Page 24 of Deviant Duchess
“Are you going to tell your new bride about the room tomorrow?” Mrs. House asked as she reached the door.
Cedric shook his head.
“Not yet. In truth, I do not even know how to explain Adeline’s condition,” he replied.
“You will have to eventually,” Mrs. House pointed out, “Especially when Adeline has her next episode. What will she think if one of us just comes popping out of that painting to save your niece?”
Cedric shrugged as he leaned his elbow on the table and rested his head in his hand.
“That you are a particularly helpful ghost?” He offered, only half-jesting.
Mrs. House did him the honor of letting out a soft laugh at his poor joke.
“Find a way to tell her, Your Grace,” She gently urged, “Perhaps with your wife’s help, Adeline would allow me back in her life. We would not have to hide anymore, and perhaps we could all move on from this strange situation we’ve been festering in this past year.”
Cedric only nodded, not wanting to think further on the subject any more, for the night.
“Have a pleasant evening, Mrs. House. Alert me at once if anything happens to Adeline,” he said in farewell.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Mrs. House answered, sweeping into a curtsey.
Alone again, Cedric let out a deep sigh as he rubbed his hand over his face. He knew Mrs. House was right. However, it had been over a month since her last episode- the longest yet Adeline had gone without one. Perhaps their need to worry was over.
Perhaps in the future, all he would need to worry about would be chasing more little bugs out of Deborah’s gowns. He smiled at the thought, recalling the way she was dancing about her room and reaching both arms behind her back, trying so very hard to get the thing undone herself.
His smile turned mischievous, and slowly faded into a look of deep contemplation as he thought of what happened next. He had meant to tease her, to teach her how easily he could tempt her away from her condition of their marriage. Instead, he’d ended up teasing himself just as much. Her hair had smelled of sun-ripened peaches; in fact, the scent still filled his nose. And the feel of her buttery-soft skin beneath his palms and lips had been maddening. It was as if she’d bathed in milk. Then her kiss. It was sweet and soft, like honey.
Peaches. Honey. And Milk.
With her fiery auburn hair and fair skin, Cedric realized that she tasted and felt exactly as she looked.
CHAPTER TEN
“Iam not dim-witted!” Adeline exclaimed.
Deborah ducked as the book she’d given Adeline came sailing toward her head. She felt it breeze over her hair and land with a hard crash into the wall behind her. Deborah drew in a breath, praying for patience, and huffed it out as she stood up straight.
This is how it had been for three days now. The curious girl who seemed all too willing to learn had become obstinate and even aggressive the moment Deborah tried to help with her education.
“I know that,” Deborah stated firmly, settling her sharp gaze on Adeline as she smoothed the skirts of her mint green gown. Where it came from, she did not know. It had simply appeared in her closet yesterday morning, but she had to admit she loved it. It brought out the creaminess of her complexion and the reddish gold of her hair. Now, though, she regretted wearing somethingso pretty, fearful that Adeline might rip or stain it during one of her temper tantrums.
“No one in the house believes you are dim-witted, Adeline,” she went on, willing her temper to stay in check, “However, there is so much more for you to learn!”
“My Mama taught me everything I need to know,” Adeline replied haughtily, crossing her arms as she settled Deborah with a challenging look. “How to read, how to add and subtract figures. How to show proper etiquette at the dinner table and how to be polite.”
“Show me then,” Deborah insisted, waving an arm toward the girl’s bedroom door. “Have dinner with me. Or tea. Show me that your lessons are moot.”
Adeline frowned as her brows furrowed.
“That they are what?” the girl asked.
“Moot,” Deborah repeated, daring a step toward her, “It means unnecessary. Pointless. See? There are so many other words I could teach you if you would just let me.”
Adeline glowered at her for another moment, then, with a quickness, she snatched another book from the table and flung it at Deborah’s head. Again, Deborah dodged it successfully, but as she rose to her full height once more, she felt her grip on her patience slip further away.
“You did that on purpose!” Adeline yelled. “Using words that I do not know to make me feel foolish!”
Deborah let out another huff as she clenched her fists.
