Page 65 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
But the only thing Eleanor still owned that had belonged to her mother was no longer hanging on the wall in the hallway.
Her mother’s mirror was gone.
Eleanor felt the tears sliding down her cheeks but did nothing to stop them. It was just as well that Margaret took everything she loved away now.
Anthony, the beloved mirror, and all of Eleanor’s chances at happiness were now gone. The only things left were her memories and her determination to keep Margaret from taking Regina’s happiness away too.
…
The next day, the announcement was official. Mr Cecil Phillips and Lady Eleanor Whitfield were engaged.
When the footman answered the door that afternoon, two men were standing on the other side of it. Both of them wore top hats and held bouquets of flowers in their hands.
But neither of them was Anthony Black.
“Mr Phillips to see Miss Whitfield. And Mr Montrose to see Miss Regina.” The footman named Royce bowed at the entrance of the drawing room, and then showed the men inside.
Eleanor perked up when she saw Edward. Maybe he had news of Anthony that she could receive through Regina.
Unfortunately, she’d have to spend time with Cecil first and do so in front of her stepmother. Regina and Edward would have to talk in the drawing room with Margaret, as well.
The sisters were no longer allowed to socialize without their stepmother until the day they each married. In addition, they would not be allowed anywhere near an eligible man without a chaperone.
Those rules meant that the days of Eleanor stealing away to be with Anthony without getting caught were over now.
No more passionate kisses in the park. No more feeling his hands on my skin.
Thankfully, Eleanor didn’t have to spend much time with Mr Phillips today as she struggled with so many feelings about Anthony. Cecil’s visit was short and to the point.
“Miss Whitfield, these flowers are for you. I have some business to attend to with your stepmother now.”
Eleanor accepted the flowers with a weak smile, then watched Cecil and her stepmother go into Margaret’s private study. They kept the door open but spoke in hushed tones.
“What are those two talking about alone in there? Does anyone but me findtheirbehaviour unacceptable?” Eleanor asked.
Royce, the footman charged with chaperoning the girls while their mother was busy, smiled and shook his head. He apparently decided against speaking his mind in front of the family that employed him.
“Thank you, Royce. I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Eleanor, come join us for tea,” Regina said. She waved her sister over to the small table in the corner where she and Edward were seated.
“Yes, Miss Whitfield. It would be good to share the news of the day, would it not?” Edward asked with raised eyebrows that suggested he had something to say.
When Eleanor settled into a chair, she accepted a cup of tea and listened to her sister and Edward chatter about various things fit for Royce to hear.
“I visited two great men this morning, Ladies. First, I saw my father at his bank. He wants me to take over the business someday, so he was very excited to know that I have become good friends with the Whitfield family. He believes that customer relationships are very important andtruststhat I will make sure you and your family are well taken care of.”
“That’s wonderful, Edward. I’m sure we will always be in good hands with the Montrose’s.” Eleanor sighed and picked at a frayed edge of the white tablecloth. Maybe Edward wouldn’t be able to tell her any news of Anthony after all.
“Oh, but Miss Whitfield, I’m not sure you understand how much yourtrustmeans to us. And how muchtrustyour father once had in us, too.”
Regina leaned in closer to Edward. “Are you feeling quite well, Mr Montrose?”
“I’m feeling absolutely splendid, Miss Regina. But it’s because we’re thebeneficiaries of your father’s trustthat my family is also feeling quite splendid!”
Eleanor and Regina stared at Edward with all four of their eyebrows raised until something clicked into place in Eleanor’s brain.
Beneficiaries of our father’s trust? Did our father put a trust in my and Regina’s names?
