Page 72 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Taking her mother’s hand, the two women walked out of the back of the house and into the garden.

They walked in compatible silence for a few moments until Charlotte spoke.

“Have I ever told you about the day your father proposed to me?”

Eleanor looked over to her mother. “No, you haven’t.” She had heard countless stories of her parent’s love for each other but never about her father’s proposal.

Charlotte smiled wistfully. “It was so long ago, yet I remember like it was yesterday. Your father came to our house, nervous as could be. I had a feeling he was going to propose, but you never can tell with men.” Charlotte let out a little chuckle.

Eleanor smiled, happy to just listen to her mother talk.

“I came into the parlor with my mother. Your father was standing there, trying to drink from a teacup, but he was shaking so badly due to nerves, he almost spilled tea on himself.”

Eleanor giggled. Her father was a no-nonsense man, and to imagine him being so nervous that he would spill tea on himself was comical. “Papa? I can’t picture him being that nervous. He was always so stoic.”

Charlotte sighed. “Yes, he was, but you must remember we were both very young when we were engaged. He didn’t develop that confidence until he was a bit older. It was nice, we both gained confidence together through our marriage. It was one of our greatest blessings, besides you and your sisters.”

Eleanor cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

Charlotte took a moment to consider her words carefully. “What I mean is, your father, God rest his soul, and I are not the same people we were when we were first engaged. We grew and changed so much during our marriage. When your father met me, I tried to be the perfect lady, and don’t get me wrong, I was. I did everything by the book, and I still believe had I not done that, he wouldn’t have given me a second look. But that doesn’t mean I still didn’t have a lot to learn.” Charlotte stopped their walk and sat on a bench next to their gate.

“It was the same thing for your father. He was the perfect gentleman, but he had his youthful flaws. But our marriage strengthened our resolve and helped shape us into insightful and respected members of society.”

Eleanor joined her mother on the bench. “Why are you telling me this now?”

Charlotte pursed her lips. “I think we both know what is coming with the Viscount. I want you to know that there is much to learn about each other. He may surprise you.”

Eleanor blushed. “Do you think I’m not happy with the prospect of him proposing to me?”

Charlotte took her daughter’s hand in hers. “Eleanor, I know you better than you know yourself. I see your hesitation, and it worries me.”

Eleanor cocked her head to the side. “Why?”

Charlotte dropped her eyes. “Because I fear it is my fault.”

Eleanor gasped. “Mama, why would you say that?”

Her mother stared out into the garden ahead of them. “Because I raised you to believe you had to be the perfect lady in order to find the perfect match, and that isn’t how it works. You’re more than perfect etiquette or carefully constructed niceties at parties. You’re curious, courageous, intelligent, witty and so much more. I want you to know that while you may hide those things away in society to be society’s darling, maybe Simon does as well.”

Eleanor raised an eyebrow causing Charlotte to chuckle.

“I’ve heard some of your conversations while I’ve chaperoned. He has his opinions about what it right and wrong, but maybehe’s putting on a show for you, much like you do when you’re in society.”

Eleanor chewed her bottom lip. “I hope so, Mama.”

Charlotte sighed, knowing her daughter wasn’t happy. “I’m so sorry you’re in this position, Eleanor.”

Eleanor stood, suddenly feeling the need to move. She paced in front of her mother, wringing her hands in front of her as she walked.

“It’s not that I don’t like Simon. I like him just fine. It’s just, I can’t see myself marrying someone like him.” She stopped and turned to her mother. “You’re right, when I’m in society I play my part, and I do an excellent job, but at the end of the day, I can come home and relax. I don’t think Simon does that. I think the Simon we see is the Simon I’ll get when everyone else goes home.”

Charlotte sat and watched her daughter. “Which is why I said, he may surprise you. Your father was a confident young man in public, but in that parlor all those years ago, he shook like a leaf on a tree. He was a different person in private, and it was during those times when we got to know each other. That’s where we grew together.”

Eleanor started to pace again. “And you think that will happen with Simon?” She sounded hopeful, she wanted, no, needed her mother to give her some validation that she was making the right choice by agreeing to marry Simon.

Charlotte stood and walked to her daughter. “I can’t say for certain, but I do believe that there is a chance. The question is, are you willing to give him that chance?”

Eleanor stilled and looked into her mother’s eyes. “I think I am.”

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