Enchanting the Duke - Lana Williams Page 0,3

at her side. Who were they? What connection could the pair have to Douglas? Even as she considered attempting to speak with the woman, a curtain fell into place, hiding all from view.

She sighed even as her heart pinched. Just when she thought she’d given up on her husband, he did something that reminded her that he did indeed have a heart, breathing new life into her hope.

One more attempt, she told herself as she finished her shopping. One last try to capture her husband’s affections. After all, Christmas would soon be here. What better time to convince him that their marriage could be so much more? Unfortunately, she feared that would take a miracle.

~*~

Douglas nodded at Morris, the butler, as he set a bowl of soup before him the following evening. The elderly servant’s smile took him aback. Morris rarely smiled. Now that Douglas thought about it, Morris and the other servants were smiling more and more often. And Douglas had a suspicion as to who was behind their improved moods.

He glanced at Eleanor, who sat at his right. Her demeanor had certainly calmed since their marriage, but more often than not, she was smiling. At the very least, a sparkle lit her eyes.

No matter how many times he told himself he wished she would have remained at the opposite end of the table where he’d requested Morris to set her place the evening of their wedding, it still didn’t quite ring true. That night, she’d picked up her place setting and moved next to him, declaring it was impossible to carry on a conversation from that distance.

When she sat this close, he might catch a waft of her scent—lilacs warmed by the spring sunshine. He might also see a sparkle in her eyes or the upturn of her rosy lips as she thought of something amusing.

The lure of her was so much stronger than he’d anticipated when he proposed. He had thought he would easily settle into a routine not so different than his previous one where he would mostly ignore her existence.

That had not been the case. She’d worked her way under his skin, her presence becoming evident in every corner of his life.

But a glance up at the painting of his grandfather standing before Rothbury House was all it took to remind him of his responsibilities. His personal wants and needs were well down the list. Embroiling himself in emotions would only lead to neglect of his duty and that was something he couldn’t allow. Especially not when he was finally gaining ground in repairs and improvements thanks to Eleanor’s fortune and his own hard work.

“I called on the Duchess of Burbridge this afternoon.”

“Oh?” Her need to converse during meals further eroded his efforts to keep his distance. When he’d suggested there was no purpose in idle chatter, she’d advised him that it was necessary for not only their sakes as the duke and duchess but for the servants’ sakes as well. They needed to present a united front for the staff, she insisted. She considered it one of her duties to keep him apprised of her activities, regardless of whether he wanted to hear about them.

The memory of the conversation once again had his lips twitching with the unfamiliar urge to smile. His wife might have been considered merry by Society, but she had firm principles she lived by and that was something he could appreciate. She’d already advised him that she intended to decorate Rothbury House for Christmas upon their return. When he told her there were no decorations, she’d been appalled and shared that she would rectify the lack. He couldn’t quite imagine having the house full of holiday charm but part of him was curious to see what she’d do. Not anticipation, of course. Merely curiosity, he reassured himself.

“She and her husband are hosting a house party at their estate just outside of London next week.”

He continued with his soup, wondering what this had to do with him. Surely, she didn’t think they’d attend.

“We’re invited, of course.”

He paused to look at her.

Those twin pools of brown that reminded him of the soil at Rothbury House—rich and full of promise—met his. “I already advised her we couldn’t possibly attend.”

Was that a hint of sarcasm in her tone?

“However, she did go on to explain the purpose of the party is actually to expand a charity for an orphanage with the hope of having more people involved.”

“Hmm. Burbridge mentioned it to me at the club