Aaron was quiet. This was a good point. Why keep Lady Julia here, expecting a marriage proposal, when he had no intention of giving it?
“Give him some space, Jack,” Arthur said, coming to his rescue. “The Dowager Duchess is giving him the same pressure.”
Eleanor stared out the window, watching as Aaron finished speaking with a servant out in front of the house. It was her first sighting of Aaron that day. From all of the way up on the second floor, she couldn’t see his face, as it was hidden by his hat.
He turned back toward the house, striding toward the front door and out of sight. Eleanor’s hands shook with nerves. Behind her, there was the scritch-scratch of Lady Julia’s quill as she wrote a letter.
“Are you feeling well, Eleanor?” Lady Julia asked. Eleanor turned toward her mistress, who was sitting at the writing-table. “You seem so tense today.”
“Of course,” she lied. She was going to have to face the Duke sooner or later. She had resolved to do so that day. “We ought to be heading down.”
Lady Julia set aside her quill, sprinkling some sand across the page and getting up. Though she had been writing for some time, her fingers were not stained with ink. Eleanor often admired Lady Julia’s neatness. Eleanor herself was always ink-spotted after writing her daily missive to Olivia.
“Here’s your bonnet, My Lady.” She handed Lady Julia the straw bonnet, which was trimmed with a blue silk ribbon and little bunches of fake cherries. Lady Julia placed it on her head, then turned toward Eleanor, who arranged her hair, so that there were golden bunches of curls framing her cheeks. Eleanor tied the ribbon in a neat bow beneath her pointed chin.
“Let’s go,” Lady Julia said. Eleanor put on her own plain gray bonnet. They were going on a strawberry-picking expedition. She was a little excited by the prospect. Not to mention, it would show her how things stood with the Duke. Whether or not he was going to give up on her.
She wasn’t sure which she hoped—on one hand, it would be good if he was going to finally focus on Lady Julia, who was there for that express purpose. On the other, it hurt to give him up.
They walked down to meet the gentlemen, the two of them walking down the great, sweeping staircase. As they walked down, Aaron turned. His eyes went to Eleanor first. She saw the way he looked at her.
She felt her heart beat faster in her breast. She smiled, watching as his lips curved upwards. He was going to have to do much better at hiding. The heat that was there, just as he was about to kiss her was there, for anyone to see.
Would that we were slipping off to be alone, she thought, recalling the feel of his lips against her skin.
“We caught many fresh fish, for your dining pleasure, My Lady,” Lord Jack said, smiling and bowing to Lady Julia.
Eleanor caught the way that he smiled at her mistress. How curious. Perhaps he’s in love with Lady Julia.
“How lovely,” Julia murmured.
“And now, we shall have fresh berries and cream for dessert,” he added, holding out a basket to Lady Julia, who accepted it. Lord Ayles reminded Eleanor of a puppy—good-natured, always trying to please everyone.
“My favorite,” Julia said, slipping her hand into the bend of his proffered elbow. Eleanor noted her mistress’ smile. The way that her eyes lit up when she looked at Lord Jack.
Curious, she thought. Perhaps, Lady Julia wouldn’t be so upset to find out about the Duke’s attentions toward Eleanor. Still, she was going to keep it to herself.
Aaron held out a basket to her, causing her to look toward him. “Here, Eleanor.” His voice was soft.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Their eyes met. Eleanor felt her skin warm as his eyes softened, the corners of his lips curving upward. She wondered what it might be like, to have him offer her his arm. Alas, it could never be. He hesitated, his smile faltering. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. He glanced away, toward the others.
“Let’s get going,” the Duke announced, and the butler opened the front door for them.
Lord Mallen, Lord Ayles, and Lady Julia walked a little way ahead. Lord Mallen and Lord Ayles were talking merrily, with Lady Julia laughing. They all seemed to be having a wonderful time.
The Duke slowed to walk beside her. She smiled at him. It was a beautiful, sunny day and she was determined to have a good time too.
“How are you, Eleanor?” he asked kindly.
“I’m well, thank you, Your Grace.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“Are you angry with me?” she asked. After all, she might as well put it all out there.
“I could never be angry with you,” he replied. “You are all that is good and kind in the world, Eleanor.”
She swallowed back tears that threatened. She loved him, so much. She looked up at the blue sky, and could only think of his eyes.
“It was my mistake,” he went on. “I should have realized that it would be difficult for you to get away.”
“You’re not angry at all, then?” She dared to look at him.
“No, Eleanor,” he said, tenderly.
She looked away, blushing. Her pulse raced. She smiled. “It’s a lovely day, is it not?”
“The best,” he replied.
Eleanor could almost pretend that they could end up together. Almost. She decided to let it go—embrace the day. Here she was, walking beside him.
They had arrived at the berry patch. Aaron was determined to enjoy the day. He was spending it with Eleanor, even if they weren’t alone, and couldn’t act as either of them wanted to.
“Here,” he said to her, pointing, “this bush is particularly good.”
Together, they walked through the patch. He knelt down, reaching out for a particularly large, ripe berry. It was warm from the sun.
The others were already picking. Arthur glanced over at them. He had agreed to keep the other two away from Aaron and Eleanor, so that they might get a chance to speak.
He held out the berry to her. “Taste it,” he said. She accepted it, biting into it. She closed her eyes as she chewed. “What does it taste like?”
“Sunshine.” A typical Eleanor response—almost poetic in her joie de vivre.
“Very good.” He reached out, wiping a bit of juice off of her lip. She gasped, her eyes cutting over to her mistress. Aaron recoiled, quickly. When he glanced over, Lady Julia and Jack’s backs were to them.
“Indeed.” Eleanor had turned away from him, as she began to place berries into her basket. Aaron glanced around. Lady Julia and his brother were picking and talking. Arthur was staying nearby to them. He glanced over at Aaron and grinned before averting his eyes.
He began to pick, remaining by Eleanor’s side. He used the hedge as a barrier. He took her by the hand. She squeezed back.
“Meet me later,” he whispered. “I need to see you. In the stables. I can get away, if you can.”
Eleanor swallowed, nodding. She looked away. Aaron began to move away. He knew that if he continued to remain at her side, the others would notice. The very last thing that Aaron wanted was for Eleanor to lose her job or her reputation.
“Lady Julia in the berry patch,” Lord Ayles said in a sing-song voice, “picking berries, all very nice.”
Julia laughed. “You make me sound like a nursery rhyme.”
“Here, My Lady,” he said, holding out a large berry.
“Thank you, My Lord.” She placed it between her lips. His eyes were on her lips. Quickly, they snapped upward, to meet her eyes.
She felt herself blush. He smiled, though his eyes seemed sad. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
He’s so much younger than the Duke, she thought, less affected.
“Well, My Lady? What do you think?” he asked.
“Delicious,” she commented. Her mind was a whirl of thoughts. She turned her face toward her work, picking berries, which were bright red jewels, nestled among the green leaves.
“Have you ever felt as though the life that you were living was not quite your own?” he a
sked.
“Sometimes,” she murmured, surprised that he would admit it.
“Yes,” he said, wistfully.
“I tell myself that everything has a way of working out, in the end,” she added. “That luck has a way of shaking out.”
“Do you know,” he said, the usual light gaiety returning to his voice. “When I was a child, I always thought that I would learn how to be a bird?”
“Did you?” she asked, playing along.
“Indeed. I figured that I could reach out and pluck the sun right out of the sky.”
“What would you do with the sun?”
“Keep it in my pocket, My Lady.”
“Then I should like the moon, My Lord,” she said. “If you would be so kind.”
“Then I shall pluck it down for you, and place it on a silver chain.”
Julia smiled. He kept distracting her from picking berries! She shook her head, returning to it. She was a little horrified. She was supposed to be there for a Duke. Her father would never agree to have his only child marry a second son, who had no title of his own.
Julia glanced over, to find that the Duke wasn’t even picking berries. He stood at the edge of the patch, his hands on his hips as he stared out over the fields.
That’s the problem. He’s never staring at me.
Chapter 15
The sun was beginning to lower toward the horizon when the group began their walk back, their baskets full of fresh berries. Eleanor walked beside her mistress, for she knew that to spend another moment at the Duke’s side would reveal all.
She knew the way that she looked at him, and he at her. She knew that anyone would be able to see.
Lady Julia and Eleanor linked arms as they walked. The gentlemen were walking behind them. Eleanor noted the way that Lady Julia looked back, checking to see how far behind they were.
“Eleanor,” she murmured, sounding uneasy.
“Yes, My Lady?”
“Do your romance novels ever discuss what happens when a Lady falls in love with the wrong gentleman?”
“No, My Lady. Not much. I mean, one character is punished, for cheating on the gentleman that she married.”
“Oh.”
“Is…something wrong, My Lady?” she whispered.
“No, Eleanor. Of course not.”
“It’s all right if you say no,” Eleanor pointed out. “The banns have not been posted.” She couldn’t tell Lady Julia about…anything, really. She didn’t want her to be hurt. If she had fallen in love with another gentleman, though…
“I don’t know that I have a choice, Eleanor,” Lady Julia said, her tone colorless. “My Father wishes for me to marry the Duke. I have to do as he says.”
“I’m sure that Lord and Lady Whitecier would listen to you. You are their only child. They want you to be happy.”
“They do, yes.” Lady Julia bit her bottom lip. Eleanor didn’t press, but she wondered. Lady Julia had spent the afternoon, not leaving Lord Jack’s side. He was the younger brother of a Duke, so he had no title or property of his own.
“I’m so frightened of making a mistake,” Lady Julia murmured.
Eleanor’s heart raced as she considered meeting the Duke, later. “If you aren’t frightened, then you don’t need to be brave,” Eleanor said aloud.
Aaron’s mind was racing. He needed to find the perfect moment to slip out. He went over to the sideboard, where he poured himself a glass of wine. Arthur entered the parlor.
“What did she say?” he asked, tugging on his cravat.
“She said yes.”
“Good. So, we’ll need to break up the party. Gentlemen to get brandy and cigars, whilst the ladies go for berries and cream.”
“We’ll need to do something about Jack,” Aaron pointed out.
“We might have to let him in on the secret. I mean, he’s your brother. Don’t you trust him?”
“It’s not that,” Aaron said. “I just—” He sighed. “He’s not one for keeping secrets from his mother.”
“Well, I’m sure I can keep him occupied until you return.”
Aaron nodded. They had to end their discussion there, for the ladies all entered then. Dinner seemed to drag on for ages. Aaron tried to keep a steady focus on the conversation, but his mind kept turning toward Eleanor.
Finally, they had finished eating.
“How about the gentlemen retire for cigars and brandy,” Aaron suggested. “While the ladies enjoy the dessert?”
“Oh, but I wanted to have the fresh strawberries,” Jack complained, pouting. It reminded Aaron how very young he was.
“Then stay here,” Aaron replied succinctly, smiling at him. Jack sat back in his chair, smiling lazily. He had solved Aaron’s problem very easily. Aaron and Arthur retired.
“Lock the door,” Aaron suggested. “I’ll be back soon.”
Arthur nodded, then closed the door. The key turned in the lock. Aaron walked quickly. His time with Eleanor would be painfully short.
Eleanor was standing out by the back paddock, watching the horses graze. The sun was slipping down behind the horizon, and there was a cool breeze. The sky overhead was becoming violet in the twilight. It had been such a long day.
She heard footsteps, which were soft on the grass. She turned to see the Duke, walking toward her. He looked harried, but his face broke out in a wide grin.
He neared her, glancing around to ensure that they hadn’t been caught.
“Come,” he said, weaving his fingers within hers, leading her toward the back hedge of the garden, where no one could see them.
“Is there…something that you wanted to talk to me about?” she asked.
“No,” he replied. “I just wanted to see you.” He reached up, to push a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. “Am I too forward, Eleanor? Am I pushing you into this?”
She shook her head. “If I truly believed that she loved you, I wouldn’t be here. As the case is, I think Lady Julia has her own doubts.” She owed it to Lady Julia to not reveal who truly captured her heart. That was for Lady Julia to either pursue or not pursue.
“I feel terrible,” he admitted. “But to pretend would be even crueler. There’s no one like you, not in all the world. If I have to move Heaven and Earth to be with you, then so be it.”
Eleanor swallowed the lump in her throat. He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. She kissed him back, her hands on his chest. She wished that they didn’t have to hide.
She was his, wholeheartedly. She trusted him, although she had no idea what he planned to do.
The Duke’s lips left her own. Eleanor gasped with pleasure as he trailed kisses down her neck, his lips caressing the tender skin that went from beneath her ear to the collar of her dress.
She leaned back, against the hedge as his body pressed up against hers. He was solid, muscular. His hands roved over her, his fingers expertly teasing her into even greater passion.
His lips pressed against hers, his tongue plundering her mouth, parting her lips. Eleanor wished that this could go on.
He nuzzled the side of her neck, whispering, “Tell me that you’re mine, Eleanor, for I am in love with you.”
“I’m yours,” she replied, her eyes closed as she felt his breath, warm against her skin. She opened her eyes, to find him looking at her tenderly. She felt cherished.
I can only hope that he’s right. That he can move Heaven and Earth to be with me.
Aaron was sitting at the breakfast table. Out of the corner of his eye, Eleanor was sitting by the door, as always, the chaperone. He recalled the way that she had gasped as he had trailed kisses along her neck. The gentle moans as he had let his hands move over her body.
The butler set the post on a silver tray down toward him.
“Thank you, Stanley,” he said, jolted too suddenly from his delicious memories from the night before.
“You’re welcome, Your Grace.”
He found a letter from the Duke and Duchess of Edgeriver. He broke the seal.
“Well?” Jack asked.
Aaron looked up to find that everyone was looking at him.
“The Duke and Duchess of Edgeriver are throwing a ball,” he said. “To celebrate the arrival of their heir, the Earl of Sommerset.”
“Mother will be pleased.” Jack stood up. “Can I bring it to her?”
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