Free Accidentally Compromising the Duke by Stacy Reid Page A

Lord Vale was unbearable, and certainly no other man would be interested. She would have to wed the duke…if he would still have her.

Chapter Eight
    The rousing strains of the orchestra did little to soothe Adel’s nerves. Life had continued for the guests of Pembington House, and it was only her world that had been shattered. The ball was in full swing, and her stomach was in knots as she descended the wide staircase. Adel had worn the turquoise muslin gown trimmed with gold embroidery for tonight’s ball. She’d not wanted to attend, but Papa and Lady Margaret had been firm, they would not hide as if they were ashamed. The ton was quicker to smell blood when in retreat. Adel became the focus of several pointed stares, and though she had stoically prepared herself for the chatter, the swell that rose in the ballroom was shocking.
    “There she is!”
    “She has some nerve showing her face. I thought her family would have bundled her away by now, for the shame.”
    “She is quite beautiful isn’t she? It is easy to see what tempted the duke.”
    The assessment so startled her, she glanced in the direction of the voices and witnessed three gentlemen staring at her. She recognized the Marquess of Westfall amongst them. He insolently caressed her length with his tawny golden eyes, and a smile tugged at his lips, drawing her gaze to the mess of scars running from his forehead down to his chin on the left side of his face. His manner was so bold and outrageous Adel flushed. She had no idea what Evie saw in the reprobate.
    “Beauty?” The marquess drawled. “ I doubt Wolverton touched the chit. She was simply being a mercenary bitch, and will no doubt expire from shock when he ignores her.”
    A sob clawed from the depths of her being and spilled from her throat at the blatant insult.
    Mercenary bitch.
    His eyes flared and gleamed with something similar to regret, then an expression of icy disdain settled on his face. The men with him appeared so shocked by his vulgarity that it left them silent.
    “That is very unsporting of you, Westfall,” one of the men muttered, looking discomfited . “Perhaps Wolverton will offer for her.”
    “Why ever would he do such a ghastly thing?”
    Tears pricked behind her lids, and she gave Westfall her back and walked away. Westfall was Wolverton’s closest friend. Had the duke shared with the marquess his true opinion of her mistake? Adel so badly wanted to scamper away and plead with her father to depart the house party. Surely her presence would only fan the embers of scandal more. Surely out of sight would be out of mind.
    “I wonder if he will take her to be his mistress.”
    “I’ve been told she was already his soiled little dove.”
    With false calm she waited near the terrace windows. No one greeted her, and dance after dance were announced and no one had approached her. They only stared. Even Mr. Atwood made a concentrated effort to direct his attention elsewhere and those of society in the Gladstone ballroom took note. She sucked in a breath when Lady Margaret entered and instead of coming over, chose to make the rounds. Adel had just decided to leave when a sudden ripple of conversation washed over the assembled throng. The too loud murmurs began at the far left side of the ballroom and crested in Adel’s direction.
    “It’s the duke.”
    “Wolverton?”
    “Yes…it seems as if Viscount Eldridge has won the wager. He swore the duke would make an appearance tonight and Lord Westfall bet twenty guineas he would not!”
    Several ladies actually turned so they could see as he descended the stairs. He looked handsome, clad in black trousers with a matching jacket and silver brocade waistcoat. His dark hair was tamed, and Adel fancied she could see the piercing silver of his eyes from where she stood.
    “Will he go to her or cut her?”
    Adel felt sick at that whisper. She had rejected his offer. And he had no notion that she had tried to speak with him earlier, but