Page 8 of Her Duke to Beguile: Lady Be Wicked
He’d wanted more time… She should say no. Eleanor never acted rashly, but this duke… It couldn’t be real, but yet, it seemed he really did want her. “All right…” She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. “Yes. I will marry you.”
She prayed she hadn’t just made a terrible mistake.
Five
George could not believe she’d said yes. Were they about to make a grave error in judgement? He couldn’t be certain, but he did know one thing with certainty. He wanted her, and marrying her solved so many of his problems. No other woman would be able to trap him into marriage. He would have a duchess, and he had a wife he chose. One he wanted above any other.
“I’d like to marry immediately,” he told her. “Today.”
She blinked several times before replying. “Today?” Miss Jones tilted her head to the side. “Why?”
He smiled. With this, he could answer without reservations. “Because I do not wish to wait to make you mine.” He’d desired her from the very first moment he’d gazed upon her beautiful face. She’d beguiled him with a mere smile, and now he had to have her. “We can ride to Scotland. The Duke of Allister will gladly act as our witness.”
This was all very rushed. George was more aware of that fact than he wanted to admit, but he also didn’t care. Once he made a decision, he didn’t question it. They could be at Allister’s estate in half a day and be wed before nightfall. He would leave a note with Bivens to give to his sister once they departed. George would not risk anything preventing him from reaching his goal. Miss Jones would be the Duchess of Cranbrook before the day was done.
“But…” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I have duties.”
“Don’t worry about anything. My nephew will be fine without you.” He would have to find a new governess for Elliot. George should feel guilty for stealing Miss Jones from him though he couldn’t muster any. She would be his wife, and that was all that mattered to him in this moment. “I promise you, no one will question anything. I’ll take care of you and everything else. Do you trust me?”
She nodded. “We’ll stay overnight.” Miss Jones met his gaze. “In Scotland?”
“Yes,” he told her. George could barely hold back the grin that wanted to fill his face. He still couldn’t believe she’d said yes. Any other woman he wouldn’t have questioned it. Miss Jones seemed different to him, and always had. It didn’t matter that they hadn’t known each other long. She kept herself apart from him and remained stoic in her duties. That didn’t mean she didn’t want him. That kiss had revealed much. “I’ll arrange for the carriage. Can you meet me in an hour? Don’t say a word to anyone. Pack what you need in a valise and we will be off. I’ll arrange the rest.”
“I can do that.” She didn’t seem convinced of the wisdom of this plan. He prayed that she wouldn’t breathe a word to anyone. They were eloping after all, and George wanted to avoid a certain lady as well. This would work. He would be free of the ladies vying to be his duchess, and he’d be able to claim his governess. Miss Jones glanced at him. “I don’t need a full hour. We can leave sooner if you arrange it.”
He had never been so motivated in his life. George resisted the urge to kiss her. She was so delectable. “Then it shall be done. I’ll ensure it is.” This time he didn’t hold back the grin. “I recall I gave you leave to use my given name. Will you not do the same for me?”
Her smile was almost shy as she stared up at him. “Of course,” she readily agreed. “Please call me Eleanor.”
“No,” he told her firmly. “You’re my Ellie. Only I will call you that.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in one quick kiss. George couldn’t stop himself. He’d craved the taste of her lips since that first time. He couldn’t forget her, even if he wanted to. She was branded on his skin and he would ensure that she felt the same about him.
“All right,” she readily agreed. “You may call me Ellie.” She stepped out of his arms and put some distance between them. “But if we are to be wed today, I must depart now or we will never leave. That is, if you still wish to marry me.”
“I have not changed my mind in the mere moments since you agreed. I promise that will never happen.” Her lovely features brightened as he spoke. “You will be my wife, and I intend to say our vows this evening. You may hold me to that.”
“Then I’ll join you in a quarter hour. The carriage best be ready for our journey, then.” With those words, she spun on her heels and headed back toward the castle. She’d said yes. They were going to wed. Now all he had to do was have the carriage prepared and avoid his sister. That shouldn’t be too difficult.
George rushed up to his room and packed a few things. He wrote a quick missive and left it on his writing desk, then rushed to the stables. He didn’t have time to dawdle. Once he was at the stable, he ordered a carriage to be prepared. He supervised as the horses were secured to the carriage. A footman and his driver were sent for, and just as everything was being finished, Ellie came strolling forward. Her blonde hair was windswept and her pale blue eyes sparkled with mischief, or was that happiness. George couldn’t be certain. Either way, it made her even more lovely to gaze upon.
“Are you ready?” he asked her.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life,” she answered. “Let’s get married.”
He helped her into the carriage, and then, without any preamble, they were off. Allister would be surprised to see them, but that was all right. The Duke of Allister was a friend and would aid him. The rest would fall into place, and soon he would be a married man. When he returned to Cranbrook he’d have his duchess, and he could send their impromptu visitors away without thinking twice about it.
The carriage rolled to a stop at the Duke of Allister’s estate. It was a large castle, far more foreboding than Cranbrook. Eleanor preferred the quiet elegance of Cranbrook over this estate. Allister’s estate spoke volumes about what it had endured over the years. It was a dark fortress designed to withstand any battle, and it had.
George helped her out of the carriage and then walked by her side as they strolled up the stairs to the castle. The door opened before they had time to pick up the knocker and rap the door. A large burly man with snow white hair and stormy gray eyes greeted them. “Good evenin’ Yer Grace. Please come inside. The wee lass looks exhausted.”
“Is he in?” George asked. He must have meant the Duke of Allister. Eleanor had never met him, but clearly they were good friends. This large man knew him and hadn’t questioned his arrival.
“Aye,” the burly man said. “He’s in his study. Do ye wish fer me tae announce ye?”
George shook his head. “I’ll see my way there, Calum. I have a favor to ask him. Could you have someone bring refreshments? It’s been a long journey.”
“Aye,” the man said. “I’ll have Mrs. Andrews bring in a tray. His Grace probably needs something as well.”
With those words, Calum left them alone in the foyer. George turned to her and held out his arm to her. “Please come with me to meet my friend. I do believe he’ll like you.”
