Enchanting the Duke - Lana Williams Page 0,26

would be to have married because of love rather than a business agreement.

Suddenly the day appeared long and empty before her, no different than the days at Rothbury House. She reminded herself that she had friends among the guests. With Douglas gone again, she had the chance to enjoy them while she could. It would be several months before she and Douglas returned to London. Her social life would be very quiet until then.

“Do you know if Lady Burbridge has plans for us today?” Eleanor asked.

Lady Beaumont smiled. “She seems to have something in mind for us every day. She is a wonderful hostess, don’t you think?”

Lillian soon arrived and advised the ladies they were invited to the drawing room to make paper flowers to decorate. Eleanor noted that Lillian directed Lady Elizabeth and her friend to the far end of the long table, taking a moment to say something to them. Based on the embarrassed look Lady Elizabeth wore, Eleanor wondered if it had been a warning.

“I’ve never done anything like this,” Lady Beaumont advised as they settled at the table that held stacks of paper, scissors, and ribbons along with other items.

“Nor have I,” Mrs. Sloane added.

“It’s been a few years since I made flowers.” Eleanor smiled as memories filled her. “My mother and I used to make them every year when I was young.”

“Oh good,” Lady Beaumont said. “You’re an expert at it then. I’ll watch you.”

As they worked, cutting the stiff paper into petals, Eleanor felt the weight of Lady Elizabeth’s regard though the woman said nothing.

Eleanor gently asked a few questions of Lady Beaumont, curious why many of the activities during the house party seemed new to her.

Though hesitant at first, she soon shared how she and her mother had struggled after her father’s death with money impossibly tight. Celebrating Christmas was a challenge when one was worried daily about food and shelter.

Her upbringing made Eleanor appreciate her own all the more. It took effort and courage to overcome challenges as well as to grow and change. Eleanor admired Lady Beaumont for wanting to do so. While she wanted to know more about Douglas’s childhood as she thought it would help her understand him, his reluctance to speak of it gave her pause. She’d been surprised he said as much as he had the previous day.

The morning passed quickly and the ladies soon had a sizeable pile of paper flowers with wires attached so they could easily be added to the greenery that would be brought in on Christmas Eve.

The men returned, including Douglas, and complimented them on their efforts. Eleanor’s heartbeat sped when Douglas moved to stand behind her. She glanced over her shoulder at him but could tell little from his expression. Out of the corner of her eye, she realized Lady Elizabeth was staring at them once again.

Suddenly, a warm rush of air brushed along her ear.

“I had no idea you were quite so artistic.” Douglas’s whisper sent a frisson of awareness along her body, and she couldn’t help but smile. “First the music and now flowers. What other secrets are you hiding?”

“I have no secrets from you,” she said with a smile as she turned toward him. The memory of the little girl and the older woman he’d seen in London came to mind. He had at least one secret. She had a long way to go before she could claim to say she knew him well.

As she watched him, she saw him glance at Lady Elizabeth. Had he only leaned close and spoken with her for Lady Elizabeth’s benefit? The thought pinched her heart. She wanted him to do it for no other reason than because he wanted to be part of her world, just as she wanted to be part of his.

With a deep breath, she pushed away the worry. Was it important why he’d done it? His overture could still be the start of more. This entire house party had been a new beginning for them. The important thing was that she make the most of it.

She reached a hand toward him, and to her delight, he took it, giving it a gentle squeeze. His smile warmed her to her toes.

Keeping hold of his hand, she showed him the flowers they’d made, realizing it didn’t matter whether he was interested. She didn’t necessarily understand the reason certain crops were planted in certain fields, though she was reading a rather dry book in an attempt to learn more. Nor