Page 6 of A Duke for Adela
Diamonds of the first water swooned over him.
How was she ever to get near him again?
She also doubted he would make a personal visit to return her stolen material once Runyon turned those papers over to him. Why should he waste his time when sending a messenger to deliver them would do?
“Ah, here we are,” he said as his carriage turned down Chipping Way, one of the prettiest streets in Mayfair.
A footman jumped down to open the door as soon as it rolled to a stop.
The duke hopped down and held out his hand to assist her.
She gladly took it and managed to step down effortlessly, but was grateful for the support because with the horrid way her day was going, she feared to miss a step and end up sprawled on the ground. “Well, I do apologize for running you over earlier. But thank you for delivering me home and offering to go after that odious lizard, Runyon. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in that regard.”
He shook his head. “I’ll alert Lotheil to what has happened. He will assist me in having your research notes returned to you if thatodious lizarddares refuse to turn them over to me.”
Once again, she noted he had not released her hand.
Not that she minded, for his touch was warm and pleasant. “Well…good afternoon, Your Grace.”
Instead of letting go of her and leaving, he tucked her arm in the crook of his own. “I shall walk you to the door.”
She sighed. “It really is not necessary. It is only ten steps from here to there and I am wholly capable of managing it on my own.”
“I know.”
“Then why–”
“My family has been on friendly terms with Lady Dayne for years. It would be rude of me to simply let you out and be on my way.”
She eyed him warily. “Oh, you are a smooth fellow, aren’t you?”
He quirked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“You don’t believe I presently reside with her, do you? You think I have made all of it up.”
“Miss Swift, I can assure you that if I did not believe you, I would have delivered you straight to the magistrate’s office instead of Chipping Way.”
She stared at him open-mouthed. “You would have had me arrested?”
“The point is,” he said with a smile that melted her heart, “I have already assessed your character and decided against having you clapped in irons.”
The front door opened and Lady Dayne’s butler appeared. “Your Grace, it is good to see you.” He cast a dubious glance at Adela, regarding her as though she were a stray cat being delivered back to its home. “Miss Adela?”
“His Grace and I just happened to bump into each other,” she said with a nervous titter, although Watling was the kindest man and there was no reason for her to be uncomfortable in his presence in the least.
He showed the duke into Lady Dayne’s private parlor, an elegant room decorated in cheerful blue and yellow silks, and then hurried off to alert the dowager. Adela remained with the intriguing man since it would have been rude to leave him standing there on his own. “Will you stay for refreshments?” she asked, knowing Lady Dayne would expect her to attend him until she arrived.
“Why, yes. I believe I shall.” He settled on the blue silk settee, taking over most of it with his broad-shouldered torso.
Her eyes widened. “You will?”
He nodded.
“But aren’t you a busy man?”
His lips broadened into another of his devastating smiles. “Adela, are you trying to be rid of me?”
“Not at all, but…” She sighed and sank onto the chair beside him. “You are an odd fellow.”
