Page 13 of Seven Days with her Duke (Hearts of Whitmores #3)
CHAPTER 13
T here were few things Eleanor enjoyed and excelled at beyond managing a house. She had her musical ability, one she trained at daily to keep her fingers nimble and her heart light, and she had her driving.
This came less frequently. It had been difficult to enjoy for a short time as it had been her eldest brother, Roger, who had taught her how to ride.
“You have quick hands and a sharp mind,” he had pointed out when he brought her to the stables when she was barely five-and-ten. “I don’t care what Father says. Sunshine agrees with you, and I won’t have you fading into the wallpaper when you’re in your quiet moods. Take some risk, Eleanor, and drive.”
“But you don’t take risks,” she had told him.
A sober fellow, Roger rarely smiled. But he had smiled then and even sent her a wink. “I do take risks. Merely calculated ones. Someday Nicholas will understand that. And today is your time to learn.”
With that, Eleanor had accepted the reins of a small cart filled with hay and one of their three donkeys. She had still been unconvinced the creatures were useful; driving lessons did not teach her another reason. Still, it was rare for her brothers to take this much of an interest in her, so she had listened to Roger, obeyed his instructions, and took time nearly every day to practice.
Eventually she moved to a horse cart. Then a wagon. Their coachman wouldn’t let her drive a carriage, but on a quiet day, he allowed her to sit at his side and know what it was like driving something so large.
Nicholas or Roger or a footman used to accompany her, alongside her maid at the time. Her brothers used to cheer her until she blushed.
When her father and eldest brother passed, Eleanor had feared she would never find a reason to live again. She turned to food in a listless way, sleeping often as well, and hardly enjoying books or music. Only when they returned to London did she decide to make a reckless move and take herself out riding one day.
Her maid had not appreciated it. Since then, Eleanor preferred to drive alone. The last time she’d driven anyone about town was when she was teaching her sister-in-law, Joanna, how to ride.
“You’re very competent,” the duchess had reassured her. “And such a lovely teacher. What a natural you are at this. It’s very admirable.”
Joanna always has a kind word to say for others. I hardly know what the complaint of her sharp tongue could ever mean, though I suppose Nicholas can be tragically annoying at times. He needs a good scolding and Joanna shall deliver it freely. Fortunately, she has no need of scolding me.
It was a beautiful afternoon, after all, and Eleanor was enjoying herself a ride about town. The groom who occasionally followed behind wasn’t feeling well, so she’d gone on alone. Since it wasn’t the fashionable hour just yet, she could enjoy a quality drive before making her way at home. A quiet ride, and even a peaceful one.
But then there was Dominic.
“Lady Eleanor Whitmore.”
She looked up in surprise at the sound of her name. Seeing it was him, she began to smile, before noticing quite the severe expression on the man. It vaguely reminded her of her father when she was young and had broken the pianoforte in her endeavor to study every part of it.
Heart thumping, Eleanor couldn’t sort out the strange tension rising in the air. She was riding quite well, and on the correct side of the lane, so nothing was wrong. And yet his voice sounded severe.
Hoping she had simply misheard him, she lifted her chin and smiled at him. “Good day, Your Grace. How lovely it is to see you out and about.”
“What the devil are you doing?” Dominic demanded, leaning forward to whisper loudly.
She blinked as his horse shied away from her landau. He didn’t seem to take well to her confusion or his master’s mood. Though Eleanor hoped it was the latter, she hesitated. Inside her chest she felt her heart skip a beat. The smile on her face began to fade when she realized this was not one of Dominic’s confusing jests.
What on earth could have caused him such ire? Surely not me.
“Your Grace…” Eleanor glanced down uncertainly at the reins she held neatly in her leather gloves. She’d worn through and patched her last pair a dozen times until last Michaelmas when Nicholas gifted her a new pair. They were double-lined this time, and quite comfortable. Soft. She liked wearing them.
What she didn’t like was Dominic’s expression. Dark yellow eyes focused on her and her alone. Most of the time, he seemed amused by her. But he truly listened and seemed to actually care.
Traffic began to move once more, and Eleanor felt the heat creeping up her cheeks. She had yet to sort out a proper reaction to the duke’s hard look. Thinking she could remedy this by starting to move, she tugged on the reins neatly.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Dominic ordered her instead. “Pull off to the side at once, Lady Eleanor. Where is your maid? Your groom?”
There was a twisting feeling inside of her now that she didn’t normally feel around him. Frowning, she looked at him while keeping her now anxious horses in place, wondering if he was asking what she thought he was asking. Her heart thumped. He didn’t seem to like that she was alone. Was that it?
“You’re upset.”
“And you’re…” he glanced around, trying to bring his horse a little closer so he wouldn’t have to speak loud. Or so she presumed. “You’re unescorted, Eleanor. It isn’t proper.”
Keeping close, Dominic was doing several things at once. Firstly, he was sending her pointed looks that made her feel ill inside and out. Secondly, he was attempting to lecture her which she did not take well. Though she cared little for his jests, most often, she didn’t understand why he couldn’t simply jest about this now. It would make more sense to her. Hopefully. And thirdly, now he was moving his horse around her animals like he was attempting to herd her over off the lane.
It was too late then. She’d been managing her horses and studying him too much to consider what else he was up to. This left the two of them in the shade of a nearby busy road, where those behind her could now pass along.
She gripped her reins tightly and grabbed the whip she preferred not to use unless it was needed. But these creatures managed well in public so she had little need of the added effort.
A shuddering breath escaped her as Dominic slid off his horse and came over, leaning up to put out his hand. “Give me the reins.”
Eleanor’s mouth dropped open. “You cannot be serious.”
There was a new sun in his eyes, blazing hot and full of rage. Or irritation, she hoped was all. Endless golden flames stared at her. Even though he was below her, he still managed to make it seem as though he was looking down at her.
The feeling stung. This was new and she didn’t like this. She didn’t like any of it. He’d never done that in all their time. He had been stern once or twice when he wanted her to be more careful. But most of the time it was through his smiles he could get his way.
“You cannot do this,” Dominic told her through gritted teeth. “You’re a young lady who must be protected at all times.”
“I was driving just fine before you came and stopped me,” she tried to point out to him.
He shook his head. “Anything could have happened. It’s about to get busy out here and then what?”
“Then I would safely drive us back home like I have done a hundred times before. My brothers have always let me drive. I’m an accomplished rider and an even better driver. I know how to drive anything,” she added helpfully, thinking she might be able to reassure him all was well.
“I don’t care,” he said instead, making her cheeks heat in… embarrassment? Shame? She hardly know. “Eleanor, do not make me ask you twice.”
Dropping her gaze to the reins, she huffed. She couldn’t sit here and go down quietly to a madman. “You haven’t even asked once. Who do you think you are to treat me thus? Just when I thought you were something more than a jester, you stop my daily drive by mocking me and commanding me about as if I was nothing more than another horse between your legs!”
“Eleanor!” He reeled back, coughing.
Frowning, she didn’t understand what she had said back as he struggled for words. Dominic opened his mouth several times but could say nothing. He kept patting his chest and coughing like there was something trapped in his throat. Now, he wouldn’t even look her in the eye.
Unable to stand it any longer, Eleanor sighed. “I’m going home if you’re not going to be tolerable company, Your Grace.” She threw in the title with her sternest expression.
His hands raised in surrender, so it must have worked. Then one hand dropped as he said nothing. Dominic needed a moment to pull his words together.
Though he turned to face his horse, she noted the way he took deep breaths before finally bringing his face back around to her. The topaz eyes were still gleaming and warm. But they weren’t as angry as before. No, there was a new light in them that appeared softer. Or at least a little softer now.
“Well?” Eleanor asked when she couldn’t bear the silence.
“I believe you may be correct.” His voice was rough and he cleared his throat, rubbing a cheek. He brought up the hand to ruffle his hair. Since he wouldn’t look her in the eye, it allowed her the opportunity to study him without guile. “I was too harsh. I was… overcome with concern for you.”
She mouthed the words silently, considering them for a long moment before speaking aloud. “That’s rather odd. You don’t strike me as someone who is ever concerned,” she added pointedly.
“Your brother, remember? He asked me to be there to protect you.”
“Nicholas’ intention was for social events where I needed a sponsor, chaperone, or public support,” Eleanor corrected Dominic. “I hardly need protection in the middle of the day on a fairly busy lane that I must have driven nearly a hundred times in the last year. This is not where I need protection. Your Grace.”
He frowned. “Stop calling me that.”
“Then stop behaving so badly around me.”
While she could have sworn he muttered something under his breath about young ladies and foolishness and concerns about protection, Eleanor didn’t understand enough to hear a sentence out of it. But she wasn’t too surprised. Dominic had a way of having opinions about everything. It hurt as she realized she had thought his opinions of her were kindly.
“I’m sorry.”
The two words made her breath catch. “I beg your pardon.”
Waving a hand out, Dominic sighed and explained himself. “I was behaving rather ill, was I not? You were right to call me out. What came over me, I hardly know. But I could have been far more courteous about the entire situation had I been in better control of myself.”
I suppose that is one way to put it. But he really did appear in control of himself. I can only wonder why he was in such a mood upon seeing me.
“I beg your apology.” Dominic inhaled deeply before meeting her gaze. “Well?”
She couldn’t have felt more unaware. The man kept surprising her. What was she to do about this gentleman foisting himself into her life?
“I… I suppose you are forgiven,” she said at last.
“Very good.” Then before she could say anything more, he turned back to his horse.
She stared, wondering incredulously if he was really about to leave. But he didn’t. Dominic didn’t climb back into the saddle. Instead, he led his horse around to the back of her landau. After she had twisted about into her seat to see him better, she watched as he looped a rope through to connect his horse to the back of her carriage.
“Whatever do you think you are doing?”
“I’m escorting you home, is it not obvious?”
Hoping her mouth wasn’t hanging open like a fish, Eleanor blinked. She tried to think. Then she tried to speak. “But I didn’t request your escort, nor does my ride warrant such a necessity.”
By then, Dominic had tied his hat onto his pommel and was coming around to the side of the landau. Where she required two blocks and a helping hand to climb up and down, the duke moved with incredible grace from ground to bench.
“Make some room, young lady, there’s a good girl. I’ll take the reins. It’s the least I can do to make amends.”
“Taking over my driving is hardly helping,” she noted.
Then he twisted to show a smile so broad she could hardly breathe. He was indeed a sun that could very well blind her. All of the irritation and madness within him had faded. All she could see was brightness. “I meant my company.”
She choked on a laugh, huffing and shaking her head. “Oh Dominic. Whatever shall we do with the likes of you?”
“Hopefully endure me until I can behave myself like a proper gentleman. It may take many a year, I understand, but I have faith that you shall be patient enough. Your entire family, too,” he added quickly.
It was impossible to stay upset with him now. Not only had he apologized––sometimes Eleanor wasn’t convinced the male species knew what that meant––and now he was teasing her once again. Everything felt ordinary again.
She found herself settling back in her seat, somewhat squished in the bench with such a large specimen at her side. Glancing Dominic over, she noted the golden braiding on his clothing only helped emphasize the stunning quality of his eyes. The wind tousled his hair as he had since left his hat behind, and she wondered what it would be like to be the wind.
Finding a lump in her throat, Eleanor swallowed. It sounded loud like a real gulp. Loud enough that Dominic glanced her way.
Immediately she turned in the other direction.
“Have I embarrassed you again? It seems I cannot say a word right today. The sun is out as well, so everything must be out sorts. It could be the end of times, perhaps. The end of days.”
She glanced down at her hands with a slight smile. “No, I’m not embarrassed.”
“Worry not, my lady. I am confident I shall find you another such opportunity soon enough. I embarrass myself on the daily,” he added. “Perhaps your company shall be just what I need to better myself after all.”
“You are just fine the way you are,” Eleanor reassured him primly.
Tsking, he gently nudged her with his elbow as he turned them slowly onto her street. She resisted the urge to smile any wider. Warmth spread through her feeling how close Dominic had to sit. Landaus were made for two people but most people were not his size.
“You are too kind. What must I do to have you scold me again, hm? Perhaps I shall jump from the landau. I’ll dance a jig for the horses. Perhaps even sing. What shall it be this time?”
Eleanor shook her head while resisting the urge to giggle. One laugh eventually escaped as they reached the mews; it was hard to resist Dominic when he was doing his best to amuse her. Just the other week she had been crying out in frustration about his charm, but Eleanor could see it now. It was lovely sometimes, having his company and his focus on her.
“Ah, there it is! That is the sound I have been looking for the entire ride,” he pronounced before delivering the reins to a stableboy. “Your laughter is heaven’s bells, my lady. Come, take my hand.”
She shook her head but accepted his help in getting down. Without a step there to assist her, Dominic wrapped his hands around her waist. The touch sizzled; she forgot to breathe as he neatly lifted her from the landau to land her back on her feet.
“Careful,” he reminded her when she wavered.
A flush crept up her cheeks and she hastily removed her hands from his shoulders. How had she forgotten how tall he was? “Thank you very much, Your Grace.”
“I fear for my life when you call me that, you know.” He offered an arm. “It usually means you are in trouble.”
“It does,” she agreed. Though she attempted to suppress a smile, she couldn’t help it. “But not this time. Only because it is the proper thing to do, that’s why I used your title.”
He made a face while walking her inside. “Perhaps it is for the best. I have never grown used to it, but suppose it is time.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed. She paused in the hall to study him. Was this something he wished to discuss with her? They’d had so few serious conversations, but sometimes she could imagine there was much on his mind he wasn’t yet ready to share.
“And speaking of time… I think you should use tonight to pack.”
Startled by the pronouncement, Eleanor blinked. And blinked again. “What? That is, I beg your pardon?”
“I didn’t know I could surprise you beyond your manners.” Dominic leaned back on his heels, smirking. “What a delightful discovery. A thrilling challenge… Do not believe for a second, I shall forget that for long. However, I should be on my way and wish to inform you of a house party.”
Her brow furrowed. Ransacking her mind for reference, she couldn’t find it. “I received no such invitation. The season has hardly begun. Besides, Nicholas is not here.”
“But there will be plenty of chaperones beyond myself; your maid, too, of course,” he added hastily before relaxing with a beaming smile. The look on his face was cheerful pride almost like he’d put together the house party himself. “It will only be a day or two, but a perfect opportunity for you and your potential suitors.”
“I don’t have any suitors.” Her heart skipped a beat.
Tapping his nose, Dominic pointed out, “Not yet, perhaps, but we shall find you one. A perfect one. By the time your brother returns, why, I believe we could even have found you a husband.”
“Just because my brother shall return later than originally planned for does not mean it’s enough time for any such accomplishment,” Eleanor told him warningly. But then her resolve faded as the anxiety arose. She bit her lip. What if he had received an invitation and she had not? She surely couldn’t arrive then. Besides, she’d never attended a house party before and hardly knew what to make of the notion.
I don’t think this is a very good idea at all. Perhaps I had best decline.
“We shall go. I will be at your side every step of the way,” the duke reassured her as he patted her hand. It was a surprising gesture for such a large and charming man. He almost seemed not to notice what he did, as though he touched her often. A flush climbed up her cheeks. “If there isn’t already an invitation here for you, I’ll eat my hat.”
Smiling, Eleanor couldn’t help but say, “I should like to see that.”
“There’s that smile. And here’s another thought to curl those lips of yours: if you spend all night packing, then you don’t have time to attend the musicale tonight.”
“Oh, bother. I had forgotten all about that. If I don’t attend, I shall appear quite rude. That would look ill of me.”
“Would you look equally ill performing in front of everyone?”
Her feet immediately moved her back as though out of danger as she stared at him. “I wasn’t going to perform.”
Spreading out his hands in surrender, Dominic offered an apologetic smile. “That is what a musicale is, my darling. Even if you are not on the program, every young lady there would be expected to showcase her skills in one form or another. You could play the pianoforte, perhaps. They might very well have a harp for you. Or some read poetry. Nonetheless,” he said a little bit louder as she felt herself growing faint, “we shall do no such thing. It's nothing but drivel and you deserve better than that. So tonight, instead, we can send your regrets so you might pack.”
“I hardly know what to pack for,” Eleanor murmured.
But indeed the duke was right. He threw her a look of sympathy; for once she appreciated that more than someone pushing her to fight her fears. She could only do so much.
Dominic remained there long enough to indeed see an invitation had been prepared for them. Tomorrow afternoon, they would be expected in the country house of one of Dominic’s friends. Eleanor would need to pack and ready the household for her leave of three days and two nights. Once the duke took his leave, she went around the house in a flurry to make such a miracle happen so quickly.
While Eleanor paused often over her concerns of what might take place at a house party, she would eventually think of Dominic smiling down at her. That memory made her warm like a summer morning. With him on her mind, she found it much easier to glide past her doubts and focus on the potential.
Who knows? Perhaps I might even enjoy myself.