Page 20 of Seven Days with her Duke (Hearts of Whitmores #3)

CHAPTER 20

E leanor thanked Charlotte once again for the fresh plate of desserts. She couldn’t seem to stop eating now, she was just that anxious.

There was hardly a moment of respite once her cousin went to talk with their housekeeper about the drinks as Nancy appeared. She’d attended the ceremony with her parents who hung back in a corner of the table quietly keeping each other company. Nancy had been entertained by Lady Theodosia, who now spoke with Nicholas.

Adrian was leaving Dominic’s side, Eleanor noted, before she worked on remembering how to smile for her dear friend.

Dressed in a pretty blue dress and several feathers, Nancy was the height of fashion. Charlotte had suggested Eleanor at least wear a necklace today but Eleanor hadn’t wanted in such adornment. She supposed if any strangers looked at their wedding party, they would consider Nancy as the bride.

She really is a beautiful lady. Someday, she’ll marry, and I hope he is deserving of her in every way.

“I’m so happy for you,” Nancy squealed softly before slipping a hand over her lips. “Oh, I know it’s terribly scandalous. I had to beg my father for us to come here. It’s mostly because of your brother, really. Father needs more support on a bill of his. He thought our presence here would help.”

“Even if it does not help the bill, it helps me,” Eleanor murmured. “I need my friends here. I needed to see you.”

Tsking, Nancy wriggled in the chair. “Did you? I wish you had needed me more. The Duke of Salford barely arrived in London before you swooped him up from under our noses. I was at the opera house last night, and half the ton were talking about you. They are all so terribly jealous. The ladies, I mean. But it isn’t as though any of them ever had a chance with him.”

Eleanor didn’t look to her side. She was trying not to look at Dominic too much. It did too much to her heart.

Wiping her brow, she tried to understand what her friend meant by her last comment. “Oh?”

“Indeed. I told you, didn’t I? The two of you belong together. I saw it in his eyes that very first night.”

“That is absolutely… True,” Eleanor forced herself to say when her friend began to frown. She forced a smile. She didn’t want Nancy thinking she was unhappy. She didn’t want anyone to know. This was her wedding day, after all, so she should be thrilled. “You’re always right, Nancy.”

Patting her hand, her friend said, “Thank you for acknowledging that. We’re both very fortunate ladies. Wouldn’t you say?”

“Indeed.”

“Oh! Eleanor, I must tell you. I heard the most salacious story about an upcoming salon,” Nancy said with a swift subject change. She chattered on eagerly, hardly caring how much Eleanor listened.

She heard little but appreciated her friend talking away as the distraction was very much needed.

And yet even light chatter couldn’t heal the weight of a dark sadness sitting on her chest. It ached and groaned within her, making her creak and leak. She had woken up with tears in her eyes for the second time and didn’t know what to do about it.

As wonderful as Charlotte was about trying to cheer her up and ready her for a wedding on such short notice, Eleanor had struggled. She had wished they had decided against a special license. But Nicholas had insisted. He wanted to do the right thing. It annoyed her terribly, though she still loved him.

Marrying Dominic had been the right choice. Her only choice.

Or so Eleanor kept telling herself. Everything had happened so quickly and now she wasn’t certain what was entirely true or not. She’d struggled to cling to a semblance of hope she no longer recognized.

This wedding was supposed to fix everything. But that was feeling like a faded fantasy now, Eleanor feared, and was not going do it. Reality was a much different mistress. She didn’t think she could bear this, not forever.

But the marriage was done. Dominic had agreed out of obligation, accepting her promise of a wedding in name only.

He could leave today and I could say nothing about it. I already told him that. I said he could do anything he likes. No matter how it annoys me or upsets or scares me or thrills me, Dominic is still his own man. And now I am his woman, though very much an unwanted one. I think I’m going to be ill again.

Unable to help herself, Eleanor glanced over at the groom.

Well-dressed in summer colors that complimented his beautiful eyes, Dominic reminded her of a handsome Apollo. Handsome and charming and playful. Even with circles under his eyes, he was still the most handsome man she had ever seen.

They had been friends just the other day, or so she thought. Now, they were married. Man and wife. He had fulfilled his obligation in protecting her through scandal, but at a terrible cost.

Only two––no, three now––hours had passed since they were considered wed. A few short hours and he had barely looked at her once. His lips were twisted into a grim, mocking smile. The way his eyes looked about before dropping down so frequently showed he felt trapped.

Because I did trap him. That’s what I did. I made him marry me. He didn’t want to. He was willing to die rather than have me as a wife. How am I supposed to live with that now?

Considering the unbearable feelings rising up within her, Eleanor supposed she should have agreed to leave when Dominic had been ready. It could have eased matters between them.

He had accepted the marriage. But after that, he hadn’t spoken to her. They’d had two days apart while Charlotte was at her side and Nicholas was with Dominic. It didn’t seem helpful in the end, but at least the wedding had taken place and those horrid pistols were locked away once more. Just the thought of them twisted her stomach.

She pushed her plate away and tried to raise her voice loud enough to say, “Dominic…”

Except Nicholas had returned to the other side of Dominic and was raising his glass. He didn’t even have to make a noise for everyone to stop and listen to him. “I’d like to present one last toast to the happy couple.” Everyone moved to raise their own glasses. Many of them smiled her way. “Though my sister is hardly thrilled by the attention, I am very glad to see Eleanor settled. She deserves a happy, long, and satisfying life. She is an absolute gem. To Eleanor and Dominic.”

There was nothing about Dominic noted in the toast, of course, but his name. She frowned, but no one said anything about that. Her brother looked her way and winked like it was all a clever jest.

Everyone echoed the names and drank in their honor. Glancing warily at Dominic, she saw him frown at his glass of sherry before taking a sip. He’d had at least five glasses of this by now, almost like he was craving something stronger. There was brandy served to the gentlemen, but it had never come close to Dominic to enjoy.

Her brother could be controlling in one too many ways, she feared.

He knows what he is doing, I must give him credit on that. My brother kept Dominic alive and well enough to marry me and attend this breakfast. But what do we do now? Nicholas won’t be of any use. After today, I can’t hardly imagine staying here long enough for a proper conversation.

When Eleanor had convinced Dominic to marry her, Nicholas and Adrian had brought her home. It was Adrian who had attempted to cajole a smile from her before he was on his way home, and then her maid who helped her back to bed.

Nicholas had disappeared by then––apparently to either safeguard or bully Dominic––and she’d hardly had a word with her brother since.

Worried there wasn’t going to be much for them to say, or that it would be far too contentious, Eleanor supposed it was best that she left. She’d used what little courage she had to stop a ridiculous duel. But now all that remained within her were jumbled emotions and uncertainty. She hated it. She didn’t know what to do with herself.

“What is it?”

She blinked and realized she’d been staring at Dominic. Cheeks heating into a blush, she dropped her gaze. “I’m ready.”

Rubbing his face, Dominic paused and looked at her in confusion. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’m happy,” the word fractured in her mouth, “to depart at this time, if that’s what you wish.”

“Oh. Right. Yes, jolly good.”

He made their excuses while everyone cried out their farewells. Everyone wished to hug her while all she desired to do was hide away. Charlotte and Nancy clung to her and then Lady Theodosia was advising her to remember obedience was a flexible matter.

Then Nicholas stood in her way at the door of her carriage since Dominic was already inside. He clearly cared little for speaking to anyone. Including her.

Brotherly hands settled rather heavily onto her shoulders as he musted a smile. It wasn’t one of his best. She struggled to return it and his eyes narrowed, seeing more than she wished for him to see.

“This is what was best for you,” he said quietly, looking now just as serious as he had been that night in the private parlor when he was prepared to demand justice in her name. “It was the only way, Eleanor. Surely you must understand that.”

She forced a nod. “I do.”

“Good.” His grip on her softened. “And this will get better. I’m sure of it. He… he can be a good man. I know that for myself, I have seen it. But if he isn’t, my sweet sister, tell me at once.”

I wouldn’t do such a thing. I’m no longer your responsibility, Nicholas, and I mean to keep my vows as much as I can.

Still, Eleanor nodded. “Yes.”

Only then did Nicholas let go of her to step back and offer her a hand into the carriage. She swallowed hard before making her way inside. Sitting across from Dominic, she saw him already slouched back with his eyes closed as though he were asleep.

Looking to the open door, she saw everyone looking at her expectantly. It made her insides quake. They were all here because they cared for her, all of them hopeful for the best for her. She didn’t want to disappoint them.

She smiled one last time and waved. Someone closed the door at last, and she herself took a chance to slouch back with a heavy sigh.

Across from her, Dominic knocked against the roof to let the driver know they were ready to be on their way. The carriage began rolling. Her stomach squeezed and she shifted uncomfortably on the bench.

The two of them were married now. She glanced his way, reminded yet again of his despairingly handsome features. She had hoped this nightmare would release her from the strange feelings inside her. But then she felt a warm flicker inside and hastily looked away from him.

“To the Elkins estate?” she asked warily. “Or are we leaving London?”

No pronouncement of where to send her things had ever come about. Nicholas probably hadn’t thought of it, and she wasn’t entirely certain what Dominic was thinking. They’d hardly passed any word between them since the disaster had begun.

While Eleanor kept hoping Dominic might find a way to charm them back into what they had been like together last week, since she clearly didn’t know how to do that, he had made no such move. So perhaps they were taking a trip or going into the country or somewhere she had never been. No one had told her anything.

“No.”

She swallowed loudly and wrinkled her nose at the sound in their carriage. Had it echoed? She fumbled with her hands anxiously in her seat, wondering if she would ever have an ounce of carriage again.

Maybe Dominic had only been uneasy about the wedding, she tried to tell herself, and that was all. It had to be. Nothing between them had to change. Did it?

“Did you enjoy the fruit tarts at all?” Eleanor tried inviting conversation. “I very much liked the peach ones. They’re hardly in season but they tasted very fresh. It might have been a new recipe and I should like to have them again someday.”

“Hm.” He leaned back further and closed his eyes. Crossing his arms, Dominic looked like he was falling asleep.

Except that he wasn’t. She saw the stiffness in his shoulders that radiated through his body. Long legs stretched out to her left, nearly touching but not quite. He was careful about that. Which meant he wasn’t asleep. As she frowned at him, he peeked an eye open and quickly shut it.

So that’s the way it’s going to be.

Though Eleanor willed him to speak, to look at her, to say something––she didn’t know what to do with a Dominic like this––nothing came of it. Soon the carriage grew heavy with silence. The air grew thick with tension. Every bump in the road left her more uneasy, making her realize she never should have taken a bite. Perhaps she shouldn’t have even left her bed.

Fortunately, the Elkins Estate wasn’t far.

Set neatly on the edge of a proper district, it claimed a private park with over fifty acres. She knew that much. It was deceptive with a short circular drive in the front of the estate with more flowers and bushes than trees so the neighbors could see everything here. She had been inside just the once, though she’d attempted to come over a few times in the past.

Does he know that? I attempted to visit after I heard of his passing. Convinced Father to take me to town and spend a week here. Every day I came but the man never came out. I suppose by then he was already gone.

He had left her life when his family passed. That shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise. Losing two siblings and two parents in such a short timespan would do a soul a great injury. Like Nicholas, Dominic had been a second son never truly anticipating a dukedom on his shoulders.

He’d left for the Continent and had never returned once that she knew of until recently. As they rolled up the drive, Eleanor supposed he hadn’t received any of the letters he wrote to her then. He had managed to evade her attempt to communicate with him, just as he did so now.

The carriage rolled to a stop and he climbed out. She watched him start to walk away, freeze, and then reluctantly return to help her out.

A lump formed in her throat. Though she accepted his help, not feeling confident enough to not take the hand, she let him go the moment she could. He didn’t bother to take her arm on the way up to the door where his butler opened it with a gracious gesture.

“Welcome home, Your Graces,” he pronounced.

That included her. She was a duchess now. Eleanor stopped at the thought, uneasy, and glanced warily at Dominic. Did he not suppose she was up to mettle for the title? While she had never sought to marry in particular to any position, she had been raised in the home of a duke all her life.

“The keys,” Dominic demanded.

A particular set of keys––small with only three or four on the ring––were handed over. The butler’s smile faded to a frown but he said nothing.

“Mrs. Winston can see you to your room.” She looked up to see Dominic was talking to her. Or her shoulder at the least. Then he was handing over his hat and walking down the hall.

Left in the doorway, Eleanor shuffled back so the door could close. She mumbled something of apology but didn’t think he heard.

“Your bonnet and shawl, Your Grace?”

“Oh. Yes, well, thank you.” She let him take them. “I don’t suppose you would be Mrs. Winston, would you?”

A sympathetic chuckle emerged from the older butler who had to be in his fifties or sixties. He looked rather sporting with white streaks at his temples and a twinkle in his eye. “I could never dream of being half of Mrs. Winston. Welcome, Your Grace. I’m the Head Butler here. Please call me Reginald. Mrs. Winston is unfortunately detained at the moment, but I believe your maid, Rachel, has already arrived. I’ll have her come down to lead you about. The halls can grow rather confusing,” he added.

“How many rooms does this place boast of?” she inquired hesitantly.

“Built in 1620, the main house here boasted of nearly sixty rooms. It’s an L-shaped house with an attached greenhouse. Since its construction, however, there has been much work that lasted over one hundred years. Now we have eight-two rooms and countless halls. And the greenhouse.”

She liked him. Hoping to have an ally here, especially since no one else was here to welcome her, Eleanor nodded.

“Thank you. But don’t bother Rachel. I don’t mind walking on my own. Why don’t you point me in the direction, and I might find my way?”

Though Reginald didn’t appear convinced, he didn’t protest. He offered a nod and several helpful directions based on a smattering of colorful instructions. Soon, she was off on her way exploring the dimly lit halls.

It was a fine house. Very expansive. But dark, she supposed, with few candles lit. When she peeked cautiously into one or two rooms, she saw much of it was still covered in cloth. The rooms were closed and untouched as if no one still lived here.

She wondered if Dominic intended to stay. What were his plans? She hardly knew. It didn’t seem like he would talk to her. When she feared she might indeed grow lost, Eleanor didn’t see any servants nearby.

Have I been brought to a new home or to a prison?

This was what she has asked for, Eleanor recalled, this was what she had told Dominic she wanted. A formality of a marriage, a farce of a relationship. He had done the wedding and now he was done with her.

Though she thought she was strong enough, she recalled Dominic’s empty gaze. Eleanor felt the tears beginning again and slumped against a wall as her resolve finally shattered entirely to bits.