Page 36 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Eleanor nodded with a kind smile. Perhaps her conversation with him yesterday had some positive effect on the Duke, and he was willing to play the game. Sitting with them and getting to know them would be an excellent start.

“I’m glad you could join us, Your Grace.” Eleanor truly meant the words. After their talk yesterday, she had made herself a promise to let bygones be bygones and try to work with the Duke to find herself a match. She was leaning towards SimonHawkins, the Viscount of Hountshire, and she needed the Duke to be on her side to get this done.

Graynor eyed her curiously and tilted his head in acknowledgment.

“Tell me, Your Grace, did you enjoy the party yesterday?” Charlotte inquired as she speared a piece of fruit with her fork.

“I did, Charlotte; it was very illuminating.”

“Then why did we have to leave so suddenly? Ow!” Sarah reached down to rub the shin her mother just kicked.

“What? One minute, I was talking to Byron Wilkins, and the next, I was being summoned to the carriages as if the house was on fire. It was quite rude.”

Charlotte’s high-pitched laugh drowned out Sarah’s snip. “Oh Sarah, it was nothing like that. I’m sure there was a perfectly good reason why we had to leave so quickly, and it is not our place to question His Grace.” Charlotte smiled sweetly at the Duke while Sarah scowled, continuing to rub her affected leg.

“I do apologize for the abruptness of our departure. There was a pressing matter I needed to attend to.”

“I still don’t know why we all had to leave,” Sarah muttered under her breath to which Charlotte gave her a pointed look.

Eleanor bit her tongue. They all had to leave because the Duke dragged her out of there, and it would have looked suspicious if only the two of them left abruptly. Of course, she couldn’t supply that answer without further questions from her sister and mother, so she decided to let the Duke be on the receiving end of one of her sister’s pouts. There were worst penances he could receive for his actions.

“I will send word to the boy’s family with my apologies, and we’ll arrange to have them over. I hear his father works in some trade I’m interested in.”

Sarah clapped her hands together. “You will?”

“Your Grace, that is too kind!” Charlotte exclaimed.

Even Beatrice looked up from her words.

“You are familiar with Lord Dunshire?” Eleanor inquired.

“I make it a habit to know everyone in my circle, Eleanor.” Graynor looked at Eleanor, a slight challenge in his eyes.

Eleanor sensed a change in the Duke’s demeanor. Something was off. Instead of questioning him, she focused on the fruit on her plate. She could feel the Duke’s eyes still on her. When she raised her eyes, she found her suspicions to be true. Dark blue eyes were staring directly at her.

“Is there something amiss, Your Grace?” Dread pooled in her stomach. What could have possibly changed in the past several seconds? He came into the room jovial and compliant, yet with one question, he acted as if she had greatly offended him.

“There is something I’m hoping to rectify, Eleanor, and I think you’re the only one to help me. That is, if you’re up to the challenge.”

Tension and unease filled the room. Charlotte, Sarah, and even Beatrice’s eyes settled on Eleanor. She felt very uncomfortable being the center of their curiosity.

Eleanor tried to shrug off the tension. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it would be my pleasure to help,” she said, fighting the nerves that danced in her stomach.

The Duke took a moment to collect himself. After pushing out a deep breath, the Duke balled his hands into fists on the table before relaxing them. Whatever the Duke was about to say, it was causing him great stress.

Worried, Eleanor sat straighter and looked to her family for support. Each woman stared blankly back at her; they were just as curious, and alarmed, as she was.

“I was hoping, if you were agreeable, if you would help me acclimate to High Society and become more amenable to my peers.”

Eleanor was surprised the Duke didn’t break his jaw with how hard he was clenching his teeth when he spoke.

She could feel the collective sigh of relief from her sisters and mother. Solace flooded her, along with amusement. She knew it would be rude to be smug at the Duke’s admission that he needed her help, but she couldn’t help but let a satisfied smile warm her lips.

“It would be my honor, Your Grace. May I ask why the sudden change of heart?”

Graynor narrowed his eyes in her direction. She knew she was pushing her luck, but the feeling of superiority was too good to let pass.

“It has come to my attention that I may come off as somewhat of an arrogant arse to my peers, and if I am to unload, er, I mean, see you three with respectable prospects, then I need to fit into polite society.”

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