Page 31 of My Dangerous Duke

Eleanor felt Xander’s muscles tense beneath her and watched his mouth form into a sneer of amusement. Another guttural sound from his chest was all she got. Unable to help herself, she smiled and shook her head as she leaned into his chest.

There were questions, many in fact, as to why he was the one taking care of her if he did not care for her, but she was content to let them go for now. She felt more rested than she had in weeks and Xander’s protective embrace was keeping her incredibly relaxed.

“You need to eat,” Xander stated, beginning to shift beneath her. “I shall alert Mrs. Gaines for more broth. Maybe some bread too. Just a little.”

“Not yet,” she countered quickly, gripping his arm.

Xander stilled immediately but looked down at her with a cocked brow.

“You have been asleep for nearly two days; youmusteat something.”

Two days,Eleanor mused. Had he been by her side that entire time?

“I will,” she promised, giving him a pleading look. “I am just not ready quite yet. Please? May we stay a little longer?”

Xander met her eyes again, still with a stern look, but after a few moments, he nodded and relaxed his back into the pillows.

“A little longer,” he agreed, almost begrudgingly, “An hour at most. I will not let you go without eating any longer than that.”

“I accept your terms,” Eleanor sighed, wiggling comfortably into his body.

“Your family vexes you, too,” she added softly, trying to keep the conversation going. She felt Xander’s chest tense behind her, though, and immediately decided to drop it. Absentmindedly, she began to run her fingertips slowly up and down the bare flesh of Xander’s muscled forearm that was locked across her chest, holding her to him. The corded muscles that lay beneath his taut flesh were warm and firm, and covered by a swath of dark brown hair that was surprisingly soft.

Several moments later, she realized she had not felt Xander take another breath yet. Tilting her head a little to look at him, she saw his silver eyes burning brightly down at her, and his chiseled lips were set into a straight line. Everything in him had frozen- even his heartbeat.

“Sorry,” she whispered, pulling her hand away from his arm. He continued his intense stare for several more painstakingly slow moments, then he finally exhaled and averted his eyes. Without looking back at her, he reached down and put her hand back on his arm.

Pressing her lips together to hide her smile, Eleanor settled back down into her comfortable spot and began to gently stroke the hairs on his arm again. With his free arm, he reached toward her nightstand, refilled her teacup with water, and brought it to her lips again.

“Come,” he commanded, “You need more. And you must eat soon.”

This time, Eleanor obeyed his command silently, letting him care for her.

“You are right,” he agreed, sitting the empty cup back down on the nightstand.

“Hmm?” Eleanor asked, feeling surprisingly drowsy again.

“About my family vexing me. Especially as of late.” She paused. “Your cousin, Richard?” She asked, glancing up at him.

Xander eyes widened slightly in surprise but, this time, he did not frown.

“You are more perceptive than you are given credit for,” he said begrudgingly. “What have you heard of him? Has your father asked about him?”

“My father? No, not at all. And it is not what I hear, it is more of how often people have asked for or about him in this last week. They say he is quite charming and much missed.”

“I am sure,” Xander uttered under his breath.

“But my sister is quite charming in public,” she went on, “Or at least can be when she really tries. The thing is, though, I am the only one who knows how difficult she is. Is that how Richard is for you? Difficult?”

Xander let out a bark of a laugh as his hand went to her hair. Eleanor immediately felt pleasure trickle from the top of her head down to her toes as his strong fingertips gently massaged her scalp. Unable to keep them open, her eyes fluttered shut as she melted further into him.

“He is,” she heard Xander say, feeling his words vibrating in his chest. “His recklessness has become a danger to… well, more than just myself now. I had to send him off with the Navy to keephim out of trouble. Many people have been upset by his absence, but it is for the best.”

“Will he ever be allowed to come home?” She asked, fighting the urge to drift back to sleep.

“He will be back from a voyage in less than a month,” Xander replied, his voice sounding deeper and more distant. “No, no, little one,” Xander chuckled, pulling Eleanor back from slumber with a gentle shake. “You have to eat first before you go back to sleep.”

He went to move her, but she clung to him.

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