Page 18 of The Duke’s Reluctant Muse (The Untamed Nobles #3)

Elizabeth looked up as her brother marched into the room, a little surprised at the frown pulling his expression down. “Dennington? Are you quite all right?”

“Yes.” He made to sit down, only to seem to think better of it and began to then instead march about the drawing room, his brow still heavy and his head bowed forward a little as though deep in thought. Elizabeth set her embroidery to one side, watching him and finding herself a little concerned. Was he about to tell her that his headaches had begun to return? These last few weeks, he had seemed to be in better health than she had seen him in some time but was that now all about to come to an end?

“Elizabeth.” Dennington turned his head to look at her, coming to a stop. “My dear sister, there is something that I must tell you.”

She blinked at him but said nothing.

“I have made a decision.”

Relief leached out of her, her shoulders slumping as she nodded. “Yes?” Clearly it was not that he was unwell again and for that, she was very glad indeed.

“This decision will affect you,” her brother continued, beginning to pace again, rubbing one hand over his forehead. “I do not want to upset you in any way, nor surprise you for, in fact, I desire your considerations and your thoughts.”

Becoming a little exasperated now, Elizabeth folded her hands in her lap and arched an eyebrow. “Dennington, rather than speaking in riddles, might you instead simply tell me what it is that troubles you so?”

Her brother let out another sigh, glancing back at her before continuing his march up and down the room. Despite her coaxing, he still did not speak openly and it was only when she let out a sigh of exasperation that he finally sank down into a seat. Putting his elbows on his knees, he sank his chin down into his hands and let out what sounded like a rather mournful sigh.

Concern wriggled in Elizabeth’s stomach but she silenced it quickly, looking back at her brother and waiting for him to speak. Her patience grew thin but recognizing that there was something weighty on his mind, she waited still, pressing her own hands tight together to push out her frustration.

Then, he lifted his gaze and looked at her. “Elizabeth, I think I am in love with Lady Annette.”

Astonishment poured into Elizabeth’s heart. “Love?”

He nodded, appearing to be quite miserable at the thought, no joy expressed in his face. “It is quite dreadful.”

“Dreadful?” Elizabeth frowned. “I do not understand.”

A groan broke from him as he dropped his head back into his hands. “It is not at all as I thought it would be, Elizabeth! I did not think that I would ever feel such a strong affection for anyone but now that I do… well, it has quite overpowered me!”

Rising from her chair, Elizabeth walked across to her brother, bent down and looked up into his face. “That does not sound so dreadful, brother.”

“Oh, but it is! I cannot sleep! I can barely eat and I have lost interest in all else. All I think about is Lady Annette, all I dream about is of Lady Annette! She does have her faults and failings, as do I, but I do not give them even a moment’s thought! How can I continue on in this way, Elizabeth? How am I meant to think of my duties and my responsibilities when my heart is so very full?”

Understanding what it was he meant, Elizabeth could not help but laugh. Her brother’s eyes rounded and he pulled back, seemingly a little affronted, but Elizabeth grasped his hand and pressed it quickly.

“Dennington, my dear brother, you must not despair! That is quite the opposite of what you ought to do, I am sure.”

He frowned. “I do not understand. I am tormented, Elizabeth, tormented !”

“And so you shall be until you tell her of your feelings,” Elizabeth told him, all too aware that the very same thought was in her own mind, for her thoughts had been centered solely on the Duke of Nottingham for some time now and she well recognized the agony her brother spoke of. “I think you must speak to Annette and tell her the very same things you have told me.”

This made him frown all the harder, as though that thought brought him pain or distress rather than relief. Elizabeth waited, seeing the changing of his expression and wondering what it was he was thinking.

Eventually, he sighed and shook his head. “And if she tells me that her feelings do not match my own, then what trouble shall I face?” he asked, a little hoarse now. “I fear that I shall become all the more sorrowful!”

Elizabeth pressed his hand again and then rose to her feet. “My dear brother, are you truly foolish enough to think that Lady Annette has no interest in you whatsoever?” She lifted one eyebrow as he looked up at her, hope flickering in his eyes. “Come now, you lack a little boldness, that is all.”

His throat bobbed. “If she accepts my courtship, then a good many things might change, Elizabeth.”

“I am well aware of that.”

“And you would be contented with that?”

With a soft smile on her lips and a heart that filled with happiness over his consideration of her, Elizabeth nodded. “Of course I should be, Dennington. You need a wife, do you not? And Lady Annette is quite lovely and, I might say, more than loyal when it comes to her friendships. Her feelings are not easily altered and I think that, given what I have seen growing between you both, you have very little to be concerned about.”

Slowly, her brother began to nod and Elizabeth hid a smile, finding it rather surprising that he had no seeming assurance that Lady Annette returned his feelings. Indeed, they might not be of the same strength but even Elizabeth had seen the happiness in her friend’s expression whenever she had drawn close to Dennington.

“You say that I am foolish for being uncertain of Lady Annette’s feelings,” her brother said, as Elizabeth made her way back to her seat and to her embroidery. “Would you say that you might also be a little foolish?”

Elizabeth frowned, picking up her embroidery. “No, I do not think so.”

“Are you quite sure?”

She lifted her gaze back to him. “Dennington, what is it that you are trying to say?”

A hint of a smile brushed across his lips. “The Duke?”

It was as though she had stepped into a blazing fire, such was the heat that tore through her. Pulling her gaze back to her embroidery and ignoring the sudden frantic beating of her heart, she shook her head. “Do not be ridiculous, brother. The Duke and I have built an acquaintance, a friendship.”

“And what if he feels something more?”

Another burst of heat made Elizabeth feel as though every part of her was slowly beginning to burn up.

“He was close to telling me something at the ball a few evenings ago,” he continued, as Elizabeth forced her gaze to stick fast to the embroidery, though she had not stitched a single thing in some time. “I am quite sure he was going to say that he found himself desiring to court you and wanted to have my permission, but he was sadly interrupted.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, a fierce excitement gripping her.

“What would you want me to say, should he ask?”

Finally lifting her gaze, Elizabeth’s excitement evaporated in an instant as she remembered the letters. “I am not sure. I – I think I should tell him about the letters first. I do not want to keep a secret from him.”

This did not bring about the reaction from her brother that Elizabeth had expected. He merely shrugged, seeming to think very little of that. “I do not think he would be upset. So, shall I tell him to speak to you directly?” A smile tugged at his lips. “Then you can confess all… all, Elizabeth.” He winked at her, a grin on his face now. “And the rest shall lead on from there.”

A slight trembling ran through her but Elizabeth kept her brother’s gaze. “If he should ask you – and I am not certain he shall despite what you think – then you may only state that he ought to speak to me directly.” And I shall have to be bold enough to tell him about the letters . Her eyes closed tightly. And about my heart.

***

Elizabeth linked arms with Lady Annette as they made their way around Lord and Lady Trentwood’s drawing room and then out into the hallway. “So,” Elizabeth began, wondering whether or not her brother had yet taken the opportunity to speak with Lady Annette. “Have you been in my brother’s company yet this evening? I know that he was eager to speak with you.”

Lady Annette looked back at her. “Is he?” A smile began to form, her eyes shining. “That is quite wonderful to know, for I have been eager to speak with him also.”

Elizabeth chose to say nothing to this, hopeful that her brother would have the positive response he desired.

“I do think that he is quite an exceptional gentleman, you know.”

Smiling at her friend, Elizabeth nodded. “Of course. And you must know that he thinks very highly of you also. As do I.”

“He has told me about his headaches.”

A little surprised, Elizabeth waited for Lady Annette to continue speaking.

“He told me that he was advised to come to London to see if there was any improvement.”

“And there has been.”

Lady Annette bit her lip, appearing a little worried. “I understand that he has concerns that his headaches will return once he makes his way back to the estate.” Her eyes flew to Elizabeth. “Not that such a thing would in any way deter me from his company! It is only that I worry for him.”

“As do I.” Elizabeth smiled gently, her heart soft as she saw just how much Lady Annette truly cared for Dennington. “But you do not need to be concerned. I think that, if he continues on at the estate as he has done here in London – a little less focus on his books and a little more on good company and entertainment – then he will be able to keep them at bay. Though,” she continued, as Lady Annette glanced to her again, “I think that he might need a little more guidance and encouragement to do so.”

Lady Annette nodded. “It is just as well that he has you to do such a thing for him.”

Elizabeth laughed softly but said nothing more, linking her arm through Lady Annette’s and seeing the hint of pink in her friend’s cheeks. There was clearly more between them that was not being said but at this juncture, Elizabeth had no desire to say anything that might speak words that her brother ought to say.

“Miss Jeffries, is it not?”

Turning, Elizabeth’s smile faltered as she came face to face with Lady Ludlow. “Good evening.” She did not say anything more, aware of the tension running through her.

“We were not formally introduced.” Lady Ludlow smiled but there came no brightness into her eyes. “I do hope that you enjoyed the dance with the Duke of Nottingham?”

Elizabeth lifted her chin just a little. “Indeed, I did.”

“I should warn you about him, however.” Lady Ludlow came a little closer, her voice dropping just a little. “The Duke of Nottingham is a gentleman that is entirely unscrupulous. He did, I am afraid to say, seek out a connection with me – and I am a married lady! When he became a little forceful, my loyal brother in law was forced to step in.”

“Is that so?” Elizabeth let her voice drip with ice, her lip curling.

“Yes, it is.” Lady Ludlow’s expression was one of mild surprise, perhaps having expected Elizabeth to trust her every word. “I am only doing my best to protect you.”

Elizabeth turned way, biting back her first response. “I have no interest in being protected.”

“No?”

She looked back at the lady. “No. I have already heard the truth from the Duke of Nottingham and it is he that I shall trust.”

This made Lady Ludlow’s face alter in an instant. Instead of the slightly wide eyes and the gently pouting lips, there came a dark frown, a narrowing of her eyes and a tight slash for her mouth.

“The Duke has already requested that you stay far from him,” Elizabeth continued, keeping her voice quiet but her eyes fixed to Lady Ludlow. “I think that I shall request the same. Good evening, Lady Ludlow.”

“Just a moment.” Lady Ludlow put one hand on Elizabeth’s arm, pulling her back and Elizabeth’s heart slammed hard in her chest. She dared not make a scene in front of the other guests but all the same, she did not want Lady Ludlow to think she would listen to her any longer. Tugging her hand arm away, she made to turn around again, only for Lady Ludlow to speak.

“If you have listened to the Duke, then you know that I am more than able to injure anyone I please and in any way I choose, all while society looks the other way.”

Elizabeth’s stomach dropped. “I beg your pardon?”

“Stay away from the Duke.” Lady Ludlow’s eyes sharpened. “He deserves no happiness, no contentment. Stay back from him, Miss Jeffries. That means you shall not dance with him, you shall not speak with him, you shall not...”

“I shall do whatever I please!” Elizabeth replied, interrupting the lady as her heart pounded furiously. “You have no right to demand any such thing from me. I know what you have done. I will not let you injure the Duke again.”

Lady Ludlow’s lip curled. “If you do not do as I ask, then you will be caught up in the difficulties that shall soon follow after the Duke. I have warned you, Miss Jeffries. That is all that I can do.”

Elizabeth swallowed hard, saying nothing but holding Lady Ludlow’s gaze for a long moment. She turned quickly, Lady Annette quickly taking her arm as they made their way out of the drawing room directly and into the hallway instead. Neither Elizabeth nor Lady Annette said anything for some minutes, though Elizabeth was aware that her friend had heard everything Lady Ludlow had said.

“What shall you do?”

Glancing at her friend, Elizabeth put one hand to her forehead for a moment, a sense of fear beginning to creep over her. “I must speak to the Duke.”

“And warn him?” Lady Annette’s eyes rounded. “But what if you do so and all that Lady Ludlow has said comes to pass? What if you too are caught up in some of her dark intentions and utterly ruined?”

Elizabeth shook her head, her intentions already determined. “It does not matter. I must tell him what has happened. He must be warned.” Her chin lifted. “I will not be afraid of her or what she has threatened. All that matters is the Duke.”