“We’ve been a bit forced into it,” Graham said with a shake of his head. “That seems to go around in our group, doesn’t it?”
“We’ve all been dragged into our futures thus far, yes,” Simon conceded. “But it’s been a very worthwhile endeavor for James and for me. If you love her, you’ll find a way to make it work. And I tell you, loving them is well worth any price you’d pay.”
Graham nodded. “Yes, I can see that now. I can understand it for the first time. Truly, aside from my lack of honesty about my heart, there is only one mar on our future together.”
Simon cocked his head. “What is that?”
“Her aunt,” Graham mused, thinking of the rage on Lady Opal’s face when she had lunged at Adelaide. Thinking of Adelaide’s confession that the woman had been physically abusive a handful of times in the past. “The woman is jealously protective of her charge’s virtue. And she is violently angry at Adelaide’s actions.”
“But if your intentions are true, isn’t it possible you could soften her to you and to Adelaide?” Simon suggested. “Talk to her?”
Graham paused. It had been impossible for him to see past the anger Lady Opal had expressed. It triggered a response in him that was almost out of his control. But he knew that Adelaide still thought of her aunt as her only family. Her defense of the woman proved that. And Simon could be correct that a conversation might soften the response.
And if not, Graham could firmly tell the woman that if she ever laid a hand on Adelaide again, she would be very sorry indeed.
He glanced at Simon. The peacemaker of their group, he had managed many a rough encounter. “I don’t suppose you’d want to accompany me on this mission?”
Simon’s lips parted. “You would want my help?”
Graham nodded. “You don’t know how many times I wanted to talk to you in the past few months. But now more than ever I need your counsel.”
Simon reached out and squeezed Graham’s forearm. “Of course. After all, how could this woman even think to turn down two powerful dukes? One of whom actually has charm.”
Graham tilted his head back and laughed, and it was like that motion bled away all the remaining vestiges of his pain and his betrayal. It reminded him of how much he loved his friend. His brother.
“Good,” he said, rising to his feet. “Then let’s go now.”
“Now?” Simon repeated with a laugh. “You really do love this girl.”
“I do,” Graham said, and each time he said it, the emotion grew stronger in his chest. “So help me win her, will you?”
Adelaide had been waiting long enough for her aunt in the parlor that she was beginning to become nervous. Especially since the home had become increasingly quiet over the past half hour. The sounds of servants bustling had faded and no one had come to check on her or see if she required refreshments.
She could only assume that was on her aunt’s order. Which meant Opal was still angry with her.
She drew in a deep breath at the thought. What would she do if her aunt raged at her? If she refused to forgive or to accept the future that Adelaide would now pursue?
“I’ll leave,” she said with a sigh as she scrubbed a hand over her face. “I’ll leave and go to Graham. I’ll accept that my future is where I belong.”
She said the words and smiled, for in that moment the future felt very bright, indeed.
The door behind her opened, and she turned to face Opal. Her aunt was wearing the same gown she had had on when she’d come to call at James and Emma’s home earlier in the day. Only now there were smudges on it, like she had been doing some kind of work in the outfit.
Adelaide frowned. “Good afternoon, Aunt Opal.”
She tensed as she waited for her guardian to respond. To get angry. To lash out. Instead, her aunt merely inclined her head. “Hello, Adelaide. I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner. I wasn’t expecting you after that terrible scene at the Duke and Duchess of Abernathe’s.”
Adelaide drew in a short breath at the softness of her aunt’s tone. She actually did look and sound regretful. That gave Adelaide hope. “Yes. Itwasterrible. I’m so sorry you were upset that I went to Emma’s home. You must know I never intended to stay away forever. This is the only home I’ve known for most of my life.”
Opal’s lip twitched and she held Adelaide’s stare for what felt like forever before she said, “Why don’t you come up to your room with me?”
Adelaide wrinkled her brow at the odd request. “Why?”
“I want to show you something,” Opal insisted, motioning for Adelaide to lead the way. “And talk to you, calmly this time, rationally, about what we must do for the future.”
Adelaide pressed her lips together. She was often ill at ease with Opal, especially in the past few years, but right now she wondered at the cause for the stirring in her stomach. Opal was being sensible, after all, even kind.
Adelaide nodded at last. “Very well. Let’s go to my chamber.”
