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The Duke’s blue eyes were still on Eleanor, pinning her to her chair. She felt as if she were under a microscope, being picked apart. His stare turned curious. Eleanor just knew he was trying to reconcile the words Charlotte spoke with the woman who watched him and the widow the last night.

“Mmm, yes, she seems like quite the knowledgeable young woman.” His comment was laced with innuendo she hoped no one picked up on, especially her mother.

Charlotte chuckled. “Yes, Your Grace. Our Eleanor grew up with a healthy interest in all areas.”

The Duke regarded Charlotte for a moment before turning back to Eleanor. “If your mother’s description of you is true, it is quite curious that you haven’t been one of the lucky brides picked from the marriage mart.”

Eleanor swallowed her first thought. Calling the Duke an arrogant swine during their first dinner together most definitely did not fit the character portrait her mother just painted of her.

“It seems I am quite the prize, Your Grace. So far, no one has been deserving of me,” she said with a sly smile.

“Eleanor,” her mother warned.

The Duke sat back in his chair, amused. “No, no, Charlotte. It is fine. I don’t mind when a woman speaks her mind. I find it refreshing.”

“Well then you should really enjoy living here,” Beatrice muttered while leaning out of the way of her mother’s elbow.

The Duke once again smiled. He looked around at the now empty plates and pushed away from the table.

“Ladies, it was an enjoyable dinner, and I would love to continue our conversation. Will you all please join me in my study? There is something I would like to discuss with all of you.”

He stood up and walked out the room, leaving all four women looking at each other.

“What is this about?” Charlotte questioned her daughters.

Beatrice shrugged. “He said something about this to Eleanor this morning while we were having tea.”

Sarah nodded and added, “He said you two would continue your conversation from last night, and we would be present for it.”

Three sets of eyes landed on Eleanor. “I told you two, I only saw him for the briefest of moments last night.”

“And… ” Charlotte gestured widely with her hands. “… what did you talk about?”

“Nothing that would warrant a family meeting in his study.” Her knee started to bounce.

“She’s avoiding the question.” Sarah leaned in.

Eleanor slumped against the back of her chair. “I’m not avoiding anything.”Liar.“Mama asked me to find him, I found him, and I told him it was time for his introduction.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes. “That wouldn’t warrant a family conversation.”

Eleanor rubbed her temples. “Oh, he did ask me why I wasn’t married.”

Charlotte groaned. “Wonderful. He must think there’s something wrong with you.”

“Mama!” Sarah yelled. “What a horrible thing to say!”

Eleanor scowled. “Yes, especially since you spent all that time listing all my marriageable traits.”

“Please don’t fight,” Beatrice interjected. “Why don’t we just go in there to see what he wants?”

All four women stared at the door the Duke just walked through before their eyes found each other’s again.

Charlotte nodded her head. “Beatrice is right.” She reached across the table to gesture to Eleanor. “I’m sorry for my comment. It seems I’m on edge as well. He holds so much of our futures in his hand, I’m not even sure he understands how much he can affect us.”

“He’s a businessman, Mama. I’m sure he’s used to having people under his care.” Eleanor motioned to stand up.

“Not to this extent, Eleanor. Having the ability to sign a paycheck is vastly different than having the ability to sign someone’s life away.”