Adrian’s words were cut short when Lord Warwick started to laugh.
“Your face!” the small man chuckled and waved Adrian down. “Oh, if only you could see it. I bet you are not used to being spoken to like that!” He laughed further. “Please, please, take a seat. I promise I will not bite.”
Adrian balked, again unsure what to make of what was happening. He was not used to such humor, or to being spoken to that way. Not in fear. And not as if worried that he might lash out. Rather, being treated as a human…
“A joke?” Adrian said sharply, wanting to sound angry. “Is this some joke to you?”
“Not at all,” Lord Warwick said seriously. “It is just my way. I have a habit of doing such, even when the time does not call for it. Please, forgive my inappropriateness.” He smiled pleasantly.
Adrian scowled because he thought he should, and then he took a seat.
“People will talk,” Lord Warwick said with a sigh, still smiling. “Whether a wrong has been committed or not, know that they will. All we can do is what we feel is right and hope that is enough.”
“I…” Adrian hesitated. “I am doing everything that I can to make sure that they do not.”
“For which I thank you,” Lord Warwick said. “This entire situation…” A shake of the head. “It is not ideal to say the least. But I wanted to thank you personally, Your Grace.”
“You do?” Adrian blinked.
“For looking out for my daughter,” he said. “Most would not do so, as most would do anything that they could to try and distance themselves. That you have seen fit to shelter her…” He smiled warmly. “You are an honorable man, and I am looking forward to calling you my son-in-law.”
Adrian stared blankly at Lord Warwick.
It is not an act at all. He really is that kind and loving…
Again, Adrian could not escape how out of place he felt. He was not used to such kindness. His world was harsh and unforgiving, and he had expected the same from Lord Warwick.
“I want you to know that I will not be expecting a dowry,” Adrian said. “I have been made aware of your financial issues, so know that you need not worry about such things.”
Lord Warwick looked embarrassed. “Oh… really… There is no need for that.”
“I insist.”
Lord Warwick beamed. “You know, a small part of me almost wishes the child was yours. I have no doubt that if she were, she would grow up to be one of the luckiest young girls of the ton.”
It was an off-hand comment. No doubt one designed to be taken as a compliment and accepted as such. But it sat strangely withAdrian… uncomfortably… and he squirmed and grimaced as if it were an insult.
Adrian did not do happy. He did not do sentimental. And he certainly did not do warm comments about a congenial family life, as if he had any idea what such a thing might look like. And being reminded of that fact upset him, as much as it angered him.
“The girl is not mine,” he said sharply. “Nor will she ever be.”
“Oh…” Lord Warwick blinked. “Yes, I know. I was just saying –”
“I will find her true father,” he cut the man off. “And he can raise her. Happy or not, she will not be my problem.”
Lord Warwick’s face turned white in surprise and an awkwardness swept across the room, smothering the warmth from earlier and strangling any chance of comfort.
“We should…” Lord Warwick cleared his throat. “We should check on Ophelia, I think. Yes, no doubt she is wondering about us…” He could not have jumped from his chair and crossed the room more quickly.
Adrian sighed and shook his head to himself. That was not very well done, and where he had started to make a decent first impression, he had all but ensured that Lord Warwick thought of him the same as the rest of the ton did.
But what else was new?Such is my way… and all the fake cheer and forced laughter isn’t going to change that.
It was a most awkward morning to be sure.
Ophelia had no idea what her father had said to the Duke but whatever it was, when the two men came outside, the Duke’s mood had taken a turn for the worst.
Or worse than usual, anyhow.
