Page 99 of How to Seduce a Duke this Autumn
Adam turned to face her, his brow heavy with the kind of unbending determination that could move mountains. “I will not hide her. I will not insult her dignity by suggesting she skulk away like some scandalous footnote. Charlene is under my protection, and by my honor, she will walk beside me—not behind me.”
Every word landed like a whispered vow in Charlene’s ears, and though her heart ached with gratitude, shame coiled deeper inside her. Adam’s mother wasn’t entirely wrong; hadn’t she spent weeks doubting herself, questioning whether she had merely fallen into Adam’s arms as nothing more than a remedy to his brother’s rejection? Her gaze flickered to Adam, his eyes fierce and infinitely steady as he held his ground. He had never looked at her as though she were lesser. He had never made her feel unworthy.
Everyone else, however, had.
“I’m not certain this is wise,” Charlene managed in a thick voice. “You’ve given me your heart, Adam. Must you stake your very reputation?” She tried to sound resolute, but the tremble broke through. “There are other ways.”
His expression softened, though his determination did not. Stepping closer, he took her gloved hand in his, his thumb pressing reassuringly over her knuckles. “Yes, Charlene. I must. Because none of it matters without you. They can think what they wish, but I know what kind of man I am with you, and I will not yield to their judgment.” His gaze searched hers, offering her a choice rather than demanding allegiance. “Come with me,” he said simply, the plea and conviction entwined in every word.
“Wait,” the duchess said to Charlene.
“David? Is this true? Did he try to hurt you?”
“He did hurt me,” Charlene said softly. “But you’ll have to ask your son that yourself. What type of person he is.”
Her eyes suddenly widened. “If that is true, how have I not seen this before? I have always been able to tell when my sons lie.”
“Perhaps,” Charlene added, her whole body cold and drained. “You didn’t want to see the lie.”
“No, I—”
“Yes,” Charlene interrupted, her throat tightened painfully. Adam chose her. He had always chosen her. And though the world’s whispers might follow them, they would face them together. But now, she had to protect him. Stand up for him. Choose him. Again. “If you had looked closely, you would have seen your son, Adam, had been in pain.”
“His father—”
“Passed, yes, but even so. Do not claim ignorance if you cannot stand firmly behind your reasoning. No one expected you to know the truth since Adam had done his best to protect you from it, but admit when you are wrong, when you have been duped, and have some more faith in your son.”
They got dressed quickly and Charlene took Adam’s hand then. “Lead the way.”
He nodded. “Let’s go home before my brother finds us here.”
By the time they reached the townhouse, Charlene’s anxiety had settled into a tenuous peace. Even the smallest distance between them had only seemed to heighten the ache of their mutual devotion. Adam guided her inside with a steadying touch, but the tableau waiting for them in the parlor dashed his calm entirely.
Charlene came up short.
David sat sprawled in a chair by the cold hearth, though his disheveled state undercut his lazy nonchalance. Beside him, or more accurately on his lap of all places, sat Miss Martin, her face flushed to a vivid scarlet. Her hair tumbled from its complicatedcoiffure, a sharp contrast to the rigid embarrassment she barely masked.
Charlene’s steps faltered, but Adam didn’t hesitate. “Well, David,” he said coolly, his voice like a blade unsheathing, “what a completely vexing and yet expected sight. I expect you at least have the grace to explain yourself.”
David merely smirked, quick as a fox, firing back, “Oh, you’re one to talk of propriety, dear brother,” he said, deliberately slow. “Dragging Charlene to a hotel to complete her ruination and then to parade her right under the family’s nose? How gallant.” He gestured dismissively to Charlene, his eyes glinting with malice. “A shame she had to settle for second-best before she caught a better prize.”
Adam’s chest burned. “You dare say that to me. I’m the duke.”
“I could be the duke.”
Charlene wanted to box the man’s ears at that statement.
“Enough!” Adam’s voice lashed like a whip as he took a step toward his twin.
Charlene sensed the raw protectiveness spilling into the cold space between them. Adam’s presence loomed, commanding the room.
“You will not speak of Charlene in such a way again.”
“Adam…” What was Miss Martin doing with David? Something didn’t feel right.
Adam turned back, his face softening like the first light of dawn. “I won’t have you doubt even for a second where I stand,” he said gently before looking back to David, his ire rekindling.
He had misunderstood, but how to explain to him about the dread sprouting in the pit of her stomach?
