Page 8 of Wedded to the Beastly Duke
Adam rifled through the papers—so much correspondence now that he had rejoined Society, as though everyone could persuade him to forget that he was his father’s hated son, the spare that no one had ever expected to inherit. Underneath it all, however, he found the letter he had been looking for.
Once he had returned to news of his brother’s death, he had made it his mission to discover once and for all what had happened, and why his brother had died so suddenly when there had been nothing wrong with him.
Suicide had been ruled out quickly, which Adam was grateful for. His brother had left no note, and there was nothing to suggest—aside from his financial woes—that there was anything amiss. His friends had all said the same—that they had noticed no change in his mannerisms or mood.
Thus, Adam had contacted the coroner and requested that an investigation be made, and his brother’s body examined.
This was the news he had hoped to receive.
“I will ring for you if I need anything.”
Understanding the dismissal, Keaton left the room, and Adam ripped open the letter with unwarranted enthusiasm, scanning its contents. Although an investigation had been carried out, William’s body had not been discovered. Another point that suggested his death had not been accidental, although at whose hands, Adam could not imagine.
Frustrated, Adam tossed the letter to one side and drank his brandy in a single gulp. So that lead had gone nowhere.
Of course, it was possible that his brother’s death was an accident, but William had not been a careless man. The simple explanation that he had tripped did not sit well with him.
No matter what, I will come to the bottom of this and discover who was responsible.
ChapterThree
“Really, Mama,” Emmeline said, as she did every time a new purchase was made. “This is quite unnecessary.”
A stubborn expression crossed her mother’s face, one she had rarely seen. “This is part of your duty as a wife, dear. You know what is expected of you, do you not?”
Although the Countess made it clear she disapproved of the marriage, she took Emmeline out to get her wedding clothes and bought a vast selection of nightgowns and ball gowns that Emmeline was certain she would never wear.
Emmeline eyed the frippery scraps of material dubiously. “I doubt they should prove any obstacle or encouragement. When he lies with me—no, Mama, do not attempt to explain the act for both our sakes—he will do so out of obligation.”
“Do not speak of yourself so, Emmeline! You are a… You are a lovely young lady, and to be sure you could be a little more buxom, and those freckles aresucha shame, but?—”
“Mama!” Emmeline said, laughing. “He would not like me any more if I were buxom, I am certain of it. He does not like me at all and has no interest in liking me. He wants me for my dowry only.”
Her mother pressed her lips together briefly. “I wish you did not have to marry him.”
“It is an excellent match,” Emmeline said reassuringly. “I will be perfectly fine, Mama, I promise.”
Her mother said nothing more, the matter was dropped, and all too soon the wedding day arrived. The Duke had sworn he would come to collect his prospective bride, and her mother was determined that when he did, he would come to find a beautiful lady waiting for him.
Just like with the purchase of the nightgowns, Emmeline had no illusions in that regard. No amount of pretty fabrics would make her freckles disappear, and she would never have Aurelia’s golden blonde hair. Her hair was plain brown, her complexion ordinary—the worse for the freckles—and although her eyes had been described as ‘pretty’ once or twice, they could hardly compare to Aurelia’s innocent blue eyes.
Still, once her mother had finished fussing over her, she had to admit that she looked well. There were pearls clasped around her neck, giving her complexion an added glow, and emeralds in her ears brought out the elusive green that lurked in her eyes.
Now if only she could contrive to be somewhat less tall. And if only her freckles would disappear.
“Thank you, Mama,” Emmeline said anyway, reaching out to clasp her mother’s hand. “Perhaps he will be marginally less furious with me.”
“Oh, Emmy!” her mother said and promptly burst into tears. Aurelia did the same.
“Oh, now.” Emmeline rose from the chair in front of her dressing table and led them both to her bed. “What is there to cry over? I shall be a duchess. We agreed that it is a good match for me.”
“But he is such a heartless man,” her mother sobbed.
Aurelia raised watery blue eyes to her sister’s. “I should be going in your stead. You did this to protect me, but it is not fair, and it is not too late to change your mind.”
“Nonsense.” Emmeline smoothed down Aurelia’s hair affectionately. “You are both being ridiculous. He would eat you alive, Aurelia, but I am as tough as old boots. I am going to be his wife, and you shouldn’t worry that anything will happen to me.”
“Who knowswhatthat man is capable of,” her mother said darkly.
