Page 19 of Duchess By Accident (The Matchmaker’s Scheme #5)

Chapter Nineteen

“ A re you feeling better?” Natalie asked as she moved towards the Duke.

She was on the veranda, looking at Adrian. His face was half hidden in shadow, but she could see a tension in his body that confused her.

He nodded curtly. “I will feel better once we have left.”

“And here I thought you loved theatrics.” She teased, waiting for him to smile back at her. “Though, I am growing rather tired of being stared at as well.”

He did not return her teasing. The hungry look he had had earlier in the night had vanished, and though it had been intense, she would be lying if she said there was not some small part of her that missed it.

In its place, a brittle tension seemed to be settling in, making her nervous in a very different way. I am probably being ridiculous. He said he needed a break, and he told me he was struggling with the men looking at me.

She decided to try a different tack. “The meeting with the Dowager Duchess went well, you were right to let me go alone. Though I think she would like to see you at some point. She will be at the Danterbury ball.”

She remembered the way the older woman had laughed with delight when she had introduced herself. “I believe her exact words were, “I should like to meet him, now that you have tamed him.””

“You told her you had tamed me?” He arched an eyebrow at her, and she sensed a restlessness in him.

“No. I said that you were far too wild to be tamed. But that I had at least civilised you.” She grinned, waiting for him to laugh or to shoot back a quick quip, but instead he simply frowned.

“Good.” Adrian began to move in the direction of the drive, the speed of his steps taking her by surprise. “We should leave.”

Natalie strode to keep up with him. Even with her legs, every one of his steps felt like two of hers. The sheer amount of fabric she was wearing did not help matters. “Will our hosts not think it rude if we do not take our leave of them?”

Adrian shook his head. “The Caverton balls are not the usual ton fanfare. They will likely continue until dawn.”

“Dawn? Goodness!” Natalie panted, clutching at a stitch in her side. “I do not think I could cope with such revelry.”

To her relief, Adrian slowed down, and she managed to keep up, though with some effort. What in the world has gotten into him? She had noticed a tension when Lady Isabelle had introduced herself, but she had assumed it was perhaps embarrassment from not corresponding.

“I am glad we met Lady Isabelle. She seems lovely. And it is clear Peter is utterly besotted with her.” Natalie said, deciding it would be best to broach the subject. “I do hope that they can be together.”

“Do you?” Adrian asked. “You think they are well suited then?”

“Of course I do, she makes him laugh. I have never seen him so soft before. It is rather sweet.” Natalie panted as she struggled to keep up with him; he had increased his speed once more. “If you keep going at this pace, I shall have to run, and I refuse to do that in these shoes.”

He slowed down again, and Natalie looped an arm through his, hoping that it would keep him at a more reasonable pace. The smell of his cologne washed over her, almost distracting her from the way he stiffened at her touch. Almost.

“Thank you.” Natalie sighed. “Now, tell me what you think about Lady Isabelle.”

“There is not much to tell.” Adrian shrugged.

Natalie frowned at him. “It sounds like she had some significance in your life.”

She searched his face, peering up at him as they walked together. But there was no hint of emotion there. He might as well have been carved of stone. It sent unpleasant prickles down her spine.

“She was important to the Duchess.” He replied coolly.

“You do not think it would be nice for Melody to meet someone who knew her mother? She must have so many stories she could tell her.” Natalie canted her head towards him.

Perhaps Lady Isabelle would be able to reassure her that her mother loved her. Natalie did not say this aloud, unsure how Adrian would respond to that.

He rounded on her, his eyes cool and distant. “I do not want that woman around Melody.”

“Why not?” She took a half step back from him, her eyes widening.

Her heart hammered in her chest, and her head spun at his quick change in temperament. It was like he was an entirely different man.

“She is not used to having to deal with so many people.” Adrian swallowed.

“Well, she will have to be around her once Peter and Lady Isabelle are wed.” Natalie pointed out. “And she seems to have a genuine fondness for her. Perhaps she might be able to reassure Melody about her mother.”

Adrian let out a bark of laughter. “There is very little that would be reassuring about her mother.”

“What do you mean?” Natalie was confused.

She had rarely heard Adrian talk about the late Duchess, and the venom in his voice when he talked about her now caught her off guard. Natalie realised that whatever the Duchess had been to Adrian, there was little love between them.

A part of her desperately wanted to know more, to understand what had gone on between them. But another part felt sick just thinking about them.

“It does not matter.” Adrian waved his hand. “If I had realised that Lady Isabelle was his intended, I would not have encouraged him. It would be best if your brother found another.”

“Why?” Natalie’s brow furrowed, her lips pursed.

“It would not be a wise match.” Adrian explained.

“But she clearly loves him. And her father is an Earl, so we know she is from a good family.” Natalie narrowed her eyes at him. “I do not see what the problem is.”

She felt him tense, and then he slipped from her grasp. He looked at her, mouth opening and then closing.

“You do not need to see it. He should not marry her.” Adrian began to walk towards the carriage. “I will say no more on the subject.”

“You will. He is my brother. If you think she will hurt him, then I would know.” Natalie reached for him again but he jerked out of her grasp.

Confusion and hurt swelled within Natalie. Why would he not tell her what his objections were? Why was he refusing to be honest with her? Why was he pushing her away? And why does it bother me?

“She will not hurt him.” Adrian said softly.

“Then what is the problem?” She folded her arms across her chest, searching his face. “Tell me. Please.”

“Their match would be ill advised. Trust me, it would be best for everyone if they were not together.” Adrian ran a hand through his hair.

“You are asking me to trust you, but giving me very little reason to do so.” Natalie chewed on her lip. “You keep avoiding my question.”

“I do not owe you an explanation.” His voice was like ice, cold and unflinching.

It stoked her own anger. How dare he brush me off? He expects me to just trust him blindly?

“Yes, you do. You cannot declare that my brother should marry another and just expect me to accept your word as law.” She grabbed him, glowering up at him. “I am not your servant. I am your wife.”

“You are my wife in name alone. And I have let you grow far too comfortable with me.” He loomed over her, his own eyes narrowed; his voice was a dangerous hiss.

She felt as though he had slapped her, and recoiled from him. His words echoed in her head, fuelling her anger.

“You have let me? You do not control me.” She took a step away from him, a disgusted look on her face. “Or is that what this is about? You cannot control me, so now you think to control my brother?”

She should have known. Of course, he would still seek to control everything. Why would he not try and control her brother? Well, he shall soon learn.

“They will not marry.” Adrian said. “I do not want her in my life.”

“That is not your decision to make!” Natalie jabbed him in the chest. “I thought… Curse me for a fool, I thought perhaps…”

She did not want to say what she thought. Did not want to admit that some part of her had begun to open up to him, begun to genuinely enjoy being with him. I have been an idiot.

“You thought what, exactly, little thief?” Adrian canted his head towards her.

“I do not understand. What are you doing?” Confusion ripped through her, cutting through the anger and sadness. “It feels like you are building some kind of wall to keep me at bay. Like you are pushing me from you.”

He stiffened. “I am reminding you of who I am. You told me you wanted Adrian, not the Devilish Duke. This is Adrian. I am not some soft-hearted fool who will give into his every whim.”

“No, you are a calculating, cold, hard-headed martinet.” Natalie bit her lip.

“And that surprises you? You knew who I was when you came to my home. That was why you sought me out.” Adrian shook his head. “I have never hidden the truth from you. You know who I am.”

Understanding dawned on her. His anger, his strange insistence that Lady Isabelle be kept from his life. Had she gotten too comfortable too? Had he discarded her when she no longer entertained him? He is a rake.

Natalie’s eyes widened. “And Lady Isabelle? Does she know who you are? Is that why you do not wish her to be in your life? Did she get too close to you and now you must cast her aside.”

Adrian laughed mirthlessly. “I have grown complacent, I let your little rebellions distract me too much and now I have paid the price. If I had not indulged you so-”

“- indulged me? I am not some child.” Natalie’s fists were clenched, venom tinging every one of her words.

She shook with anger and embarrassment. She wanted to shake him, to hit him. She wanted him to hold her and tell her that she was wrong, and she hated that she wanted that.

He gave her a mocking smile. “You are behaving like one.”

“I do not understand.” Natalie shook her head, hugging her arms around herself. “Why are you being like this?”

“I am what I am. And I have let the terms of our agreement stretch far enough.” He gestured to the waiting carriage. “We will salvage your reputation, and then we will leave this place. And you will learn your place.”

“And what place is that?” She spat at him. “I thought I had already taught you that I will not be your plaything. I will not be controlled.”

“We had an agreement. Or have you forgotten that?” Adrian turned away from her shaking his head. “You are here for Melody. You are a mother.”

“And what about us? What about this?” she gestured between them. “I thought we were…”

“We were what?” He rounded on her, eyes full of a dark emotion.

She swallowed, but refused to step away. “Friends.”

“Is that all?” he asked, his face once more hidden in shadows.

“What else would there be?” she whispered.

“I am done with this conversation.” He backed away from the carriage.

“Are you not coming?” Natalie’s heart sunk.

“No. I think I will walk home. Perhaps then I will get some peace and quiet.” He closed the carriage door, and walked away.

Natalie watched him go, her head spinning, her heart aching, and she began to cry.

“You are a fool, Natalie Rokesby. A complete and utter fool.” She shook her head. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. There will not be a third time.”

She would make sure of that.