Page 148 of You Only Love Twice
There was no rest for the wicked, but he'd succumbed to her "suggestion" with ill grace. Logic dictated at least one decent day of sleep if he was to heal completely.
He’d need all his strength to face the forthcoming days, and the shocking revelation that Balfour had survived.
But there was one last person he needed to check upon before he could take himself off to bed.
"Come in," Adele called, and he pushed the door open to find her seated primly in bed, reading a book.
Her sister, Harriet, sewed quietly in the corner, her feet tucked up beneath her skirts.
Adele turned her page, engrossed in the story. "You can set the tea on the—"
"It's me."
Harriet's head jerked up. "Your Grace."
"Your Grace," Adele blurted, as if she’d thought he was the last person who'd ever enter her bedchambers.
If he was being honest, he couldn't truly blame her for the assumption.
It was the last place he wanted to be.
"Miss Hamilton." He tipped his head to Harriet before he turned his narrowing gaze upon his wife. "Duchess."
They held a long stalemate, until Adele put her book down, and cleared her throat. "Your Grace."
"You said that."
Color flooded her cheeks, and she touched one of the loose curls draped over her shoulder, as if aware she wasen dishabille. "Yes, well. Iamdealing with the Duke of Malloryn. His magnitude is so great he deserves at least two 'your graces'. I should not wish to offend."
Harriet's eyes widened to the size of saucers.
Ha. Clearly his wife was feeling better after their encounter in the tower. "Are you well?"
"Tolerably."
"You've regained your strength?" He began to tug his gloves off.
"Hattie's informed the staff I am strictly confined to bed until the end of the week," she replied, shooting her sister a disapproving glare.
Was that frustration he heard? He glanced at her as he slapped the gloves into the palm of his left hand. It was somewhat discomfiting to share an emotion with her.
Adele is ice and haughtiness. She's a viper who doesn't deserve an ounce of compassion.
Of course.Which is why she bled herself for your sake in the Tower....
Curse her.
"I hope you've informed your sister how dangerous your actions were." He couldn't restrain the slight edge to his voice. "And how, if she is clever, she will never,everput herself in a position where she is in such danger."
"You're welcome, Your Grace." Adele visibly seethed. "Hattie recommended I wait until you ceased breathing, whereupon I'd be completely alone in this lovely big manor with all your money, but I admit I suffered an inconvenient moment of conscience."
"Adele!" her sister squeaked.
"Most of the property would revert to my heir, a distant cousin who'd likely cast you into the streets. And it wasn't as though I was dying. I'm ablue blood."
"Oh, of course," Adele mocked. The blankets tumbled into her lap, revealing the fine lawn of her nightgown and the shadow of her breasts beneath it. "How could the Duke of Malloryn ever be bought so low his wifesavedhis life?"
Malloryn stared at the outline of her figure, then furiously looked away when he realized she hadn't even noticed how revealing her nightgown was. His cock gave a faint clench.Don't you bloody well dare, he told it silently.
