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Derek stretched out his long legs and looked up into the sky. He knew meddling with her would end disastrously for both of them, but there was just something about her that compelled him to needle her.

Maybe it was because she represented everything he hated about theton. Sophistication, elitism, breeding—those were the only things these people truly cared about. Of course, they all fawned over his business sense, but it was because of the wealth he accrued, not because he was intelligent, hardworking, and tenacious. No one here cared about those attributes. God forbid any one of them get their hands dirty.

Derek cracked his neck. He was getting himself worked up again. He stood back up and picked up his overcoat.

One thing was for sure—she may be fun to play with, but Lady Eleanor was not his toy. He needed to watch himself with her, or else he’d be finding himself standing opposite of her at the end of an aisle.

CHAPTER 9

“Eleanor?” Charlotte’s voice carried in from the hallway.

“In here, Mama!” Eleanor put down her brush and gave herself one last glance in the mirror before turning to the doorway.

“His Grace would like to see you.”

Eleanor schooled her face. She managed to avoid the Duke over the past few days. Partly out of embarrassment but mostly because she learned she couldn’t trust her instincts around him. He brought out the worst in her, not only her temperament but something else. Something more feminine and primal. Feelings that scared her and therefore needed to be locked away before they got her in trouble.

“I wonder what he wants?” Eleanor frowned at her mother. She really didn’t want to speak to Graynor.

Charlotte shrugged. “He didn’t say, but please, whatever you do, please mind your manners. Remember, His Grace is here to help us. He didn’t come all this way to purposefully make your life miserable, so stop making his miserable.”

Eleanor grimaced at her mother’s comment. “I don’t intentionally try to make him miserable.”

Charlotte gave Eleanor a pointed look. “No? Is it just your way around men, then? Is that why you are not married and part of the reason why we are in our current predicament?”

Eleanor’s grimace morphed into a scowl. “Where is he?”

“In his study. Hurry along. The carriage will be here shortly.”

Eleanor brushed past her mother and made her way down to the Duke’s study.

After a light rap on the door, she pushed it open. She stopped herself from fully opening the door and walking in. What was it about this man that had her shirking her upbringing? She took a deep breath to settle her thoughts and waited for him to welcome her in.

“Come in,” his voice rang out, sending a thrill of electricity through her. She closed her eyes for a moment, took another deep cleansing breath, and opened the door.

The Duke stood at a mirror, fixing his cravat.

“I hate these bloody things. I always feel like they’re choking me. What’s the point of them?”

Eleanor stood silent for a moment. Her initial reaction would be to have something witty and petty to say about men’s fashions versus women’s fashions, but she thought better of it.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I don’t know the answer to that. My mother said, you would like to see me.”

With one more scowl in the mirror, the Duke turned towards her.

“Ah, yes. Are you all ready to go to Lady Merrington’s?”

Eleanor splayed out her hands and turned in a circle. “I’m dressed, aren’t I?”

She cringed.So much for not being petty.

Graynor narrowed his eyes, but she noticed a small quiver in his lips. He was trying not to smile. Eleanor relaxed her shoulders; she was doing herself no favors by being haughty with the man.

“I implore you to keep that quick wit to just us. I don’t want you scaring any potential suitors away today.”

Eleanor quirked her head. “I’m sorry?”

Graynor began to button his coat, Eleanor’s eyes tracked how his muscles bunched and stretched under the fabric. She blinked a few times to refocus her attention on his face.