Page 4 of Dukes Are Forever
Presumably to replace the baroness, who'd been at his side for years, before her death several months ago.
No matter where she looked, it was clear her husband preferred the company of other women to her.
"I never thought I'd love someone as much as I love Will, but I cannot describe the feeling of being a mother," Lena continued. "It's like Alex's entire being lights up when I walk into a room. It's a lovely feeling."
"I'm sure it is."
Lena's smile faded. "Oh, Adele. I'm so sorry. That was unforgivable of me."
"Nonsense. You're entitled to your happiness. Please don't hide it from me just because I shall never know the same."
"You never know," Lena argued. "Sometimes I see the duke looking at you when he thinks you're not aware of his gaze. You might be surprised."
"Does his expression look a little like this?" Adele mimicked her husband's haughty, somewhat displeased expression, and then added a good dose of disgust for good measure.
Somehow her eyes ended up crossed.
Lena burst into laughter. "You almost had it until the end. Malloryn doesn't dislike you."
"You're right," she mocked. "That would require emotions and as far as I know, my husband doesn't suffer from them. How frightfully plebeian."
"He looks at you as though he doesn't quite know what to do with you."
That's because he doesn't.
I don't even know what to do with me.
Adele's gaze strayed to Alex as her smile faded. She toyed with the ring on her finger—her wedding ring.
Alex's hair had recently all fallen out, and Lena didn't bother with a bonnet inside, but something in Adele's chest gave a small squeeze at the sight of him. The baby adored his mother unconditionally.
What would it be like to be the focus of someone's world like that? To be loved, no matter what you had done or what type of person you were? She had little doubt about her own nature. People found her cynical and somewhat cold, but it was all she knew, the only way she had of surviving as a young woman.
"But then, I suppose we're not to speak of the expression onyourface when Malloryn enters a room?" Lena added.
Adele's fingers froze on her ring. "What sort of expression?"
Lena patted Alex's back as she swayed to and fro, her eyes dark with sympathy. "Your spine goes stiff, your shoulders straighten, and you look like you're girding yourself for war. 'Scale this tower at your own risk. Nobody can touch me in here.'"
"That's because I'd rather lock myself away like Rapunzel than suffer my husband's presence."
Lena's voice softened. "Is that entirely true? I'm your dearest friend, Adele. Iknowyou. I can see how much he vexes you."
"That's precisely the point: Why would I want his attention when it irritates me so much?"
"Do you know what I think? I think youwanthim to vex you. I think you want him to look your way and press his attentions."
"I think I would rather eat a cockroach."
"Do you know the most surprising aspect of being made verwulfen?"
The abrupt switch in conversation made Adele suspicious. "What?"
Lena's eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. "I can actually smell your nervousness when you lie. You're lying to me right now. And to yourself."
Maybe it was true.
And who else did she have to discuss this with?
