“I am leaving this instant!” the Earl announced. When no one said anything to the contrary, the Earl turned and stormed out, leaving the small family alone. They all breathed a collective sigh of relief. In the distance, they could hear the Earl as he stormed down the hallway, shouting for his valet.
“Thank goodness. Disagreeable fellow,” the Duke said, shaking his head. “This has been the first time we’ve met him, and hopefully the last.”
“Thank you,” Eleanor murmured. She let out a deep breath. She was exhausted by the events of the day—she recalled then that she had not slept since the night before the ball.
“So, you want to go by Eleanor?” her father asked, smiling at her.
“Yes. It’s been my name for almost two decades,” she replied, a little relieved. She had been worried that they might be sad that she wanted to go by the name that Olivia had given her.
“Then that is what we shall call you,” her mother replied with a warm smile. Her mother took her by the hand, leading her toward the settee. The butler entered, carrying a tray with champagne and glasses. “Come, sit. Let’s enjoy this evening. We have not been together in twenty years. I daresay we have so much catching up to do!”
“We do,” Eleanor agreed.
Chapter 40
The next morning, Eleanor and her parents had all eaten breakfast together, lingering over the meal while talking. After, they had retired to the drawing room. They had twenty years’ worth of stories to tell one another. It seemed as though they would be talking for days.
Eleanor sat, wondering when Aaron would arrive. She tried to decide precisely what she was going to tell him. She bit her lip.
“You seem nervous, Eleanor,” her mother said. “Is something the matter?” Eleanor stopped tapping her foot.
“The Duke of Durnsott promised to call on us today,” Eleanor replied. She didn’t know if Aaron would still be interested in her, but she hoped that she could mend their relationship when he called on her. She didn’t know what to think or to expect.
“How kind of him,” the Duchess replied. “This afternoon, you and I are going to be closeted up with my seamstress. I want to have her do up a few dresses for you to wear.”
Eleanor smiled. “Thank you, Mother.” Eleanor looked back and forth between her mother and father. Her heart felt full. She was dressed in one of her mother’s silk gowns. It was a pale green in color. It felt strange, to be dressed in silk and a corset, which dug in a little. It made her sit up straighter. Her mother reached out, taking her hand.
“I can hardly believe it,” Eleanor murmured, tears in her eyes. They both looked at each other. Eleanor shook her head. “Here you both are. I have to keep reminding myself that it isn’t a dream.”
“Neither can we,” her father said. “A part of me hoped, but the rational part of my mind had given it up for hopeless. Your mother, though—she never gave up. Not once.”
“Not for a moment,” the Duchess of Edgeriver confirmed, shaking her head. “Not for a single moment.”
“I hadn’t either,” Eleanor said. It was heartening to know that the whole time that she was wondering who her parents were, they were thinking of her, too. She had never truly been alone. Not as she had feared. If it hadn’t been for the Dowager Duchess of Durnsott, Eleanor would have been right there, at Edgeriver Hall.
“We would like for your adoptive mother to come here,” the Duchess said. “We want to thank her for taking care of you. If she would like, she can stay here, with us.”
“I’m sure Olivia would be happy to come,” Eleanor said. “I plan to write to her today. To let her know everything that happened.” It would be a very long letter. There was so much that would need to be explained. She knew that Lord and Lady Whitecier would tell Olivia the basics. But she would want to know the whole story, from Eleanor.
“Of course,” the Duchess said. “Tell her that we shall send the carriage to convey her here.” Eleanor nodded. The idea of seeing Olivia was a good one. She had missed her adoptive mother immensely.
The butler peered inside, clearing his throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Graces,” he said. “But the Duke of Durnsott has come to call on Lady Eleanor. He requests a private audience with her.” He raised his eyebrows significantly.
Eleanor’s pulse raced. She looked over at her parents for their opinion. That he wanted to speak to her alone was a good sign. Had he come for any other reason than to renew their romance, he wouldn’t have asked to speak to her alone.
“Well?” her father said, raising an eyebrow. His face was radiant. “Shall I give him my permission, or shall I send him away, like I did Lord Sommerset?”
She smiled. “You should give the Duke of Durnsott your permission, Father. I love him, very much.” Her parents shared a look of joy.
“Well, then. I happily give it,” her father said. “Particularly since it’s a match that I spoke of with his father when you were born. We both liked the idea of both of our families being linked.”
Eleanor laughed. This was something that she hadn’t known. It seemed almost fitting, in a way.
“I’ll show you to the parlor, My Lady,” the butler offered kindly.
She glanced at her parents. “We’ll be right here,” her mother said. “We can continue our conversation when you’re done.”
“Tell the Duke that I’m awaiting his request with great pleasure,” her father added. Eleanor smiled, pleased that her parents were happy.
Eleanor followed the butler downstairs to the parlor. Aaron stood, looking out the window. He was dressed neatly in breeches and a dark blue jacket, his hair tied back in a queue.
“Lady Eleanor,” the butler announced.
Aaron turned as she walked toward him. He smiled. “Lady Eleanor,” he murmured. “It suits you. As does that dress.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, blushing. She folded her hands in front of her. They both waited, while the butler shut the door quietly. She smiled at him.
“It’s good to see you,” he said, still leaning on his cane as he walked over to her. He stopped when he was close to her. “I…I just wanted to—”
“I didn’t mean what I said the other night,” she told him. “Lord Whitecier threatened me at the ball. He said that if I wanted to be welcome at Clayriver Manor again, then I needed to end things with you. It wasn’t true,” she said, her heart pounding. “I love you. I have perhaps, always loved you. I only said it because I knew that if you thought that I loved you, you would never give me up.”
Aaron beamed at her. “I love you, too, My Lady.” He wrapped one arm around her. She placed her hands on his chest, gripping the lapels of his jacket. He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. As she kissed him back, tears slipped down her cheeks.
“Darling, why are you crying?” he asked, pulling away.
“I’m so happy,” she said, laughing. “I’ve found my parents, and now no one and nothing stands in the way of our happiness.”
“That’s true,” he said, holding her tightly as he beamed at her. “Marry me, Eleanor? Make me the happiest of gentlemen?”
“Of course.” She beamed up at him. “My parents are awaiting us upstairs. They wish to give you their express permission.”
“Then we shouldn’t keep them waiting,” he said.
Together, they walked upstairs, where the Duke and Duchess of Edgeriver were pleased to give their permission for them to marry as soon as they wanted.
They all sat together in the parlor, talking and making plans for everyone’s future happiness. Eleanor looked around at everyone gathered there. Soon, Olivia would be there too. And then, all those she loved would be together.
After twenty years, Eleanor had finally come home. She knew that whatever happened next in her life, there would always be love and happiness.
Chapter 41
On his wedding day, Aaron stood at the front of the little church in the village. It had been a few months since everything had happened. He and Eleanor had
waited until the court had decided on Louisa and Jack’s fates before getting married. Aaron had asked for the court’s lenience with his brother.
Jack was, after all, easily led. He had been sentenced to transportation. He had been placed on a ship headed for Australia the week before. Aaron had seen him off.
Louisa and Bradshaw would be imprisoned for life for their crimes. Aaron had no plans to see either of them. While he could forgive, he’d much rather forget. Both of them were where they belonged.
Arthur sat on his side of the church. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edgeriver and Olivia Betham, Eleanor’s two mothers, sat on the bride’s side together. It was a day of joy. The sun shone outside, spilling through the windows.
The organ sounded, and everyone rose, turning toward the church doors. The bride, on her father’s arm, began to walk down the aisle. In her hand, she held a small posy of orange blossoms.
As his bride walked toward him, dressed in white silk, she beamed. Aaron smiled. He wanted to remember this moment for the rest of his life. After they had almost been parted by the desires of others, he never wanted anyone to get in between them again.
“Your Father would be very pleased with this match,” the Duke said, placing Eleanor’s hand in his. “We spoke of it on the day that Eleanor was born.”
He smiled. Yes, his father was likely looking down on all of this, and being very pleased. Aaron and Eleanor walked the last few steps to the altar together.
The priest smiled as he began the ceremony.
“We are gathered here today in sight of Our Lord to witness the union of Aaron Ayles and Eleanor Comesford,” he began.
Eleanor squeezed Aaron’s hand. He glanced over at her.
“I love you,” she mouthed.
“I love you too,” he mouthed back. They turned toward each other, their hands clasped together. As he looked into her eyes, he thought back over the time that he had known her. He had learned to become less—and more positive.
She had taught him what love truly was. He meant to live life with open arms and an open heart. He knew what was next—they would settle down at Myrtlegrove Manor. They would focus on their horses, and begin a family. They would often go between Myrtlegrove and Edgeriver Hall, almost every day.
He was looking forward to this new life, spent with the lady that he loved at his side. He meant every vow that he said with all his heart—love, honor, and cherish. All the days of their lives.
There was a wedding luncheon, followed by an elaborate cake, which had been made by Olivia and Mrs. Landon. It was several tiers of vanilla cake, with elderberry icing, decorated with real, edible tulips.
Afterwards, Myrtlegrove Manor emptied out, but for Arthur, who was staying with them for a few weeks. He had vanished, mumbling something about going to see to the horses. After they had seen everyone off, Eleanor and Aaron went up to their bed chamber. Her heart beat with pleasant anticipation. As soon as the door had closed after them, he held her in his arms.
“I missed this,” she murmured, closing her eyes and leaning her head against his shoulder. Throughout the months of their engagement, her parents had made certain that they were chaperoned, as was proper.
“As did I,” he replied.
“I almost missed being a maid,” she said. “Back when I could slip away, completely unnoticed.” Their eyes met, and they both laughed mischievously.
He kissed her. She began to untie his cravat. He helped her, unbuttoning his shirt. Though they had engaged in fully-clothed sensual fumblings, she had never seen him undressed before. She wanted to know him fully. She wanted that final closeness between them.
Aaron helped her out of her dress, and her corset. He trailed kisses along her skin, at times, using his tongue. Eleanor felt like she was being unwrapped, like a present. Once the final petticoat had fallen away, he growled, and she laughed, throwing her head back as he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face against her neck.
He placed her down on the bed, where he kissed her, teasing her gently. She writhed beneath him, pleasure heating her skin. He kissed between her breasts, trailing down her flat tummy. His breath was warm. She gasped at the dozens of sensations. She had no idea how he could continue to surprise her.
He knelt between her legs, parting them with the flat of his palms.
“But—” she began.
“Darling, I want for this to be pleasurable for you,” he said. “It will hurt unless you are ready.”
She nodded, then lay back. He began to use his tongue, teasing her folds, the small folds between her legs. She felt her skin heat, as a large, blooming feeling built up in her belly.
“Ahh,” she gasped. He lapped faster, which only made feel tortured and pleasured at the same time. She cried out as suddenly she was pushed over that edge that he drove her to. Her hips bucked and his hands held her still.
She breathed heavily, panting as he smiled at her. “Now? Please,” she gasped, only wanting him inside of her. He nodded, beaming at her. The anticipation she felt as he placed his manhood at her entrance was delicious. He thrust inside of her gently, as something broke. He moved slowly, in and then out.
The pain lasted for but a moment, and then was gone, replaced by the pleasure that she had come to expect from him. And he began to move faster, bucking his hips, driving himself inside of her. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, finding pleasure in the closeness. Nothing now stood in their way. She was his completely, just as he was hers.
She never wanted to be parted from him, ever again. Their eyes met, and he pressed his forehead to hers. There was a sense of urgency in his movements. As he came, he looked into her eyes. It was a moment of togetherness.
He kissed her, and Eleanor could feel him smiling through the kiss. She closed her eyes, feeling the beat of his heart, pressed against hers. They were breathing in unison, great gasps of air. Both of them were utterly spent.
“I am never letting you out of my sight,” he promised, “Your Grace.”
“Good,” she replied, laughing. “You will never be out of mine, Your Grace.” She smiled up at him. He collapsed onto the bed beside her, then pulled her to him.
“What now?” he asked.
“Now, we live happily ever after,” she replied, contentedly.
“Excellent,” he murmured into her hair. She beamed, snuggling into his side, her head on his shoulder. She ran her fingers along the scar at his temple. He would always bear it. For Eleanor, it was a sign of how lucky they had been.
If anyone had ever told Eleanor that she would be a Duchess, she would have laughed. Life was utterly strange and unexpected. However, she had gotten the two things that she had hoped for: love and a family.
Eleanor held out her hand, which now bore the slim golden ring. She could have told Miss Austen a thing or two; however, Eleanor’s own story ended happily, and just like her favorite writer’s stories—with a wedding.
Extended Epilogue
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Preview: A Touch of Sin for the Elusive Duke
Prologue
“Now, see? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Lady Alicia looked over at her mother, the beautiful Duchess of Riverdene, and rolled her eyes. The Duchess was too busy smiling proudly to notice.
“I am just happy we’ve finally gotten it over with,” Lady Alicia couldn’t help grumbling. She looked out the window of the carriage, at sights passing by as they went back to their London Manor.
“We would have been finished with this a long time ago if it wasn’t for the fact that you have been thwarting me at every turn,” said the Duche
ss.
Her chipper and happy tone had Alicia looking over at her. At only two-and-forty years old, the Duchess was a vision. Alicia shared her mother’s wispy brown hair, though she was sad to admit her tresses could never measure up the silky locks that framed her mother’s beautiful face. The Duchess was a classic beauty, and though Alicia shared most of her features, from her amber eyes to her lily-white skin, she couldn’t measure up to her mother’s looks.
Alicia shook her head. “Mother, you know how much I loathe going to dress fittings.”
Undressed to Impress the Duke : A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 28
