Page 26 of A Duke for Adela
One look at Eloise’s face and he knew this was going to be bad. “Oh, hell,” he muttered with a groan. “Of course, you’ve read that story.”
She nodded. “It is Adela’s worst fears come true.”
He groaned. “Where is she?”
“In the garden, trying to walk off her anger. She is quite overset. Is this why you are here? Have you read the full story in The Tattler?”
“Yes.” He nodded to the ladies assembled in her parlor. Phoebe and several Farthingales were seated with Eloise and not looking happy at all. Fortunately, their young charge, Marigold, was not with them, although this sad turn of affairs could be a lesson for her. Learning when to open one’s mouth to reveal what was on one’s mind and knowing when to keep it firmly shut were just as important as lessons in dance and etiquette. “I had better go to her.”
He knew he had to take full responsibility for this debacle.
Singling Adela out for his attention had been foolish. Wrapping his jacket around Adela’s shoulders last night had compounded his mistake. He knew it and had done it anyway, not caring that it would add to the already rampant speculation about his intentions toward her. He also knew she was unhappy with his obvious displays.
Still, he had ignored her wishes and continued the game.
Puppet master, she had called him.
Yes, he had to accept full blame.
But his biggest mistake– and he could kick himself ten times over for his folly– was in not immediately pulling Adela away from the card table when Felicity Rose and Brynmore had connived to sit with them for a game of whist.
He knew they would be up to no good.
Once again, he was smug and thought he could handle that sneaky pair.
He could have, but Adela could not.
“This is big trouble, Huntsford,” Phoebe said.
He raked a hand through his hair. “I know.”
He strode outside and saw Adela standing near the rose arbor. “Adela, I am so very sorry I let this happen to you.”
She turned to him, her anger quickly dissipating as she regarded him in surprise. “You? Why are you shouldering any of the blame?”
“Is it not obvious?”
Adela shook her head. “This scandal is of my own creation. How could I have been so stupid? It was my big mouth that provided the fodder for this article, just as you warned.”
“But it was my paying attention to you that started this disaster. I must take full responsibility for the consequences.” He led her to a bench against the stone wall that divided Eloise’s home from that of her neighbor. “Sit down. We need to talk.”
When she did so, he sank onto the bench beside her.
Next, he took the newspaper Adela had been holding in a death grip from her hands and set it aside. “You weren’t stupid.”
“Have you read this horrid tripe? Seems I am having an affair with youandLord Brynmore, not to mention leering after every other man at that party.”
“Should I be jealous?”
“Do not tease me about this. He is such a revolting toad. How can anyone believe I would ever look at him? They are calling me wanton. Indecent. Lacking in morals. I cannot even take them to task because they are repeating my exact words.”
“Words spoken sarcastically, Adela.”
“I know, but they do not care. I said the words.You have found me out. It is my goal to seduce every man in the room.” She shook her head and groaned. “Just gag me next time I think to open my mouth. I knew that hideous Lady Felicity Rose was trouble. I played straight into her hands.”
“You did not.” He wanted to grab that diamond and her toady, Brynmore, and feed their entrails to the dogs.
Adela clasped her hands. “Do you think there is a chance it will be old news by tomorrow?”
