Page 58 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Charlotte leapt to her daughter’s side. “Let me grab my coat, and I will be your chaperone. Sarah, why don’t you go tell Beatrice, and we’ll all go for a walk before the rain comes.” Charlotte turned and fluttered out of the room.

Eleanor smiled.A walk with the entire family, I’m sure this is exactly what Simon had in mind.

Graynor walked over to the window and peered out into the garden. “You know, I think I will join you.”

Eleanor grimaced. A walk with her mother and sisters was one thing, but a walk with the Duke in attendance was definitely not wanted. “We wouldn’t want to bother you, Your Grace. I know you said you had a lot of work to attend to today. Mother said she will chaperone us.”

Graynor looked back and smiled at the couple. “Nonsense. It is a bit stuffy in here today, and I think some fresh air will do me good.”

Eleanor bristled at her own words being used against her.

“Unless there’s a reason why you don’t want me to come along?” It was now his turn to lift an eyebrow, challenging her.

Eleanor swallowed and shook her head. “None, I can think of, Your Grace.” She looked up at Hountshire, who did not look thrilled his promenade was going to be monitored by the Duke.

She nudged him. “Shall we go?”

Hountshire dragged his eyes from the Duke to hers. “Yes. I think we shall.” He lifted his arm, and Eleanor slipped her hand through. She placed her other hand on top of his arm. At her touch, Hountshire’s eyes softened, and his shoulders relaxed.

The couple, followed by the Duke, met Charlotte in the hallway. “I do hope the rain holds off. I don’t want my dress to get ruined.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine, Mama,” Eleanor assured her. Without realizing it, her eyes tracked to Graynor who was staring at her. Well, at least she hoped they’d be fine.

Graynor walked with Charlotte behind Hountshire and Eleanor. While Charlotte blabbered to Sarah and Beatrice about the weather and how she didn’t want her dress to be ruined, Graynor kept his eyes on the couple in front of him.

He noticed every time Eleanor’s head leaned into Hountshire’s body to catch what he was saying. How her laugh rang out when he said something funny. With each tracked movement, his vision blurred a bit more until he had to slightly shake his head to clear his sight.

It is no secret that Hountshire would not be his pick for Eleanor, but the chit seems to have made up her mind about the man. His stomach felt unsettled at the thought.

“Charlotte! I’m surprised to see you out on a dreary day like this.” A friend of Charlotte’s caught up with them. The thought of listening to more women talk about the impending storm annoyed him.

“You and the girls catch up with your friend, Charlotte; I’ll continue on with Eleanor and Hountshire.”

Charlotte looked ahead at the couple still walking. “Thank you, Your Grace. We’ll catch up when we’re done.”

Graynor smiled. “Please. Take your time.”

Graynor nodded to the women before lengthening his strides to catch up to the couple.

“That sounds like quite the ordeal,” Eleanor said, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she sounded bored.

Graynor came up on the other side of Eleanor. “Forgive the intrusion. Charlotte ran into an old friend, so I told her I would carry on with you two. I hope you don’t mind me joining you. I was lonely back there.”

Eleanor shot him a warning look. Graynor lifted his eyebrows, exuding innocence. “I promise you won’t even know I’m here. Continue on with your conversation.”

Eleanor pursed her lips before turning her attention back to Hountshire.

“Please continue, Simon.”

Hearing his Christian name fall from her lips did something to Graynor. His spine tingled, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. It was then he noticed her free hand hung by her side.

Graynor continued to walk next to Eleanor while she listened to Hountshire talk about hunting. As he matched his strides to hers, he let his hand swing freely. With the movements of their bodies, his hand brushed hers.

She inhaled sharply.

“Everything all right, Eleanor?” Hountshire stopped and looked down at her.

She had the offended hand held to her chest. “I’m fine. I think a bee was buzzing around me, and it touched my hand.”

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