Page 28 of Seven Days with her Duke (Hearts of Whitmores #3)

CHAPTER 28

C losing her eyes, Eleanor wiggled under her blankets that evening while she listened to Dominic’s words over and over in her mind.

“Good night, darling,” he’d told her.

She didn’t know what that meant. Certainly she hoped she knew. She prayed to understand his meaning, that Dominic was trying. That he regretted his actions and wished to make amends. Because if that was the case, she was willing to try.

I could even forgive him should he have good intentions.

Her brother, after all, believed in Nicholas. He’d penned a hasty note to her on top of Joanna’s letter. Never before had Eleanor received such a scattered piece of correspondence, but it was already her favorite. They’d welcomed little Lionel shortly before dawn and wrote quickly before finally taking a rest.

Smiling at the thought of her proud and playful brother with a new babe in his arms, Eleanor snuggled in deeper into her blankets.

Perhaps I was too hasty in making plans to take my leave. Dominic deserves more. I must try once again with him. If I can show him just how much I care to make our marriage work, in whatever form he will have me, then he will see the truth of the matter. Of our marriage.

She soothed herself to sleep with his voice in her head, knowing she might very well be foolish, but unable to give up her hope.

The following morning, Eleanor rattled off her plan to Rachel while they worked on her curls. It was a humid morning already, warm and irritating, but she was not going to let something like hair bring everything to a halt.

“That is a fine plan,” her maid reassured her, tugging on a braid only to frown and begin undoing it. “I hope it will be everything you desire.”

He was so angry to discover me nursing him back to health. But it must have been the fever, at least partially. Last night he was cordial and even friendly. If I can use this party to bring him comfort and settle whatever sits so tensely between us, then I believe we can finally sort matters through.

She believed he had to see reason. That he would hear her out.

It was still Dominic, after all. He had spoiled her at a horse race, saved her upon falling out of a boat, and protected her at a ball. There had certainly been issues and mistakes at each of these events, but Eleanor knew Dominic had endured much in his life. He had suffered greatly like she had, but he’d clung to that pain more than anyone could have predicted.

All she wanted was to show him there was something more to life and hopefully something more to marriage for them. She would accept the union he gave her, but he still had to give her something.

The next few days were spent either planning or waiting for the next opportunity to arise.

It was awfully slow. Eleanor sometimes felt like she might die of boredom, and could be found often wandering the house. Though she told herself it was only to ensure everything was going according to plan, there was no denying she was looking around at every corner and closed door in search for one look of her husband.

At last the nine days had passed, and the evening of her party had come. She ate a large breakfast at the sideboard, her thoughts aswirl, before she started toward her room. It would take all day for her to prepare.

Then she stopped––as did her heart––at the sight of her husband strolling by in his riding gear.

“Dominic.” She swallowed when he glanced at her, clearly lost in his own thoughts. “Riding? What a perfect morning it is for a ride.”

“Indeed.” He slowed down but didn’t quite stop.

She forced herself to accept that and smiled before moving out of his way. “Enjoy your day and I shall see you for this evening.”

“I believe I’m busy.”

That made her stomach drop. “But we are hosting a supper party tonight.”

Dominic stopped. “We are?”

“We are.” She lifted her chin when he glanced her way with suspicion.

“Everyone has accepted?” he asked warily.

“Yes, all of your friends.” An invitation had been left on his desk by Reginald to confirm that it would take place this evening. She’d also requested his valet to remind him upon waking this morning, but Dominic must not have been listening. “We all look forward to your company.”

There was a long pause. Eventually, however, he nodded without looking her in the eye. “Very well. Until this evening.”

Dominic walked away as she sighed in relief. It was true he didn’t have all the details. Few lords cared about what their ladies did while hosting, though they usually noted the bills and some of the more vital details. This time, Eleanor had not offered anything beyond the invitation; he never asked.

Tonight shall go well. It must.

Refusing to think any further about it, Eleanor hastened up to her bed chamber where a bath was already being prepared. Rachel bustled about with enthusiasm exuding from her every pore. She chattered away like a magpie, eager to share a dozen new ideas after having the past couple of days to browse the latest fashions for women.

Eleanor still managed to be ready for the evening a few minutes early. Standing before her reflection in a beautifully gilded mirror set in the corner of her bedchamber, she fingered the rich silk dyed in deep blue and covered with tiny seed pearls. Her puffed sleeves had fine stitching with little purple flowers with more beading, and there was a ribbon high on her waist to define her curvy figure.

As for her hair, it was curled neatly with most of it pinned up. She wasn’t entirely certain she knew what her maid had done––or how she had done it––but the framing complimented her features, and she thought she looked rather nice. Hopefully she looked very nice.

“What a lovely duchess you make,” Rachel murmured. “Are you certain you intend the light blue slippers instead of the dark?”

Eleanor sent her a glance. “No one will see my feet. I have no dancing in mind for this evening.”

There would be plenty other activities for them to enjoy at the party. She hoped. She’d nearly made herself ill with the nerves she felt for this evening. Everything had to go perfectly. It had to. She simply wouldn’t be all sorted out until it was all over, and all perfect.

Stomach nerves fluttering, she went to the front hall where she checked on the drawing room’s tea tray before passing about anxiously for their guests to arrive.

Reginald lingered nearby, occasionally reminding her of assorted details that were all readied. His company was appreciated. There were a hundred other responsibilities he could tend to, but he reassured her repeatedly like he knew just how vital tonight’s success would be for everyone.

Knock, knock.

Eleanor inhaled deeply, a hand rising to her abdomen. She exchanged a look with her butler before striding forward. “Check on His Grace after they are in, would you?” she murmured quietly and then opened the door to reveal Kenneth with his fiancé and American heiress Miss Amy Porter. With a practiced smile, she welcomed them inside. “How wonderful of you to join us tonight. You’ll be our first guests. Please do come in.”

“A delight, Your Grace,” Kenneth offered with a wry smile and winked. He’d been a good friend of Nicholas’s as well as Dominic’s. Though she always considered him something of a wastrel and he called her a stiff board, they had come to enough of an agreement of friendly behavior for others. “How does her ladyship fare?”

“Very well. I am glad to see you in good health.”

His eyebrow raised. “Are you truly?”

Tonight is not the night for trivialities. I am a good duchess, a proper lady.

“Indeed.” She merely offered a smile before turning to the tall blonde at his side. “Miss Porter, what a delight. You look just resplendent in your gown. Allow me to escort you to the drawing room. Refreshments are available as we wait for the others of our party.”

Light chatter kept them from growing too awkward. She’d spent the week memorizing ideal topics to keep conversation light and airy. Soon, Quirmore and Lady Grace Orwell followed. They were neither attached but she’d thought he had seen her eyeing the young lady at the house party, and had hopes they would enjoy each other’s company. Grace was recently fast friends with Charlotte, who soon arrived with her husband.

“Will this be everyone for tonight’s gathering?” Adrian asked, eyeing her curiously before glancing around the room. Already he’d lost his wife to Grace.

Praying her smile hid her discomfort, Eleanor replied, “Yes, everyone except for…”

“What have we here?” Dominic strode in with a broad smile and lazy stroll. He accepted the nearest glass from a servant with a tray before nodding in her direction though he managed not to meet her gaze. “A night of revelries under my very own roof?”

“Thank goodness,” she muttered under her breath.

Adrian raised an eyebrow; she shook him off, motioning to Reginald for them to open the dining room.

“Thank you for attending this evening’s supper party,” she announced on her way to the doors. She’d practiced this for two days but now she worried her voice wavered. “Please help yourselves to your own seats. There shall be no need for staid order this evening. We’ll have a delightful supper of six courses, and dessert will be enjoyed later a la carte while we enjoy some activities.”

“What activities?” Kenneth asked.

There was no answer rehearsed. Her stomach flopped most unpleasantly. Eleanor eventually managed to reply. “They are––they will be… We shall enjoy them later.”

Charlotte and Adrian ended up leading the way into the room, for which Eleanor was profoundly grateful. The rest of their party crowded in to the oval table, switched from the regular rectangle. Every place looked proper with fine linens, a central floral arrangement, and small bronze figurines in place of name cards.

“How quaint these are!” Miss Porter beamed as she took a seat, admiring the display. “This must be a tiger.”

“And I’ve the monkey. I’ll trade you, shall I?” Kenneth asked.

Light chatter crowded the room much to Eleanor’s relief. She didn’t want awkward or tense or uneasy silence this evening. It was meant to be an evening of friendship and light revelry. She wanted to be a proper hostess, thoughtful and attentive, but also allow her husband to enjoy himself so she knew she needed to stay out of his way as much as possible.

He'll see what a fair job I can do of this, that I’m up for the task of being a proper duchess. Then everything will get better. It must.

She gave a light nod to the servants bearing trays, allowing their first course to be brought out.

A tickle settled on the back of her neck, and she stiffened. Glancing around the room, she looked to Dominic. He sat right across from her. His gaze dropped from her immediately, so quickly she wasn’t entirely confident about what had just happened.

Warmth spread over her cheeks. She wondered what he was thinking. Was he upset? Pleased? Thrilled, even?

Though she attempted to get her heart under control, the memory of his dark glittering eyes set on her just before a kiss came to mind and she could hardly breathe.

“Oh, this is just heavenly,” Charlotte cried out over their soup, the cheer in her tone so bright it made Eleanor jump. She picked up her breathing to smile. “You must share the recipe, my dear, this is just divine.”

That would be the word used through the meal as everyone fawned over every course. Even Kenneth couldn’t complain about the fare, though some of his jests were off-color. He later quieted with a look from Adrian.

The meal was a success, and soon Eleanor led them to the green drawing room. It boasted of terrace doors that were cracked open, which would be important later. Now, there was a smaller round table and a small square table set up with decks of cards and game pieces laid out.

“Oh, what fun!” the other ladies cried.

They took their seats, requesting Eleanor’s presence. Just as the games began, dessert trays were brought out along with assorted drinks.

“I daresay,” Adrian groaned after an hour. He came to stand over his wife’s chair, eyeing her cards. “I cannot eat another bite. Your Grace, a marvelous supper party. You make it more than bearable.”

Eleanor warmed with the praise. “Why, thank you. You’re too kind. Would a walk perhaps do you good? We have one more game for the evening that we might play together.”

At once, Miss Porter put her cards down. “Thank the heavens! I was about to lose that round. We shall play the new game at once. What shall it be?”

All eyes rounded on her at once, making Eleanor’s throat catch. She tried swallowing once, twice, and three times as she clumsily rose to her feet. After narrowly avoiding a trip on her dress, she straightened up and waved a hand to Reginald. “An evening scavenger hunt.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Kenneth said though the curiosity was clear in his gaze.

As was Dominic’s, for he had loved scavenger hunts as a lad. Eleanor couldn’t resist looking his way. It was impossible not to. Her heart called to him, wishing and wondering. His gaze flitted to hers and then left, and then did so again.

“You will receive a short list of what you must find out here in the gardens. Everyone’s list is slightly varied so you may not be able to help one another,” she explained carefully. “Whoever wins will receive the bronze figurine of their choice from this evening. There are lanterns set out on the terrace, and you have one hour to meet back here.”

“What a novel idea. I can hardly wait. I shall be the winner for certain,” Charlotte decided, prodding her husband before striding first out through the doors to the terrace. Her long, slim silhouette was lit by the countless lanterns set up ahead.

Everyone followed, all except for Eleanor.

Kenneth stopped and, trapped behind him, so did Dominic. “Are you not coming? Cheating, are you?”

“Certainly not. Only, I’m the one who created the lists and thus the hunt,” she explained with every grain of politeness in her tone. “I’ll join everyone outside and make sure everything goes well.”

Kenneth eyed her curiously before taking his leave––which meant it was only her and Dominic.

Listening to the pounding of her heart, Eleanor let out a quiet breath. She braced her fingers over her waist. As he gazed at her, she wondered what he thought of her. She took a step forward in the hopes they might talk.

Instead, he followed everyone out onto the terrace.

I must think nothing of that. After the party––we shall talk after the party. For now, breathe.

Everyone enjoyed the scavenger hunt she’d constructed, having hidden several statutes there as well as placing servants about with clues. Lost in the gardens, her guests could be heard laughing and teasing one another until the hour was up. Then they scrambled to the terrace to exchange their lists.

“I did win!” Charlotte cried out with a clap. “How marvelous.”

Beaming, Eleanor brought forward her tray of bronze figurines. “Then please help yourself. But worry not, friends, there is one more gift for everyone.”

Her cousin selected the bronze elephant just as a loud clap sounded. It startled even Eleanor, though she had been prepared. The figurines fell off their feet and clattered noisily on her tray while everyone twisted around with gasps of delight just in time for another firework to go off.

“How did you…” Charlotte sidled up next to her. “Eleanor, oh, what a clever lady you are.”

“Thank you.” They smiled at each other.

It was a short series of fireworks, not even that grand on the overall scale of such explosives. But she had wanted a lovely finish to the evening and managed just that. Bright lights glittered in the sky. She never grew used to the noise, though she wore a smile when anyone glanced her way.

The evening had been very long for Eleanor as she was on her toes the entire evening. Attentive and watchful and anxious. As proud as she was to have the party finish so strongly, she was much more relieved to have the door close behind the last of their guests.

She slumped against the closed door, exhaling loudly.

This is it. We’re going to talk. He was lively all evening. Entertaining and friendly and charming. If Miss Porter wasn’t already engaged, she’d be tossing herself into his lap. Tonight must show Dominic that I can do anything he needs and desires.

Eleanor took several minutes to collect herself before finding her husband in his study. She’d been waiting for this moment for a week now. She could hardly believe the time had come.

“Dominic,” she said as she stepped into the room with the door cracked open. She rested her hands on her hips while she watched him take a sip of brandy. “I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”

She had rehearsed her words for tonight as well. Her apologies for the forced union and for not keeping her word. Her desire for a future with him. A truce was needed and the future to be discussed. She was willing to negotiate- even beg if it came down to it.

All I need is for him to talk to me.

“It’s late, Eleanor.” She swallowed the yearning for him to use her pet name even when he groaned. “Can we not talk tomorrow?”

“We can, but I’d like a moment of your time now as well before…” She didn’t want to suggest he would attempt to avoid her. But it was very likely. “I would simply like to speak with you. There is much we should discuss. Not now, I understand, but… but soon, if you please.”

There was a heavy sigh on his lips before he set the glass down. “Dare I ask what the topic might be?”

“Us, of course.” She tried to smile. Striding forward into the room, she only stopped when he rose to his feet. Her eyes followed his face. There was something unclear about it. About him. Lately, it was difficult for her to understand him. “Just for a few minutes, Dominic, please. I miss you. We were friends once, were we not? Perhaps we can––”

Except he never gave her the chance to go on.

There was a short twist of his head like a refusal, but it was too fast for her to be certain. It was as fast as a single heartbeat. Then he was gone. She caught a whiff of his scent––bergamot––before finding herself alone in his study.

The silence threatened to deafen her. As the room spun, Eleanor closed her eyes and tried her best not to let the tears fall.

I should have left first, before he could properly break my heart.