Page 22 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
“Ladies, where is your chaperone? Did he leave you alone in a storm?” Edward Montrose appeared as if from nowhere, with Anthony running close behind. The men huddled close to the sisters and held open umbrellas over the ladies’ heads.
“Hey! They’re with me!” Cecil yelled from under the dripping branches but soon regretted that position when what looked like buckets’ worth of water fell over his head.
The Whitfield sisters and their sneaky companions tried to pretend they didn’t know there were indeed buckets of water dumped on Cecil’s head. They all laughed under their breath and ran towards Edward’s carriage while young footmen from the Montrose household emptied the final bucket from their hiding places high in the tree.
Once nestled in the coach, with warm towels to share, Anthony smacked Edward’s knee and laughed. “I hope you gave those boys extra coin this week for a job well done!”
“That and the night off, to be sure!” Edward replied, then passed a dry towel to Regina with a sweet smile.
The gentlemen were seated on one side of the carriage while the ladies huddled together to get warm on the other.
Eleanor could barely tear her eyes away from Anthony as he combed his fingers through his wavy, wet hair to keep it out of his eyes.
“That made my day, gentlemen. I hope it’s enough to make Mr Phillips reconsider his desire to get any closer to me.”
Regina gave Eleanor’s hand a gentle squeeze. “And I hope Mr Phillips loses his invitation to the Charter house party. I hate to think of spending a week with that man in the country. If he’s going to be there, I don’t think we should go, Eleanor.”
Edward pounded on the carriage roof. Within seconds, it began to roll forward, and both men’s faces grew puzzled.
“A week in the country with Phillips? How so?” Edward’s voice hinted at jealousy. He leaned closer to Regina as though he wanted to take her hand, then sat back in his seat again, looking defeated.
Eleanor stole a glance at Anthony, who looked like he was about to erupt.
“Our newly married friend, Lucy Charter, is hosting a house party this month. The invitations were just sent, and we’re invited. Mr Phillips was unfortunately invited by Lord Charter today, too. I think Lucy might kill her husband in his sleep tonight.”
A few intense seconds of silence filled the carriage before Anthony and Edward sat up straight and turned towards each other at the same time.
“Then we’ll get invited, too!”
The hilarity of the moment the men shouted in unison made everyone laugh out loud again.
“Let’s celebrate, Ladies! There’s a tea shop around the corner with a beautiful view of the gardens. Will you join us?”
Before Eleanor could reply, Regina bounced with excitement in her seat and shouted, “Yes!”
“While drenched to the bone? We cannot be seen in public like this!” Eleanor exclaimed through giggles. “A stop at home to change first, please, Gentlemen.”
Lady Whitfield was out this afternoon for some mysterious meeting she mumbled about at breakfast, so Eleanor wasn’t worried about getting caught on an outing Margaret wouldn’t have approved.
Am I becoming a rebellious chit? Who knew it would feel this good?
“Ah, yes indeed, Madam. That will also work well for us since Mr Black’s townhouse is just down the street from yours.” Edward tipped his wet hat at the ladies, causing more raindrops to drizzle into his lap.
They all laughed and clapped their hands.
While Edward asked Regina what treats she loved to have with tea, Anthony and Eleanor exchanged a smouldering look that made her imagine him wearing the wet clothes of a sailor drenched by the ocean waves.
And how it might feel to peel the clothes he was wearing now away from his glistening skin.
Even though Margaret wasn’t home yet, there would be hell to pay sooner or later. Cecil would no doubt tell Lady Whitfield what happened this morning. But right now, Eleanor was happily sitting within a few feet of the man who again proved his dedication to her care and safety.
The impossibly handsome Mr Black was openly admiring her shape in her wet and clinging dress like she was the only nourishment he needed.
And he needed it soon.
Eleanor slowly shook her head at Anthony’s openly lusty gaze and smiled. When his eyes lifted to meet hers, he grinned like a kid with his hand caught in the sweets jar and didn’t have any intention of removing it.
“I wonder how we’ll entertain ourselves for a full week in the country, Lady Eleanor,” Anthony said with a hungry rasp in his low voice as Edward and Regina talked on about their favourite family recipes.
