Enchanting the Duke - Lana Williams Page 0,24

both.” Burbridge looked at Douglas with a knowing gleam in his eye. “You appear more relaxed than I’ve ever known you to be.”

“Oh?” Douglas had no intention of admitting anything even if Burbridge had his suspicions. “Must be this fine brandy you’ve provided.” He lifted his glass which was still half full.

Who needed spirits when a heady feeling came over him each time he watched his wife?

He couldn’t deny that her smile and laugh were preferable over her tears earlier. Those had affected him much more than he’d expected. He didn’t care to experience them again.

She had refused to share further details of what—or who—upset her so, but Douglas was fairly certain he could guess the identity of the person behind them.

He kept a close eye on Eleanor as the evening progressed, wanting to make damn certain no one offended her in his presence. Especially the annoying Lady Elizabeth.

When the busybody drew closer to Eleanor, he excused himself from a conversation with Burbridge and Beaumont and walked over to stand beside his wife.

She looked at him, a puzzled expression on her face. He didn’t say anything, not wanting to imply that she couldn’t take care of herself. His protectiveness toward his wife had yet to wane.

With a concerted effort, he forced himself to smile.

“Is something amiss?” Eleanor asked as she stared at him in alarm.

How ridiculous that showing good humor would cause her to ask that.

“Nothing at all.” He searched for a reason for having sought her out. “I wanted to make certain you weren’t becoming overtired.”

Her cheeks flushed, bringing to mind all sorts of images from the afternoon when he’d witnessed that same flush along her entire body. While he thought he’d find pleasure in the marriage bed with Eleanor, he never expected to find the passion they shared. Her eagerness to explore it surprised him. Though now that he thought about it, it shouldn’t.

Her passion for life was one of the qualities that had caught his interest before their marriage. She gave her full attention to whatever task or topic was before her with exuberance. He just hadn’t realized how it would feel to have that focus directed at him.

“I am well, thank you.” Amusement curled her lips and lit her eyes. “And you?”

“Fine.”

“Good.” She glanced at Lady Beaumont with whom she’d been speaking. “We were discussing education opportunities for orphans and what a difference it could make in their lives.”

“Education, even limited, can mean the difference between being able to find a job that will pay enough to live on or living on the streets.” Lady Beaumont’s intent expression suggested she felt strongly about the topic. “Anything that can help to provide that will make a significant impact.”

“Not all orphans want to learn to read or do arithmetic.” Lady Elizabeth joined them to offer her opinion without being invited to do so. “Some have no interest in doing anything other than picking pockets or the like.”

Eleanor’s lips pursed briefly as if she held back her first thought. “Only because they don’t think they have a choice. Education can show them other options.”

“Education will only enable them to better add up the value of the items they steal.” Lady Elizabeth shook her head.

“If you truly believe that, why are you here?” Douglas asked with a raised brow.

“One is expected to give to charities, regardless of whether one’s own opinion aligns with the charity’s purpose.” She waved her hand in dismissal as if that was all that needed to be said on the topic.

“Perhaps next time, it would be better for everyone if your father handed over the money without offering your involvement. Your opinions obviously don’t align with the mission of the charity or the other guests.” Douglas ignored the startled gasp of outrage from Lady Elizabeth. He refused to apologize for stating the truth. “Now then, if you will excuse us, my wife and I are going to join the next round of charades. Lady Beaumont, would you care to join us?”

Lady Beaumont’s eyes were wide with shock and she seemed to be having difficulty hiding a smile. “I should like that very much.”

The three of them left Lady Elizabeth standing with her mouth agape.

“Douglas, I don’t know whether to applaud or reprimand you for your remark,” Eleanor murmured as she took his offered arm.

“No need for either. I merely said what we were all thinking. Sometimes speaking one’s mind is necessary. She never seems to hesitate to do so herself.”

Eleanor chuckled. “True.” Her gaze met his