Page 81 of You Only Love Twice
Poor Miss Hamilton. This marriage was probably going to be worse than she'd expected.
"Go and warn her," Gemma said, grabbing his arm and lacing her arm through it. "It's the right thing to do."
"I think I'd rather chew nails."
"You have to beard the dragon in her bedchamber at some stage."
He gave her a chilling look. "Miss Hamilton's bedchamber and my presence shall never meet. I know you're hoping for something more to this, Gemma, but I think your recent captivity has rotted your brain. Now go and find the queen."
That sounded more like the Malloryn she knew.
"Only if you warn Miss Hamilton. The queen shall be safe as houses. I won't fail you," she promised.
Malloryn gave her an odd look as he escorted her to the door. "You never have."
But Gemma couldn't help thinking of Russia.
* * *
Malloryn pausedbefore the half-open door with his hand raised to knock. Movement shifted inside, but none of it the sounds associated with what he'd have expected of a happy bride preparing for her moment of victory. Indeed, there was a definite hush over the room.
Curse Gemma for making him do this.
"You look beautiful, miss," said a soft, gentle voice.
"Do I?" This was even quieter, almost toneless. "Perhaps I'll steal my husband's heart when he sees me in this dress." A soft laugh. "If he had one, that is."
"Yes, miss."
A sigh. Malloryn shifted slightly so he could see. Adele stared in her cheval mirror, wearing a gown of blushing pink that set off the creamy perfection of her skin. She didn't look like a happy bride. Indeed, her face was expressionless and her eyes looked tired. Someone had gathered all that blonde hair back into a neat chignon, with her veil clasped just beneath it. The effect was stirring. Innocent. Despite his feelings on the marriage, he couldn't deny Adele was stunningly beautiful.
For a viper.
"Has my mother come down yet?" Adele asked.
The maid paused. "Not yet, miss. I'm sure she will."
"That makes one of us," Adele murmured under her breath. "Thank you, Emily. I daresay I won't be returning to this miserable place after the wedding, but you've been my one spot of brightness in this household. I've left a small favor for you in the envelope on my nightstand, along with a reference just in case. Make sure you gather it before my mother sees it."
"Miss, you're too kind." Emily bobbed a curtsy, and for a moment looked like she was going to cry. "It will be all right. You'll see. You'll be a duchess soon."
Adele's head bowed. "We shall see."
She almost looked sad. A moment of unease shivered down the back of Malloryn's neck, but the maid had turned and was halfway to the door when she spotted him.
"Your Grace!" she blurted.
Malloryn slipped inside, noting his fiancée's startled glance as the maid made her escape. She even shut the door behind them, a gross mistake of decency—if not for the fact he was already well and truly trapped. At least this conversation could be had in private.
"Malloryn." Adele turned, her vast array of skirts slowly changing direction with her. "Isn't it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?"
"I didn't think it would make a difference." It wasn't as though this was a real marriage, after all. But he didn't call it a sham to her face. Malloryn looked her up and down, and to his surprise Adele actually held her breath. That stopped him in his tracks as he remembered what she'd said about stealing his heart. A jest, of course, for both of them knew the truth behind this mockery, but for the first time he simply examined her, rather than dismissing her.
Sunlight streamed through the window, turning her hair radiant with gilt. The neckline was demure, with full-length sleeves complete with little pearl buttons. For a moment, a part of him almost stirred, tempted to unwrap this little present someone had given him. Perhaps that was what made him the angriest about this entire situation: despite his feelings on the matter, he wanted her. Wanted to discover each and every inch, even as he knew he could not. After all, he himself had set the terms for this marriage. He would do his duty, but he owed her nothing else.
He refused to owe her anything else.
Adele tipped her chin up, a brow arching. "Do I meet your approval, Your Grace?"
