Page 30 of I Never Forget a Duke (The Night Fire Club #1)

“L ady Adele?”

Adele turned when Wilton called her name. She was packing the last of her things before leaving for her new position the next day.

“The Duke of Swynford is here to see you. I’ve put him in the gold salon.”

“The Duke of…” Adele’s heart seized. “Yes, all right. I will be there in a moment.”

She was shocked that Hugh would come to this house. Surely he’d forgotten about her by now. But she had no delusions that he was here to see John, so he must have been here to see her. But why was he here?

When she walked into the salon, she found him looking around. He was unbearably handsome in his fine clothing, with his hair styled just so. He smiled broadly when he saw her.

“Lady Adele. It is delightful to see you.”

“Hello, Your Grace. It is agreeable to see you.”

“Agreeable? Is that all?”

She sighed. “I don’t wish to be rude, but I’ve still got some packing to do and I’m running out of time. Was there something you wanted to discuss with me.”

“There is, yes.” He rested his hands behind his back and began to pace across the room. “I understand you’ve been offered a position with the Winchesters, is that right?”

“Yes. I accepted and intend to leave tomorrow morning.”

“To be their governess, yes?”

“That is correct.”

Hugh nodded. “I have come to offer you an alternate position.”

Adele balked. An alternate position? She had no earthly idea what he had in mind. “Where, Your Grace?”

“In my house,” he said.

“In your…” It was like a slap in the face.

After everything they’d been to each other while he’d recovered from that injury, she thought she meant more to him than as a potential servant.

She cycled through the possibilities. Did he want her to be a paid companion to his mother?

Or, worse, did he intend to marry Lady Sackville and make her the governess to his children?

No. She could not do it. She stared at him now, took in his fine dark hair and his square jaw and his strong shoulders.

She remembered the one night they had spent together, the way he’d told her never to have shame about her body, the way their lovemaking had been so perfect and beautiful.

She remembered dancing with him at the Wakefield ball and the perfect way she fit in his arms. She knew beyond all doubt then that, despite everything, she loved this man, and she could not be a mere employee to him.

That was a point she would not compromise on.

“Adele, you deserve so much more than a position with the Winchesters. I know also that the Earl of Sweeney intends to sell this house, so you cannot stay here any longer, either. And I thought perhaps the best way to rescue you from an undesirable fate was to offer you a position with me.”

Adele stared at Hugh in disbelief. He thought he was rescuing her? “You said once that you wanted me to be a part of your life once you recovered your memories.”

“Yes, I did say that.”

“And now you are offering me a position in your house?”

“You say that like these things are in opposition. Where is the contradiction?”

Was he serious. “You want me to have a position in your house. So, what, I can be governess to your future children? No, Your Grace, I cannot do that. I will not.”

He pressed his lips together. “Why do you say that?”

Tears sprang to her eyes. “Because somehow, against all odds, in the weeks that I’ve known you, I’ve fallen in love with you.

I could not live in your house with your wife and your children and pretend that this is not true.

My heart would break. Every day.” She was too hurt to be embarrassed, too angry that he would even make this offer to feel any shame at her admission. And it was out there now. So be it.

His face was unreadable. “I think you misunderstand my intentions.”

She turned to leave. She could not let this continue. He was destined for some other life, not this one, and she would… well, she’d find some quiet place to mourn him and then she’d figure out some way to pick up her life and move on. She’d done it before.

“No, Adele, please. Let me explain.”

She stopped and turned around. “Very well.”

He suddenly stood right before her. He reached over and cupped her cheek in his hand, then used his thumb to wipe away the tear that fell. “The position I’m offering you in my home is as my wife.”

“You… what?” Adele could not believe what she was hearing.

“I’ve come to ask you to marry me.”

“You… are you serious?”

“You just said you love me. If that’s true, then you cannot doubt me. I do not jest. And my friends will tell you I’ve thought of little else from the moment I left this house weeks ago. I believe they are quite tired of discussing it.”

“But the newspaper said you plan to offer for the Sackville girl.”

Hugh frowned. “Really? She’s dreadful. I’ve never met a more mean-spirited girl. I danced with her at a ball, but I did not propose. We danced at that same ball, you’ll recall, where I danced with you twice.”

“But what about… that is, society will…”

“I’ve given that a lot of thought, too. I don’t care what society thinks. Do you?”

She couldn’t help but smile at that, and then it started to hit her that he was serious. He had come here to ask for her hand. A giddy thrill went through her body, although she didn’t dare indulge in it yet. “I do not,” she replied.

“I have not spoken to my mother about this, nor have I asked your father for permission. I thought it important to speak with you first. If you were not willing to be my wife, then I figured I would spare myself those awkward conversations.”

Adele was sympathetic. Those were bound to be difficult conversations. “I suppose that could be an issue.”

“Adele?”

She met Hugh’s gaze. “Yes?”

“You have not answered my question.”

“I haven’t?”

“Lady Adele, will you marry me?”

She gave in to her feelings, then. Joy made her feel like she was floating. “I will,” she said. “Of course I will.”

Hugh grinned and then broke into laughter. He swept her up in his arms and spun her around. She was dizzy when he put her back down, but she did not mind at all.

What he’d just said hit her, then. She imagined this conversation would replay itself in her memory many times.

“Hugh, I do not believe my father will be an issue. He may not offer much of a dowry, but he will be so elated to have a man of your standing offer for me that I cannot imagine he would protest. Based on some things Lord Waring said, however, I do fear your mother’s reaction. ”

Hugh nodded. “I cannot deny that I fear her reaction as well. Which is why I figured I would speak to you first. If you would not have me, then I needed not tell my mother.”

“How would you have felt if I’d said no?”

“I would have been devastated. And I would have argued most ardently in favor of my suit. I am somewhat relieved I do not have to do that.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I should like to hear some ardent arguing.”

Hugh gave her a soft smile, and she liked the way his skin crinkled near his eyes.

“I would have said that I have never met a woman who makes me feel as you make me feel. I’ve never met anyone as beautiful or intelligent or kind as you are.

I have thought of you nearly constantly since the moment we met, and I am overjoyed that I may have you by my side for the rest of my life.

And, again as my friends will tell you, I’ve never met anyone who made me think matrimony might be a joy and not a reluctant obligation. ”

She recognized that he did not say he loved her, but that was all right.

He clearly cared for her and was offering a happy life.

She would take it for now, although she wanted his love in the future.

Perhaps soon, he’d be able to say it, and Adele trusted him enough to know that when he did tell her he loved her, he would mean it with all his heart.

“Kiss me,” she said.

“What?”

“Kiss me. Promise me.”

“With pleasure.”

When Hugh pressed his lips to hers, it was not a chaste kiss but a hungry one.

He groaned like a man eating his first bite of food after a long fast. She put her arms around his shoulders and clutched his coat like he might escape otherwise.

The kiss warmed her, made her skin tingle, aroused and excited her.

All kisses should be like this, she thought, or no kisses should be because then everyone would just kiss all the time.

She laughed, and broke the kiss. Hugh shot her a happy but befuddled look. “What is it?”

“I was just thinking that if all kisses were as wonderful as that one was, everyone would just kiss all the time. Then I pictured what that would be like.”

“No one would accomplish anything,” Hugh said, a chuckle in his voice.

“Indeed.”

“I won’t keep you from your packing, but I will send my coach for you tomorrow. I can speak with Lord Winchester if you like.”

“No, that is all right. I will do it.”

“You shall move into my home. I’ll have one of the spare rooms readied for you. Mother and I keep bedrooms at opposite ends of the house, but for propriety’s sake…”

This was all happening so fast. “Yes, of course. But what if your mother says no.”

Hugh grimaced. “I do not know. I hope it does not come to that.” He waved his hand. “It is of no matter. I will speak with her this afternoon and hopefully make her see that you will be a wonderful daughter-in-law. She may even enjoy planning a wedding.”

Adele giggled despite herself. She hadn’t even met the dowager duchess, but she was intimidated by her.

Hugh took one of Adele’s hands between both of his own. “Do not worry. We will find a way. I promise.”

Adele had doubts, but she smiled. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. But now I must go and you must finish packing, and then we will have the rest of our lives together. How does that sound?”

“It sounds wonderful.”

*

Hugh returned home knowing he could postpone the inevitable no longer.

He sought out his mother and found her in one of the first floor sitting rooms, working on some elaborate needlepoint. “Mother, I need a word with you.”

“Of course, darling. Please have a seat.”

She smiled at him as he crossed the room and sat in the high-back chair across from her. She must have sensed his tone, and she set aside her needlework and turned her full attention on him.

He suddenly felt nervous. “I’ve made a decision,” he said.

“Yes?”

“I’m ready to marry,” he said.

The dowager sat up straighter. “You are? Oh, I can’t tell you how happy you’ve made me. I may yet see grandchildren before I go to my grave. Do you have a wife in mind?”

“I do.”

“Who is it? Not that Sackville girl. I regret pushing her toward you. She’s pretty, but she’s got a mouth on her and does not know when to keep it closed.”

“No, not Miss Sackville.” Hugh took a deep breath and with as much confidence as he could muster, he said, “I intend to marry Lady Adele.”

Hugh had expected some token resistance, but had assumed his mother would be so happy he was finally marrying that she’d be relieved or happy for him. But instead, she stared at him, her mouth agape, for a long moment. Then she shook her head. “No, I forbid it.”

“You forbid it?”

“You have some sickbed infatuation with this woman that will pass. She is not a worthy Duchess of Swynford. She is too old, she is too plain, and her father is a laughingstock.”

“None of these things signify. They don’t speak to the quality of her character. And she is not too plain. I find her beautiful.”

“I will not have the Swynford name associated with that family.”

High rolled his eyes. “Welcome to the nineteenth century, Mother,” he said, remembering what Fletcher had told him.

“Shouldn’t my happiness take precedence over some outdated notions about who is worthy in your eyes?

And at the end of the day, she’s the daughter of an earl and she’ll be taking my name. ”

“It’s out of the question, Hugh.”

“Is it not my choice? Lady Adele is kind and caring and smart and beautiful. I think we suit each other quite well. And she and her father barely have a relationship, from what I can tell. Why should I not have her as my wife? She is who I choose.”

His mother’s eyebrows rose. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

She shook her head and stood up. “Absolutely not. She is not an acceptable wife.”

When she started to leave, Hugh said, “Where are you going?”

“I am so furious with you that I am leaving the room. This is ridiculous. There are a hundred more suitable women in London. If not the Sackville girl, then the Townsend daughter… or the Huntley girl… or—”

“You don’t even know their names. I know absolutely nothing about any of these women.

They could be mean-spirited gossips like Miss Sackville.

They could be women who want only my title and fortune but care nothing for me.

Would you really have me marry a stranger from a better family over someone I know and care about?

I know Adele and I know she is a good person and I know she’s who I want to marry. Why can you not be more accommodating?”

“Because you are the Duke of Swynford. Because there are eleven previous Dukes of Swynford looking down on you to carry on the nobility of the name. Because my father was the Duke of Grafton. Because you are related to King George by marriage and descend from King Charles II on my side of the family. Because you, Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford, are among the most wealthy, most powerful men in England, with the greatest pedigree, and I will not have you besmirching that name with the likes of Adele Paulson. I don’t care if you love her. Marriage is not about love.”

“I do not see how marrying Adele changes any of that. I will still be Hugh Baxter, the twelfth Duke of Swynford, after I marry.”

“But your children would be related to the Earl of Canbury.”

Hugh stood. “So is that all you care about? Names and reputations? What about happiness? What about the potential for healthy grandchildren? What if, in a generation or two, titles don’t matter anymore?”

“I’ve given you my answer, Hugh. I do not wish to debate this any longer.” And with that, she left the room.

Hugh sat back down. The more his mother had fought him on this, the more he felt determined to marry Adele.