Page 49 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
That man was a nuisance. However, the duke could hardly try to have Phillips banned from the house party when he was suddenly acting with polite remorse. He felt his head pound and needed to get away from these overdressed party guests as quickly as possible.
He’d decided this week that spending time in close quarters with the ton was the quickest path to a horrible headache.
“I think I’m going to retire, my friends,” William said.
Eleanor looked up at him with a wrinkled brow. “So soon, Mr Black?”
William nodded, though he was aware that he and Eleanor had planned to rendezvous later, if possible. “Yes. It sounds like it will be a busy day of hunting for treasure around here tomorrow. Best to get some deep sleep first.”
Eleanor’s face fell just enough to let William know he’d disappointed her. He silently vowed to make it up to her tomorrow by being an enthusiastic participant in this ridiculous game. “I look forward to our group working together tomorrow, Lady Eleanor. Shall we all meet for breakfast to plan our strategy?”
Regina jumped up and down, then Edward followed suit. They both responded in unison. “Yes!”
Everyone in their group laughed, including William. If those two weren’t peas in a pod, he didn’t know who else would embody the phrase any better.
William wished them all goodnight, then turned on his heels to leave the ballroom before looking into Eleanor’s eyes again.
…
The next morning, the mood was much lighter at breakfast. William’s mind was cleared by a good night’s sleep, as he’d hoped.
Fortunately, Eleanor seemed to have let any concerns she had about him last night go.
Another incredible buffet was arranged for breakfast in the large dining hall, where enormous tall windows sparkled as sunbeams slid through the panes.
“This home really is magnificent. Would you agree, Mr Black?” Eleanor asked. She was standing in front of him in the buffet line. He watched her add a delicate peach pastry to her plate, and it made him salivate, though it was the woman more than the pastry that caused his ravenous response.
Was it wrong to undress her with his eyes around so many people? Would he be damned for wanting to lick sweet whipped cream off her skin?
He shook his head to rid those scandalous thoughts from his distracted brain.
“I would indeed, Lady Eleanor. It reminds me of my childhood home. We had a dining hall for guests such as this one, with a view of the apple trees beyond it.”
William gazed out the window for a few seconds, lost in more reverie of his days in Essex as a kid. When he looked back at Eleanor, her eyebrows were knit together, and her head tilted to one side. “Is that so, Mr Black? Your family owned a grand estate similar to this?”
She spoke softly only to him. And her tone seemed laced with the surprise of someone who didn’t quite believe what she’d just heard.
William’s throat squeezed closed when he realized what he’d just said. He stepped away from the food line for a moment to cough a couple of times into his sleeve, then regained his composure.
Suddenly, it wasn’t just Edward who slipped into, giving hints about the duke’s true identity. William was getting so comfortable with Eleanor that he had begun to do the same.
When he returned to her side, William knew he couldn’t deny that what he’d said was true.
“Yes. And that’s what I’ve been wanting to talk to you about. When we’realone.”
“I see,” Eleanor replied, then turned back around and added more food to her plate.
William wished he could catch her eye to read her reaction but she didn’t look at him again until they were seated at their table shared with Regina, Edward, Cousin Harrison, and Sarah Miller.
“Ladies, your cousin raves about you all the time. I must say it’s a pleasure to finally spend this time getting to know you,” Sarah said. “I would love your advice about how to warm up to your mother. She doesn’t seem to like me very much, but we’ve barely spoken yet.”
Regina sat on Sarah’s right and reached for her hand. “Don’t trouble yourself with our mother, Miss Miller. It’s probably best to wait for her to warm up to you first.”
Eleanor laughed rather loudly, then looked at the Earl of St Coeur, who seemed to be holding back laughter of his own.
“I agree with Miss Regina, my dear. Lady Whitfield is a difficult woman to get to know. Perhaps it’s best not to waste time worrying over her approval. Rarely does she give it,” the earl said. He poured his fiancee some tea and smiled.
Eleanor chimed in when her giggles subsided. “Please forgive my outburst, Miss Miller, but I’ll add a third vote for leaving Lady Whitfield be. My stepmother prides herself on helping others know their place, and that place is usually far lower than hers. But please know that the rest of us are so very fond of you! We are grateful for this time to become close friends, too. Shall we toast to that?”
