The Duke's Reluctant Bride

Chapter 72: When the Silence Breaks

The carriage came to a stop at Lucien's estate. The quiet chirping of cicadas filled the night, while the silver glow of the moon brushed across the manor grounds. A nearby knight opened the gates, and the carriage proceeded through them, following the gravel path toward the manor. After a short ride, it came to a stop before the entrance.

Valerie dismounted from her horse and opened the carriage door, gently unlatching it as Lucien stepped out. His boots thumped softly against the gravel as he took a few steps toward the entrance. He turned his head toward Valerie.

"Get some rest for tomorrow," he said before making his way toward the double doors.

"Of course, Your Grace," Valerie replied, bowing respectfully as she watched him disappear inside the manor.

The grand hallway stretched before Lucien, its long red carpet running beneath the soft glow of the lamps. His steps were unhurried as he made his way toward his chamber, his mind still occupied with everything he had received that night.

He let out a slow breath and reminded himself that this was nothing. In the end, he was only doing this to ease Adeline's needless guilt.

Reaching his destination at last, he turned the knob and gently pushed open the door, which creaked slightly as it yielded. Knocking seemed unnecessary now. She was probably asleep, and there was no need to wake her.

As he stepped inside, he found Adeline lying on her side. Instead of her nightgown, she wore a loose shirt whose sleeves clung lightly to her arms. A blanket covered the rest of her body, while her hair lay loose and scattered across the sheets.

A sigh of relief escaped Lucien. He could finally put his mind at ease, knowing he would not have to worry about her being awake beside him.

Without another thought, he removed his cape and coat before hanging them on the rack, leaving himself in his shirt. He loosened the button at his collar out of habit, then lowered himself onto the bed.

The soft mattress sank beneath his weight.

For a while, he simply lay there, his thoughts lingering on everything that had happened throughout the day.

Silence crept through the room, accompanied only by the hum of the wind beyond the window and the lantern's dim light along the walls. Nearby, the fireplace crackled softly, its flames keeping the room warm against the chill of the night.

Lucien's lids fluttered shut.

He kept a small distance between himself and Adeline, though he was hardly aware of it.

Yet after a few moments, he felt something shift beside him.

At first, it was barely noticeable.

The weight of the mattress changed ever so slightly, followed by the faint rustle of fabric. The warmth beside him seemed to draw closer, inch by inch. But he stayed still, eyes closed, though his brow slowly creased as he became aware of the movement.

Another small shift.

Then another.

The space between them gradually disappeared.

Lucien opened his eyes. He turned his head toward the movement, only to find Adeline awake but dazed. Reluctance flickered across her face, reflecting the silver light filtering through the window.

"What is it?" he asked, his tone even.

Adeline did not respond immediately. Her hand trembled weakly before reaching toward his sleeve, her fingers gently clinging to the fabric.

"W... Would it be alright, Your Grace, if I came closer to you?"

Silence followed.

His gaze never left hers as he tried to understand her intention. The fireplace had not dimmed, and the room remained warm, making it unlikely that she was simply cold.