Page 34 of Deviant Duchess
Cedric simply nodded, grateful that, even if just for once, someone else took the reins of control and shared the heavy responsibility with him.
Deborah kept her hand on his back the entire time they walked through the hall, up the stairs, and toward Adeline’s bedroom, holding an oil lamp in the other, to light the way. Despite what had just happened, he could not help but think about how soft and comforting such a simple touch felt.
In Adeline’s bedroom, Cedric lay the girl down in her bed with utmost care.
“I had thought she had stopped her late-night wonderings,” Cedric whispered, taking Adeline’s limp hands in both of his. “I thought she was finally starting to get her rest.”
“No,” Deborah whispered, looking down at the sleeping girl with great affection, “That is how we met. The first night we were here, neither of us could sleep.”
Cedric only nodded at the new information. It seemed Deborah knew more about Adeline than he had realized.
“Do you believe that could be reason why she suffered from one of her fits tonight?” He whispered, staring at Adeline’s pale face.
“It could be,” Deborah whispered, moving her hand from his back to his shoulder.
He shivered, acutely aware of every inch her warm, delicate fingers moved, despite the fabric of his shirt separating their flesh.
“It could also be from our exercise today,” Deborah went on. “Perhaps you were right, and I should not have taken her outside.”
Guilt swept through Cedric as he continued to look worriedly at his niece, but he said nothing.
“Should we call the physician?” Deborah whispered.
Cedric drew his gaze up to the large seascape portrait hanging on Adeline’s wall. He watched as the frame of it lifted slightly away from the wall, a subtle sign that Arina was ready to come in as soon as they left. She would examine the girl as she slept, and if there was a need to call the physician, the kind maid would let him know.
“No need,” Cedric replied.
He then leaned down and kissed the top of Adeline’s hand, then gently tucked it by her side as he rose to his feet. As he did so, he became acutely aware of Deborah’s hand slipping away from his shoulder, and he was startled by how quickly he longed to have it back.
“For now, she just needs to rest. Come along; you can check on her in the morning,” Cedric urged.
This time, it was his hand that went to her back as he began to guide her out of Adeline’s room. Deborah, to his relief, allowed him to do so, but even so, she continued to look worriedly overher shoulder at Adeline until Cedric led them to the hallway and then closed the door.
“Are you sure she should be alone after what happened?” Deborah whispered, looking at the closed door. “I could stay with her. Make sure she does not have another fit.”
Affection spread through Cedric’s chest, touched by how much Deborah already seemingly cared for Adeline.
“I know it was frightening to see,” Cedric whispered, “Especially if that was the first time you saw someone go through something like that. But we are used to this. After Adeline got through one of her fits, it is best to just let her rest. You can visit her first thing in the morning, though, I promise you.”
Deborah’s hesitant look lingered on the door, and for a moment, Cedric feared that she’d open it and he’d have to confess another secret. Mrs. House was already, no doubt, with Adeline, examining her to make sure she was alright. He was not sure how much more he could take in one night and opened his mouth to demand that Deborah step away. Before the first word could leave his lips, though, Deborah let out a sigh and moved away from the door.
Cedric let out a breath of relief and closed his eyes as he let out a weary laugh.
“I do not know about you, but I could use a drink.”
Happiness tingled in his chest when Deborah looked at him and gave him a small smile.
“You know what?” She replied, “I could use one too.”
“I owe you an apology,” Cedric stated as he poured out the brandy, “For the way I spoke to you. Both outside and just a little earlier. I am not used to having the sort of help you provided, and though I asked you to provide it, I do not think I understood how difficult it would be to allow someone else to share the burden.”
With a glass in each hand, he walked over to the couch in his office and handed Deborah a glass.
“I do not believe Adeline is a burden,” Deborah answered, accepting the glass from him.
“No, of course not,” he readily agreed, taking a seat beside her, “However, her condition is. She is- was- often criticized for it by her past governesses and nannies. They thought it was tied to the girl’s willfulness. I was hoping you would be able to bond with her a little more before her next episode, so that you would not form such an opinion.”
“Hm,” Deborah hummed in agreement.
