Page 41 of The Duke's Ultimatum

The Duke folded his arms across his broad chest. “Oh? And what would you have done, Lady Eleanor?”

Eleanor took a moment to consider her answer. “No. I’m not going to tell you.”

Graynor laughed. “And why is that?”

Eleanor smiled widely. She liked this more playful side of him. “Because I may have to use it in the future and I’d rather keep you on your toes around me, Your Grace.”

The energy around them changed immediately. The Duke’s eyes darkened as his hands pulled her in closer. “I’m always on my toes around you, Eleanor. More so than anyone else. It is unsettling for someone like me to be so unsure around someone like you.”

He blinked and relaxed his shoulders. “I’m not used to not knowing where I stand.”

Eleanor considered him. “You know where you stand with me. I thought we put our differences aside already?”

Graynor looked over her shoulder and took a deep breath and nodded. “We did. But there seems to be more to our relationship than just Duke and ward.” His eyes connected with hers.

Eleanor swallowed, both wanting to understand and not understand what he was insinuating.

“We are friends,” she stated plainly.

He nodded slowly. He looked defeated which left Eleanor feeling confused. His hands left her waist. “I think I’ve had enough for one day, Eleanor. I actually have some paperwork to do before my meeting with William tomorrow. I should go prepare for that. Perhaps we can pick this up tomorrow afternoon?”

Eleanor nodded in agreement. “I understand.”

Graynor turned to walk to his study.

Eleanor found herself reaching her hand out before she realized what she was doing. “Your Grace?”

He turned at her touch.

“Yes, Eleanor?”

“We are friends, aren’t we?” Her voice was quiet and curious. She didn’t know what she wanted his answer to be. If he said “no”, they were right back where they started, at odds with one another, and that wasn’t going to help her or her sisters in the long run.

If he said ‘yes’… well, she couldn’t admit to herself why being just friends with him left her feeling bereft.

“We are,” he said, his voice somber.

She watched as he walked away and closed the study door behind him. She let out a sigh and wrapped her arms around her stomach. She could no longer deny the tingles she felt when she was in his arms dancing or how just one look into his deep blue eyes could calm her racing mind.

It was foolish of her to think he would be interested in her or that he would even entertain the thought of being interested in her. Eleanor turned and made her way to her room.

Her mind travelled to the night in the library when she caught him with the widow. Perhaps he was used to a certain type of woman and being friends with one wasn’t something he was used to? Or perhaps he was expecting a one-time thing from her?

The thought both excited and terrified her. One, she wasn’t that kind of lady, and two, she didn’t know if she could handle giving herself to someone who only wanted a night.

As she sat down at her dresser, she took a good long look at her reflection. “Come on, Eleanor. Call it what it is, a silly girlhood crush. That’s all. You’re a woman now. You have a decent prospect with Simon Hawkins, and that is where your energy should be focused.”

Eleanor smoothed out some loose hair and took a deep breath, willing all the tension and confusion to leave her body when she pushed out the air.

“Just a silly crush. Nothing more.”

Eleanor blew out another breath. She could say it all she wanted. She had a sneaking suspicion she was lying to herself.

CHAPTER 13

Derek stared at the papers on his desk, and the words began to blend together, making no sense. He rubbed his eyes and tried again. After the third try he pushed the papers off his desk with a growl.

He sat back in his chair, staring blankly out in front of him. His leg began to bounce with pent up energy.I need to get out of here.

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