Page 18 of Duchess By Accident (The Matchmaker’s Scheme #5)

Chapter Eighteen

“ I feel like I cannot breathe. They are all staring at me, waiting for me to fail.” Natalie muttered as they danced..

Adrian drank her in, her perfume flooding his senses. They waltzed, their bodies perfectly attuned to one another. There was a fluid grace to Natalie’s movements that was utterly spellbinding. Her nerves and little fidgets seemed somehow endearing. What is wrong with me?

“You will not fail.” He answered, his voice huskier than he had expected. “I will not let you fail.”

“Is that a promise, Dear Fox?” Natalie’s eyes held his in place, and there was an earnestness to her question that twisted at his heart. “Is it really in your power to promise such a thing?”

Adrian saw a man approaching them, his eyes fixed on Natalie. Deftly, he swirled them away, his grip tightening around her infinitesimally as he fought the roaring monster that had sprung to life in his chest.

She arched an eyebrow at him. His heart thundered in his chest, the warmth of her spreading through him, even through all the layers of fabric. Another man approached them, and he spun them away once more, clamping down a growl that threatened to escape.

Where has my control gone?

“Are you going to sweep me from every man for the rest of the night?” Natalie frowned at him, spots of colour on her cheeks even as irritation was plain on her face.

Adrian nodded curtly, swallowing to keep his voice somewhat level. “Yes. Tonight, all your dances are mine. Let them watch and wish that you were theirs. Let them burn for you.” But they will not have you. The thought of another man so much as looking at Natalie, let alone dancing with her, made Adrian want to snap him like a twig.

Her eyes widened, and he thought she would object, but instead she simply nodded. “I suppose that saves me having to fight off the line of women who are staring daggers at me.”

“Are you worried, Little Thief, that they might steal me from your side?” he flirted, a part of him desperate to get back to more familiar, safer ground.

“Why would I be worried? You are not truly mine to steal after all.” There was a tightness to her voice, something beneath her casual tone that he could not quite place.

“As far as they know, I am.” Adrian scowled at another man who was approaching them, and saw with some satisfaction that the man turned tail and swiftly left in the opposite direction. Perhaps there is something to letting a little anger show once in a while.

“And I see you intend to play your part well.” Natalie murmured as their waltz drew to a close.

Gooseflesh appeared on her neck, and Adrian reached out a hand to stroke it, unable to stop himself. “And you, my dear Natalie? What do you intend?”

His voice was a whisper, his lips so close to her skin that they could almost touch her. He pulled himself back, his eyes full of mischief, expecting to see a familiar teasing in her own. But what met him was hard, not cold, more like fire.

“I will play my part. After all, that is what we are both here to do.” She took a deep breath, as though steadying herself. “But do not think that you may take liberties with me.”

“But maybe you would enjoy such liberties.” He whispered, drinking in the smell of her. What am I doing? “Perhaps this breathlessness is not just from our dance.”

“And what of you, Fox? Would you enjoy such liberties?” She moved closer to him, a hand resting gently on his chest, though only for a moment.

The barest touch made him feel as though he had been struck by lightning. His head swam and he wrestled back control with difficulty. He let out a soft growl.

“Do not make promises you have no wish to keep, Little Thief.” Adrian shook his head to clear it.

“I am not. If you choose to be the devilish duke with me tonight, I shall answer back in kind.” Her eyes lit up, full of mischief. “For this to work, Adrian, I need you to be you. Not the Devil Duke.”

“Is this a demand?” he canted his head towards her, a wry half smile on his lips.

She shook her head. “It is a reminder. I am not yours to control. I am your wife. I do not want these people to think that I am your little plaything. I do not want them to think I see you simply as a kind of golden egg laying goose.”

Adrian chuckled softly. “And how do you want them to see you?”

“If I said I wanted them to want my respect and favour just as much as they want yours, what would you say?” She looked at him, her eyes full of earnest curiosity.

He met her gaze, his voice soft and serious. “That your bar is too low. They should want to be you. Every woman in here should curse that she is not in your place, all while knowing she could never fill your shoes.”

“And what about you? Is that how you want people to see you?” she asked.

He grinned at her, gesturing around them magnanimously. “I am the envy of every man here. I want them to know that I have all that they could ever want and more. That I could break them with a look, or raise them with a smile.”

“So you wish to be feared?” She pursed her lips.

He nodded, his eyes hardening for a moment. “Fear will keep the wolves at bay.”

Natalie opened her mouth as though she were about to contradict him, but then she shook her head. “I want them to see us as a partnership. I want them to see us as a force to be reckoned with. Let the sight of us take their breath away.”

“The sight of you certainly will.” Adrian muttered, shooting a disdainful glare at a nearby noble lord.

“As though half of the ladies of the ton are not staring you with the same kind of hunger.” Natalie scoffed, but her cheeks flushed. “Besides, they are only looking at me like that because they think I am some kind of fallen woman.”

A note of sadness crept into her voice. Adrian moved towards her, gently tilting her head towards his. He let his eyes go soft. Her breath caught.

“Believe me, Duchess, that is not why they are looking at you.” Adrian’s voice was smooth as silk, deep as chocolate.

He felt like he might drown in her amber eyes. Every part of his body seemed to be filled with a kind of buzzing energy. It was as though a noose surrounded him and Natalie. With an effort, he tore his gaze away from her.

He glanced around, taking note of the crowd of eyes seemingly transfixed by them. Without conscious thought he straightened, moving ever so slightly so that he served as a barrier between the crowd and his wife.

“Though perhaps we should leave – I am not sure how much longer I will tolerate these men ogling you.”

Natalie had her mouth open to reply when someone brushed against them. Adrian whirled around, his heart racing, prepared to shove whoever had approached them away.

Lord Peter raised an eyebrow at him, a half-smile on his face. “Duke Blackwood, it seems you and my sister have caused quite the commotion. Though it is probably Natalie’s fault, she never could resist being the centre of attentio—ow!”

Natalie had reached across Adrian and flicked her brother on the arm. “I am not the one who used to put on soliloquies and force us to sit through them.”

“No, but you did make us watch your dances.” Lord Peter grinned.

Natalie blushed. “I did not.”

Adrian watched the exchange with quiet amusement. It seems her brother is in a better mood, no doubt it is to do with his lady love.

“It is good to see you, Lord Peter. Did you bring your delightful companion to meet your sister and I?” Adrian glanced around.

“I did.” His face fell slightly. “Though I am not sure what it will achieve. Her father is rather dead set against the match.”

“By the end of this week, he will not be.” Adrian said.

“I hope you are right. Oh, there she is!” Peter waved at someone through the crowd, and as Adrian followed his gaze, his heart plummeted.

A pretty blonde woman with blue eyes wearing a yellow dress moved towards them. Every part of Adrian prayed that she was not the woman Peter had beckoned to, but a moment later, she stood in front of them.

“Duke Blackwood, Natalie – ow – I mean Duchess Blackwood, this is Lady Isabelle Bellmond, daughter of the Earl of Lincoln.” Peter beamed at them, standing aside so Lady Isabelle could see them better.

“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Isabelle. My brother has not stopped singing your praises.” Natalie said, curtseying to Lady Isabelle. “Though, he did neglect to tell me your name until now.”

“That is rather typical of my dearest Briggs.” Lady Isabelle beamed at Peter, her eyes big and bright.

Adrian forced himself to relax, knowing that the tension in his shoulders would too easily transmit his discomfort to people around him. That would lead to questions, and he could not afford that. Curse me for a fool – how could I not have looked into this more?

He glanced at Natalie who was looking between her brother and his companion as though she had never seen something so wonderful. She is happy for them. She wants them to be together.

Natalie gave her brother an affectionate squeeze. “I often say he would forget his head if it was not attached.”

“I say the same.” Lady Isabelle laughed and then turned to Adrian, her eyes flashing in recognition as she dropped into a curtsey. “It is good to see you, Duke Blackwood.”

“And you, Lady Isabelle. It has been… quite some time.” He bowed to her, using the movement to give him time to school his face into cool neutrality.

“Yes, it has.” Lady Isabelle answered, her mouth quirking downwards.

Natalie’s eyes widened and she looked between the two of them. “You know each other?”

Adrian made a noncommittal noise. “Lady Isabelle is the cousin of the late Duchess, Claire Stone.”

“We were like sisters. I spent many happy nights at Blackwood Castle.” Lady Isabelle let out a sigh. “It is a shame we fell out of touch when my cousin passed.”

“Correspondence was not high on my list of priorities at the time, Lady Isabelle. I trust you will forgive my rudeness.” His voice was colder than he had meant it, but with any luck they would put it down to remembered grief.

How much does she know? He had cut everyone from that time from his life, pruned them away. They were too much a risk to him, to his daughter. There was every chance this woman could ruin everything. I cannot let that happen.

“Of course, Your Grace. Very understandable, especially after the loss you suffered.” Lady Isabelle smiled at him, an echo of her cousin’s.

Their eyes met and Adrian felt like there was some hidden meaning beneath her words. She knows. She must know the truth. He forced himself to smile back at her, relaxing his shoulders with what seemed like a gargantuan effort.

“You never told me that you knew Duke Blackwood!” Lord Peter gave his companion an affronted look. “That could have saved me an introduction.”

“It was a long time ago, my dearest Briggsy. And as I say, we fell out of touch. There is every chance the Duke may have forgotten me.” Lady Isabelle squeezed Lord Peter’s arm gently.

Adrian’s veins had turned to ice. He needed to move back into control, needed to think clearly but panic gripped him too tightly. Calm yourself. There is no reason to panic. She is just being friendly.

Lord Peter smiled at Lady Isabelle. “I cannot imagine anyone forgetting you.”

“Flatterer.” She blushed and looked away.

“It is the truth. You are utterly unforgettable.” Lord Peter put a hand on his heart.

“And you are incorrigible.” She gently pushed him away.

He replied. “Only on Tuesdays.”

“It is Wednesday, brother dearest.” Natalie pointed out.

Adrian was aware that she was looking at him, perhaps waiting to see what he thought of the young couple in front of him. He clenched and unclenched his fist, forcing what he hoped was a jovial expression onto his face.

Knowledge. If he watched them, he could see the weak points between them. He could use them.

“In that case, I shall have to make an exception for you.” Peter stuck his tongue out at his sister before turning to Lady Isabelle. “Are you keeping any more secrets from me, dearest one?”

Adrian only just managed to keep his head from whipping round at Lord Peter’s words.

“I suppose you shall have to find out.” Adrian could not be sure, but he was almost certain Lady Isabelle’s eyes had darted towards him.

She knows. He knew how close the late Duchess and Lady Isabelle had been. They had told each other everything. He could not allow her back into his life. Not with the knowledge she might have.

“You know that there should be no secrets between a man and his wife.” Lord Peter waggled a finger at his companion teasingly.

“Well, it is a good thing we are not married.” Lady Isabelle retorted.

“Not yet.” Lord Peter said, his face falling somewhat. “Though I am not sure if we ever will be.”

“Have hope Peter, I intend to see you together. I think it would be most excellent to have Lady Isabelle as a sister. Think what fun we will have at Blackwood together.” Natalie moved towards the other woman and Adrian could see genuine warmth in her eyes. This cannot be happening. “And I am sure Melody would love to meet someone who knew her mother.”

“No.” Adrian blurted before he could help himself.

Everyone looked at him and he shook his head. Fool. “My apologies, I thought a servant was offering us drinks and waved them away with rather more enthusiasm than I meant.”

Lord Peter looked around. “Drat. I rather fancied a drink. Shall I fetch us some?”

“That would be lovely, thank you, Peter.” Natalie gave Adrian a look which he pointedly ignored.

“And where is Lady Melody? Did she come with you to London?” Lady Isabelle turned to face them both as Peter disappeared into the crowd.

Adrian grit his teeth about to say that it was none of the woman’s business and then realised that that level of hostility would only draw more attention than he wanted.

Natalie smiled at the mention of her stepdaughter, a sight that would usually melt his heart, but tonight it felt as if it were enclosed in ice. “She is staying with my brother and his children this evening. They adore each other.”

“Oh that is lovely.” Lady Isabelle clapped her hands in delight. “Well, perhaps we shall all meet again soon.”

“Of course, you must visit us at Blackwood!” Natalie exclaimed. “You are welcome to visit whenever you wish.”

“It would be best to give us notice, Melody can be a rather sensitive child.” Adrian swallowed.

“Like her mother, I expect.” Lady Isabelle nodded, her eyes briefly lingering on Adrian’s face. “It was good to see you again, Duke Blackwood.”

“And you, Lady Isabelle.” Adrian inclined his head.

Lady Isabelle disappeared into the crowd after Peter. Adrian’s ears were ringing, blood thundering through his body so hard he marvelled that it did not break free.

“Oh, that is the Dowager Duchess – shall we introduce ourselves?” Natalie gestured to an older woman who was sitting surrounded by a crowd of people.

“You should introduce yourself. I… I need some air. And the Dowager Duchess is not fond of rakes.”

“You are not a rake – you are my husband.”

“I think it would be best if you met alone. I need some time to collect my thoughts.” He left before she could say another word.

He strode out into the crisp, cool air. It stung his cheeks and he welcomed the sensation. He breathed in deeply, the smell of roses rose up in his mind and he almost gagged. He turned, and saw a small rose bush beside him.

“You are being ridiculous.” He muttered to himself, grabbing a drink from a nearby waiter. “You are being far too emotional and that will do no one any good.”

He needed to pull himself together. Control was everything. He rolled out his shoulders and his neck.

“What are the facts?” he muttered to himself, moving into a darker corner.

Lady Isabelle was the woman Natalie’s brother wished to wed. She had been the previous Duchess’s closest friend. They had written to each other near daily – Lady Isabelle had been with her in the days leading up to her death.

His wife had left him a note when she died. He had burned it, but what if she had sent a similar letter to her cousin? What if she had kept it?

“Natalie will no doubt wish for her to spend time at Blackwood. She is too close not to want to spend time with her brother and his wife.” Adrian cursed softly. “I have been too distracted. It has made me weak. This never would have happened before.”

“Before what?” a voice said from behind him.

Natalie was frowning at him, a glass of wine in one hand. She reached towards him, but he moved out of her grip.

Before you.