Page 151 of Dukes Are Forever
One moment she was dealing with Malloryn, who remained impenetrable, and the next she saw hints of something else. The man behind the mask.
Yet it wasn't enough.
He'd slipped into bed with her last night when he'd thought her asleep, and Adele had curled in his arms, butnot oncehad he mentioned that Mrs. Danner had been kidnapped.
What did that mean?
"I need fresh air," she said. "I've been cooped up in here for two days."
"A stroll in the park outside?" Lena suggested.
"Perfect." She needed sunshine on her face and the day's heat on her skin. She needed to breathe the scent of grass, and smile and laugh, and remember she was alive. Regardless of whether her husband had made a choice or not, she was still alive. That fact could not be discounted.
She could heal from a broken heart.
And never let herself suffer such a risk ever again.
But it was not to be.
Herbert appeared out of nowhere in the foyer and stepped between the pair of them and the door, clasping his hands behind his back. "Sorry, Your Grace. But you're not allowed to leave the premises."
Adele stared at him in shock. "What? Why?"
She knew thewho. Not a damned thing happened in this house without Malloryn pulling its strings.
"The duke's orders."
Suddenly she saw red. "I see. Is my husband due anytime soon?"
"He is expected momentarily."
"I'll wait." Adele locked all of the hurt deep inside herself as she gave Lena another hug.
Lena squeezed her firmly. "If you need me...."
"I know."
At least she had this one thing she could count on. A friend.
"And talk to him," Lena suggested. "Maybe it's all just some vast mistake."
But Adele didn't dare let herself hope.
* * *
The expressionon Herbert's face warned him.
Malloryn tossed the man his hat and coat, and then paused with one foot on the staircase. "Something you want to tell me?"
He had the eerie suspicion he'd watched this entire scene play out already.
"I believe Her Grace is upset," the butler replied.
Thank God. He'd thought someone had died. "Not unusual," he replied, continuing up the stairs, "She's been through quite an ordeal—"
"With you," Herbert stressed, and shot himthatlook again.
Malloryn's step on the stairs slowed. "With me?" That made little sense.
