Page 19 of How Not to Marry a Duke

“It appears to be true.” Adeline suppressed the urge to press her palms to her overheated cheeks. Too much had transpired, and she needed time alone to process her thoughts. From the rapt look of fascination on Hasmik’s face, she knew that was unlikely.

“Is he the man who rudely demanded you keep quiet just yesterday?” Hasmik said.

“Yes.”

“Why treat him at all, habibti? A duke is like a pasha, entitled and powerful. You are too kind.”

“I understand it’s a shock. But there is something else you should know.” Adeline took a deep breath. “Edwin paid a visit.”

Hasmik’s gaze traveled over Adeline’s Arabic garment, and her lips twitched in humor. “Dressed as you are, I can only imagine Lord Foster’s reaction.”

“He called me a heathen.”

“Esheg.” Donkey. Curses in their mother tongue often translated into colorful sayings. Adeline didn’t disagree. “I blame him for making you feel unwelcome in your childhood home.”

Leaving her father’s home—the only home she’d known—had been painful but necessary. Adeline had many fond memories of time spent with her mother, her father, and her half sister, Mary, in their Berkley Square townhome. They’d had tea parties with their dolls, played hoops in the garden. When they were older, they’d attended musicales, and laughed around the dinner table. But now that both parents had passed away, Edwin had made it no secret that he wanted her gone…had wanted her gone for years.

“Leaving Mary was the most difficult,” Adeline said. Her sister remained under Edwin’s care. At least she knew he loved Mary in his own way. They were full-blooded siblings, and he paid her the respect she deserved.

“Did Lord Foster bring Mary to visit?” The hope in Hasmik’s voice rang out.

Adeline scoffed. “Edwin would never.”

“Then why was Lord Foster here? I assume it was not to check on your well-being after your father’s death.”

A shiver ran down Adeline’s spine. The shock of Edwin’s visit and demands had not yet worn off. “He wants me to marry a moneylender, Mr. Slade, a man who seeks entrance into Society through marriage to an earl’s daughter.” Edwin’s words echoed in her head and made her brain hurt.

“Tell me it isn’t true.”

“Edwin is in financial trouble. He’s in debt to the man.”

“You didn’t consent to his demands, did you?”

“Of course not!”

“Then what does your neighbor have to do with the matter?”

Adeline shifted her feet. How best to explain? Their implausible arrangement was fresh in her mind. “The Duke of Warwick unexpectedly showed up when I was arguing with Edwin. He overheard much of the conversation. Rather than leave, he intervened and told Edwin that he was courting me.”

Hasmik gaped. “He what?”

“I was just as surprised as Edwin. It took a while for me to speak. Warwick sent Edwin on his way. It was gratifying to watch my half brother storm out of the cottage.” She’d relished that moment.

“I do not doubt it. But what of this courtship with the duke?”

“It is a fake courtship, of course. He wishes to avoid his godmother’s matchmaking for a Season. I wish to thwart my brother.”

Hasmik’s eyes lit, and she rubbed her chin with her thumb and forefinger. “Well…well. What a surprise.”

“Imagine my own surprise when Warwick made the announcement to Edwin.”

“The duke is a handsome man.”

Yes, he is. Too handsome for her own good. Too bad he was arrogant, highhanded, and argumentative, to name a few. “Hasmik! Do you understand? It is a fake courtship. Nothing more.”

Hasmik pursed her lips. “I am old, not blind.”

“Then you must know that we agreed to go our separate ways after the Season. I can return here and to my plans of becoming the village healer.”