Page 63 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
Only if he allowed himself to feel as vulnerable and broken as this.
“What if I hurt her reputation? I don’t care what happens to me, but what ifsheis ruined?
Edward patted Will’s knee and smiled. “Ah, but weren’t you planning to marry her anyway? Her reputation is only in jeopardy if you don’t.”
“She will never be allowed to marry me now. You know full well that her stepmother won’t allow it. And now that I’ve put Eleanor in this precarious position, Lord Whitfield might be forced to forbid it, too.”
“Well, aren’t you just the picture of woe? Poor Duke of Ashbourn. It’s too bad you don’t have any clout as a titled man. It’s too bad you don’t outrank Cecil Phillips as a nobleman.
And it’s too bad you’re such a weak person who’s never been blown to bits at sea and survived to tell the tale. Oh wait, youareall those things, Your Grace! So go ahead and have your pitiful night feeling sorry for yourself. But I suggest that tomorrow Anthony Black should step aside so that William St Clair can take charge again.”
The two men rode in silence for several minutes while William contemplated Edward’s advice.
“You’re rather bossy, you know that?” William said.
Both men chuckled at the duke’s attempt to lighten the mood.
“Yes, but I keep you entertained. I’m also the only one keeping your garden beds alive, I might add.”
William chuckled again and took another swig from the flask.
“Who needs a gardener when I have you?”
“Exactly right, Your Grace. Let’s find a warm inn for your pitiful soul to sulk in for one night only. Then tomorrow, we will finally prepare for the arrival of the new Duke of Ashbourn.”
…
Within days, the rumours had spread throughout the ton. London society loved a good scandal, and this one grew so big it had a life of its own.
Edward kept William updated on the latest he’d heard at the coffee house, the gentlemen’s club, and sometimes whispers heard by simply walking down the street.
“They’re saying that Lady Eleanor cavorted with a working-class man while she was engaged to Phillips. They rarely use your name, as you’re apparently that insignificant. But that’s good news, right? If nobody remembers Anthony Black, you can quickly become the duke again!”
William appreciated Edward’s enthusiasm and positive way of seeing the world, but what stood out to him from that gossip was very different.
“They think we were together while she was engaged to Phillips? Bloody hell, Edward. The ton will take any story and turn it into a ghastly fairy tale just to have the better gossip to share.”
“You’re right about that. But all rumours die away eventually, so stay positive. Have you decided what to do next?” Edward asked.
“I’ll do nothing yet. I cannot risk making things worse for her right now.”
“Then I shall continue to be your eyes and ears for you, Your Grace. I’ll call on Regina tomorrow and see what happens from there. In the meantime, my father insists I spend more time at the bank before he disowns me!”
William spent the next few days sulking in front of the fireplace and throwing pinecones into the flames. With each one that caught fire, he imagined another impossible dream of being with Eleanor going up in smoke.
He longed to hold her again. And take her to bed again. To release all their worries by sharing the secret pleasures that only lovers can give each other.
The duke shut his eyes and tried to remember the sounds of her moans as he tasted her, entered her, and brought the sensuous side of her womanhood to life.
He spent hours agonizing over whether the first time they’d made love would be their last.It couldn’t end this way!
William could not allow Cecil Phillips to destroy his most cherished relationship before it had even begun.
And he wondered about Phillips’ strange behaviour over the past week. Did the weasel pretend to feel remorse so everyone would let their guard down while he plotted a way to catch William and Eleanor together?
All these questions and more swirled constantly through the duke’s aching head.
His only saving grace was when Filch’s ledgers arrived with a note from William’s mother attached.
