Page 19 of ?n Arranged Betrothal with a Blind Duke
Annabelle wasted no time. She fled up the stairs, locking herself in her chambers. Then, and only then, did she let the tears flow. What was becoming of her life?
Chapter Nine
The grand dining hall of Thornwood Manor was adorned with flickering candlelight, casting a warm glow on the finely set table. Adrian, dressed in his elegant evening attire, stood near the fireplace, the crackling flames adding a touch of coziness to the room. The tantalizing aroma of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, as servants bustled about, ensuring everything was prepared to perfection.
The anticipation of Henry's arrival hung in the air, adding an undercurrent of excitement to the atmosphere. Adrian's heart raced, for he knew that this evening held the potential to bring about a profound change in his life. As he adjusted the folds of his cravat nervously, Marjorie, his beloved aunt, approached him, her eyes filled with curiosity.
“Adrian, my dear, it has been quite some time since we last spoke,” Marjorie said, her voice tinged with a gentle lilt. “Tell me, what have you been occupying yourself with lately?”
Adrian hesitated, momentarily caught off guard by his aunt’s question. His mind raced, searching for an appropriate response. Should he reveal the encounters with Annabelle, or should he choose discretion and keep their connection hidden? Ultimately, his desire for honesty won over, and he mustered the courage to speak his truth.
“I must confess, aunt Marjorie,” Adrian began, his voice soft yet earnest. “I have had the pleasure of spending a good amount of time with Miss Ludlow as of late.”
Marjorie's brows raised slightly, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She leaned in attentively, her eyes glimmering with curiosity.
“I am so glad the two of you are getting on,” she said. “I knew she was a sweet young lady. Pray tell, Nephew, what is it about this Miss Ludlow that has put such a smile on your face?”
Adrian took a deep breath, feeling a mix of trepidation and excitement.
“She and I share a deep love for literature, as I believe I have mentioned,” he explained, carefully omitting the burgeoning affection that was beginning to bloom within him. “Our conversations have been a delightful exchange of thoughts and ideas since I loaned her some books, and I find her intellect to be truly enchanting.”
Marjorie's smile widened, a subtle sparkle glinting in her eyes. Adrian couldn't help but wonder about the hidden meaning behind her expression. Did she suspect his feelings for Annabelle? Was there something more to her reaction? The thoughts swirled in his mind, leaving him bewildered and intrigued.
“Has she met Patches?” his aunt asked.
Adrian couldn’t keep himself from beaming as he thought about Miss Ludlow’s interactions with his loyal dog. He nodded, his smile growing so wide his cheeks ached.
“She has,” he said. “Before she and I formally met, in fact. He seems to be really taken with her, I must say.” And so am I, he added silently.
His aunt gave a surprised, delighted scoff.
“Sweet Patches is very discerning of new people,” she said, echoing Adrian’s first thoughts when he remained unabashedly friendly with Miss Ludlow for the first time.
“He is,” he said, uttering a small sigh. “The two of them made fast friends, to my utter shock.” He chuckled, shaking his head affectionately. “I dare say that they enjoy each other’s company more than they enjoy mine.”
Adrian and his aunt shared a laugh. He didn’t know if Miss Ludlow enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed hers. But her laugh was light, genuine, and infectious, and her words were always kind, without judgment or malice.
“And what about you?” Marjorie asked, her voice carrying a subtle hint of… something.
Adrian tilted his head, looking in his aunt’s direction.
“What about me, what, Aunt?” he asked.
Marjorie giggled.
“How do you feel about the young lady?” she asked.
Adrian felt the blush creep in before he could stop it. He shrugged, feeling his grin return despite himself.
“She is a lovely woman,” he said, trying his best not to sound as dreamy as he felt. “Besides her love of literature and Patches, she enjoys the meadow between our two homes as much as I do.” He paused, recalling something she had once said. “And she seems to dislike the uptightness of society, just as I do.”
Marjorie was silent for a moment, but Adrian could practically feel her considering his words. He wondered what she thought about his sudden friendship with Miss Ludlow. It was, after all, out of character for him to make an effort to make friends.
“Do you think she’s a young lady that you might consider marrying?” she asked.
Adrian’s mouth fell open, and he stared dumbly at his aunt. He had been avoiding the subject for years, and his heart skipped as the idea entered his mind right then. The notion of entertaining matrimony, of binding a woman to a blind man, overwhelmed him. Especially a woman as sweet and kind as Miss Ludlow. He had never clearly seen her face. But her laughter gave him a good idea of what her smile must look like. And to think of doing something that would turn that smile into an eternal expression of resigned sadness was too much for Adrian.
Before he could voice a single one of his whirling thoughts, the butler approached, announcing the arrival of Henry. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, growing louder with each passing moment. Adrian's heart skipped a beat, his focus momentarily diverted from Marjorie's enigmatic smile.
