Page 47 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
This is it.
This is when I tell Eleanor everything.
I love this woman. We’ve been intimate in a way that would ruin her reputation, and I cannot allow her to live with that risk for a moment longer than necessary.
If she refuses me, I’ll know I don’t belong here. I’ll know this has all been a mistake. But I have to try because I think she might be my destiny. And no one is more surprised by that than me.
William discreetly touched his hand to the small of Eleanor’s back as they followed the footman out of the dark maze. Despite the strange encounter she’d just had with Phillips, it was a beautiful night in a romantic setting. It was time to make it all about the two of them.
He would find a place where they could sit together in private and have a heart-to-heart talk about his real identity.
William’s gut lurched at the thought of her reacting with anger and shock, but he knew it was unrealistic to expect anything else. She would probably feel blindsided and hurt that he didn’t tell her long ago. After all, he’d carried on this ruse long after they started courting, even though much of that courting was in secret.
She deserved the truth. And their relationship could not progress without it.
Eleanor turned around to look at William for guidance. “Where are we going, Anthony?”
He scanned the landscape around them and spotted a bench in a wooded area just off the main path. “Let’s sit over by those apple trees.”
People were strolling along the lit path that would see them seated together, but the beautiful trees provided a bit of peaceful privacy if they spoke quietly.
As they approached the seating area, William gazed at the apple tree branches full of small growing fruit that would soon be ripe. The fresh, sweet aroma was intoxicating, as was the beautiful woman by his side.
Smelling those trees and their promise of a bountiful harvest made William suddenly very grateful to be in his homeland again. For the first time since he’d arrived back in England, he ached to walk the fields where he grew up for days on end.
He remembered many late summer afternoons picking apples with his cousins. They’d bring them back to the St Clair’s country home, where William’s mother would join their cook in making hand pies for all the kids.
His favourite treat had always been warm apple pasties, but he hadn’t had one for years. Thinking about those memories found the duke excited to finally visit his mother to reminisce about those days and catch up again.
“Anthony, what is it you want to tell me?”
Eleanor touched his arm, and it startled him.
“Oh, yes. I want to tell you about my family. My home and my bloodline. I need you to know where I came from so that we …”
“Lady Eleanor, is that you? Mr Black, hello! Apologies for the interruption, but we have an exciting surprise announcement! Will you please join everyone in the grand ballroom? Please spread the word!” Lord Charter held a flickering lantern and waved at them to follow him back to the main house.
“Right now, Lord Charter?” William tried to mask his exasperation but failed.
“Yes! It must be now! We have something special planned for the last full days of your stay!”
Lord Charter dashed off and approached another couple he spotted admiring one of the fountains. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please follow me!”
William turned to look at Eleanor, whose face appeared to be full of delight.
“We better do as the man says, Mr Black. If you wait just a moment as the others pass by us, you might get a smaller surprise first,” Eleanor whispered.
He couldn’t help grinning at his lover as he watched her peek around corners for any signs of more people about to pass. When all was clear, Eleanor stood on her tiptoes and kissed William on the lips. Her kiss was soft and gentle and sweet. It was the kind of kiss that makes a man’s heart do somersaults without causing his inner carnal beast to unleash untamable hunger.
“What was that for?” William said as he held her hands again his chest.
“Just for being you.” Eleanor kissed him lightly again, then wrapped him in a hug. “I look forward to learning more about you, Anthony. Maybe we can steal some time together later?”
William nodded and placed a kiss on her forehead. “You can count on it, Miss Whitfield.”
…
The grand ballroom was abuzz with the presence of every one of the Charters’ house party guests. All the chatter was focused on guessing what the surprise announcement could be.
