Page 35 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
All the better to enjoy some games of my own.
“Are you winning, Cousin Harrison?” Regina asked as she peered over his shoulder and then kissed him on the cheek.
“There will be more new dresses for my favourite cousins soon, to be sure!” The Earl of St Coeur chuckled and watched the dealer at his table draw more cards. “I shall see you at dinner and let you know how I fared. Enjoy your afternoon, ladies!”
Eleanor, Lucy, and Regina then passed a table where women twice their age were laughing together like someone had just told the funniest story they’d ever heard. They were smacking their knees and wiping happy tears from their eyes in a way that made Eleanor laugh right along with them.
For a moment, she imagined her late mother sitting there and having such a joyous day with friends. Eleanor couldn’t even picture any of the friends her mother had been close to when she was a child. But she remembered a smiling woman in love with her adoring husband who gave Eleanor the world.
“Miss Regina! Miss Whitfield! I was hoping to see you the moment I arrived. Lady Charter, it’s a tremendous pleasure to visit your exquisite home. You have outdone yourself!”
Edward Montrose greeted the ladies by handing them each a pretty nosegay of lavender and mint tied with purple ribbon. Eleanor was impressed, as Lucy’s favourite colour was purple.
“Miss Whitfield, it’s wonderful to see you looking well today. We shall all benefit from the time away this week.”
Eleanor thanked Edward for the flowers and his compliment. Then she looked around for any sign of Anthony. “Did Mr Black arrive with you today?”
“Sadly, no. Mr Black doesn’t enjoy crowds, so he will arrive after dinner tonight. However, why he would want to avoid even a second of frivolity this week is a mystery to me! Miss Regina, have I told you how truly awful I am at nine pins? I’d love to prove it to you.” Edward winked and pointed at the game set up on a pebble-covered path near the pond.
“I would be delighted to best you at any game, Mr Montrose,” Regina said as she fluttered her eyelashes and slowly inhaled the scent of the flowers in her hands.
Her sister’s reaction was so boldly coy that Eleanor was suddenly aware of how womanly Regina was becoming by the day. It was no surprise that Mr Montrose had much to do with that recent transformation.
She wasn’t sure if Lady Whitfield would be proud or appalled at the sight of her youngest daughter flirting with a man so openly. But Eleanor loved every second of it.
“Would you join us, Miss Whitfield? Lady Charter? The more the merrier!” Edward offered his arm to Regina and waited for Eleanor and Lucy to decide their next move.
“I think I’ll help Lady Charter check on her guests for now. Thank you, Mr Montrose. Enjoy your game!” Eleanor watched Regina walk away with a bounce in her step.
It made her wish for Mr Black’s arrival even more.
Dinner was a grand affair enjoyed at the longest dining tables Eleanor had ever seen. White lilies filled beautiful bowls along the centre of the tables, with accents of purple larkspur and violet wisteria. Eleanor admired the centrepiece in front of her plate until a voice she’d hoped never to hear again came from behind her right ear.
“Beautiful blooms to match your pretty eyes, Miss Whitfield.”
Cecil Phillips pulled the chair to Eleanor’s right away from the table and stuffed the name card in his jacket pocket.
“That seat is reserved for someone else, Mr Phillips.” Eleanor suppressed a strong urge to leave the table but didn’t want to cause a fuss.
“It’s mine now, Miss Whitfield. And so are you.”
Cecil pretended to wobble in his chair and pressed his shoulder into Eleanor’s just long enough to make her skin crawl.
She took a sip of water and spoke to him as quietly as possible so as not to alert anyone else at the table of her discomfort in his presence.
“I do not belong to you. I will never belong to you. We don’t even like each other, Mr Phillips. So why not set your sights elsewhere with a lady who would enjoy your detestable manners and loathsome personality?”
“Oh my. Such big words for such a small-minded woman. But I wouldn’t expect a lady other than your shrewd stepmother to understand what’s best for them. Which is why you need a loathsome man like me to set you straight.”
Mr Phillips lifted a serving bowl of soup and ladled a portion for the guest on his right. Then he did the same for Eleanor, as if he hadn’t insulted her more than any other man ever did or likely would.
“You will not survive the scrutiny of my cousin, the Earl of St Coeur. So I recommend that you and your engagement ring take the long carriage ride back to London post haste.”
Eleanor caught Lord Charter’s eye, who his wife must have scolded before today about inviting Mr Phillips. He looked horrified to see Cecil sitting next to her.
When their host headed towards Eleanor’s end of the dining table, Cecil tossed his napkin on his emptied soup bowl.
“No matter how many protectors you employ, your stepmother will get the last word. She and I have made an arrangement that even your precious Cousin Harrison cannot break. But we’ll see how he feels about me by the end of the week, Miss. Whitfield.
