Page 31 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
“Oh, yes! Wetrustyou implicitly, Mr. Montrose! I appreciate all you have done for our family. Please excuse us, as I see the Earl of St Coeur and want to say hello. A pleasant evening to you.”
Margaret grabbed Eleanor and Regina’s arms and tugged them along with her towards Cousin Harrison, who was escorting his fiancee, Sarah, up the theatre aisle.
“Mother, what are you doing? That was very rude.” Regina’s irritation had returned. She looked back at Edward and his parents as they disappeared into the crowd, moving towards the theatre exits.
Eleanor held Regina’s hand and wondered what that abrupt exchange with the Montrose family was all about. For Lady Whitfield to avoid chatting with a banker was like a cat ignoring a mouse.
“My Lord! Good evening. I wanted to thank you personally for the opera tickets. What a glorious production!” Margaret’s smile was so unusually bright it was a shock to see.
Eleanor and Regina exchanged bewildered expressions. Then Eleanor noticed the same look of surprise and confusion on Cousin Harrison’s face.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lady Whitfield. Please allow me to introduce Miss Sarah Madison. I’m glad to see you tonight to give you the good news. Sarah and I are engaged!”
Cousin Harrison’s excitement radiated through the room but seemed to bounce right off Margaret’s invisible armour.
Worn only to protect her from the risk of becoming gleeful, of course.
Eleanor stepped up to congratulate Miss Madison and her cousin as Lady Whitfield’s smile slid quickly down into her signature frown.
“I see. Well, I suppose you were to marry sooner or later. Though I hope your nuptials won’t conflict with Mr Phillips’ plans to wed Eleanor. We certainly hope you will be available for anything we need on that happy occasion soon.”
Eleanor could hear Regina gasp beside her as she hung her head and sighed.
“Oh! My goodness, I had no idea Eleanor was also engaged. Happy news all around then! Congratulations, Eleanor. And to you, Mr Phillips. Please do keep us abreast of your plans, and we will do the same.”
When Eleanor pulled her gaze back up to Cousin Harrison’s, his resembled a fearful deer looking down the barrel of a gun. It tugged at Eleanor’s heart because she knew why his face was filled with alarm.
Cousin Harrison told Eleanor long ago that he vowed to her father before he died that he would take care of her. Of both Whitfield daughters, but especially of Eleanor, who wouldn’t have any other blood ties left.
He vowed that he would be as responsible for her happiness as much as he was for his own.
But Lady Whitfield had proven a tough negotiator after the earl’s death. She had spent hours explaining to Cousin Harrison why a mother’s love was more important in a young woman’s life.
So the new Lord Whitfield had finally left most of Eleanor’s care in Lady Whitfield’s hands. Which now seemed to cause him painful regret.
Eleanor put on her bravest face and pretended not to have a clue what Lady Whitfield was talking about. “Lord Whitfield, my apologies. Please know that Mr Phillips and I have no such understanding. Though I appreciate Lady Whitfield’s enthusiasm and support! Mr Phillips is a family friend and was kind enough to escort all of us this evening. Thank you, Mr Phillips. I agree that it was a wonderful show.”
Eleanor then curtsied and walked towards the theatre exit without looking back. If she didn’t get some air right now, she might utter things that would make life even more difficult than what she’d already said would likely do.
But the truth was, she had no choice but to do Margaret’s bidding. What she said moments ago would not get her out of marrying Cecil Phillips. Following Margaret’s orders was the only way to protect her sister from that fate.
Like Cousin Harrison, Eleanor vowed to her dying father long ago that she would protect Regina with her life. But Eleanor had also made that vow to herself the moment she laid eyes on her newborn sister.
There was no sacrifice great enough to stop her from putting Regina first.
Including sacrificing her new love for an obsidian-eyed pirate who would have to exist only in dreams yet again.
Eleanor stood among the theatre crowd waiting for carriages when Mr Phillips appeared at her side.
“I’ve been instructed to make this official now, but don’t mistake this gesture as one I enjoy, Miss Whitfield,” Cecil whispered. Then he pulled a small jewellery box from his coat pocket and knelt in front of her on the brick below their feet.
“Miss Whitfield, I adore you! Will you marry me!”
He practically shouted the proposal for all to hear, but Cecil’s voice grew muted and fuzzy almost instantly as Eleanor wobbled and stared down at him with horrified disbelief.
The last thing she saw before she fainted was Cousin Harrison running towards her with outstretched arms.
Chapter 13
