Page 28 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Whitfield house. Eleanor looked up at the lights in the windows and wished she didn’t have to go inside yet.
“Thank you for the wonderful picnic, Mr Montrose. I look forward to seeing you in the country very soon.” Regina offered her hand to Edward, who kissed her powder blue lace glove with the utmost care.
“It was my pleasure, Miss Regina. Have a pleasant evening and the sweetest of dreams.”
Then Anthony helped Eleanor step down from the carriage. With his back to her front door, he carefully placed her hand against his ribcage and spoke so only she could hear.
“Please forgive me for this day, Lady Eleanor. Will you give me a second chance tomorrow at sunset? If you can get away? I’ll be in the little park where we first …”
He didn’t finish his sentence, and he didn’t have to. Eleanor’s body filled again with the elation of that first heated kiss they’d shared by the lilac tree.
“I would love to, Mr Black. And there is nothing to forgive. You were a hero today.My hero. And I can’t thank you enough.”
Eleanor felt her eyes filling with tears as she gazed into the dark pools of the sea captain’s gaze. She reluctantly pulled her hand from his toned chest and curtsied, then hurried inside before she revealed more of her feelings that were too confusing to confess.
Both sisters climbed onto the settee to peer through the drawing room window and watch the carriage roll away. When it was out of sight, Regina flipped onto her back and draped an arm over her face.
“Did this day really happen, Eleanor? It was thrilling and frightening and wonderful!”
Eleanor bit her lip and thought about her plans with Anthony at sunset tomorrow. She had promised herself she’d never be alone with him again, but now she couldn’t get the idea out of her head.
“It was a whirlwind, to be sure. Are you and mother still going to the opera tomorrow evening?”
Regina pulled her arm away from her eyes and sat up again. “Yes. Why? Would you like to come?”
Eleanor shook her head and jumped up with refreshed energy.
“No, no. I’m quite happy to have some rest from all the excitement. I’ll read and daydream while the two of you are out.”
Regina hopped up and took Eleanor’s hands to spin her sister around like they’d done recently in the back garden in the rain.
“Will you be daydreaming about anyone in particular, Miss Whitfield?” She raised her eyebrows as Eleanor blushed.
“Nobody you know, Miss Regina!”
Nobody but my dreamy pirate who came to life today.
The rattling of the front doorknob sent the sisters running upstairs before Lady Whitfield entered the house.
After quietly panting for several minutes in the second-floor hallway, the sisters hugged goodnight and tiptoed to their own rooms.
Neither lady rang the bell for their maids until the creaking steps of the staircase finished carrying their mother to her own bed.
…
The next afternoon, Eleanor was reading in the library when Margaret entered with her hands on her hips.
“Lazy girl, do you expect to be ready in time if you sit around all day? Come with me. Now, please.”
“What do you mean, Stepmother? Ready for what?”
Eleanor’s puzzled brow only agitated Lady Whitfield more. Her stepmother snapped her fingers in lieu of an explanation, which made Eleanor obediently stand and follow.
When they reached Eleanor’s bedroom upstairs, Margaret threw open the door and pointed at the evening gown displayed on her bed.
“Ready for the opera, of course. We have an extra ticket from Cousin Harrison tonight. You’re coming with us.”
Panic fluttered like a frightened spider down Eleanor’s spine. “Oh dear. My apologies, Stepmother. I’m not feeling well enough to go out this evening. The gown is beautiful, but I think I should stay home.”
