribly needs help.”
“My mother needs help that neither you nor I could provide. If she wants to have her hair brushed, and you wish to be the one to do it, you may do so. All I ask is that you do not come to me if she says anything unkind, for you know that it is likely.”
She was quiet, her lips curled into a pout. He did not know why other people were so drawn to her, but he wished that he were immune to her pull. She was too tempting to walk away from, too kind to let anyone be cruel to her.
Cassian knew, despite his warning, that he would defend her ferociously if his mother dared say one cruel word to her. He just hoped that his wife was not making a mistake.
“Do you want her to get better?” Adelaide asked.
“Of course I do. Who would want their mother to get worse?”
“I know, but you speak of her with such contempt. She is unwell, Cassian.”
“I know that. I also know that nothing I do helps her. There is only so much that a person can do before they give in, and I reached my limit. She can do as she pleases; it is easier that way. The sooner you realize that, the better.”
But the determination in her eyes told him that she was not listening to a word he said. He almost admired her for it, as he had not been that person in years, but he knew it would only be in vain. His mother would revert to her old ways, and Adelaide would pay for it.
“You may be right,” she conceded. “But what if you are not? What if she has decided that she can no longer live like this? What if I am the only chance she has? I would rather show kindness and be proven wrong than be cruel for the sake of proving myself right.”
She hauled the book into her arms and made to leave, but he caught her by the shoulder and turned her back.
“There is a ball tomorrow,” he said quickly. “Lord and Lady Poulston again. I know that it is short notice, but… if you must know, all three of us have been invited.”
She paused, her eyes searching his, before she placed her book down as gently as she could.
“All three of us,” she echoed. “Have you told her that? Is that why she has changed her mind about her appearance?”
“No. To be honest, I do not know what has brought this on, but I need it to remain that way. If you do manage to brush her hair tomorrow, I will see her after and ask her whether she would like to attend.”
“Is that—” She broke off.
But he knew what she was going to say. She was going to ask if it was wise to give his mother the option, to take her out in society, knowing how volatile she was. It was a risk, yes, but it was one that he had to take.
