Page 18 of The Duke's Ultimatum

He wondered if she recalled their meeting as much as he did within the last twelve hours.

Derek peered down into her green eyes that still hadn’t blinked.

“Are you well, Eleanor? I heard you felt under the weather last night.”

Her eyes flared. “I’m fine; thank you for your concern, Your Grace.”

The frigidness of her reply made him smirk. He took in her form for a moment. She sat with her back straight against the chair, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her dress was pressed and laid perfectly around her stiff body—so different than the soft curves he felt pressed against him last night.

“I’m glad to hear it.” He waited a beat, not wanting to drop eye contact with her.

Not being able to withstand the prolonged eye contact, Eleanor looked to her sisters and nervously smiled.

Derek didn’t hide his smile. “Well, ladies, I didn’t want to interrupt. I figured I’d take a nice walk in the garden on my way out.”

“You’re going out?” Beatrice asked.

Derek looked down at the young girl. “Yes. I’ll be meeting with my solicitor, William. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I fear I’m running late. But I’ll be back in time to have supper with you all tonight.”

Eleanor’s eyes flew to his. “You’re going to eat with us?” Her voice was shrill with surprise.

Derek cocked his head. “Yes, of course. I haven’t had the opportunity since arriving, something I plan to rectify starting tonight.”

He started to make his way out of the garden when he turned back to the table of stunned women.

“Oh, and Eleanor, remember what we talked about last night? I would like to continue that discussion tonight. Your sisters and your mother will join us. We’ll chat after dinner.”

Derek was wrong before. If he could paint Eleanor’s reaction to him, it would be the facial expression of complete horror she was giving him right now. Derek chuckled to himself as he heard the garden gate swing close behind him.

Perhaps living amongst polite society won’t be as boring and prudent as he once thought.

Eleanor was left staring at the retreating back of the most insufferable man she had ever met. Her ears began to ring as her heart started racing. What did he mean by that? He couldn’t possibly be suggesting he would tell her family about what she witnessed last night? Her mother would call for his ring on Eleanor’s hand immediately. No. It wouldn’t benefit either one of them.

He was a businessman. He’s probably used to manipulating people to get what he wants. Eleanor hoped he was just trying to get a rise out of her.

She scowled. She knew she didn’t like him.

Eleanor turned back in her seat to see her sister’s eyes on her.

“What did you discuss with the Duke last night?” Beatrice whispered across the table, her eyes alight with mischief.

“Nothing.” Eleanor provided.

“Didn’t sound like nothing,” Sarah added.

“I don’t know what to tell you. I only spoke to him right before we formally introduced him to everyone. And besides, it sounds like whatever it was, he’s going to share it with you tonight, so I guess you’ll just have to find out then.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Something isn’t right; you’re not telling us something.”

Eleanor nodded as she pushed away from the table. “There’s nothing to tell.” She needed to get away from this conversation before she said something she regretted. “But I do agree something isn’t right which was why I was suspicious when he first arrived. Mark my words, ladies, I fear he will bring nothing but chaos into our lives.”

“Finally,” cheered Sarah to Beatrice’s giggles.

Eleanor could only shake her head as she left her sisters to rush to her room. She had a bad feeling about tonight, and she needed to prepare for any possible outcome.

Eleanor sat opposite her mother with Sarah to Eleanor’s right and the Duke to her left. Being it was their first dinner together, her mother opted to have dinner in the smaller dining room, so they could get to know each other in a more intimate setting.

Eleanor winced when she heard “intimate setting.” She had already seen the Duke in an intimate setting; she didn’t need to see him in another one.

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