Page 41 of How to Seduce a Duke this Autumn
It was probably nothing.
“Ah,” his mother’s voice carried across the room. “There you are, dear.” He turned his head slightly to see her standing in the doorway, her gaze assessing. “You were out early today.”
“Riding,” was all he said.
His mother arched a brow, gliding into the room. “Ah, riding. You never go riding so early in the mornings. What changed today?”
She changed everything.
The world changed because she loves me.
He swallowed back the words and let out a slow breath instead.
His mother was not easily deceived. She had a mind sharper than most men he knew and an intuition that was even sharper. He would have to tread carefully.
Lowering his hand from his face, he sat up and studied her. “How would you overcome an obstacle in your path?”
She arranged her skirts as she sat across from him and replied without missing a beat. “I would trample on it.”
Adam snorted despite himself. “I can’t do that.”
“Then ignore it.”
“Can’t do that either.”
“Challenge it, then,” she said, her eyes narrowing with interest. “That is your only recourse.”
Challenge it.
That was what he was doing, right? However, he didn’t know if he was going about it the right way or the wrong way. Instead, he was just going with his heart. He didn’t know how else to do it.
His mother was watching him closely, her keen gaze unwavering. “You are troubled.”
“I am not troubled,” Adam muttered. “Merely…” He trailed off, unable to find the right word.
“Vexed?” she offered.
“Not quite vexed, either.”
“Bewildered?”
He huffed a short laugh. She wouldn’t give up. “I suppose that is a bit closer.”
Her lips twitched. “Ah. Then let me guess—there is a woman involved, then. A particular one?”
Adam tensed.
That was answer enough.
His mother’s expression turned knowing. “Who is she?”
“No one.”
“No one has ever made you look like this, my dear.”
He sighed, rubbing his temple. “It is complicated.” Too complicated for words.
Her expression softened, but there was amusement there, too. “Is it not always the case? I have yet to meet an uncomplicated matter when it comes to the two sexes.”
