“Of course not. How could you? The fault is mine.” Eleanor drew a shaky breath. Chances were Douglas would see it was from her and not bother to read it. If he did, then at least he would know how much she loved him. She had now done all she could to convince him their marriage should be more.
“But I—”
Eleanor waved a hand to dismiss the maid’s worry. “All is well, Babette. It’s for the best. In truth, you did me a favor.” There was little chance the letter would change anything between them. Now she could move forward with no regrets.
Just because she was living alone didn’t mean she had to act the Dour Duchess. She would follow through with her plan to start anew. But perhaps not until Epiphany was over. Between now and then, she’d find a way to put her dreams of what she’d hoped her marriage might be behind her. She had to stay busy and productive. That was key. Whether it was with the tenants on the estates or charities, she would do all she could to make the lives of others better. No matter that she’d failed to do so with her own and Douglas’s.
The morning passed slowly with Eleanor remaining in the small sitting room just off her bedchamber, pretending contentment as she worked on her embroidery. She did her best to keep her glum mood from the servants, who were all in good spirits because of the holiday. She tried to give them the day off, but Babette advised her they’d all refused her offer.
“It wouldn’t do to have you in the house by yourself on Christmas Day,” the maid insisted. No amount of arguing convinced her or the rest of the staff otherwise.
Eleanor was jabbing a needle half-heartedly into her embroidery pattern a short while later when Babette rushed into the room.
“You have a caller, your grace.” The maid’s face was flushed with excitement, but Eleanor couldn’t imagine anyone who would cause such a reaction.
“Who is it?” Eleanor asked.
“It’s a surprise.” Prodding the maid didn’t convince her to say anything more.
“Should I change gowns?” Eleanor asked, hoping her answer would provide a clue.
Babette studied her simple green gown with a critical eye. “No need. Though a bit of color in your cheeks would be helpful.” She stepped forward to gently pinch Eleanor’s cheeks. “That’s better.”
“Is the visitor in the drawing room?”
“Yes, your grace.” Babette grinned then dipped a curtsy and departed.
Eleanor went down the stairs toward the drawing room, curiosity quickening her steps. Had her parents come to London for some reason? She halted mid-step, wondering what excuse she could give for Douglas’s absence.
Or had Douglas received the letter she’d never meant to send and come to confront her about it? She lifted her chin. She had no reason to be ashamed of her emotions. Yet the reassurance didn’t ease the flurry of nerves as she continued down the stairs.
An unexpected but familiar scent lingered in the air. She sniffed, trying to place the smell. It reminded her of...the woods.
With a puzzled frown, she neared the drawing room, shocked to see evergreen boughs around the doorway and on the table inside the room. Had the servants decided to decorate for Christmas after all? She glanced about, gasping at a tree that nearly reached the ceiling. However, it wasn’t decorated. She looked behind her but none of the servants were in sight.
“What in the world...” she murmured as she took in the brightly burning fire in the hearth with what looked remarkably like a small version of a Yule log. An evergreen bough twined with holly graced the mantle.
She moved closer to the tree, noting the boxes beside it, one with its lid open, revealing red glass ornaments.
Her heart squeezed at the sight of Christmas all around her. In truth, she’d prefer not to have the reminder of the holiday. She only wanted to move past it.
“Happy Christmas, Eleanor.”
She turned at the deep voice, her heart pinching at the sight of her husband in the doorway. “Douglas?”
He moved closer, his sober countenance revealing little. “I hope I’m not too late.”
“For what?”
“To celebrate Christmas.” He reached for her hand and held it between both of his. “With you.”
~*~
“I don’t understand.” Eleanor’s beautiful brown eyes narrowed. “Does this have something to do with my letter?”
Douglas shook his head. “I haven’t opened it yet. I wanted to speak with you first.” He frowned, wishing he had the right words to explain how he felt. He’d hoped something brilliant would come to him when he saw her. But his mind was completely blank. All he wanted to do was gather her in his arms and never let go. Or kiss her until they both forgot what stood between them.
Yet the air of reserve around her kept him from doing either of those things.
“I am sorry.” Before he explained anything else, he needed to apologize. “Sorrier than I can possibly say. I never should’ve sent you away. That was a terrible mistake.” He stared at her hand with its smooth skin, running the pad of his thumb over her knuckle. “I worried I wouldn’t be able to focus on my duties when you were near.”
“Douglas, I—”
“Please,” he interrupted. “Allow me to explain. You see, I was raised with the belief that women are a distraction.” He hurried to say the words before she told him to leave or worse. “But now I realize you’re a gift. A blessing.” He met her gaze once more, desperate to see if he was getting through to her. “You make me a better man. A better duke. You make me whole.”
“Oh!” Tears welled in her eyes, much to his dismay.
He reached up to gently wipe a tear from her cheek, not surprised to realize his hand was trembling. “Please say you’ll forgive me.”
“Yes, of course.” She nodded jerkily.
Relief flooded him at her agreement, but the continuing tears concerned him. He obviously hadn’t made things right yet or she wouldn’t still be crying. “Eleanor, I love you. With all my heart and even more.” He pressed a hand against his chest, hoping to ease the ache there. “Each day I think I couldn’t love you more. But my heart seems to keep expanding with my love for you.”
“Douglas.” She rested her palm along his cheek, her eyes still glistening. “I love you so much. I realize my dowry is the only reason you married me—”
He shook his head then placed a hand over hers on his cheek. “That’s not true. I tried to tell myself that was the reason. But all along it was you. You enchanted me from the moment I saw you. Your bright smile. Your beauty, both inside and out. The way you care more about those around you than yourself.” He tipped his head toward the settee in front of the fire. “Perhaps we should sit down. It might take me some time to list all the reasons.”
Eleanor laughed. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll love me despite my many, many flaws.”
“I love you, Douglas. Flaws and all. I love your determination to improve the duchy, not just for yourself but for those who depend on you. I love that you’re a man of honor who keeps your word. I love your smile because you don’t offer it lightly. I love everything about you.”
Joy swept through him, and he wrapped his arms around her tight and kissed her. “You have made me a happy man, my love.”
“And you have made me happy as well. Not only did you bring me yourself, but you also brought me Christmas.”
He drew back to look at her, thrilled at the love shining in her eyes. “We’re not done with Christmas yet.”
“We’re not?”
“Heavens no. We’re going to celebrate Christmas properly.” He released her with one arm to point toward the boxes. “We’ll decorate the tree, open a few gifts, and this evening, your parents will join us for a Christmas feast.”
“They will?”
“I sent a message to invite them last night, and they agreed. The staff is already preparing the meal, including Morris, who insisted on accompanying me.”
“Morris is here too? All of this is s
o very thoughtful of you. Thank you, Douglas.”
“My pleasure.” Her smile was all the thanks he needed. “I intend to spend the rest of my days doing all I can to make you happy.”
Eleanor wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, then tipped her head back to look at him. “That shouldn’t be difficult, and you’ll still have plenty of time for your duties.”
“You come first. Always.” Then he kissed her once more, his heart feeling as if it grew even bigger.
“You will always come first in my heart as well, Douglas. I love you. Happy Christmas.”
“May this be the first of many that we spend together. Happy Christmas, my love.”
Epilogue
Christmas Eve, Five Years Later
Eleanor bent low to kiss Archie’s soft cheek, his long, dark lashes hiding green eyes that matched his father’s. The three-year-old had fallen asleep while she read to him. “Sweet dreams, darling.”
“I’m sure he’ll sleep through the night, your grace,” the nursery maid reassured her. “He nearly always does.”
Eleanor smiled, her heart light with joy. “Such a good boy.” She looked forward to telling him he would soon be a big brother. But first, she wanted to tell Douglas the news.
She bid the maid good night and hurried down the stairs to find her husband walking toward her.
“I was just coming to find you. Our guests have started to arrive.” He reached to take her hands as his gaze swept over her green ball gown. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” She kissed him, her stomach tingling with excitement at her news. But the moment would have to wait a little while longer. “Might I say you look amazing as well?”
“Your gloves, your grace.” Babette hurried forward with white gloves, which Eleanor quickly donned.
Douglas offered her his arm, his green eyes holding steady on her, filling her heart. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Yes, but I never grow weary of hearing it,” she said. He made a point to tell her every day, something that made her feel like one of the luckiest women alive.
“Nor do I.” He gently squeezed her hand. “Shall we greet our guests, my love?”
“Absolutely.”
When Eleanor had suggested they host a Christmas Eve ball for all those involved in the Seven Curses Charities, she hadn’t realized so many would come. As they descended the stairs and crossed the entrance hall, Eleanor couldn’t deny a small thrill to see the many now familiar faces they’d come to know through their charity work.
With each year that passed since their marriage, the charities had expanded, joined forces, and helped more of those in need than they’d dreamed possible. Of course, additional work needed to be done, but she’d thought it important to take this evening to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments thus far.
What Eleanor hadn’t expected was how much assisting the less fortunate would improve her and Douglas’s lives as well. The friendships they’d formed with other like-minded couples were ones they would always cherish.
The past week, they’d had the chance to meet with all of the founding members of the charities who had given so generously of their time, influence, and money to make a difference in the lives of others. Those visits had been with various groups of couples as well as one entertaining afternoon when the ladies had gathered for tea. Eleanor had thoroughly enjoyed the conversations and the chance to compare notes on everything from motherhood to marriage to charitable activities.
She’d also had the good fortune to see the couples’ children who filled the nursery when visitors called. She smiled at the memory of the delightful chaos that had ensued when all the children had been brought together.
“Ready?” Douglas asked as they arrived near the ballroom entrance where a line of guests was forming.
“With you at my side, I’m ready for anything.” She smiled at him, the enormity of her love stealing her breath.
“Warenton, good of you to come,” Douglas greeted the first of their guests.
“We appreciate the invitation.” Marcus de Wolfe, the Earl of Warenton, and his lovely wife, Tessa, had traveled from Northumberland and spent the past two weeks in London.
It had been a true delight to realize the legend of the seamstress from Madame Daphne’s and the earl who’d swept her off her feet was not only true but that their love continued to thrive, as evidenced by their three beautiful children.
“How could we resist celebrating the success of the Seven Curses Charities?” Countess Warenton smiled. “To think we were able to open four additional seamstress shops to offer training in sewing skills for more young women with your help has been wonderful.”
“We are happy to be of assistance,” Eleanor said. “Now that we have a proven method of operating the shops, we should be able to use a similar model for other skill sets.”
“Learning a trade has been a blessing for many young people who might otherwise be living on the streets once they leave the orphanage,” Lettie Hawke added as she joined them.
The lady’s determination to assist the youth of the city was something Eleanor admired. The amount of time Mrs. Hawke spent working on the cause despite the adorable son and daughter who looked much like miniature replicas of their mother and father made it even more admirable.
“It certainly has,” Captain Nathaniel Hawke agreed, as he leaned on an elegant cane. “As we discussed earlier, having a chance to determine their own path has already changed lives.”
“Hawke, I thought your idea of adding shops for carpentry and masonry skills was brilliant,” Warenton added.
Captain Hawke’s smile suggested he appreciated the compliment. “London can always use more craftsmen.” The two couples continued the conversation as they moved into the ballroom.
Viscount and Lady Frost were next in the line. Eleanor adored Julia and her friendly charm. Oliver, Viscount Frost, was more reserved than his wife but his gruffness hid a heart of gold. Their two daughters were much like Julia in looks though the younger one had their father’s quiet nature. Julia was expecting again and was convinced the babe was a boy.
Frost and Douglas shared a dislike of large crowds that had given them something to commiserate about, and after visiting the viscount’s library, Douglas had developed a fascination for medieval tomes.
“Was the book I found for you helpful?” Frost asked Eleanor while his wife and Douglas visited.
“It is perfect,” Eleanor whispered. “I can’t wait to give it to him.” The viscount had been kind enough to help Eleanor select a medieval text to give Douglas for Christmas. She knew he’d be thrilled with the book.
“I look forward to discussing it with him in the coming months,” he added before escorting his wife into the ballroom.
When Frost had mentioned a few years ago that he and Julia had taught a few young boys from the street to read, Eleanor had been fascinated. The charities had all added an education component for people of all ages who wanted to learn to read and write.
They moved on to the Earl and Countess of Adair. “Thank you both for coming,” Eleanor greeted them with a smile.
The earl was Captain Hawke’s older brother. His wife, Grace, had been a widow with a young son when they had met. The couple had two additional sons since their marriage with Grace hopeful their next child would be a daughter.
“Tristan and I are pleased to join the celebration.” Grace smiled at her husband.
“Indeed, we are,” the earl agreed. “Did you still want to arrange for a tour of Adair House?”
The couple had founded a home for those who needed a temporary helping hand to get them back on their feet. Not only did the home provide a place to stay, including meals, but the staff offered other assistance from education to introductions for various positions—anything to help individuals stand on their own again.
Douglas nodded. “A friend of ours is interested in setting up a similar home, and I immediately thought of yours.”
“Happy to share what we’ve learned.” Adair turned to the man behind Grace. “You remember our friend, Baron Dumont?”
“Of course.” Douglas nodded. “Good to see you again.”
Cole Dumont’s love of the land and care for his tenants had caught Douglas’s notice immediately and gained his respect.
Katherine, his wife, had also been a widow when the pair had met. She was a gifted seamstress who Grace had befriended soon after her arrival in London. Katherine’s life had been difficult before her marriage to Cole. Now her time was spent with their two children, a boy and a girl, as well as helping her husband with their estate. She tended to observe quietly until she had something to share.
Eleanor thought others in the ton could learn from Katherine, including Lady Elizabeth, who remained a spinster. Eleanor loved knowing that the couple had found love at Christmas, much like she and Douglas had.
The Earl and Countess of Aberland greeted them warmly. Theirs was another story that Eleanor enjoyed hearing. Sophia had been a companion of Aberland’s grandmother when they’d met. Aberland had not been pleased to return home from a trip abroad—secretly spying for the queen—to find a stranger living under his roof. Sophia had serious reservations when she realized her feelings for Aberland were growing, considering she thought him a terrible rake.
“Happy Christmas,” Viscount Rutland said.
“Spencer and I are pleased to be here.” Lady Rutland, Dalia, was one of Lettie Hawke’s younger sisters.
Eleanor studied both Aberland and Rutland, wondering what made these two men take such risks with their lives, as Rutland also worked for British Intelligence. Then again, Captain Hawke and Viscount Frost had been in the Navy, which made her realize all the men she’d come to know had considerable courage.
Lord and Lady Rutland had started a charity for fallen women that was now part of the Seven Curses Charities.
“So wonderful to spend Christmas Eve with you,” Lillian said.
Enchanting the Duke (The Seven Curses of London Book 11) Page 11
