Page 17 of Deviant Duchess
“She is upstairs with my little sister, Grace,” she said quietly, unable to deny the urge to soothe him; if only for this particular reason. “She shared with us that this was once her house. She wanted to see her old room.”
Cedric’s gaze snapped back to her, his dark eyes wide with shock.
“She spoke to you about that?” He asked.
“Yes?” Deborah replied, “Is that a problem?”
Cedric shook his head as he looked back toward the stairs.
“No, not a problem at all. I am just surprised. She does not talk to anyone about her past,” he answered.
That confused Deborah, as Adeline had seemed quite ready to speak about herself to Deborah the first night they had met. Then, just a little earlier with Grace, Adeline had been quite blunt about her parents' deaths. The two girls continued to chatter as they left the room.
“Perhaps she was not yet in the proper company,” Deborah offered.
“Mmm. Perhaps,” Cedric mused.
Deborah’s breath hitched as Cedric began to rub soothing circles over the small of her back, as if they had always been so familiar with one another. The logical part of her brain insisted that she reach back and remove it at once, but her body and another, the need-based part of her mind, resisted, rattling off explanations as to why it was better that she allow his touch, even if just for the sake of appearances.
While it was true there were no enemies or strangers at their small wedding, a small part of Deborah hoped her mother was watching them. Perhaps she’d see the small act of comfort Cedric was offering, and Frances would stop acting as if Deborah had signed her own death sentence. She dared another quick look at her mother to see if she was doing just that. Frances was indeed looking, but she looked no happier than before.
“You are right,” Deborah confessed, suddenly weary from the day despite the early morning. “We should have our breakfast and take our leave.”
She waited, sure that Cedric would have some sort of quip at the ready for her willingness to agree with him. Instead, he only gave her a small, appreciative smile. He kept his hand on her back as he made the announcement for the meal, and even once they were seated at the table, his hand moved to her leg.
She should have removed it. Under the disguise of the table, no one would see her shove it away. Yet instead, she let it stay, drawing on the warmth of his touch for strength. It was, after all, just his palm and her knee. What sort of hurt could come from that?
Cedric looked utterly perplexed by the time their carriage ride to Calder came to an end. He had not spoken a single word, nor did he have the opportunity to do so. Adeline was far too quick and eager to speak to Deborah, leaving him no chance to get a word in edgewise.
Deborah did not mind in the least. In fact, she was grateful for the distraction, for her mind had wandered to some strange places while she’d felt Cedric’s palm on her person. Places that had nothing to do with her plans of revenge.
Adeline had first talked for several minutes about Grace and how much she enjoyed being able to show her old room, evenif all of her toys and furniture had been moved to the Calder estate. Once she had finished her story about Grace, though, her questions came. What was going to happen now? Who was Deborah to her? Did this mean that she no longer needed a nurse or governess?
Deborah had done her best to answer all of the girl’s questions, and while she appreciated the distraction from Cedric, she was most grateful when the driveway of the Calder estate came into view.
“Do you love each other?” Adeline asked as the carriage came to a stop.
Deborah shot a look toward Cedric. His eyes were widened, if only slightly, and he was looking to her as if she had the answer.
“Um…” Deborah hesitated.
“My mama and papa loved each other. That is why they were married,” Adeline went on. “Mama told me. She said their wedding day was the happiest day of her life until she had me. So are you? In love with each other?”
“We…understand one another,” Deborah answered after a moment.
She glanced at Cedric, who only gave her a short, confirming nod.
“That does not seem like a suitable reason to get married,” Adeline countered.
Deborah forced a laugh, grateful that it was at that moment that a footman appeared to open the carriage door.
“Come along, Adeline, let us get you settled back in your rooms,” Deborah encouraged.
“Then what?” Adeline asked as they all left the carriage. “What happens after that?”
“Well…”
“I think we have all had quite the exciting day,” Cedric said, speaking for the first time since they’d all gotten into the carriage. “Perhaps it is best that we take the rest of the evening to relax and start fresh tomorrow. I am sure Deborah would be more than happy to talk to you again then.”
