Page 17 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
Eleanor put her hands on her hips and stood in front of the footman who held the heavy box in his arms. “The box was sent to me, Lady Whitfield. Let’s go through it together.”
Margaret snapped her fingers with such force it made a piercing sound that echoed through the townhouse. It also made the footman jump and then swerve around Eleanor with the box still in his arms to avoid Lady Whitfield’s wrath.
Eleanor watched as the footman took the box to Margaret’s private study and locked it inside.
“I am the lady of this house, stupid girl! You will not disobey a direct order from me! Is that clear?”
Eleanor and Margaret stood staring each other down at the bottom of the stairs. Thankfully, Regina was in the back garden and didn’t hear her mother and stepsister having another argument. Because this time, Eleanor intended to make Margaret regret her tyranny.
“You are the lady of this house, but I am a grown woman and part of this family. You will not call me stupid or take things that belong to me ever again. Do I makemyself clear?”
Margaret’s face turned red in an instant as she huffed and puffed like a bull about to charge. “I will not be spoken to that way!”
“And I won’t either!” Eleanor shouted, not caring which staff members might be hiding around corners to hear which Whitfield woman would win this one.
The two women stood their ground, neither moving an inch nor breaking the mutually angry stare they found themselves locked in together.
Luckily, Regina reentered the house a few moments later and had no idea what she’d just walked into.
“The garden is in full bloom, Mama! I told you those lilies would open before fall!” Regina yelled from the dining room at the back of the house.
“Indeed you did, my dear!” Margaret shouted in return. Then she walked up to Eleanor and whispered in her ear before continuing up the staircase.
“Grown women of society are always at the mercy of someone else’s rules. The sooner you learn that, the better off we’ll all be.”
…
The night they returned to their family estate outside of London, Eleanor and Regina were excited for another excuse to spend time away from Margaret, who opted to stay in the city.
The soiree would take place the next evening, but tonight was all about enjoying time in the country home that both Whitfield daughters still adored.
It was also fun to be part of all the party set-up the next day. Cousin Harrison and his staff outdid themselves again by decorating their home with grand splendour. The hundreds of candles, cascading floral displays, and new magnificent sculptures made Eleanor laugh out loud in delight due to their theme.
Greek goddesses! Margaret would have had a fit!
While sampling some of the pastries before the event, the Earl of St Coeur admitted he was guilty of working hard to impress a special lady this season. He had kept his growing relationship a secret from Eleanor’s stepmother for reasons everyone who knew Margaret would understand.
She simply wouldn’t approve of Harrison’s happiness. Lady Whitfield preferred that everyone in her orbit stay sullen and feel sorry for making her life less than perfect.
Harrison’s new love, Sarah, had designed the masquerade ball dresses that Margaret returned. And she was responsible for tonight’s Greek goddess-themed soiree, too.
Harrison introduced Sarah Madison to his cousins before the other guests arrived. Later, as they viewed the final decorations for the party, he whispered to Eleanor that he planned to propose to Sarah soon.
Eleanor loved seeing her cousin so happy and hoped Margaret wouldn’t find out his secret until he was ready to reveal it.
She also couldn’t wait to find out if her secret guest would show his face this evening.
The thought of being near Anthony again held her attention all day. She thought of his kiss as Lottie helped her dress in a new shimmery silver gown with sky-blue butterflies floating across the exquisite imported fabric.
“Another gift from Cousin Harrison that we’ll keep to ourselves.” Eleanor and Lottie giggled together as they admired the way the dress sparkled in the candlelight. When Lottie placed the last light blue butterfly clip in Eleanor’s hair, the look was complete.
She had the dazzling costume. The only thing missing now was a dazzled man.
Eleanor gasped when she watched Regina descend the staircase leading to the entrance hall with its high ceilings and ornate details. Regina’s dress was just as shimmery as Eleanor’s, but hers was light pink with dusty blue roses drifting across her bodice, with matching clips in her thick auburn hair.
“You’re a princess!” Eleanor exclaimed as the sisters hugged.
“So are you!”
