Page 18 of The Duke’s Ultimatum (Unrelenting Lords #1)

CHAPTER 18

E leanor reached out and took Graynor’s hand, purposefully looking past him. It was bad enough that her cheek still could recall the tingle from where his knuckles brushed them yesterday; she didn’t need to have his eyes seared into her mind for the whole evening as well.

Unfortunately for her, the Viscount was unable to escort her to Caroline’s for the concert. The Duke helped her out of the carriage, along with her sisters and mother. When all four women were settled, they followed him into Caroline’s home.

Per usual, Sarah and Charlotte took the time to whisper to each other about what others were wearing while Beatrice remained quiet behind them. It was no secret that she had hidden a book in the folds of her dress. How she expected to read the book in the middle of a society event was beyond Eleanor, but that was not her problem. So, like her mother, she chose to ignore Beatrice’s secret.

Eleanor scanned the foyer, looking for the Viscount. The sooner she got away from the Duke, the better. Finally, her eyes landed on the Viscount, who was handing his overcoat to the butler.

“There’s your beau.” Graynor’s voice held no malice which was a welcome change from his previous demeanor around the Viscount.

“Oh, Mama! Look! It’s Bryon Wilkins! May I go say hello?” Sarah squealed.

Eleanor’s eyes traveled to where the young boy stood with his parents, looking positively bored.

“Go on, but be back before the performance starts. Beatrice? Go with your sister.”

Both girls opened their mouths to complain.

Charlotte raised her hands. “I do not want to hear it from either of you. Beatrice, your sister shouldn’t go alone, and it wouldn’t harm you to talk to others. Don’t think I don’t know about the book you brought.”

“But Mama, Beatrice isn’t even old enough to be a proper chaperone.”

Charlotte quirked an eyebrow. “I’m not dense, child. We are in a room with about a hundred other people, so you don’t need a chaperone. This is more for her sake, and mine, than yours. Now go.”

Both girls stomped away.

“Good evening, Lady Eleanor; you look quite beautiful tonight.” Hountshire had approached while the girls were walking away.

Eleanor dipped her head in thanks. “You’re too kind.” Eleanor’s eyes briefly looked at Graynor’s, expecting to be met with some hostility but instead, he was tracking Sarah and Beatrice’s movements with interest.

“Something amiss, Your Grace?” Eleanor asked, curious as to why he was watching them so closely.

Her question broke his concentration, and he looked back to her. “No, everything is well, Eleanor. Hountshire.” Graynor looked him up and down. “Good to see you again.”

The Viscount took the Duke’s offered hand and merely nodded.

“Have you ever heard the Stanley Quartet play, Your Grace?” Charlotte inquired.

Graynor shook his head. “Unfortunately, not. I have heard wonderful praise about them, though, so I am thoroughly looking forward to tonight.”

“You are in for a treat, Your Grace,” Hountshire interjected. “I make it a habit to see them, and other musicians, several times a year. I think art and philanthropy go hand in hand in this day and age. I am a huge supporter of the arts as Eleanor knows.” Hountshire’s cocky smile grated on Graynor, who wanted to rearrange the Viscount’s face into his own work of art.

“Yes, and we are very appreciative of you and your family’s generous donation to the charity, Simon. It was the largest one we received.” Eleanor placed her hand on his arm.

Hountshire preened under Eleanor’s compliment. “It was nothing, my sweet. Anything for you and your project.”

The way he said “project” unnerved Eleanor. It sounded almost insulting, but she swallowed her pride. It wasn’t about recognition, after all, it was for the children.

She looked at Graynor, who was busy looking around the room. She followed as his eyes hit the flower arrangements, the food, and the information tables. She was most proud of those. She worked with the children to paint and draw their favorite things. There was also information about what they hoped to renovate at the hospital with the funds raised at tonight’s event. Eleanor was very proud of her work.

“I can tell you and Caroline put a lot into this. I am impressed, Eleanor. You should be very proud of yourself.” The Duke’s words were quiet and sincere.

Eleanor stood, her mouth slightly agape. When he looked to Charlotte, he found a similar expression. Graynor rolled his lips. He looked surprised at their reactions.

“Th-thank you, Your Grace. It is so lovely for you to notice the work that goes into something like this.” Her voice held surprise and uncertainty.

“Well, it’s the truth. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel as if this wasn’t impressive.” His eyes, full of remorse, found hers. She recalled when Hountshire told him about her event at the garden party. He made it seem as if her work was beneath him.

“I’m sorry if I made it sound insignificant, but the truth was even the most well established galas couldn’t hold a candle to this charity event put on by two young women just trying to help children in a hospital.” Graynor’s voice dipped, suddenly aware of all the eyes on him. “I can tell it means a lot to you.”

Eleanor felt her cheeks redden. “Thank you, Your Grace. It is something I hold dear to my heart.” For a moment she felt as if it were only the Duke and her in the room. That is, until she felt Simon shift at her side.

Before she could speak, Caroline appeared at Eleanor’s side.

“Eleanor!” Caroline’s arms wrapped around Eleanor, enveloping her in a consuming hug. “Everything looks perfect. You have such a great eye when it comes to design. And everyone can’t stop talking about the Stanley Quartet. This even may just be the highlight of the season!”

Eleanor blushed. “This was all your idea, Caroline. I merely?—”

“Did everything!” Caroline laughed. “It may have been my harebrained idea to have a charity event in the middle of the season, but you took it and ran with it. Between the food, the flowers, the musicians, the information…” She looked at the Viscount. “Did you see the drawings the children made? Eleanor visited them weekly to help them make pictures for tonight.”

Hountshire looked over his shoulder at the table that held the children’s artwork. He looked unimpressed. “It looks great, Caroline.”

Eleanor wasn’t proud to admit her heart sank at the Viscount’s dismissal. However, a lady must never show high emotion at an event, especially one she was hosting. She stood by his side with a small smile plastered to her face.

Her eyes met the Duke’s, and it was if the air of the room was sucked out. The Duke stood, his hands balled in fists at his sides, anger rolling off him in waves. His once blue eyes were dark and menacing.

Sensing tension, Eleanor turned to Hountshire. “Simon? Why don’t we go find our seats?” Eleanor looked at Caroline. “The quartet should be starting soon, correct?” Eleanor felt she had but mere moments before the Duke said something they’d both regret. She couldn’t say for certain what caused the change in the Duke’s mood, but she would bet it had something to do with Simon’s dismissal of her work.

Something deep within her whirled at the notion of the Duke caring about how others perceived and appreciated her.

Caroline, completely oblivious to the Duke’s change in demeanor, glanced at the standing clock in the corner of the foyer. “Oh yes, we should get everyone to their seats in the garden. I’m so glad you talked me into moving it outside. It is such a lovely night to sit and listen to the Stanley Quartet under the stars. Plus, now the ballroom can be set up for dancing afterward. Eleanor, you truly thought of everything.”

Eleanor smiled at her friend’s praise as she ushered the Viscount past Graynor, who stood there, his eyes dark as night as he watched them leave.

Eleanor blew out a breath. This was going to be a long evening.

Graynor watched them as they found their seats and Hountshire politely kissed Eleanor’s hand before she left to see to the last minute details.

Graynor cringed. Both of them played their roles impeccably. He saw the change in her when Hountshire dismissed the children’s artwork, but it was fleeting. Like the professional she was, she kept her kind smile plastered on her face as her pride took a hit. If they were anywhere but at an event she had planned, he would have laid the dandy out. But this event meant too much to Eleanor for him to resort to fisticuffs to put Hountshire in his place.

Graynor took in the decorated garden. He could see Eleanor in the tiny details that accentuated the venue. He could see her effort in every floral arrangement, every chair placed just so in the garden, in every brushstroke on the children’s drawings. Eleanor put her heart and soul into this event, and that bastard had the audacity to ignore it.

Graynor made his way to the front of the seats. He paused before sitting, debating whether he should say something to Hountshire or leave it be. Eleanor came up behind him, her shoulder brushing his back as she walked by.

Surprised by the contact, Graynor’s eyes slid to Eleanor, who merely smiled at him and sat.

Following her lead, Graynor sat next to her.

Caroline stood in front of the waiting crowd.

“Before we start, I’d just like to thank everyone for coming during such a busy time for us all. Your support of the children at St. Stephen’s is greatly appreciated. I’d also be remiss in my duties if I didn’t give credit where credit is due.”

Eleanor straightened next to Graynor.

“Eleanor?” Caroline looked at her expectantly and reached out her arm, signaling Eleanor to stand up. Eleanor stood and slightly turned to the rows behind her, offering a small smile and wave.

She doesn’t want the recognition.

Graynor looked past the empty seat to Hountshire, who was looking at the applauding people as if he were receiving the praise. Graynor immediately regretted not putting him in his place earlier.

“Lady Eleanor is responsible for organizing this event tonight. Her expert eye has created a wonderful evening for us all to enjoy while doing some good for the children. And it is because of her that I have the honor of introducing the Stanley Quartet.”

The applause grew, and Eleanor shrank back down to her chair.

“Stand back up, Lady Eleanor. Enjoy the fruits of your labor,” Hountshire prodded.

Eleanor shook her head. “I did. It’s not necessary. I told Caroline that. I don’t need the recognition.”

She continued to look around nervously, flitting her hands in frantic waves to get the applause to stop.

Graynor could practically see her nerves dancing along her skin. She hated having the crowd’s full attention. He slid a hand onto her bouncing thigh, and it stilled.

He found it amusing her eyes flew to the Viscount’s before his. She was making sure he didn’t see where Graynor’s hand was. He was too busy fawning over the praise she was getting to pay attention to the woman herself.

Her head snapped to Graynor, who simply took in a breath and exhaled. He looked at her expectantly until she mimicked his actions.

Fire ignited in his belly. She was able to follow his instructions without the use of any words. Oh, what fun he could have with her if she were any other woman.

Once the applause died down, Caroline took her seat, and the quartet began to play.

Graynor removed his hand from her thigh and used all of his concentration to stay focused on the musicians right in front of him and not the woman seated next to him. He had to admit they were good but not good enough to keep his focus from drifting back to Eleanor.

He felt Eleanor shift beside him. He bit his bottom lip and trained his eyes on the violinist. Surely, if he could become interested in the violinist’s mov… Did she just touch me?

Graynor’s entire body went on alert. He could have sworn he felt a gentle swipe along his leg. Maybe it was an accident? She was just shifting in her chair; she could have accidentally touched him.

Graynor licked his lips. Sitting in the front row made him feel as if there was a spotlight on him. He wanted to look at her but didn’t want to draw attention to them. Eleanor shifted again; this time he knew she touched him. He felt the tiniest flick of her finger as she smoothed out her skirts.

With a smile, he relaxed in his seat, letting his hand fall in between the chairs. Thanks to the fullness of her skirts, the row behind them wouldn’t be able to see his hand. Eleanor shifted once again, this time lining her thigh with the edge of the chair.

This actually made it look like she was leaning in towards the Viscount, but Graynor had no doubt what her true intention was. Within seconds his theory was proved right.

Her hand fluttered down in between the chairs and brushed against his. He heard a slight intake of air from Eleanor, and his smile grew. Either she wasn’t expecting his hand to be there, or she felt the shock that went through him as well when they touched.

He expected her to snap her hand back, but to his pleasant surprise, she kept it there for a moment. Their fingers lightly intertwined with each other. The softest whisper of a touch but enough to awaken something within him.

After the concert ended, everyone shuffled into the ballroom for dancing. Eleanor and Simon danced for quite a while, but for the whole time, Eleanor struggled to keep her focus on the man in her arms.

With every spin, she let her eyes roam the room, hoping to clash with a set of blue ones. She knew those eyes were tracking her every movement. Each time they did, she didn’t know whether to feel elated or annoyed. Her mind told her one thing, but her body had other opinions.

With every stolen glance, her body hummed with anticipation for the next spin that let her eyes find his.

They had just finished dancing their second dance when her mother, followed by the Duke, joined them. “Eleanor, tonight is going splendidly. I’m so proud of you.”

Charlotte leaned over and kissed her daughter on the cheek.

“Thank you, Mama.”

“Have you seen Sarah or Beatrice? I lost them after the concert was over. I thought I saw them in here with friends, but I can’t find them.”

Eleanor looked past the dancing couples to the refreshment table where her sisters usually congregated. Sarah said it was always the best view in the room since it usually was set up where people can easily get to it. Therefore, it was always in people’s line of sight, putting them in her line of sight when she stood there.

“It looks like Sarah and Beatrice are by the refreshment table.”

Charlotte’s eyes followed Eleanor’s. When they reached the refreshment table, Charlotte gasped excitedly. “Oh look, the Wilkens boy is still with them. Isn’t young love adorable?”

Eleanor couldn’t help but smile. There was no doubt where Sarah got her views of romance from.

The Duke turned and groaned.

Eleanor tilted her head. “Sarah mentioned you don’t seem fond of the Wilkens boy, Your Grace.”

Graynor turned back to Eleanor and Hountshire. “The boy is fine enough, but I would like to talk to his father before those two start anything.”

Hountshire laughed. “They’re children, Your Grace. I don’t think there is anything to worry about. It’s a bout of puppy love if anything, I’m sure it’s nothing to concern yourself with.”

Graynor narrowed his eyes. “I can take care of my own, Hountshire. Remember that.”

Eleanor stepped in between the two men. “Simon. I’m feeling rather parched. Would you be a dear and get me a glass of punch?”

Hountshire looked at the Duke before nodding. He turned to Charlotte. “Your Grace, would you like some punch as well?”

Charlotte’s eyes took in the scene before her, Eleanor’s eyes pleaded with Charlotte’s. “I would love some, and actually, I think I’ll go with you if that’s all right with you.”

The Viscount tipped up the corner of his lips as he offered his arm. “It would be an honor.”

Eleanor could have sworn she heard the Duke snarl as they walked away from them.

“You’re doing it again.”

Graynor looked down at her, his eyes wide in innocence. “Doing what?”

Eleanor sighed. “We talked about this. You have to play the game when you’re in public.”

Graynor stood taller. “He insinuated I don’t have my house in order… again.”

Eleanor let out a breezy chuckle. “He did not.” She brushed a hand against his arm. The movement felt so natural to her. Whenever she did it with Simon, she had to tell her hand to move.

He looked down to where her hand grazed him. When he looked back up, his eyes were ablaze with heat.

“Careful, Eleanor.” His voice held warning, but his eyes took on a mischievous glow.

Eleanor clicked her tongue. “I am always careful, Your Grace.”

Music swelled around them.

“You know, I haven’t danced yet tonight.” He extended his hand. “Care to help me remedy that?”

Eleanor smiled and slipped her hand into his. Her mind tried to tamper down the fire that was growing low in her belly, but her body ignored its warning signs. With each step they took to the center of the ballroom, the fire grew until she felt as if her whole body was engulfed in flames.

She looked up into his blue eyes, and once again, her world quieted and stilled.

“How do you do that?” Her voice was nothing but a whisper.

Graynor looked down at her, confusion washing over his face. “What did you say?”

Eleanor shook her head. “It was nothing.”

Graynor led them around the floor expertly. This was her third time dancing with him since they’d met, and each time, her body picked up new sensations she was not accustomed to feeling. She certainly didn’t feel this way when she danced with Simon.

With Simon it was mechanical, technical. They both knew the steps by heart and had no problem executing the movements, but there was no emotion tied to them. But with the Duke, her body felt alive. It was as if they were creating new steps that only the two of them knew.

Each turn, he pulled her closer to him, and with each step, he kept his focus on her and only her. When she danced with Simon, she rarely looked at him, so she couldn’t tell if Simon was only ever looking at her. But with the Duke, her eyes never left the depth of his.

The music ended, and the two stood still in each other’s arms.

Eleanor heard clapping coming from behind her. Her eyes broke from the Duke’s, and she saw her mother walking up to them. “Your Grace, I had no idea you knew how to dance that well.”

Eleanor looked past her mother to see Simon standing, holding punch in each of his hands. Her heart sank and the weight of what she just did hit her. What an awful woman she was.

Here she had asked him to get her a drink, and her thanks was to dance with another man. She rushed over to him. “I am so sorry, Simon. Thank you for the punch. It was very kind of you to get it for me.”

Hountshire’s eyes remained on the dance floor. She took a breath and touched his arm, hoping to get his attention.

“Simon?”

His eyes drifted to hers.

“Thank you.”

He simply nodded, and Eleanor’s stomach dropped. He was her one hope to get out from under the Duke, and she may have just ruined it by dancing with said Duke.

“I don’t think he likes me.” Hountshire’s voice was cold.

Eleanor swallowed. Etiquette taught her to diffuse situations, but it also taught her not to lie. “I like you.” It wasn’t a lie; she didn’t mind him. Her body just didn’t ignite every time they touched. That could be something she could live without, right?

Hountshire’s eyes softened. “I’m glad to hear that, Lady Eleanor. I like you, too.”

Eleanor smiled and took a sip of her punch.

She hoped that liking each other was enough to make a marriage work. Unfortunately, there was a growing part of her that felt it wouldn’t be.