Page 33 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Ignoring Hountshire’s gasp for air, Eleanor squared her shoulders. “I have. He has been a wonderful companion to escort me around the grounds. We’ve been having a lovely time together.”

Caroline’s eyes bounced between the two. “I was just telling Lord Hountshire how Eleanor was able to get the Stanley quartet for our charity ball in a few weeks.”

Graynor didn’t look impressed. “Fascinating.”

Eleanor narrowed her eyes.What a brute!She opened her mouth to respond, but Hountshire laid a hand on her arm. The Duke’s eyes watched the movement.

“It is quite the accomplishment,” Hountshire added after finally catching his breath.

“Hiring musicians for an event is an accomplishment?” Graynor raised an eyebrow.

Eleanor leveled a look at the Duke. How dare he belittle the work she put into the event? She may be just a woman, but her responsibilities were just as important as a man’s.

“Maybe from where you come from it’s not, but I assure you, in high society being able to secure such talent is quite remarkable. I would know. I was born into high society.”

Hountshire’s words hit their mark. Graynor’s face darkened.

While Eleanor was thankful for his defense of her workings, she quickly became afraid for Hountshire’s wellbeing. Between the two, it was safe to say the Duke’s height and muscle were to hisadvantage. If they were to resort to fisticuffs, there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind who would win.

“Careful with your words, Hountshire. Where I come from, we don’t insult those in higher positions than you. Know your place.” Graynor’s words came out through clenched teeth.

Hountshire scoffed. “I don’t mean any offense, Your Grace. I just assumed you are not aware of how some of society works, being so new to it. The fact that Eleanor can dedicate time to helping those poor children in the wake of having her life upended by the arrival of a new duke, who is a constant reminder of the loss of her father…” The Viscount paused for dramatic effect. “Well, it’s just amazing that she is here at all.”

Eleanor could only blink. She was grateful he was defending her, but the Viscount was making her out to be a complete idiot. Surely, he didn’t think her an imbecile who couldn’t handle life’s many occurrences. This was getting out of hand.

“Gentlemen, I think?—”

Eleanor’s words were cut off by the Duke taking a step forward, putting himself in between Eleanor and Hountshire.

“I’ve warned you once, Hountshire. I am not a man to repeat his words. If I were you, I would worry about your own house before you start judging others.”

Eleanor peeked around Graynor’s body just in time to see the color drain from Hountshire’s face. Whether it was because of the implications of the Duke’s words or if Hountshire finally realized the threatening size of the Duke, Eleanor couldn’t say.

Caroline, on the other hand, looked like she was first row at a Stanley quartet concert. Eleanor loved her friend, but she knew as soon as this altercation was done, Caroline would be the first one to tell others about it.

“How dare you!” Hountshire yelped. The crack in his voice did him no favors. He stepped around the Duke. “Eleanor? I must depart. I refuse to be around such brutish behavior in polite society. I hope we can meet again, perhaps with better company.” His eyes looked in the direction of the Duke with disdain.

Eleanor just nodded, her words stunned stuck in her throat. What did she just witness?

The three watched silently as the Viscount scurried off to the garden to rejoin the party.

“Well, that was?—”

“Carriage. Now.” The Duke cut off Caroline. He reached out and grabbed Eleanor’s arm and yanked. There was no point in fighting, so she threw a quick wave to Caroline as she let the Duke pull her across the garden.

Derek was seeing red. He couldn’t even formulate words during the carriage ride. The last words he spoke were to the footman to gather the others and tell them they were leaving immediately. He shared his carriage with Eleanor, who stared at him as if he were a caged lion and she was afraid to move for fear of being attacked.

Her interpretation was correct.

As soon as they pulled up in front of the house, Derek bounded from the carriage, once again pulling Eleanor along with him.

When he barged into the study, Eleanor finally tried pulling away from him.

“What has gotten into you!” Her voice was shrill and contemptuous.

“Me?” Derek was offended. He was just insulted by a dandy, and she had the audacity to ask him what his problem was.

“Yes, you!” she yelled back, looking at him like he lost all sense. “You’re the one who interrupted a perfectly nice afternoon with my friends. You’re the one who got into a fight with another man—a man who is a potential suitor, I might add. Then, you’re the one who dragged me out of a garden party into a carriage andinto my home like a caveman. So, yes, Your Grace, I am asking what has gotten into you?”

---