Page 56 of My Dangerous Duke

“Please forgive him,” the dowager pled, holding Eleanor’s hand tightly with both of hers.

“There is nothing to forgive,” Eleanor replied honestly, “All of this is my father’s fault and his alone. It is his greed and total lack of respect that has done this to us. It is I who must ask you for forgiveness. Not the other way around.”

“No, my dear,” the dowager replied vehemently, taking Eleanor’s hand. “You have no blame in this. Your father would have found a way to use those letters whether you ran or not.”

The frown on Margaret’s face slowly turned upwards into a serene smile as her blueish-silver eyes brightened- just like Xander’s did when he was overcome with emotion.

“He is changing because of you, my dearest,” she went on, her voice quivering, “He is becoming the man he was always meant to be, and it is your love that has allowed him to do so.”

The two women embraced tightly, holding on to one another for quite some time, then Eleanor gently helped Margaret back down into the pillows. She was relieved to see that she no longer looked as upset as before.

“Richard will be fine,” she sighed, nodding her head as if pushing herself to accept this. “And perhaps this will not be forever. I am in good health, despite my age. It is possible I may see him again. And if he is happy, then I shall be too.”

After bidding goodnight to Margaret, Eleanor quietly closed her door and instructed the other woman’s handmaids to stand by for whatever she may need.

Eleanor stopped a couple of other places before returning to Xander, switching temporarily from wife to duchess. Since returning to Larsen Hall, she had felt a new love and appreciation for her station and now understood why Xanderwas willing to protect it. First, she went to her quarters and rang for Mrs. Gains.

The housekeeper beamed with happiness when Eleanor gave the orders to start moving some of her things into Xander’s rooms first thing in the morning, and walked out of the room as if she were floating on air. Next, she went to Richard’s quarters for the first time ever. It felt wrong as she stepped into the dark rooms, but as she stepped inside, she suddenly feltit.

The coldness. The loneliness. The sense of conflicting thoughts and possible self-disgust. It all hung heavily in the air of the empty compartments like a dense fog. Eleanor worried her bottom lip as she was filled with sympathy for her husband’s cousin. She was not exactly sure what her purpose was for coming to the room, but as she looked around, she realization welled up in her.

“Wherever you are, wherever you go, I only wish you peace and happiness, cousin,” she whispered aloud in prayer.

Richard had never been kind to her. Had never given her a chance. But, despite that, she still wanted that for them. Perhaps in time, as Margaret had said, they would all be together again.

“There you are.”

Xander’s deep voice sounded from behind Eleanor as she closed Richard’s door. Eleanor smiled and closed her eyes as she felt his hands grasp her waist and pull her back as his lips suckled at her neck.

“Have you been hiding from me? In Richard’s room?” He asked, his tone playful, seductive.

Eleanor leaned her back into his chest as she raised a hand up to cup the back of his neck, pressing his lips closer to her neck.

“I will never hide from you again,” she promised, her lashes fluttering as Xander’s tongue joined his lips.

“Thank heavens,” Xander sighed, then sank his teeth into her flesh.

Eleanor gasped and pressed even further into him, pleasure making her legs tremble. She pouted quickly when he pulled away, but he only winked at her and then threw an inquisitive look toward the door. He still wanted her to answer his question. He could still be rather stubborn when it came to getting what he wanted.

“In truth, I do not know why I came at first,” she confessed, her hands on his waist, “But I found myself saying a prayer for him.”

Surprise glimmered in Xander’s eyes, followed by appreciation.

“And how is grandmother?” He asked then, escorting her down the hall.

“She is much improved,” Eleanor assured him quickly, then laughed, “Though I may have promised a great-grandchild or two in order to make it so.”

Xander let out a laugh, a smirk growing on his lips as he looked down at her.

“Did you now?” He asked, desire gleaming in his eyes.

Right then and there, in the hallway, Eleanor knew that being a father no longer scared her husband. Relief and adoration flooded through her as she looked up at the man she loved, and smiled from ear to ear.

“I did indeed,” she agreed, perking a brow, “And what say you to that, husband?”

Xander’s smirk grew into a devilish grin as his silver eyes darkened. Slowly, they grazed their way down Eleanor’s body, his stare so intent she practically felt it. Hunger took over his eyes as they reached hers again, and he pulled her to his chest with a sudden yank, making her gasp.

“I believe I have an answer for that,” he replied, his voice deepening, “But I would rather show you than tell you.”

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