Page 60 of The Duke's Ultimatum

“I will absolutely worry about it if it besmirches our name.” Graynor’s jaw was starting to hurt with how hard he was clenching his teeth.

Eleanor gasped, mockingly. “Your Grace, you are not insinuating my mother would allow for untoward things to happen in her presence, are you?”

Graynor was running out of patience. “Eleanor. Do not toy with me. What are your plans for tomorrow evening?”

Eleanor shook her head in comical disbelief. “Calm down, Your Grace. Tomorrow night is the charity concert Caroline and I have been working on. If you made yourself aware of your surroundings, you would know people have been talking about this performance for weeks.”

Graynor looked at Eleanor, who was still looking towards the group she just left.

“I always pay attention to my surroundings.”

Graynor watched as her eyes widened and turned towards him. Her head snapped back forward but not before her eyes met his.

“Don’t act like you are the injured party here.” Her voice rushed out in annoyance.

Graynor huffed a laugh. “What do you mean?”

Eleanor fisted her hands. “You know how to walk.”

Graynor lifted an eyebrow. “Yes, for some time now.”

She pursed her lips. “Then why did you keep bumping into me?”

Graynor couldn’t contain his smile if he wanted to. He did affect her. “Was I?”

She turned to him and huffed. “Don’t play coy with me; you know exactly what you were doing! And don’t you dare say it was because I pushed you to do so. All I did was walk.”

Graynor clucked his tongue. “My, my, Eleanor, we think highly of ourselves don’t we? I was merely walking. I can’t help if, when I’m enjoying the scenery, my footsteps fall out of line, and I happen to brush against someone’s arm.”

Eleanor closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. A blonde curl fell from its pin. Graynor reached up and tucked it behind her ear.

Eleanor stilled at his touch.

“What are you doing?” Her words were hushed.

“A curl fell; I was merely fixing it for you.”

“Then why is your hand still touching my face.”

Graynor looked at his hand and sure enough, after it tucked the curl behind her ear, his knuckles stayed to brush against her cheek.

Graynor’s hand dropped like a weight. What the hell had come over him?

“Eleanor!” Charlotte’s voice rang out.

Both Graynor and Eleanor startled as Charlotte rushed over to them. “Eleanor, are you all right? The Viscount said you weren’t feeling well.” Charlotte looked over her daughter with a mother’s worry.

“I’m fine, Mama. I was feeling a bit woozy from all the walking. I’m sure it’s from all the excitement.”

Charlotte blew out of a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank heaven. I’d hate for you to be ill for tomorrow. You and Caroline have worked so hard on this event. Everyone is looking forward to it, especially the Viscount,” she said with a wink. “He seemed so honoredyou are allowing him to escort you in. You know,” she leaned in conspiratorially, “I think you’re right. I think he’ll be the one to propose. How exciting! Don’t you think, Your Grace?”

Graynor did nothing but sit there, staring at his hand that was still tingling from touching her cheek.

Charlotte reached out and took Eleanor’s hands. “Come. I think we should head back and get you some proper rest before tomorrow’s festivities.”

The woman began to walk back to the Viscount. “Your Grace?” Eleanor’s voice called out.

Graynor looked up.

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