Page 53 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
“Goodness, I wonder who could have told you that information?” Eleanor looked over at Regina and they shared a smile.
“I couldn’t help it, sister! We should celebrate!”
“I agree with Regina. I think Sarah would be agreeable to helping me host a birthday party for you in August.” Cousin Harrison clinked his glass of port with his fiancee, who then raised a glass towards Eleanor.
“Yes, indeed! That would be lovely!” Miss Miller replied.
Eleanor blushed and folded her napkin in her lap to distract her from more grateful tears forming behind her eyes. “I’m very touched. Thank you, Lord Whitfield. And you, Miss Miller. That would be a very special day indeed.”
Edward started a toast to Eleanor as her cheeks grew hotter with embarrassment from all this attention. She was in heaven surrounded by all these loving people, and becoming aware that she’d needed this week away from Margaret more than ever.
Being here with Anthony and all the people she held dear made Eleanor feel stronger. It showed her that she did have wonderful support outside of her stepmother’s home.
All she needed now was to figure out her feelings for Anthony and what kind of future they might be able to have together.
Since they’d made love, things had become much more confusing. One minute, Eleanor was full of elation. The next, she was doubting every decision she’d made where her dashing lover was concerned.
Were they rushing it? Had she made a mistake by taking the initiative and making her desires come to life? What if he didn’t see a future for them at all?
She took a long sip of wine and then took a deep breath. It was silly to ask all these questions without the person who could answer them in front of her. She might take Regina up on the offer to help her and Anthony get some private time to talk.
Until then, Eleanor intended to enjoy the lovely people around her to the fullest.
As she listened to Edward tell their group stories about some of his travels, Eleanor looked around the dining hall at the decor. Lucy had outdone herself planning such gorgeous floral displays and candlelit splendour.
When she scanned the tables around theirs, she noticed that Mr Phillips was seated with his group just a few tables away. He was laughing with his tablemates like he was sincerely having a good time.
Despite Eleanor’s hatred for the man, she hoped that he was somehow making a change for the better. It would not change the past, but it would be a relief to find that he was no longer interested in pursuing her as a wife. That’s all she cared about now.
Whether a scoundrel or a reformed man, she wanted Cecil to leave her and her family alone.
As the dinner courses were completed, Eleanor noticed Cecil again as he and his group stood to leave their table. As he pulled his napkin from his lap to place it on the linen tablecloth, something small and shiny dropped from Cecil’s jacket pocket onto the floor.
Eleanor gasped and looked around to see if anyone else had noticed it. She quickly excused herself from her companions and walked to where Cecil had been seated. After looking around for a moment, she spotted the shiny object next to her satin slipper on the floor.
It was a single emerald earring that glittered in the candlelight.
Within seconds, Eleanor had the earring in her grasp. She wasted no time reaching the head table where her friend Lucy was likely about to get a shock.
Eleanor was almost certain she’d just discovered their jewellery thief.
Chapter 21
William felt a flood of childhood memories filling his brain when his carriage approached his family’s country estate. This homecoming was already much better than his return to London before he’d arrived at the front door.
As the carriage rolled along the winding gravel driveway, William’s chest fluttered with anticipation. Yet the over two decades he’d spent away from this place seemed to disappear suddenly.
Though he was an only child, he immediately felt the presence of his aunts, uncles, cousins, and the spirits of his ancestors calling him home as if they had been waiting for his return all this time.
Why did I stay away for so long?
As he got closer to the beautiful pale stone facade of Ashbourn House, William’s breath caught in his throat. It was even more grand than he remembered. And the estate was as well cared for as it had always been with vast manicured lawns and elegant flower beds in full bloom.
The lake where he’d fished as a youth glistened in the midday Essex sun. The majestic oak trees lining the driveway were as strong and healthy as when he’d climbed every single one of them as a boy.
When the carriage came to a stop before the grand entrance, William sat still for a few extra moments, admiring the nostalgic view. From the iconic granite columns with spiral scrolls to the dark green ivy growing up the facade, Ashbourn House was truly more beautiful than any home he’d ever seen.
Nobody was waiting for his arrival today, and he wanted it that way. There was a good possibility his mother wasn’t even here since she took to travelling more with friends after her husband passed.
