Page 18 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
The sisters twirled around in their dresses, then walked arm in arm to the ballroom, where guests were beginning to gather and enjoy the music before dinner was served.
Tonight, there were rooms dedicated to different activities. As with all events, there was dancing in the ballroom. Games suitable for all ages and genders were held in the newly renovated greenhouse with magnificent glass ceilings and walls. And the gentlemen could retire to the drawing room for cards and port throughout the evening.
Anthony wasn’t in attendance at dinner, but Eleanor had high hopes he would appear soon.
What she didn’t expect was the surprise arrival of Lady Whitfield, dressed in her favourite all-black Victorian formal gown, with Cecil Phillips at her side.
“Eleanor, I believe you remember Lord Phillips,” Margaret said, using a title to address Cecil that he didn’t deserve.
Eleanor immediately moved in front of Regina like a protective mother bear, then crossed her arms and frowned.
“Of course I do. Hello,MisterPhillips.Have you read any interesting books since we last spoke?”
Cecil looked confused for a few seconds, then he tipped his head back and laughed. Eleanor’s words seemed to answer a question that had long been stuck in his brain.
“Hello, Lady Eleanor. I’ve read many books since we parted ways. Though one in particular has gone missing, it wasn’t anything I couldn’t easily replace.”
Cecil held his hat in his gloved hands and bowed. His greasy brown hair was slicked back and stuck to his scalp. The pupils of his grey-blue eyes were practically pinpoints tonight, causing Eleanor to wonder which entertaining substances may have entered his bloodstream before he crossed the threshold of the St Coeur country home.
Margaret furrowed her brow and pointed at Eleanor. “Cecil and I had a good talk this afternoon where we established a new understanding. Didn’t we, Mr Phillips?”
Cecil nodded while looking around the room at the youngest ladies in their party dresses. Eleanor shuddered with disgust.
“We have a very special understanding, Lady Whitfield. One that will benefit us all, I think.” Mr Phillips turned his gaze back to Eleanor like a predator who knows they’ve boxed in their prey.
“Congratulations, Stepmother. Good for you, Mr Phillips. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Regina and I are going to the game room.”
Eleanor reached behind her body and grabbed Regina’s hand, silently vowing not to let go of it again until Cecil was miles away.
“You’re not going anywhere, Eleanor. As Cecil’s betrothed, you are his companion for the rest of the evening. Come, Regina. We can go to the game room together.”
Eleanor and Regina both gaped at Margaret with their mouths wide open.
“Mama, you can’t be serious. Eleanor made it clear that she does not want to marry Mr Phillips. This matter has already been settled. Please don’t do this.”
Regina tried to plead to the small amount of kindness she believed her mother still owned, but Eleanor knew better.
This wasn’t a misunderstanding or a slight. This was Lady Whitfield’s declaration of war.
“My apologies, Stepmother, but Regina is right. I am not, nor will I ever be, engaged to Mr Phillips. And tonight, my dance card is already full.”
Eleanor still held tightly to Regina’s hand as she began to walk away, but Cecil reached out and grabbed her other one before she could escape.
“Now, now, Lady Eleanor. There’s no sense in running away from your destiny. Besides, I don’t see any other men waiting for your attention, do you?”
Cecil’s cunning smile made Eleanor shudder. Then his smile flattened out when he looked behind her head at something he didn’t seem happy to see.
“I believe the ladies are waiting onustonight! Isn’t that right, Mr Black?”
“Right you are, Mr Montrose. And I’m almost certain I heard Lady Eleanor say she didn’t want to be around this man anymore. Is that what you heard, Mr Montrose?”
“By George, you are correct again, Mr Black! Let’s treat our dance partners to some refreshing punch and polite conversation first, as any gentleman would do. Ladies? Shall we?”
Eleanor and Regina both turned on their heels to find Anthony and a handsome man with lighter features standing at his side. Both men were beaming from ear to ear despite the shock on the faces of the others at seeing Anthony’s scars.
Though Eleanor didn’t yet know what caused Anthony’s wounds, she was getting used to them pretty quickly. Besides, looking again into his deep, dark eyes made her heart stir so wildly she didn’t dare look at him for long. The urge to be alone with him again was pulling her under just by standing this close to the man.
What would happen if they did steal away in private somewhere? Could either of them control themselves?
