Page 21 of The Duke’s Ultimatum (Unrelenting Lords #1)

CHAPTER 21

E leanor sat at the breakfast table, staring out the window, mindlessly pushing a grape around her plate.

“Everything all right, Eleanor?” Charlotte asked, tilting her head slightly.

Eleanor continued to push the grape, not hearing her mother.

“Eleanor!” Charlotte waved her napkin around to get her daughter’s attention.

Eleanor looked across the table to her mother waving at her.

“I’m sorry, Mama, I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

Eleanor paused; she really didn’t know what she was thinking about. Too many thoughts fought over precedence in her mind. She had a feeling Simon would propose soon. They had been seeing each other regularly now, and since the Duke had stayed away, their time together had been more than casual.

Simon often brought up future plans, how many children he would like, and what he expected from his household. Nothing that shocked or concerned Eleanor. Their principles aligned with each other due to their similar upbringings. However, Eleanor couldn’t help but feel a part of her no longer wanted the perfectly polite high society life she was raised to strive for.

And if she did, she no longer saw it happening with someone like Simon.

Eleanor looked at her mother who was patiently waiting.

She couldn’t find the right words to adequately describe all the turmoil happening within her mind. Plus, she wasn’t sure her mother would approve of such thoughts and doubts. After all, her mother was a big proponent in her traditional upbringing and expected her daughters to be the prime example of high society. To have her oldest daughter doubt the match she was about to make and the life she was about to lead might lead her mother to the infirmary.

Instead of words, Eleanor lifted a shoulder and shrugged.

Charlotte put her fork down and pushed away from the table. She walked over to Eleanor’s side of the table and extended her hand. “Come. Take a walk with me.”

Eleanor looked at her mother’s hand and then back out the window. Perhaps a walk with her mother would help her clear her head.

Taking her mother’s hand, the two women walked out of the back of the house and into the garden.

They walked in compatible silence for a few moments until Charlotte spoke.

“Have I ever told you about the day your father proposed to me?”

Eleanor looked over to her mother. “No, you haven’t.” She had heard countless stories of her parent’s love for each other but never about her father’s proposal.

Charlotte smiled wistfully. “It was so long ago, yet I remember like it was yesterday. Your father came to our house, nervous as could be. I had a feeling he was going to propose, but you never can tell with men.” Charlotte let out a little chuckle.

Eleanor smiled, happy to just listen to her mother talk.

“I came into the parlor with my mother. Your father was standing there, trying to drink from a teacup, but he was shaking so badly due to nerves, he almost spilled tea on himself.”

Eleanor giggled. Her father was a no-nonsense man, and to imagine him being so nervous that he would spill tea on himself was comical. “Papa? I can’t picture him being that nervous. He was always so stoic.”

Charlotte sighed. “Yes, he was, but you must remember we were both very young when we were engaged. He didn’t develop that confidence until he was a bit older. It was nice, we both gained confidence together through our marriage. It was one of our greatest blessings, besides you and your sisters.”

Eleanor cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

Charlotte took a moment to consider her words carefully. “What I mean is, your father, God rest his soul, and I are not the same people we were when we were first engaged. We grew and changed so much during our marriage. When your father met me, I tried to be the perfect lady, and don’t get me wrong, I was. I did everything by the book, and I still believe had I not done that, he wouldn’t have given me a second look. But that doesn’t mean I still didn’t have a lot to learn.” Charlotte stopped their walk and sat on a bench next to their gate.

“It was the same thing for your father. He was the perfect gentleman, but he had his youthful flaws. But our marriage strengthened our resolve and helped shape us into insightful and respected members of society.”

Eleanor joined her mother on the bench. “Why are you telling me this now?”

Charlotte pursed her lips. “I think we both know what is coming with the Viscount. I want you to know that there is much to learn about each other. He may surprise you.”

Eleanor blushed. “Do you think I’m not happy with the prospect of him proposing to me?”

Charlotte took her daughter’s hand in hers. “Eleanor, I know you better than you know yourself. I see your hesitation, and it worries me.”

Eleanor cocked her head to the side. “Why?”

Charlotte dropped her eyes. “Because I fear it is my fault.”

Eleanor gasped. “Mama, why would you say that?”

Her mother stared out into the garden ahead of them. “Because I raised you to believe you had to be the perfect lady in order to find the perfect match, and that isn’t how it works. You’re more than perfect etiquette or carefully constructed niceties at parties. You’re curious, courageous, intelligent, witty and so much more. I want you to know that while you may hide those things away in society to be society’s darling, maybe Simon does as well.”

Eleanor raised an eyebrow causing Charlotte to chuckle.

“I’ve heard some of your conversations while I’ve chaperoned. He has his opinions about what it right and wrong, but maybe he’s putting on a show for you, much like you do when you’re in society.”

Eleanor chewed her bottom lip. “I hope so, Mama.”

Charlotte sighed, knowing her daughter wasn’t happy. “I’m so sorry you’re in this position, Eleanor.”

Eleanor stood, suddenly feeling the need to move. She paced in front of her mother, wringing her hands in front of her as she walked.

“It’s not that I don’t like Simon. I like him just fine. It’s just, I can’t see myself marrying someone like him.” She stopped and turned to her mother. “You’re right, when I’m in society I play my part, and I do an excellent job, but at the end of the day, I can come home and relax. I don’t think Simon does that. I think the Simon we see is the Simon I’ll get when everyone else goes home.”

Charlotte sat and watched her daughter. “Which is why I said, he may surprise you. Your father was a confident young man in public, but in that parlor all those years ago, he shook like a leaf on a tree. He was a different person in private, and it was during those times when we got to know each other. That’s where we grew together.”

Eleanor started to pace again. “And you think that will happen with Simon?” She sounded hopeful, she wanted, no, needed her mother to give her some validation that she was making the right choice by agreeing to marry Simon.

Charlotte stood and walked to her daughter. “I can’t say for certain, but I do believe that there is a chance. The question is, are you willing to give him that chance?”

Eleanor stilled and looked into her mother’s eyes. “I think I am.”

Her mother smiled and hugged her. “All will be well, my dear; just you wait and see.”

Eleanor took comfort in her mother’s words. Perhaps she was right. After all, the most prudent society members all regarded Eleanor as a just and demure socialite with exquisite manners and upbringing. But when she got home, she felt a level of comfort that allowed her to relax; perhaps Simon was the same way.

Jeffries appeared on the pathway. “Excuse me, Your Grace, but the Viscount of Hountshire is here to speak with Lady Eleanor.”

The two women exchanged a look, both having a good idea as to why he was there unexpectantly.

Charlotte looked at Eleanor. Eleanor knew what her mother was asking with the simple look. Charlotte was making sure Eleanor was ready for what was to come.

Eleanor smiled at her mother and looked at Jeffries. “Please tell him we’ll be right in.”

As Jeffries turned to leave, Charlotte leaned into her daughter. “Are you sure?”

Eleanor nodded her head. “I am, Mama. I’ve waited so long for this. He is a good man, and we will be just fine together.”

Charlotte hugged her daughter again. “Good.”

The women turned to follow Jeffries into the house.

“Are you nervous?” Charlotte whispered.

Eleanor lifted a shoulder. “Not really. Although, I am curious to see if he shakes so much he’ll spill his tea.”

Both women smiled, and Eleanor could feel some of her doubt lift. Maybe this wouldn’t be so terrible after all.

Eleanor looked down into her cup and sighed. She was taking small sips as the Viscount droned on about the latest happenings at Parliament. Her eyes were in constant danger of closing. Goodness, could he be any more boring?

Her mother was sitting opposite her, staring blankly out of the window, most likely wishing she were back out in the garden and not in this room. Eleanor dragged her eyes back to Simon. The poor man either wasn’t aware of the exhaustion he was inciting through his story, or he didn’t care. Either way it didn’t bode well for Eleanor’s outlook for the rest of her life.

Bringing the cup back up to her mouth, she took in a sip, wondering how long she could drag out this cup of tea before getting a second one.

The door opened, and she knew it was the Duke even before he appeared. With the swing of the door, the energy in the room changed, and her body went on alert.

She looked over the rim of her teacup to see the tall, athletic build of a man who demanded the room’s attention by just walking into it. Her eyes watched as he sauntered in without a care in the world, no regard for the other man who was currently talking.

Graynor walked over to the window just behind Charlotte and leaned against the sill, looking squarely at Eleanor.

She lowered the cup to her lap and swallowed. A flutter of unease crawled up her spine causing her to shift in her chair. She realized the Viscount was no longer talking but looking directly at the Duke.

Her eyes bounced between the two. Simon looking at Graynor, Graynor looking at her. Charlotte was still looking out the window, completely oblivious to the standoff that was happening in her parlor.

“Your Grace, I’m so glad you could join us today,” Simon offered.

Eleanor brought her eyes to Simon. Curiously, it sounded as if he meant it. Perhaps their discussion the other night at the opera had its merits, and Simon was going to put whatever qualms he had about the Duke behind him.

She offered a sweet smile to Simon and gave a slight nod in his direction, acknowledging his effort.

Simon stood and walked over to where Eleanor stood.

“I feel this the appropriate time to have this discussion.” Simon extended his hand to Eleanor, helping her stand next to him.

Eleanor’s heart began to beat quickly. This was it. He was going to propose.

Her eyes flew to Charlotte, who was now sitting up with interest, a bright smile forming on her mother’s face. Eleanor’s mind was resisting the need to lift her eyes just past her mother’s head to take in the Duke’s expression.

Was he curious? Did he know Simon was going to propose? Had they talked about it? What if he didn’t care? It was the possible answer to that last question that had Eleanor’s stomach swimming.

She stood, shifting from foot to foot, suddenly self-conscious about her body. She didn’t know where to look or what to do with her free hand. Should she smile? Was she supposed to look coy?

No one covered how to act when someone you don’t necessarily want to marry proposes to you in front of someone you… what? What did she feel for the Duke?

Simon coughed.

Oh, right. Simon. Eleanor shook the thoughts from her head and concentrated on Simon. She settled on looking expectant.

Simon’s hand felt warm in hers. His fingers started to caress the hand he held, and it felt forced and insincere. Eleanor swallowed the instinct to pull away.

“Eleanor, I have had the honor of getting to know you over the past few weeks, and I think you agree that we are well-suited for each other.”

Heat bloomed across Eleanor’s cheeks. Her heart was racing at a precarious speed, and she actually thought she might faint if it continued at this pace. She tried taking a deep breath, but her lungs wouldn’t expand in this blasted corset.

“That being the case, Eleanor, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

Eleanor blinked.

That was it? That was the proposal she was waiting for? He exuded no nerves, no emotion; it was as if he were talking about the weather.

She could feel all eyes of the room on hers. Simon looked hopeful and honestly, quite sure of himself. Her mother, she could assume, watched with bated breath. And the Duke?

Well, if she were to look at him, he would no doubt have a look of boredom and indifference.

Her eyes betrayed her will and looked directly at the Duke. Just as she expected, he was still leaning against the windowsill, his long legs crossed at the feet, his arms folded against his chest. He was the epitome of apathy, and it broke her heart.

With a slow breath, she looked into the Duke’s dark eyes, eyes that held no emotion, and responded with a simple, “Yes.”

The Duke blinked once and nodded his head.

Charlotte jumped from her chair, and into her line of sight. “What a wonderful day!” She took Eleanor into her arms for a warm hug. Eleanor’s eyes continued to look past her mother just in time to see the Duke stand and retreat from the room.

Eleanor sighed heavily into her mother’s arms.

Charlotte backed up, holding her daughter at arm’s length. “I am so happy for you, truly!” Charlotte wiped a stray tear from her eyes. She brought Eleanor in for another hug.

When Charlotte released Eleanor, she turned towards Simon, who was patiently waiting with a satisfied smile on his face.

“I am so glad you said yes. We shall be very happy together.” He took her hand and placed a kiss on the top of her hand.

His lips touching her hand sent no shock waves through her body. It didn’t make her stomach swirl with excitement. In fact, it made her stomach sink.

“Oh, look!” Simon said, while taking out a handkerchief. “You must be so excited, you have tears!”

Eleanor raised a hand to her cheek and was surprised when her fingers came back wet. She was crying.

She heard her mother’s small gasp and quickly wiped the tears from her face. “Yes, they’re happy tears,” she insisted, hoping it came across as sincere.

She couldn’t bear to look at her mother. One look, and Charlotte would know Eleanor was no longer hopeful about their marriage. After their talk in the garden, Eleanor had felt somewhat better about her decision to agree to this marriage, but after sitting in this room listening to him babble on about propriety within Parliament, she was less optimistic.

His proposal, if you could call it that, was another blow to the sliver of hope she held on to.

Simon looked at the clock. “Oh, I didn’t realize the time. Once I get talking about Parliament, it’s hard for me to stop,” he said with a little nudge to Eleanor.

Eleanor managed a smile. “I noticed.”

“I shall call on you tomorrow. I’m sure my mother will want to discuss wedding plans with you.”

Eleanor nodded. “That would be lovely.” The words barely cleared her throat, it was so dry.

Charlotte and Eleanor saw Simon out.

Charlotte turned to her daughter and smiled lightly. Eleanor closed her eyes, realizing she had nowhere to look other than directly at her mother.

“Tell me, Eleanor, are you truly happy?”

Eleanor took a deep breath and mustered up all the etiquette training she received over the years. Plastering a smile on her face, and making sure it reached her eyes, she nodded her head. “Yes, Mama. I am. You were right. I have hope everything will be just fine.” The lie hung heavy like a dark cloud over Eleanor.

Her mother placed a kiss on her cheek and left her standing in the hallway.

Eleanor turned to walk towards the staircase to retire to her room for the afternoon. As she passed the study, she stopped and reached out to knock.

Stopping before her knuckle hit the wood, she dropped her hand. She had no reason to speak with the Duke, yet she was drawn to his door. She stood there for a moment trying to imagine what the Duke was doing and if she had reason to interrupt him.

She decided she had none. Eleanor walked back to the stairs and started towards her room. She didn’t hear the study door open behind her nor did she notice the Duke, who stepped into the doorway to watch her walk away.