ONE
Leicestershire, England
To err is human, to forgive divine,Alexander Pope once said. But for Adeline, the man who haderredagainst her had started a whirlwind of tragic mistakes, pulling her deeper and deeper into misery. Although she wanted to forgive, now was not the time, and she couldn’t see it in her future.
Righting the wrong was the only way for her to finally leave the horrid past behind her so that she could get on with her life.
Adeline Talbot, Marchioness of Kentwood, bounced on the seat of the coach as the driver took her to Hanover Hall in Leicestershire. Today was Lord William Dorsey’s wedding, a function that Adeline had not been invited to attend. It made little difference. She wasn’t going to the manor to see Lord William, anyway. It was his older brother, the Earl of Hanover that she planned to ruin.
Shaking her head, she shifted on the seat and peered out the window. Perhapsruinwasn’t the correct word. After all, she would never be able to ruin Collin Dorsey’s life since he was a titled lord with a powerful family standing behind him. However, she could make Collin a laughingstock in front of his friends, and all the maidens attending the wedding in hopes of becoming the lord’s wife.
Adeline figured she was doing those women a service by making certain their hearts did not get broken, and their lives ruined.
She lightly tapped her fingers on the window of the coach, wishing everything could be over by now. Being anxious like this was wearing on her nerves.
For a little over a year now, she’d been planning today’s event with great anticipation. It would happen the wayshewanted, because it was time that something right happened in her life. She’d march into that wedding party, make herself known, and everyone would hear what she had to say about the so-called nobleman. Then, after seeing Collin’s shocked and very humiliated expression, she would leave quickly and not look back.
And she wouldnotfeel guilty.
Collin Dorsey was the first and only man she’d ever met who had gone out of his way to charm her. He hadn’t judged or found her wanting because of her family’s impoverished circumstances. It was impossible for her not to be affected by his actions. Indeed, he had made it very easy for her to surrender her heart to him.
He’d also inherited her deceased husband’s title.
She clenched her teeth as her stomach rolled. This was yet another ideal reason to make him upset with her. Just because he held the title of Marquess of Kentwood now, didn’t mean he had to take over the small manor where she had taken up residence, and she was going to convince him one way or another to live elsewhere.
As the rocking motion of her traveling coach slowed, she concentrated on the landscape from the window as Hanover Hall grew nearer. Her stomach twisted and she willed the uncomfortable feelings to stop. Doubts snuck into her mind, but she pushed them aside.I am doing the right thing!
Grumbling, Adeline shook her head. She must believe this was the only way to right a wrong. Never in her life had she been so determined to make another person miserable. She’d never had a mean bone in her body. But then, she’d never before had something like this happen to her, either.
The coach came to a full stop and she took in a deep breath, repeating in her mind that she could do this. She’d worn one of her favorite gowns that she’d purchased after she’d married Lloyd Talbot but never had the chance to wear since he’d died two days later when he and his drinking friends were in a boat that capsized – killing only her husband.
She ran her palm over the blue and silver satin material. This particular style of gown was all the rage in Paris, so the seamstress had told her. The seamstress had mentioned that women were wearing gowns with fuller sleeves and lower waistlines. Adeline actually liked the full sleeves, and the lower waistline made her look slimmer.
The footman opened the door to the coach and helped her down. She squared her shoulders and walked away from the vehicle with her head held high – like a true Marchioness, even though she’d never truly felt like one.
She scanned the crowded yard. No one she recognized, thank goodness. But it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t let anyone stop her from the scene she was about to make.
Then she saw him. Collin Dorsey stood with his back toward her, but she’d recognize the tall, broad-shouldered man with the sandy-blond hair anywhere. Standing in their little circle was an older man and three young ladies. The women stared up at the tall, broad-shouldered marquess, with dreams in their eyes. Adeline would make certain she squashed their hopes. The newly appointed Marquess of Kentwood was not the marrying kind. The rogue was far from being a true gentleman.
Memories she’d wanted to keep hidden tried to resurface. She mustn’t remember how he’d made her heart skip with excitement when he smiled at her, or how he’d weakened her knees just from his passionate kisses. Instead, she’d recall how much she hated him for allowing his friend to take his place at the cottage when she’d thought she was meeting Collin.
She walked through the wedding crowd to where Collin would easily notice her. People glanced her way as she headed toward Collin, but her focus was only on him. Finally, his head turned toward her. For a second, his gaze swept briefly over her, but when he finally studied her face, his eyes widened. She wasn’t prepared for the excitement that flashed across his expression, but she wouldn’t let that sway her determination.
He mumbled something to those around him, his stare locked on her face as he moved her way. They both stopped as they reached each other. His gaze roamed all over her face as if he was trying to memorize her. She remembered him doing that a few times before when they’d been together. Her heartbeat quickened and she clenched her jaw, praying she could do everything she had planned.
“Addie,” he whispered the nickname he’d given her, almost in reverence. “What... are you doing here?”
The ice she’d purposely built around her heart began to melt. No! She couldn’t allow him get to her again.
She swallowed hard before clearing her throat. “I couldn’t go another day without seeing you. So much has been on my mind since we last talked, and I needed to tell you my feelings before any more time goes by.”
Confusion creased his forehead and he looked behind her briefly. “You’ve been thinking of me?”
Slowly, she breathed, trying to gain control again. “I don’t know how to answer that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have been thinking of you, but not the way you probably think.”
