Page 67 of Dukes Are Forever
"My family lives here," she managed to respond. "Why on earth would you be surprised to see me visiting?"
A smile softened Devoncourt's mouth, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. She'd never noticed that before. "My apologies. I thought you and your father were at odds."
Such a suggestion had never come from her mouth.
What had her father said about her?
Adele arched a brow. "You thought wrong. I won't say he was pleased to hear news of my marriage, but he's accepted it now. And I was here to visit with my sister. Not my father." When one was caught out, the best way to deflect was to attack. "Though I must say, I'm surprised to see you here. I know you and my father are friendly, but calling at home?"
Was he the messenger her father just had to see?
Had her father told him she was visiting?
Had he waited for her to emerge?
After all, she'd forced herself to sit through another ten-minute lecture on how Sir George respected Lord Corvus, and if Corvus wanted to court his daughter, then Hattie could make no truer match.
"We do some business together. Nothing of interest to you, I'm sure."
Adele bared her teeth in a smile. "Ugh. Business. How dreadfully dull. If you'll excuse me? I probably should be going. I'm going to be late. There's a new hair style my maid wishes to practice for Lady Haynes's ball."
Nothing was better designed to make gentlemen back away from a conversation than mention of gowns and toiletries.
"Surely you can spare me a moment? I wanted to speak to you about something."
"What sort of something?"
"Walk with me," he murmured, offering her arm. "And you'll find out."
Adele didn't disguise the furtive look she sent down the street. How was she to avoid this? "I don't know if that's entirely wise."
"Only to the park across the road," he replied. "Your husband can have no qualms about that, can he?"
"You don't know Malloryn very well if you think that," she replied dryly, as she accepted his arm.
"Ah, so I was right." Devoncourt's blue eyes softened as he stroked his hand over hers. "It was not by your design to give me the cut direct the other night."
What the hell could she say?
Malloryn had warned her away from Devoncourt, away from all of this, but she couldn't quite admit to Devoncourt why.
Adele let herself smile somewhat bitterly. "Apparently, while my husband might have no interest in touching me, he's quite territorial about other men venturing too close."
"Typical."
"Precisely my thought," she said.
"Did you ask your father about Malloryn's... nighttime escapades?"
"And have him throw my marriage in my face? I think not, my lord."
Devoncourt seemed to be trying to read her expression. "You should have, you know. You might have learned a thing or two about him."
"You seem awfully interested in my husband," she chided, rapping him on the arm with her fingers.
"One always studies one's opponent. And I never know when I may learn a deadly weakness to exploit."
"Are you going to fight a duel over me?"
