Enchanting the Duke - Lana Williams Page 0,35

altogether for the remainder of the evening, leaving Eleanor hurt and confused. How could everything have changed so quickly?

Chapter Nine

Eleanor bit back tears as she bid Lillian goodbye the following morning. She wasn’t certain what had come over Douglas, but he insisted they had to return to Rothbury House immediately. Before the house party officially ended no less.

“Thank you for everything.” She hugged Lillian, wondering when she’d see her again and wishing it would be sooner rather than later.

“We enjoyed having you. I shall keep you apprised of the progress of the charity.” Lillian drew back, obviously noting the tears glittering in Eleanor’s eyes. “Is all well?” she whispered.

“I’m not certain.” Eleanor forced a smile. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry over.” Yet her heart ached with a deep knowing that something was terribly wrong.

Douglas had avoided her the rest of the ball, retiring after she’d already done so and rising before she had this morning. Babette had been the one to advise her they were departing a day early. She’d dressed hurriedly and assisted Babette with the packing, not bothering to break her fast. How could she eat when in the midst of such emotional turmoil?

Douglas sat astride his horse nearby, obviously choosing to ride alongside the coach rather than sit inside with her—one more clue that something was amiss.

Perhaps it was best they left. Attempting to have a meaningful conversation during a house party was next to impossible. They had several issues they needed to sort through and having the time and privacy to do so was paramount.

While all that was logical, she couldn’t help but feel her hope for their marriage slipping away once again. A glance at Douglas’s solemn profile confirmed her fear that what ground she thought they’d gained the past few days had fallen away, crumbling to dust. It seemed her wish to have a meaningful relationship with him by Christmas was lost.

He’d acted differently after speaking with Lord Dickey. Or had it been the marchioness’s mention of her attraction to him prior to their marriage that caused his grim mood? She thought he would’ve been flattered by the information.

Burbridge joined them, placing an arm around Lillian, seemingly unaware of the undercurrents, or perhaps too polite to acknowledge them. “Thank you for coming. It has been most enjoyable.”

“We appreciate your hospitality.” Douglas dipped his head from his seat on the horse, having already bid them goodbye. Then without a glance at Eleanor, he urged his horse down the lane.

Eleanor’s heart sank at the sight of him riding away. Something was wrong, and her entire body ached with the knowledge. With effort, she managed another smile and quickly finished her goodbyes.

After a final wave, Eleanor allowed the footman to assist her into the coach and settled in place for the drive home along with Babette, wondering what would happen upon her arrival at Rothbury House. Christmas was only a week away, and it wasn’t going to be anything like what she’d hoped.

~*~

Douglas’s anger simmered as he rode in the frosty air. He felt betrayed—blindsided by the news the Marchioness of Westridge shared. Thinking that Eleanor had set her cap for him and so easily caught him brought to mind the wriggling fish at the end of a line once again.

How had he not noticed her attention? He attended so few social engagements that he wasn’t certain how he’d gained her interest. He scoffed. No doubt many of the unmarried ladies and their mamas knew exactly who all the eligible lords were, especially dukes.

Was she any different than his mother, who’d wanted the title of duchess more than the man who came with it? Or did the difference between them come from the fact that Douglas hadn’t allowed himself the chance to develop feelings for her while his father had fallen head over heels for his wife?

He blew out a long breath at the lie. He had noticed her the moment he decided to look for a wife. His feelings for her had grown steadily since their marriage, the past few days giving roots to what had already been blooming. The question was what did he do about it?

Did she truly care for him or was that all a pretense? Despite telling himself it didn’t matter, somehow it did.

Douglas feared his determination to not only restore the duchy to better than it had been for future generations as well as for those who depended on him now was fading because he fancied himself caring for his