Page 14 of The Duke’s Ultimatum (Unrelenting Lords #1)

CHAPTER 14

T he summer sun rose high above the trees, casting shadows to darkened parts of the path in front of them. Sarah and Charlotte walked a few paces behind Eleanor, discussing the new fashions coming out of Paris this season. Beatrice followed closely behind them, a scowl on her face.

“I do wish you would drop that insufferable pout from your face, Beatrice. You’ll wrinkle.” Charlotte tossed the comment over her shoulder.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes at her mother and stuck out her tongue.

“Mama, leave her be. She’s just upset you made her leave the confines of her room to venture into the outside world.”

Charlotte heaved a heavy sigh. “Why that girl fills her head with all that nonsense is beyond me? It’s most likely the cause of all those headaches she gets. Too much information trying to take root in a place where it shouldn’t.”

Sarah gave a noncommittal sound, knowing her mother would cause an outright scene if anyone were to question her opinion on young ladies who read too much.

Eleanor tried focusing on the conversations happening behind her; it was a good distraction from the man walking to her left.

“Are you enjoying the walk, Eleanor?” Graynor squinted at the sun light shining through the trees.

“I am, Your Grace, thank you.” She kept her eyes forward while they continued to walk in seemingly compatible silence. Outwardly they looked like a pleasant group, out for a walk before it became too hot. Inwardly, though, it was a different story.

Frustration fueled her, and she needed to find a way to channel the negative energy into pleasant conversation. She knew she couldn’t stay quiet for long; it wouldn’t be proper.

“You, uh, haven’t been around these past few days. Business?” Eleanore cringed at the eagerness in her voice. While his absence allowed her mind and body to rest from all the confusion and tension her time with him always caused, she now she felt as if they were back at square one.

She could see his shoulders tense from the corner of her eye. “Yes. I had business I had to attend to.” He began to rub his hands together, a habit she noticed he did when he needed to broach a subject he wasn’t comfortable with.

“I’m sorry. It is none of my business, Your Grace. I was just trying to make polite conversation.” Eleanor felt like a complete dolt. She knew better than to ask about business—most didn’t find it appropriate for women to inquire about the business dealings of men. Her eyes slid to look at him to gauge his feelings. She didn’t think he was of that mind, but the truth was she really didn’t know much about him or his beliefs.

“No. It’s not that at all, Eleanor. I don’t mind talking business with you or anyone. It’s the subject I’m most comfortable talking about, so the company who I discuss it with is of no matter.”

“Ah.” Eleanor didn’t really know how to answer, so she just let the comment drop.

After a few steps, he started to worry his hands again.

“Eleanor, I would like discuss how you are faring in your quest for a husband.”

Eleanor smiled at the couple passing them. “Quest? You make it sound like I am on some epic adventure, going into the unknown.”

“Well, have you been here before?” he countered.

She looked over at him. “This is my third season.”

His eyes met hers. “True. But this is the first time when you are actually taking it seriously.”

Eleanor scoffed. “Who said I wasn’t serious in my first two seasons?” There was something about his insinuation that perturbed her.

“If you were serious, you would be married by now. It’s really a simple assumption based on your current situation.”

Graynor’s tone was so matter of fact, it grated on her nerves.

“Well, I do have someone in mind if you must know,” she said, quickening her steps. Childish but necessary. She needed to feel like she had some control over this conversation.

The change in pace didn’t affect Graynor. He lengthened his stride. “That’s wonderful news. Who is the lucky chap?”

“Simon Hawkins.”

“The Viscount of Hountshire?” Graynor’s voice rose in disbelief.

“Yes, the Viscount of Hountshire. He is the perfect example of a schooled gentleman. He’s intelligent, witty, a good conversationalist?—”

“Green,” Graynor supplied.

Eleanor halted her charge and looked up at him. “Green? What do you mean by that?”

“He is just one-and-twenty; he doesn’t have enough experience to handle all that life throws at a married man and his family. I’m not sure he is capable of supporting you and your potential family.”

Eleanor gawked at the Duke. “Considering I am just twenty years, I like the idea of wading through the waters of marriage together as we help each other learn our roles.”

Graynor sneered. “Your na?veté is your flaw.”

Eleanor rolled her eyes. “That’s a low blow even for you, Your Grace. A flaw is something one can work on and correct. How can I correct my age other than by having experiences? The same goes for the Viscount.”

The Duke let out a groan which Eleanor ignored.

“He comes from a good family,” she supplied.

“Ha!” Graynor interjected.

Eleanor threw her hands up in the air. “Ha? What ‘ha’?”

“Where did you get your information about the Viscount?” The Duke’s eyes narrowed.

“The Viscount,” Eleanor stated.

The Duke laughed and continued to walk. Eleanor quickened her steps to catch up with him. “You’re doing it again.”

“And what is that?”

“Making me feel as if I am the punch line in some joke.” She bristled.

The Duke looked down at her. “Of course, what you hear from the man himself is going to be all pleasant things. Who would talk badly to you when you’re the prize? Not him.”

Eleanor’s steps slowed. “You think I’m the prize?” Her stomach did a little flip at the thought.

Graynor appeared flustered but waved her off. “Of course, the woman is always the prize. Most men are complete imbeciles.”

Eleanor brought a hand up to her stomach which now felt as if it was sitting in her feet after hearing his reasoning.

“I have no reason not to believe his word.”

The Duke continued to walk, and she noticed a little swagger to his step.

“Just out of curiosity, what do you know of the Viscount?”

Graynor’s eyes remained forward. “I know enough. Who are your other prospects?”

Eleanor sighed. “He is my only prospect.”

Graynor turned to her. “How is he your only prospect?”

Eleanor lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “He’s the only one who I felt comfortable with.”

Derek clenched his jaw as his eyes zeroed in on hers. “Something has been bothering me about your situation, Eleanor.”

Eleanor chewed on her inner cheek. What would she give to go back for him being busy with business and not talking to her?

“How is someone as well-spoken and intelligent as you, someone who is well-liked in society, not married? Your mother sings your praises to anyone she meets and rightfully so. So, what is the reasoning? You should have been snatched up during your first season.”

Eleanor took a deep breath. “I already told you, there were no compatible matches.”

Graynor pointed a finger at her. “That’s an excuse. What’s the real reason Eleanor?”

“It is impolite to point, especially in public.” She sniffed.

The Duke snarled and took a step closer. “Stop evading the question, Eleanor. Why is it you are not married?”

Eleanor looked back to her mother and Sarah, who had fallen a little further behind them, both still caught up in their own conversation.

“There is no other reason.” She shrugged, hoping against all hope he would drop this conversation.

Derek looked down at her skeptically. “Eleanor, how am I to help you find someone if I don’t know what the problem is?”

Eleanor’s cheeks reddened. “There is no problem.”

“Eleanor.” The way his voice dipped in warning made her see red.

“What?” Her voice sang out amongst the trees. “I told you I found no one of interest.” Eleanor looked around to see curious faces staring back at her and cringed. Blast this man and his questions.

She took a step closer towards the Duke. “This is a highly inappropriate conversation to have out in public, Your Grace. You shouldn’t pry into personal matters,” her voice rushed out in a harsh whisper.

The Duke’s eyes focused on hers before he tilted his head in apology.

Eleanor’s throat ran dry, and it hurt to swallow. She looked ahead and blinked quickly to help stem the flow of tears she was fighting back. Never had she been so embarrassed on a promenade before. What must people think of her for her outburst with the Duke of all people?

She heard a soft cough from behind her.

Both turned to see her mother standing behind them. Sarah and Beatrice were a little further back, looking on curiously.

“I feel the heat from the summer sun is getting the best of me. Is it all right with His Grace if we turn back now?” Charlotte stepped up in between them. She gave her daughter a pointed look as she slipped her hand through the Duke’s arm.

Graynor accepted Charlotte’s hand without qualm.

“Excellent idea, Charlotte. I should be getting back to some business waiting for me.”

Eleanor let her mother walk ahead with the Duke.

“What was that about?” Sarah whispered to Eleanor.

“Nothing that concerns you.”

Sarah let the moment settle before nudging her sister.

“It may not concern me outright, but it concerns you, and you are my sister. Are you all right?”

Eleanor sighed. Her heart was tired of the push and pull with the Duke. She never knew where she stood with him, and it was becoming exhausting.

“I will be. Once I settle with a husband, all will be well, and we can move on with the rest of our lives. I just need to get through this season.”

Sarah nodded solemnly. “It’ll all work out, Eleanor. You always find a way to come out on top. You’re quite the catch, you know.”

Eleanor slipped her hand through Sarah’s arm.

“Thank you, sister.”

Sarah smiled. “And I wouldn’t worry about what the Duke thinks of your choices. In the end, he’s not the one marrying them, you are. If you’re happy with someone, then that’s all that matters.”

Sarah rested her head on Eleanor’s shoulder as they continued to walk.

Eleanor didn’t know how to reply to her sister because it wasn’t just up to her. Not when the business of marriage was something wars were fought over. And she felt a war brewing between her and the Duke. One that might destroy the whole family.