Page 83 of Wedded to the Ruthless Duke

“No?” Eleanor scoffed. “Maybe you married my friend just to save your and her reputations, but you are now a married couple, Philip. You should be fighting thetontogether, not alone.”

His eyes shot toward her. There was something curious in this statement considering all the trouble she’d had with a fallen reputation. Dorian seemed to sense the irony even if Eleanor didn’t, for he winced.

“Do you believe every word you read in a scandal sheet now, Eleanor? You think I have upset her so much that she has run away from me?” Philip countered loudly.

“I have done what?” Another voice suddenly joined them.

Eleanor nearly fell out of her chair as she spun around to face the door and narrowly managed to avoid doing so because Dorian reached out to grab her hand. Philip scarcely noticed the two of them out of the corner of his eye, for his eyes were on the open doorway.

Grace stood there. As was usual across the last few days, she had returned to the house in a sodden riding habit. She was looking between them all, droplets running off her bonnet.

“I have not run anywhere, thank you,” Grace said tightly.

“Thank God for that.” Eleanor flung herself back in the armchair, looking relaxed at last.

Philip tried to catch Grace’s eye. He longed for some of the intimacy and warmth that had been between them the day before in that sports room, but she seemed intent on avoiding looking at him at all.

“You shouldn’t believe everything you read, Eleanor,” Grace seconded. “I went for a ride yesterday, yes, and Mr. and Mrs. Robertson’s carriage nearly ran into me. I managed to stop my horse before she could run too wild. All was well. These writers like to spin things; you know that.”

“Where have you been this morning?” Eleanor asked.

“To see my father.”

“You went alone?” Philip asked.

At last, Grace looked at him. There was something vacant in that stare, completely empty.

“Must I remind you of my freedom? You agreed to it, Your Grace. As your duchess, you gave me that freedom.”

Philip leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk between them. She did have freedom. It didn’t mean he had to like it when she rode so far alone. He worried about her.

“Well, at least we know now the scandal sheets are telling lies again.” Eleanor spoke nonchalantly as she stood. “On second thought, you’re right, Dorian. I should go home and get some rest.” He offered her a hand and the two walked toward the door. Eleanor briefly laid a hand on Grace’s shoulder. “I’ll come see you soon, yes?”

“Yes, that would be lovely.”

“You do not know how relieved I am they printed only lies.” Eleanor sighed. “I thought you two had found heartbreak already.”

Heartbreak.

Philip felt the word most keenly. He sat down in his chair and opened up his ledgers again. Such things were exactly what he wanted to avoid.

As Eleanor and Dorian parted, Grace turned to leave too.

“Grace?” Philip called to her. “How was your father?”

“Not well.” She didn’t look him in the eye. “It’s high time he found a new physician.”

“I have one I can recommend.”

“Thank you.”

Their conversation was wooden and stiff. What they had shared in his boxing room was almost untouchable now.

“I’m going to retire to my chamber.”

“Already?” Philip said in surprise. “It’s midafternoon.”

“I have a headache. I’ll dine in there tonight.” She still didn’t look at him as she turned and left the room.