Daybreak crept silently over the horizon, casting a soft golden hue through the drawn curtains of Adelaide's bedroom. Yet, the young woman remained cocooned within the warmth of her bed, unwilling to face the new day. The previous night's harsh words from the Duke still lingered in her mind, a weight on her chest that made it difficult to muster the strength to rise. She replayed the events over and over in her mind, the Duke's cold demeanor and dismissive attitude leaving a bitter taste.
Meanwhile, in the dining hall, the Duke of Ashbourne, Luca, sat alone at the grand table. He had awakened with a sense of eager anticipation, looking forward to seeing Adelaide. However, as time passed and she did not appear, his anticipation turned into concern. His brows furrowed as he glanced at the empty chair across from him, the silence of the room amplifying his unease. He gestured to one of the maids, instructing her to fetch Adelaide.
The maid returned shortly, her expression apologetic. "My lord, Lady Adelaide asks not to be disturbed."
Luca's frown deepened. He could not bear the thought of eating alone, especially knowing that Adelaide was so close yet so distant. He pushed back his chair and rose to his feet, his concern mounting. He decided to go to her room himself, striding purposefully through the halls. He arrived at her door and, without hesitation, pushed it open.
There she was, still nestled in bed, her face turned away from him. The sight of her curled up, clearly avoiding him, tugged at his conscience. He approached her slowly, his voice soft yet insistent. "Adelaide, please come down and eat. Breakfast is ready."
She did not move, nor did she respond. Her silence was a wall, impenetrable and cold. Frustration mingled with his concern. "Adelaide, why are you giving me the silent treatment?"
Still, she did not answer. The hurt in her demeanor was evident, and it gnawed at him. Defeated by her steadfast refusal, he left the room but not without a plan. He instructed the maids to prepare their breakfast on a tray and bring it to Adelaide's room. "We'll eat here together," he declared.
He stood by the door, waiting for the food, his mind racing with thoughts of how to bridge the gap between them. When the maid finally arrived with the tray, he took it from her and gently closed the door behind him, locking it to ensure they would not be disturbed.
As he approached the bed, Adelaide peeked at him through her lashes, curious yet cautious. Luca set the tray on the bed and, with a gentle but firm motion, lifted her from the covers. Her eyes widened in surprise as he settled her onto his lap, securing her in place with his arms.
"Luca, what are you doing?" she protested, trying to wriggle free.
"Feeding you," he replied simply, his tone leaving no room for argument. He picked up a piece of buttered toast and brought it to her lips.
At first, she turned her head away, stubbornly refusing his efforts. But Luca was persistent, and eventually, the aroma and sight of the delicious food wore down her resistance. She took a reluctant bite, and he smiled in triumph. Gradually, her reluctance faded, and she allowed him to feed her the entire meal: fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and warm pastries.
Once she had eaten her fill, she surprised him by taking a piece of fruit and offering it to him. He accepted, his heart warming at the gesture. They continued in this manner, exchanging bites and slowly breaking down the barrier that had sprung up between them.
When the meal was finished, Adelaide remained on his lap, her body relaxing against his. She turned to face him, her expression serious. "Luca, I need to know. Why were you so distant last night?"
He sighed, his gaze softening. "I was absolutely exhausted, Adelaide. There are matters I am handling that I cannot speak of just yet. But I promise, when the time is right, you will know everything."
Before she could respond, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She clutched at him, her face paling. "Luca, I feel… strange. Dizzy and weak."
Alarmed, Luca gently laid her down on the bed. "Rest here, my lady. I will have someone stay with you." He called for one of the maids, instructing her to keep a close eye on Adelaide and update him on her condition. As he left the room, he cast one last worried glance at her, hoping that her symptoms were merely a result of fatigue.
In his study, Luca's mind was not on his work. He couldn't shake the image of Adelaide's pale face, her unsteady voice. Though he hoped it was just tiredness, a gnawing worry settled in his chest. He resolved to check on her frequently, unable to concentrate fully until he knew she was well.
As the day wore on, he received periodic updates from the maid, each report slightly more reassuring than the last. Adelaide was resting comfortably, her color gradually returning. Yet, Luca could not completely quell his anxiety. He needed her to be well, not just for her sake, but for his own peace of mind.
Eventually, as evening approached, he returned to her room. She was awake, looking much better, though still a bit pale. He sat beside her, taking her hand in his. "How do you feel?"
"Better," she admitted, her voice soft. "Just a bit tired."
Relief washed over him, and he squeezed her hand gently. "Rest, Adelaide. I'll be here."
As she drifted off to sleep, he stayed by her side, watching over her and silently vowing to make amends for his earlier behavior. He would do whatever it took to ensure she felt safe, understood, and cared for. For now, the most important thing was her well-being, and he would not leave her side until he was certain she was truly alright.
Adelaide's condition did not improve as the day wore on. She remained in bed, her face pale and her body weak. Concern etched deep lines on Luca's face as he stayed by her side, refusing to leave. Every so often, he would brush a strand of hair from her forehead or squeeze her hand, but she barely stirred. The morning light gave way to the afternoon, and still, Adelaide showed no signs of recovery.
By mid-afternoon, Luca could no longer contain his worry. He called for the physician, his voice firm and urgent as he gave the order. The wait for the doctor felt interminable, every minute stretching into an eternity. Luca paced the room, casting anxious glances at Adelaide, who lay motionless under the covers.
When the physician finally arrived, a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor and kind eyes, Luca's relief was palpable. "Thank you for coming so quickly," he said, his voice betraying his anxiety. "My wife... she's been unwell all day."
The physician nodded, setting down his bag and approaching Adelaide with a professional air. "My lord, I must examine Lady Adelaide. It would be best if you waited outside."
Luca stiffened at the thought of leaving Adelaide alone with another man, even a physician. The very idea was an affront to his protective instincts. "No," he said firmly. "I'll stay. She needs me here."
The physician hesitated, clearly unaccustomed to such resistance. But seeing the determination in Luca's eyes, he finally nodded in compliance. "Very well, my lord."
He turned his attention to Adelaide, his movements gentle and deliberate. He checked her pulse, felt her forehead, and asked a series of questions about her symptoms. Luca watched anxiously, his heart pounding in his chest. Every second felt like an eternity as the physician conducted his examination.
After several tense minutes, the physician turned to Luca, his expression serious yet gentle. "My lord, Lady Adelaide is with child."
Adelaide, who had been drifting in and out of a restless sleep, weakly opened her eyes at the words. She looked at Luca, her gaze filled with a mixture of surprise and tentative hope. Luca's eyes widened, and he immediately moved to her side, taking her hand in his.
"With child?" he repeated, almost in disbelief. He looked down at Adelaide, who managed a faint smile despite her exhaustion. "We're having a child," he murmured, his voice a mix of awe and relief.
Adelaide's eyes glistened with tears as she nodded, her hand gripping his weakly. The realization washed over them both, a profound and unexpected joy mingling with their relief. For a moment, all the tension and uncertainty that had plagued them seemed to vanish.
The physician, sensing the intimate nature of the moment, quietly offered his congratulations. "This is wonderful news, my lord, my lady. However, it is important that Lady Adelaide receives plenty of rest and proper care."
Luca nodded, his attention still focused on Adelaide. "Thank you, doctor. We will make sure of it."
The physician packed up his bag and left the room, leaving Luca and Adelaide alone. Luca sat on the edge of the bed, his hand still holding hers. He gently brushed a tear from her cheek and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "You're going to be a mother," he whispered, a hint of wonder in his voice.
Adelaide smiled, her eyes fluttering closed. "And you, a father," she replied softly.
Luca felt a surge of protectiveness and determination. He vowed silently to himself that he would take every measure to ensure her safety and well-being. "You need to rest now," he said gently. "I'll stay here with you."
He settled beside her, his presence a comforting weight. Adelaide's breathing gradually steadied as she fell into a deeper sleep, the color slowly returning to her cheeks. Luca watched over her, the reality of their situation sinking in.
The hours passed, and as evening approached, Adelaide stirred again. She opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Luca's. There was a newfound strength in her expression, a determination that matched his own. "We did it," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
Luca's eyes softened as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss. It was a tender, lingering kiss, filled with unspoken promises and shared dreams. When they finally parted, he rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.
"We're going to be parents," he said, a smile tugging at his lips. "And we're going to do this together."
Adelaide nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Together," she echoed.
However, as the night deepened and Luca kept vigil beside her, Adelaide's mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions. She felt a profound happiness at the thought of carrying their child, but underlying that joy was a current of sadness and fear. She worried that now, with an heir on the way, Luca would see no need to continue their physical relationship. The societal norms and expectations weighed heavily on her mind—many noblemen took mistresses once their wives had fulfilled their duty by providing an heir.
The thought of Luca finding comfort in the arms of another woman while she raised their child alone filled her with a quiet despair. She tried to push these thoughts away, but they lingered, casting a shadow over her happiness.
Luca, ever observant, noticed the flicker of doubt and sadness in her eyes. He took her hand, his expression concerned. "Adelaide, are you not happy about the baby? Do you think it is too early? If you don't want this yet, I will respect your decision," he said, his voice a mix of nervousness and exaggeration as he spoke quickly, trying to reassure her.
Adelaide looked up at him, her heart aching at the worry etched on his face. Without a word, she pulled him down and kissed him deeply, passionately, pouring all her emotions into that single gesture. When they finally parted, both were breathless.
"Luca, I am happy," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "But I have worries too. I fear that now, with an heir on the way, you will no longer have need of me. That you might take a mistress while I am left to care for our child alone."
Luca's eyes widened in surprise, then softened with understanding. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to fall. "Adelaide, how could you think that? You are my wife, the mother of my child. I would never turn away from you, never seek comfort elsewhere."
Her eyes searched his, looking for any sign of doubt or insincerity. Finding none, she let out a shaky breath, her fears beginning to ease. "I was afraid," she admitted. "Afraid that you would see me only as the mother of your heir, and nothing more."
Luca shook his head, his expression earnest. "You are so much more than that, Adelaide. You are my partner, my confidante, and the woman I care for deeply. This child is a blessing, but it does not change my feelings for you. If anything, it strengthens them."
Adelaide felt a rush of relief, her fears melting away in the warmth of his words. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes and savoring the moment. "Thank you, Luca," she whispered. "For your words, and for being here with me."
He kissed her forehead, holding her close. "I will always be here for you, Adelaide. We will face everything together, as a family."
The physician reentered the room, having given them time to process the news. "My lord, my lady, congratulations once again. It is important that Lady Adelaide receives the best care possible. I will leave instructions with the maids to ensure she is well looked after."
Luca thanked the physician, his gratitude evident. "We appreciate your help, doctor. We will follow your instructions to the letter."
As the physician left, Luca turned his attention back to Adelaide. He helped her sit up, arranging the pillows behind her for support. "Are you comfortable?" he asked, his concern evident.
Adelaide nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Yes, thank you."
Luca sat beside her, his hand never leaving hers. They sat in companionable silence for a while, the weight of the day slowly lifting. The news of the pregnancy had shifted something fundamental between them, creating a bond that neither had anticipated.
As night fell, Luca ensured that Adelaide was settled comfortably in bed. He spoke softly to the maids, instructing them to bring whatever she needed. He then returned to her side, determined not to leave her alone.
"Get some sleep," he said gently, brushing a kiss to her temple. "I'll be right here."
Adelaide nodded, her eyes already growing heavy. "Goodnight, Luca," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Goodnight, Adelaide," he replied softly, watching as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Luca sat beside her, his thoughts a mix of relief, excitement, and determination. He knew that the road ahead would not be easy, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of purpose. They were going to be parents, and he would do everything in his power to ensure a bright future for their child. As he watched over Adelaide, a newfound resolve settled in his heart. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, united by the precious life growing within her.