Page 91 of Wedded to the Beastly Duke
But regret didn’t change the past.
Adam was not cruel enough to give the full truth to the magistrate at least, although she suspected that it was partially to protect the reputation of his brother. However he felt about the illicit affair between the two men, Society in general would not look kindly upon it.
It was a small kindness, not especially for Nicholas’s sake, but there was gratitude in his eyes as he walked out of the room, escorted by the two large manservants that accompanied the magistrate.
The magistrate mopped at his forehead. “Murder,” he repeated. “Well, of course, there will be a trial, but…”
“I will testify against him,” Adam said with that same terrifying calm.
“Yes, of course, Your Grace.”
“As will I,” Emmeline said. “After all, he made an attempt on my life, however much I believe it was accidental.”
“I recommend you hold him,” Adam said, “until the time of his sentencing.”
The magistrate nodded, his face becoming more drawn and haggard by the second. Nicholas was a viscount, a member of the peerage—this was far beyond the magistrate’s understanding.
“I recommend you bring in a judge to handle the matter,” Adam said, evidently taking pity on the man, who had likely only been called upon to handle small, local disputes.
“Yes, Your Grace,” the magistrate said eagerly. “Yes, that is an excellent idea.”
“Quite. You may go.”
Thus dismissed, the magistrate bowed and left.
Adam took Emmeline’s hand, giving her a quick once over. “Bed,” he said, and there was nothing she could do but nod.
The events of the night had kept her awake, but now that they had answers, no matter how tragic, she felt the way her eyelids desperately wanted to close.
“Are you coming?” she asked, and he nodded, bringing her hand to his lips.
“In a moment. I’ll be up shortly.”
“Very well.”
There was no opposing him when he was in this mood, and she hardly wanted to. She ascended the stairs in a daze, undressed in her bedroom, and slipped through the adjoining door to climb into his bed. This was the first night they had spent together in their house since she left, but she suspected he would not want to be alone.
And by the time he crawled in beside her, using the light streaming through the curtains to light his way, her suspicions were confirmed by the way he immediately held her close.
“Are you all right?” she murmured.
“Shh.” He kissed the side of her head, and she positioned herself so she was lying on his chest, his arm around her waist and his heart beating beneath her ear. “I don’t want to talk.”
“All right then.” Sleepily, she stroked a finger down his chest, then back up. “We don’t have to talk.”
“Thank you for staying with me.”
“I’m your wife, Adam. Your side is where I belong, and that’s where I will stay until you send me away again.”
“Never.” His arm tightened around her, and he shifted so they were laying face to face, their noses almost brushing. A quiet moment after the horror they had both suffered. “I won’t, Emmeline. Not again. That was the greatest mistake of my life.”
She kissed him, siphoning away the rest of his words until all that was left was his gratitude and his love. Despite their exhaustion, they made love as they faced one another, and when they were spent, they lay together, limbs tangled, hearts racing.
“Adam,” she said.
“Hmm?” His voice was low, and his fingers trailed down her bare spine.
“I love you too. And I know it may not seem like it now, but will we make it through this together.”
