Page 97 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Her limbs felt heavy, her movements sluggish, and no smile was close to reaching her eyes.

She tried to force a smile for Sarah’s sake, but all she could manage was meeting her eyes in the mirror and giving a slight nod.

“Sarah? Why don’t you and Mary go check on everything downstairs.” Sarah and Mary exchanged a look before lookingback to Charlotte. “And make sure Beatrice is dressed and ready. I would think asking her to leave her book and have her sister’s wedding be her only focus wouldn’t be too much to ask.”

Sarah bent over to kiss Eleanor on the cheek before she and Mary left.

Charlotte tapped Eleanor on the shoulder. “Come, stand up. Let’s get a proper look at you.”

Eleanor tensed and willed her legs to stand. Her mother walked her to stand in front of her full-length mirror.

“You are almost ready, my dear; there’s just one thing missing,” Charlotte said while she brushed out some wrinkles that had formed in the dress.

Eleanor’s dry eyes took in the sight in front of her. Sarah was right; normally this color would suit Eleanor’s complexion, but without a trace of color on her sullen cheeks, the normally beautiful mint green made her appear washed out. Her body didn’t feel like her own which would have normally made Eleanor laugh, considering after today, technically her body wouldn’t be hers. But she didn’t even have the energy to laugh at her own misguided jokes.

Derek would’ve laughed.

Eleanor’s eyes went wide, and a sharp pain cut through her already mangled heart.

“Eleanor?”

Eleanor eyes focused on her mother’s. “What? I was listening. You said I was missing something.” Eleanor looked down onto her dress. “What is it?”

Charlotte sighed. “You. You’re missing.”

Eleanor looked back up. “What do you mean? I’m right here.”

Charlotte shook her head. “No, dear. You’re not. You’re a million miles away. I fear this is not just cold feet.”

Eleanor waved her hand. Tears began to gather behind her eyes, but she willed them back. This was why she wasn’t doing anything more than necessary. Anything resembling functioning as a normal adult broke the fragile shield she built around herself since her talk with the Duke last night.

“It’s like you said. I’m nervous, anxious. I just want to get this over with and move on with my life.”

Charlotte stood at Eleanor’s back, and both women looked into the mirror. Even though it was well known Eleanor took after her father, her mother and her had the same eyes, and right now, her mother’s eyes were not buying Eleanor’s lie.

“Eleanor, what is wrong? Tell me. We can fix it.”

Eleanor bit her lips together, hoping to stop the tremble that was bound to happen if she continued to talk. She merely shook her head.

“If I can’t fix it, then perhaps the Duke can.” Charlotte’s words were like a slap across Eleanor’s face. Tears began to fall much to Eleanor’s dismay.

Charlotte turned Eleanor and wrapped her in her arms. “My child. What is it?”

“So much is changing, Mama.”

Charlotte hushed and rocked her daughter side to side, much like she did when she was a crying infant. “Hush now. It’ll all work out. I told you it will.”

The words didn’t soothe Eleanor’s broken heart. Eleanor only saw two ways of fixing her current state. The first one being the Duke admitting his feelings for her and taking her instead of handing her over to Simon and the second was if she had never met the Duke at all.

Eleanor continued to cry into her mother’s arms, hoping that this was the last time she would cry over the Duke.

Charlotte moved to take Eleanor’s face in her hands. “You listen to me, Eleanor. You are a strong, independent, proud, and intelligent woman. I’ve seen you work the ugliest crowds andturn them to your favor. Whatever life throws at you, I have no doubt you will come out on top. Trust the process, my love.”

Eleanor sniffled. “Thank you, Mama. I only ever wanted to make you and Papa proud.”

Charlotte let out a little laugh as she embraced Eleanor again. “Oh, my lovely, you absolutely made us proud.”

Charlotte pulled back and looked at her daughter. “Now look, your face is in quite a state.” She walked over to the vanity for some towels and powder.

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