Page 40 of The Duke's Ultimatum

“Forget what?”

“Your age,” he said plainly.

Eleanor had no idea what he was talking about, and she was getting annoyed again. He must have picked up on her aggravation because he tightened his grip on her shoulders.

“And how innocent you are.”

Eleanor scowled. “Innocent? What does my innocence have to do with you being stiff and having restless nights?”

Derek bit his bottom lip and furrowed his brows in concentration. “I’m not sure how to put this delicately, but when a woman affects a man in a certain way, he may have a restless night if nothing comes of their dalliance.” Derek squinted up to the ceiling. “I would assume it is the same for the woman as well.”

Each word was enunciated with painful facial expressions. If Eleanor wasn’t concentrating on understanding what he was saying, she would have found the whole thing comical.

Eleanor stood still, not fully comprehending what he was talking about. Feeling that she was woefully inexperienced with the subject matter, she shrugged off his hold. She was not so naive to have no idea of what he was alluding to, however. She did, after all, watch such a dalliance between the Duke and the widow in the library at their ball.

Her hands fluttered up in between them. “You know what? It no longer matters. I take you at your word that you meant me no disrespect. But please remember, it is rude to behave in such a way that leaves your company feeling laughed at.”

Graynor nodded his head solemnly and laid his hand over his heart. “It is with great regret that I have offended you in such a way. Will you forgive me?” The scamp had the audacity to act as if he were the injured party.

Eleanor looked away, looking for a way out of this particular conversation.

“Why we don’t move to the dining room. It is almost time for lunch, and we can review table etiquette.”

Graynor motioned her to go first. “After you.”

Eleanor canted her head and walked out of the room. Her mind was reeling from how their dance lesson ended. She still felt unsettled. He was obviously talking about the more delicate interactions between a man and woman, and the fact he brought her innocence left her embarrassed.

He must think me a child.

Eleanor bit her trembling lip. She wanted to come up with an excuse not to continue their lesson. Her head and stomach were spinning, leaving her light-headed. She misstepped and stumbled.

Graynor’s arms reached out from behind her, caught her waist, and pulled her back. Her body slammed against his.

“Are you all right, Eleanor?”

She closed her eyes, thankful that she was facing away from him. Not only was she woefully aware of her naiveté around him, but now she was clumsy as well.

“Yes, I must’ve caught my foot on the hem of my dress. All is well.”

She went to take a step away from him when his fingers pressed against her waist. His body leaned into hers, causing all the noise in her head to settle. She had a moment to consider how unfair it was that her body reacted to his before she gave into the blissful quiet that surrounded her.

Eleanor’s body instinctively leaned back into his.

“Are you sure? We can pick this up later if you need to rest.” His voice was soft and low in her ear. His words vibrated along herneck, causing her to shiver with excitement. She sucked in her lip and bit.

She nodded slowly, not wanting to break the spell that fell over them.

“I could carry you up to your room like I did at our first meeting.” Eleanor could hear the smile in his voice. He was being kind and a bit flirtatious, but she knew he meant no harm. She’s heard the stories, and she had been around him often enough now that she could tell he was a man of many sides—one of them being flirtatious when the mood strikes.

Like now.

Eleanor regained her posture and turned towards him.

“I think being carried once is enough. I’m still quite embarrassed by that.” Her eyes dropped, concentrating on a button on his shirt. She couldn’t bring herself to look up into those blue eyes that had captivated her daydreams.

Graynor smiled. “I don’t know, having a beautiful woman faint at your feet was the best, and most memorable, way I’ve ever been welcomed. I take it as the honor that it was.”

Eleanor shoved his shoulder. “I told you my corset was too tight! If I had known how much of a brute you were, I assure you I would not have fainted.”

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