Page 30 of Deviant Duchess
Her words were followed by a burst of laughter, and Deborah smiled as she put a hand over her hat and ran faster, doing her best to keep her hoop rolling by her side.
The day had gone far better than she expected. Adeline had dropped her defiant nature almost immediately, and they had held many conversations through the games and picnic lunch. She did notice how the maids had glanced nervously at Adeline as they brought them cool lemonade a short while ago, but if they had something to say, they had kept it to themselves.
“I am going to outpace you!” Deborah called back Adeline, nearly at her side now, “I may have lost three rounds of croquet, but I will win this game!”
Though sweaty and red-faced, Adeline laughed once again as they ran side by side. They had made a wager. Whoever was the first to reach the stone patio steps could have a biscuit before supper, and it seemed both were determined to win. Knowing they must be nearing the steps, Deborah looked away from Adeline and straight ahead, and stumbled as she saw Cedric on the bottom step; his arms folded, his face a mask of rage.
Adeline looked up as well, as if noticing how caught off guard Deborah seemed to be, and at once she stopped running; the hoop at her side continuing in the grass on its own until it hit Cedric’s shins and fell on its side.
Deborah slowed to a stop as well and instinctively took Adeline’s hand as they both caught their breath. She watched warily as Cedric left the bottom steps and strode toward Adeline; his eyesso focused on the girl that Deborah was not even sure he noticed her presence as well. Then, just as he reached her, his mask of rage shifted to one of worry, and he reached out and took hold of Adeline’s chin with great care.
“What on earth are you doing, child?” He whispered worriedly as his dark eyes searched her face, “Are you trying to hurt yourself?”
Adeline said nothing. She just stood there, glaring into Cedric’s worried eyes as she continued to catch her breath.
“Do not be cross with her,” Deborah urged, taking a step toward them. “It was my decision to come outside. Adeline tried to tell me you would not like it, but I insisted anyway.”
“Oh, look at you,” Cedric rasped, as if he had not heard a word Deborah had said, “You are positively flushed! And your breathing is shallow. You are trembling! Are you dizzy? Do we need to lay you down?”
Deborah, who had stepped back when Cedric had approached Adeline, came to her side again and tugged her away.
“Stop this!” Deborah insisted, “She was just having some fun! There is no need to treat her as if she is some delicate-”
“You have no idea how delicate she is!” Cedric snarled, setting a glare on her that made her blood run cold.
A low growl rumbled from Cedric’s chest, and he drew in a deep breath through flared nostrils as he let go of Adeline’s chin and stepped back.
“Go inside, young lady,” Cedric ordered, his tone still harsh. “Have a maid draw you a cool bath, and do not dare fight me on this! I am in no mood!”
Deborah waited, sure that Adeline was going to stomp her foot and refuse. Instead, the little girl bowed her head and fled up the stairs and past her uncle.
“Slowly!” He called.
Adeline went still halfway up the steps, but she did not turn. Instead, she waited a moment, slowly pulling her hat off her head, and walked the rest of the way up the stairs.
Cedric watched her the entire time, his eyes focused sharply on her figure until she was gone. Then he turned to Deborah and let out a long breath through his nostrils as he worked his jaw and ran a hand through his dark hair.
“I apologize for snapping,” he said through clenched teeth. “I am sure you were trying to give her a delightful day. But in the future, check with me before you make such decisions.”
Without any further explanation, Cedric turned around and started to climb the stairs.
“Now, wait a moment!” Deborah insisted, lifting her skirts to catch up to him.
“I have work to do, and I am sure you are most ready to return to your planning,” Cedric called over his shoulder. Then, under his breath, he muttered, “Though what such plans are still beyond me.”
Deborah frowned as she picked up her pace and caught up to him on the patio. She walked in front of him, then turned around, holding a hand up to his chest to stop him.
Cedric gave her a warning look, but did not attempt to go around her.
“You are not telling me something,” she stated.
“How astute,” Cedric dryly remarked, but Deborah was not going to allow him to get under her skin this time.
“If you want me to help Adeline, I need to know what is going on,” she insisted. “Why did you stop the staff from talking about her yesterday? Why are you so angry with her that she spent the day outside with me?”
“I was not angry; I was worried!” Cedric shot back, that warning look still shining in his dark eyes.
“Then tell me why you are worried!” Deborah demanded, growing exasperated. “I am her aunt now. I am her guardian just as you are, and I deserve to know!”
