Page 103 of Heartbreaker of the Ton
“Your Grace, I—”
“No!” he barked, raising his hand. “You have no right to address me in my house, as if you are my guest when you are come to spread your poison. You are not welcome here.”
“Montague, please!” Eleanor cried. “My sister is here atmyinvitation.”
“Then why was I not told?”
“Must I ask your permission every time I wish to invite a guest here?”
“Eleanor, you know you may do as you please,” he replied, “but—”
“She’s mysister, Monty,” Eleanor said. “We have made our peace. Can you not therefore make your peace with her also?”
He shook his head. “I cannot forget what happened,” he said. “You fled London in disgrace, alone, and friendless, your lifedestroyed.”
Eleanor placed a hand on his cheek, and his expression softened. “Not destroyed, my love,” she whispered. “I suffered pain, yes…”
“Pain thatshecaused.”
“But that pain gave me understanding, Monty. I may have lost my reputation, but I gained so much more—the confidence to express myself, and to live on my own terms.”
She caressed his cheek, and Etty’s heart ached at the love in her sister’s eyes.
“That pain taught me that I could survive, no matter what trials were placed before me,” she said. “I learned to be strong, and to love myself for who, and what, I am, not for how the world perceived me. Can you not see what a gift that was? I have much to be thankful as a result of what happened. As doyou, my love.”
Her eyes shining with moisture, Eleanor turned toward Etty and extended her hand. Etty took it, and gentle fingers interlocked with hers.
“That is the gift my sister gave me, at such a cost to herself. All I ask is a little generosity of heart from you, Montague—enough to forgive my sister.”
He placed a kiss on Eleanor’s lips. “You make me a better man, my love,” he said. “For your sake—and yours alone—I shall endeavor to forgive your sister.”
He pulled his wife into an embrace, then looked toward Etty. “I am, however, not the type of man to forget.”
“Your Grace—” Etty began.
“For my wife’s sake, I’ll forgive you, Miss Howard, though it would be hypocritical of me to welcome the prospect of your staying in my home. I take it you’re residing with Sir Leonard and this is merely a passing visit to convey the apology due to my wife?”
Etty’s gut twisted with shame. What a fool she’d been to think the duke would suffer her company in his home! A manwith his reputation for harshness could never bring himself to forgive a woman—especially not the woman who had publicly tried to ruin his wife. His reputation would not weather it, despite Eleanor’s assurances to the contrary. The dear woman believed the world was as forgiving as her. But the harsh man she’d married had only the capacity to love one other without condition—Eleanor herself.
What might it be like to be loved so completely by one so fierce?
“Sawbridge, Your Grace,” Arabella said, rising to her feet and gesturing toward Whitcombe’s companion. “It seems you are somewhat indisposed. I take it the other fellow came off worse?”
Sawbridge colored. “I know not of what you speak, Lady Arabella.”
“Come now, sir,” she replied, “a man of your…experienceof the world should understand me perfectly. May I be so bold as to suggest that your injury took place at dawn?”
He winced and shuffled toward a chair.
“Leave my friend be, Lady Arabella,” Whitcombe said. “He’s had a rather unfortunate time of it.”
“So hasmyfriend,” Arabella retorted, glancing toward Etty, “but I’ll warrant you’ll cast less judgment on your friend than on mine. I wonder why that might be?”
“Bella, love,” Mr. Baxter warned.
“No, Lady Arabella is right,” Eleanor said. “Sawbridge, were you engaging in a duel?”
Etty winced at her sister’s directness, and Sawbridge’s color deepened.
