Page 12 of Her Duke to Beguile: Lady Be Wicked
“Are you sure I can’t coax you back to bed?” George asked.
“Yes,” she told him, and then smiled. “We can return to your bed tonight. You’re insatiable.”
“Only with you,” he told her. He sighed and then kissed her cheek. “I’ll escort you down.” He’d been ready for a quarter hour and had been waiting for her to finish her hair. He insisted she needed a maid, but she had none. They would have to hire her a lady’s maid. One that understood what a duchess required, especially since Eleanor didn’t have any experience with such things…
She stood and looped her arm through his. They exited the bedchamber and descended the stairs. Once they reached the bottom, they walked into the sitting room. The Countess of Craven and her guest were already there. “Finally,” Lady Craven said. “We were beginning to think you were not going to join us.”
“I considered it,” George admitted, then grinned. “But I told you we would be at dinner and here we are. Shall we go into the dining room?”
They stood and exited the sitting room. Dinner was served. Once they were finished with all five courses, the ladies excused themselves and went to the sitting room. Eleanor felt ill at ease. She did have some manners to fall back on. She had been a vicar’s daughter and had attended many meals with the aristocracy, but she’d never been the highest ranking lady at one.
They all sat, and she stared at a candle on the wall. She had nothing to add to their conversation. Would George be joining them? When could she excuse herself and return to their bedchamber. Her room had been finished hours ago, but she hadn’t wanted to leave him and still didn’t. She liked sharing his bed.
“I’m surprised,” Lady Felicity said.
“At what?” Lady Craven asked.
“That the duke has finally taken a wife. Many didn’t believe he would unless someone forced his hand.” Eleanor met the lady’s gaze. What was she implying? “Did you trap him?”
That was awfully bold of her. “Not that it is any concern of yours,” Eleanor began. “But we married because we love each other. I would never have forced him or any man to marry me.”
“But were you not the governess?” She sneered. “You’re the last woman society would have expected him to make his duchess.”
Lady Craven frowned. “That’s enough,” she said in a firm tone. “You may not approve of my brother’s choice, but I do. If you are unable to be gracious, then perhaps you should cut your visit short.”
“My apologies,” Lady Felicity said. “I’m only trying to understand how this marriage came to happen.” She met Eleanor’s gaze. “After all last I spoke to the duke, he told me that he would never marry.”
“That’s not quite true,” George said from the entrance to the sitting room. “I said that you were the last lady I’d ever consider taking as my wife. Especially after you tried to trap me into such a union. Why are you actually here, Lady Felicity?”
Lady Craven glared at her guest. “You didn’t mention that to me when you wrote and requested to visit.” Then she turned to her brother. “I wish you had said something. I would not have encouraged her to travel here.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t think it would be something we would or should have to discuss. I made my intentions clear.” He glanced at Eleanor and smiled softly. “Besides. I met the woman I wished to make my wife when I returned home. I couldn’t be happier.”
Eleanor returned his smile. She couldn’t be happier to be his wife. Warmth spread through her and she nearly melted with the love that overpowered her. How had she gotten so lucky as to have won this man’s love? She turned back to Lady Felicity. “Perhaps you should cut your visit short. It appears your reason for traveling to Cranbrook Castle was not the one you presented to Lady Craven. You’re no longer welcome here.”
“That’s not your decision to make,” Lady Felicity said and lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m not your guest.”
Eleanor lifted a brow. “And this is my home. I am the Duchess of Cranbrook, and if I no longer wish you to remain, then you will leave.” She narrowed her gaze. “I won’t have a woman in residence that makes my husband uncomfortable. Clearly, you have outstayed the little welcome you had. Do not make things more difficult than they need to be.”
“You’re quite rude,” Lady Felicity said.
Lady Craven laughed. “And you do not understand the meaning of the word. You’ve been discourteous since my brother returned home and you realized he was married. My new sister is right. You are no longer welcome here.”
Lady Felicity stood and stormed out of the room. Good riddance, as far as Eleanor was concerned. She hadn’t left soon enough in her estimation.
“My apologies,” Lady Craven said. “I wouldn’t have invited her to visit if I’d known…”
“Think nothing of it,” George told his sister. “I should have explained it to you yesterday, but I had other matters I wanted to accomplish.” His gaze met Eleanor’s. “I have no regrets.”
“I’m glad you’re happy,” Lady Craven said. Then she turned to Eleanor. “And I’m glad he found it with you. I’d like to officially welcome you to the family.”
Eleanor beamed. “There is no place I’d rather be.”
She loved her husband. They may have had a whirlwind courtship, if one could consider their beginning that, but their love was real. She had no doubt it would stand the test of time. They had a lot to learn about each other, and they would spend the rest of their lives unraveling each other’s secrets. Eleanor couldn’t wait to start.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, then whispered in her ear. “I love you,” he said.
She closed her eyes and let those words wash over her. “I love you,” she told him.
