Page 32 of Trapped by the Duke’s Deal (Hearts of Whitmores #1)

Although Adrian could hardly wait for the evening to end, he supposed it would be discourteous to push his guests out the door.

He spoke with two other gentlemen, hardly paying any attention. How could he with his wife on the other side of the room? His eyes kept traveling across the spacious parlor where everyone had gathered after supper.

Their house was not unaccustomed to guests just like he and his wife were not unaccustomed to acting as hosts. Tonight in particular he had brought together several people to celebrate a bill they’d been able to pass that would help countless tenements among Covent Gardens for families who had less than little. It had been a fight for the last year and they wanted to celebrate before the real work began to continue their efforts.

Becoming a politician was not something Adrian had ever intended to become, but he found himself well-suited to the position. He had seen the world and knew people of all classes, the challenges they faced and how he might help them.

Of course, it helped to have a supportive wife.

Again his gaze skirted across the room. The piano that had been moved into the space, recently tuned, was played by Charlotte. She lifted her eyes to meet his and she smiled.

Two years. Two years of marriage and she only grows more beautiful with every passing day. Good lord, the thought of having nearly lost her is a nightmare I can no longer fathom allowing. Thank goodness I learned my lesson in time.

“Your Grace?”

“Pardon me,” he murmured before crossing the room.

His heart pounded as he reached his wife and leaned over the piano. She looked dazzling in the string of pearls he had gifted her during their extensive honeymoon trip. They had traveled for several months before settling back in London where they resided during the season.

It had scratched the traveling itch for good for him. He liked London and he liked his new life with his wife. Glancing down, he saw those pretty hands of hers playing expertly over the keys.

She really was perfection.

“Good evening, my dear wife.”

Pink brushed across her cheeks like they were newlywed. She glanced away but quickly brought her gaze back. “Good evening, husband.”

“You play beautifully. Has anyone ever told you this?”

“Never,” she drawled with a wry twist of her lips. “I cannot imagine why they might.”

“It is an absolute crime. We must cart everyone away this minute,” he murmured. “A waste of our time.”

She shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. You wanted this. And besides, everyone is having a wonderful time. Even Eleanor. We have cause for celebration.”

“I only want to celebrate with you,” he muttered.

It was a hare-brained idea to invite everyone. I already spend enough time in town in the attendance of these men. What need have I to spend another minute in their company? I want only to be with my wife. A lifetime still shall not be enough time for us.

“Patience, my dear,” Charlotte whispered. She trailed the song off and he hoped that meant she would close it out. That meant they were closer to letting everyone leave. Instead, she transitioned into another melody.

Adrian inhaled sharply. He recognized it as the one they’d danced to on their wedding day. “You have already bewitched me. Must you be a menace?”

There was no hiding that playful smirk. “I am nothing but yours.”

He felt the need to correct her. “You are everything. And you are mine,” he added with a wink.

With the parlor was set in a warm golden glow of candlelight, he could see her reddened cheeks, her playful smile, and those beautiful green eyes. They were touched with shadows and that worried him.

Though this point of the dinner party could carry on for hours, he wasn’t interested in allowing that. Already he had sent for the carriages of their guests to be prepared; soon, it would just be him and his wife.

Adrian’s gaze dropped to her belly.

The soft swelling was apparent now for her condition. Already she had stopped attending social functions outside of the home. Adrian had shared at supper that they would leave before the end of the month to spend the rest of her pregnancy out in the country where the air was clean, the streets were quiet, and he could have her all to himself.

Their first child. He didn’t know if it would be a son or a daughter. Though Adrian knew he should care for an heir, all that mattered to him was that his wife survived the birthing process.

“Darling?”

He blinked. “Yes?”

“Are you well?” Her playing slowed.

“I should be asking you that.” He frowned and reached out, ignoring convention as he brushed his fingertips across her face. “You’re tired. Are you still not sleeping?”

She offered a gentle kiss to his palm. “We can discuss personal matters later. Right now, however, we still have our guests to entertain.”

“Oh, you’re very much entertaining us right now,” came a new voice.

Adrian straightened up. He smiled at his aunt standing there with her hands on her cane and a wry smile on her lips. She looked hearty and hale with her bright orange gown. The turban she wore was nearly as tall as herself. He had wondered several times through supper just how heavy it might be, but her neck never wavered under the weight.

“Aunt Theodosia are you spying on us?” he teased lightly.

“No need to if you’re doing it out in the open,” she noted with laughter in her eyes. “I wanted to thank you both for tonight’s invitation. Though I might have nothing to do with Parliament, my dears, I am very glad to have any time I can with you two before you take your leave to the country seat.”

Adrian took one of her hands and patted it, making sure it was warm. “And glad we are to have your company. The invitation still stands for you to accompany us, you know.”

“And be in your way? I think not,” she said with a dignified sniff, retracting her hand from his. “No, this will be a special time for the two of you. But alert me when the babe is born, and I assure you shall be there as soon as I can.”

“Oh, we shall surely see you before then,” Charlotte protested as she rose from her bench. Adrian moved to take her hand instead. She gave him a warm squeeze before directing her attention on Theodosia. “After all, you promised to accompany me on a ride next Tuesday.”

He frowned. “You are not ridding––”

“In a curricle,” she reassured him.

As if that makes matters any better. What balderdash! No pregnant wife of mine is going in such a dangerous contraption. It’s bad enough that my elderly aunt insists on a menace, but Charlotte could not risk herself at a time like this.

“A curricle! No, those are hardly safe,” he started to argue but Charlotte gave his hand a squeeze, nodding to another couple walking toward them. “We will continue this conversation later,” he muttered.

She chuckled under her breath. “We shall see about that.”

Apologizing for the interruption, their guests politely informed them that their carriage was ready. They had to take their leave. Adrian courteously walked them to the hall, only to do so several times as the rest of their guests parted.

“What a fine duchess she is,” his aunt murmured beside him once everyone else had gone. “You made a very fine match, my dear boy. And for that, you are welcome.”

He scoffed. She always attributed their union to her own strategies as though she had done everything. “Do you still believe this is because of you?”

“Isn’t it?”

“You did not propose to Charlotte,” Adrian pointed out.

That only made her roll her eyes. “I almost had to what with your foolishness. But you have outgrown that, and for that, I am very proud of you.” Her eyes grew misty, and he cleared his throat uncomfortably. “You deserve this happiness. Both of you do. Even Lloyd agrees.”

“Ah, yes, of course. Lloyd’s approval matters above all else. How is your dear butler?”

“He’s a very fine butler and I would expect nothing else.” Theodosia spoke properly but he saw what looked like a blush powder her cheeks. Nor would she meet his gaze. He thought about teasing her further, but Charlotte was walking their way. “Ah, well, thank you again, my dears, for a fine evening. No need to walk me out. I shall see you both soon.”

Adrian felt the need to add, “but not in a curricle.”

“We shall see,” Theodosia said with a wave of her hands.

He scowled but said nothing in response as Charlotte looped her arm through his. It was impossible to stay mad when she looked at him with such a bright smile.

He waited until Theodosia was gone before pulling his wife into his arms. The motion made her squeal. She grabbed at his shoulders to keep her balance. He spun her around in a circle before setting her back on the ground, kissing her.

“Goodness,” she managed breathlessly when he pulled back. Her lips looked properly swollen now. “What was that for?”

“Everything and nothing. I adore you, Charlotte.”

“I should hope so. I’m not carrying your child for nothing,” she added. Tugging him towards the hall, she leaned her head on his arm while they walked. “What a lovely evening it was.”

He scoffed. “It was just another dinner party.”

“But a very fine one. We tried a new menu, after all. Chef was very anxious that it was well favored. I think it did.”

“Is this all you wish to speak on, the food?”

Lifting her head, she asked him innocently, “Whatever else would we speak on?”

He moved in front to block her path before wrapping both arms back around her. “Perhaps about the matter of our marriage.”

“Our marriage?”

Unable to resist such a fetching smile, he kissed the corners of her lips. Then he kissed her over and over until she moaned quietly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers found their way into his hair, scratching his scalp in a way that sent shivers down his spine.

“Yes.” Adrian struggled to find his words. “Two years, darling. It’s been two years to the day since we wed.”

“Oh, surely it’s been much longer than that,” she teased. He stole the giggle from her with a hard kiss. “It’s hard work being your wife, you know. Very exhausting.”

“My sincerest apologies. Let me mend that.” Feeling her weight leaning heavily on him, Adrian scooped her into his arms. He waited until her arms looped around his neck before he was walking again. Their bed chamber wasn’t far. “Off to bed you go.”

Her mouth dropped open. “That is all? You mention the anniversary of our wedding and now you’re carting me off to bed? I’m not a child.”

“I am carrying you,” he pointed out.

“Because you picked me up! I didn’t ask you to do that. And I’m not that tired.”

She pouted until he flung the door open to their bed chamber, the two of them pausing to take in the space. He grinned at the sound of her gasp.

Careful instructions laid out for their servants had been completed with great success in the last hour. Candles lit the room everywhere to offer more light than usual. A heated bath was set up in the corner for her. And she would soon discover the small gift of a matching ring to her new pearl necklace waiting on her pillow.

“Oh,” Charlotte murmured in awe. “What a clever man you are.”

“I must be to be married to you,” he reminded her. He closed the door before gently setting her down. Turning her to face him instead of the gift he offered her, Adrian hoped Charlotte understood how many gifts she had given to him. He would not be the man he was today without her. “I love you, Charlotte, with every fiber of my being.”

She blinked several times. “You are a dreadful scoundrel. You’re going to make me cry.”

“Then I shall wipe away your tears. Every one of them,” he promised before gently kissing her cheeks. “I love you and I cannot wait for the future before us.”

“If you are half the husband you are to be as a father to our child, they are going to be the most fortunate child in all the world,” Charlotte vowed. She grabbed him by his cravat, bringing him close for a kiss. Just before their lips met, she reassured him with the words that always set his soul alight. “I love you, Adrian. How happy we shall be.”