Page 59 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
“Why do I have such a terrible time refusing you girls even when my better judgement tells me to?” Lord Whitfield looked over at Regina and then back to Eleanor with such love in his eyes that both sisters teared up.
“Because you are a dear and such a gift to us, Cousin Harrison!” Regina hopped out of her chair and gave their cousin a big hug. Then she stood behind Edward’s chair and reached for one of the berries on his plate. When he playfully smacked her hand, she giggled and returned to her seat.
“I think your cousins have a mischievous streak, Lord Whitfield. Did these fine ladies get that trait from you?” Edward asked while grinning at Regina.
“No, that must come from their father. He was the source of many laughs and silly escapades for us all.”
Eleanor’s misty eyes spilled a couple of tears at the mention of her sweet father and his playfulness. Regina definitely inherited that trait from him.
Their father had been such a fun person to be around. It made Eleanor wonder once again why he had chosen Margaret as his second wife. Maybe her stepmother had been more playful when they were younger and Eleanor just didn’t remember it.
Maybe her husband’s death had made Lady Whitfield more bitter by the day.
For now, it was important to focus on getting the key from Cecil and then talking to Anthony.
Regina pointed out the windows of the dining hall and tugged Eleanor’s sleeve. “There’s Mr Phillips. He’s sitting with his group at one of the tables outside. Oh, look! He’s placed his jacket on the back of his chair.”
Eleanor nodded and watched as Cecil leaned back against his dark jacket and sipped his tea. When two of the three others at this table got up and walked away, she knew it was time to make her move.
“Stay right here if you want to watch the show. I’m going to go steal a man’s key.”
…
“Good morning, Mr Phillips. Is this seat taken?”
Eleanor touched the back of the chair next to Cecil’s and smiled down at him. The shock on his face when he looked up made some of her nerves disappear.
“Well, good morning to you, Lady Eleanor. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I just wanted to thank you for your recent kindness. Plus, I’m parched from a walk around this lovely garden and could use a minute of rest.”
“Then, by all means, please join me.”
Cecil stood and pulled the chair out for Eleanor, then introduced his companion, who was still seated across from them. She was an older woman wearing a fur wrap and covered in far too many jewels for a hot summer morning.
Eleanor’s instincts told her this woman might be one of the reasons Cecil chose her group. The way she flaunted her wealth must have been hard for Mr Phillips to resist.
The woman might even be the owner of the emerald earring that Eleanor had found and given to Lucy.
“This is Lady Livingston. And this is Lady Eleanor Whitfield. May I pour you some tea, Lady Eleanor?” Cecil lifted the teapot steaming from the middle of the table as Eleanor pulled a fresh cup and saucer from an unoccupied place setting beside her.
“That would be lovely, thank you. How are you enjoying the scavenger hunt, Mr Phillips?”
Eleanor watched the tea collecting in her cup as Cecil rattled on about the prizes they had found thus far. All she wanted to do was get that key from his jacket and move on. If it took more mindless small talk to get it done, so be it. Yet there was only so much of this man’s chatter she could take.
How did I ever spend time with him before? I can barely stand to hear his voice now!
“Lady Livingston is organizing a charity ball for next month that should be a wonderful affair. Isn’t that right, Lady Livingston?” Cecil nearly shouted his question at the woman, but she didn’t seem to notice that she was being summoned. Her attention was aimed at the sky as a flock of birds flew overhead.
“She’s hard of hearing, poor thing. Her husband is always in the billiards room, so our group watches over this sweet soul in his stead.”
“Oh, I’m sure you do, Mr Phillips. Just like you have been so kind to keep watch over my stepmother, as well.” Eleanor didn’t want to get sarcastic with Cecil, but she couldn’t help herself with this one harmless comment. Saying it also triggered something in her brain that caused her nerves to flare again.
Has Cecil been stealing from Margaret, too?
“I fear my time supporting your stepmother is through, Lady Eleanor. It was she who wanted our engagement, but all of that is over now. I have my sights set on other pursuits to improve my life and take a different path. Thank you again for accepting my apology. I am grateful to you.”
Eleanor locked eyes with Cecil for a moment as each seemed to be searching for any signs of insincerity in the other’s face. She could not find any in his but wasn’t all that confident that her deep dislike for his man wasn’t obvious in hers.
