Page 70 of The Scottish Duke's Deal

He didn’t move.

“And if you’re going to disappear,” she said, her voice shaking, “then the least you can do issay it.”

She knew she was being unreasonable. The bargain had always been clear. He owed her nothing after that one month. So why was she standing here, picking a fight?

He looked at her for a long, still moment. Then finally, he said, “We’re expected together at the auction tomorrow, lass.”

She let out a breathless laugh. “Right. Of course. The auction.”

He turned to leave.

“Ramsay.”

He paused in the doorway.

But no words came.

If it’s so easy for him to abandon London, abandon Penelope—abandon me—then it should be easy enough for me to ignore him until then.

“I shall see you tomorrow, Your Grace,” she said evenly.

His mouth twitched. “I look forward to it, Duchess.”

And then he was gone. The door clicked shut behind him.

And Eleanor was left standing in the firelight, heart racing, breath uneven, robe tangled at her waist like an accusation.

She was already standing by the carriage when he arrived.

Ramsay slowed as he crossed the gravel, one hand adjusting his gloves. Eleanor wore lavender today— her pelisse buttoned high at the neck, sleeves fitted tight at the wrist, not an inch of frivolity to her. Her hair was swept up neatly, but a curl had come loose against her cheek. It moved with the wind, soft and defiant.

She didn’t look at him as he approached. Not even a flicker of acknowledgment. He should have expected as much.

“Good afternoon,” he said evenly.

Her chin lifted half an inch. “Is it?”

Ramsay smirked and climbed in first. “It will be.”

She followed in silence, and they sat facing forward as the carriage rolled into motion.

A few long, unbroken moments passed before he finally said, “I’ve been thinking.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

“I’ve decided,” he went on, ignoring the jab, “to take a more active role in Penelope’s education while I’m still in London.”

She turned to him at once. “You’ve decided.”

“Yes.”

“And when, precisely, did you become qualified to?—?”

“She’s my niece, Eleanor.”

“And she’s been doing very well under my care.”

“She’ll do even better with both of us.”