Enchanting the Duke - Lana Williams Page 0,4
this afternoon.”
She stared at him, one dark, winged brow raised in question. “You went to a club?”
“To White’s. For a meeting.”
“I see.” She nodded slowly as if fascinated by his answer.
It shouldn’t bother him if she acted surprised that he did normal things like meet acquaintances or visit clubs. Of course, she believed him dull. In fact, he preferred she thought so. Then perhaps she’d no longer look at him with expectation in her eyes. As if at any moment, he would change into someone more to her liking. It was as if she sometimes forgot that theirs was a marriage of convenience.
Never mind that he occasionally forgot it as well. Most often on his weekly visits to her bedchamber. In the dark of the night, it was easy to shed the cloak of responsibility and the strict discipline he lived by and simply be a man with needs who was married to a beautiful, desirable woman. The thought of just how desirable had him shifting in his chair.
She cleared her throat. “Given that this charity is one I’m interested in lending a hand with, I think we should consider going. To the house party. At the Burbridges.”
He studied her as Morris removed their soup bowls. She acted rather nervous. Was that because she wanted to attend so much?
“I will consider it,” he said after a long pause, surprising himself with his answer. In truth, he’d never attended a house party. Nor had his family done anything to celebrate Christmas, other than allow the servants an extra day off and provide a gift to them on Boxing Day.
He respected Burbridge and found his actions admirable. Douglas was intrigued by the way he managed his estates as well as by the stories of his father. The previous duke sounded like an interesting man, so different than Douglas’s own father or even his grandfather, both of whom had been total opposites and butted heads frequently.
His grandfather had frequently told Douglas how fortunate it was that he hadn’t died and left the duchy in his son’s hands.
“Your father allowed a woman to ruin him mentally and emotionally,” his grandfather said. “Never ever allow the same tragedy to happen to you.”
“Douglas?”
He glanced up only to realize Eleanor was addressing him. “My apologies. I was woolgathering.”
She blinked as if the possibility of him doing so surprised her. “I asked if you could advise me of your thoughts within the next two days. I’ll need to send our regrets to Lillian.”
“Of course.”
Morris brought the next course, an appetizing roasted beef with vegetables. Eleanor smiled and thanked him as he offered the fare. This time, Morris’s smile was nearly a grin. What on earth was happening to the elderly servant?
“I assume you know they had a baby boy?” Eleanor asked before biting into a glazed carrot.
Her mouth formed a perfect circle as she took the bite, and the urge to kiss her filled him. The thought made him realize his question should be what on earth was happening to him, never mind Morris. Eleanor seemed to be casting a spell over everyone under his roof.
“Burbridge mentioned it.” He frowned as he returned his attention to his plate. He would do well to keep his eyes away from Eleanor, no matter what she was doing. Her movements were feminine, elegant, and graceful and he had yet to grow accustomed to her. That must be the reason for his distraction.
“Lillian is very happy,” Eleanor continued.
“No doubt relieved to have fulfilled her duty.”
Now Eleanor was the one to frown. “I don’t think that has anything to do with her joy.”
He waited, somehow certain she’d explain.
The light in her eyes dimmed and she shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
Though aware he’d disappointed her and bothered by it more than he cared to admit, he didn’t know how to respond. So he kept his silence.
The faint sound of her father’s voice from several months ago echoed in his head—Take good care of her, won’t you?
Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea to attend the house party after all.
Chapter Two
“I can’t believe you’re here!” Lillian declared as Eleanor and Douglas stepped into the entrance hall of the Duke and Duchess’s country estate, just outside London.
“Nor can I,” Eleanor agreed, still astonished that Douglas had agreed to attend the house party. She had yet to determine what had come over him.
She couldn’t help but cast a glance to where he now stood speaking with Burbridge. The irritation that flooded her was