Chapter Sixteen
If Graham had left Adelaide’s side the night before with confusion and emotion clouding his judgment, he returned to Emma and James’s house late the next morning with even more of the same. He’d spent an entirely sleepless night thinking of her. Of what she’d told him. Of the fact that she demanded nothing from him.
And yet she inspired him to think of terrifying things. Futures he’d told himself he’d never have. A life he perhaps didn’t deserve and that might only end in heartbreak. For her. For him.
The door to the parlor opened and he turned, expecting to see Adelaide and his hosts. Instead, it was only Emma who entered the chamber, her pretty face lit by a welcoming smile. He couldn’t help but return it, for his friend’s wife was nothing but kind and genuine.
“Graham, I’m so happy to see you again,” she said, motioning him back to his seat as she took her own. “The others will join us shortly. James had an unexpected visitor who insisted on being seen, so he sent me ahead to chat with you when Grimble said you were here. Adelaide slept a bit late, she is just finishing readying herself but will join us soon.”
Graham swallowed. If Adelaide had slept late, that was likely his fault. After all, he had been the one to keep her up into the wee hours of the morning with passion and secrets.
“I’m sure the two of us will find much to talk about,” he said, finding some semblance of politeness even when his mind was spinning.
Emma nodded, but her dark gaze was very focused on him. Like she was reading him. “James told me you once encouraged him to pursue me.”
Graham was happy he had not been offered a drink as of yet, or he surely would have spit it across the room at her unexpected statement. He smoothed his hands over his waistcoat and nodded. “I did, Your Grace.”
“I’m forever grateful for that,” she said, leaning forward. “And so very grateful to see you begin to return to the circle of friends who love you dearly. It means so much to my husband. I do wonder, though…”
She trailed off, and Graham set his jaw. She was direct, but also hedging, questioning herself. “What do you wonder?”
“Adelaide is my friend,” she said, her tone still firm despite its softness. “My best friend in the world, one who has seen me through a great deal. I would not wish to see her hurt.”
“James spoke to you?” Graham eased out carefully, uncertain whether to be offended or understanding of his friend’s loose lips when it came to his bride.
Emma lifted both eyebrows slightly. “No, he didn’t. I’m speaking from my own observations, Graham. My own understanding of the situation between you.”
He nodded slowly. “Do you think I’m not good enough for her?”
She laughed. “You are one of the most sought-after men in Society. And what matters more is that I know you are a good and decent man. It has nothing to do with your value. Just how much you would value her. If you don’t have intentions for a future for Adelaide, I hope you’ll consider backing away. Else she’ll be hurt and I would hate for that to happen.”
“You are a good friend to her,” Graham said softly.
“Well, you would know about being a good friend,” she replied. “You have always been the best of friends to those you love. And I know you understand where my heart is, for you’ve been protective of those you care for, as well.”
He ducked his head. “I do understand, Emma.”
She smiled at his use of her given name, at the understanding it represented. Then she shook her head. “Gracious, I wasn’t thinking. Would you like tea?”
She rushed to her feet to pour it, and at that moment the door opened and Adelaide stepped inside. Graham might have answered Emma’s question, but he was so taken aback by what he saw that he couldn’t.
The woman at the door was not Lydia. But neither was she clothed in her usual costume as Adelaide. She wore a pretty gown, one that didn’t contain her clothing’s usual high-necked fashion. She didn’t wear her spectacles and her hair was done in a looser style, one that framed her face and made her beauty shine through.
She was truly Adelaide now. The woman between her two roles. The woman who had captured him and confused him and made him feel safe enough to confess the darkest parts of himself. And he couldn’t stop staring at her in wonder as she blushed prettily and stepped into the room.
Emma followed his gaze, and she, too, caught her breath at Adelaide’s appearance. She moved to her. “You are lovely,” she said, taking her hand as they stepped toward Graham.
He nodded. “Lovely,” he repeated.
Adelaide’s cheeks were flaming now, and she ducked her head. “You two will swell my head. It’s all Emma’s gown, you know. Thank you again for the loan of it.”
Emma snorted. “You are welcome, but I assure you, a silly dress is not the cause of your beauty.”
Graham smiled in her direction, both for her kindness in the loan and for her compliments of her friend. Adelaide deserved no less.
“Good morning, Graham,” Adelaide squeaked out.
His smile broadened. “Good morning yourself, Adelaide.”
