Page 69 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Eleanor dipped her head and closed the door behind her. She walked slowly to the chair and sat down.

Derek eyed her. She didn’t enter with her normal flounce and flair. It was when she sat that he noticed the dark smudges under her eyes. Concern flared within him, and he sat up straighter.

“Is everything all right, Eleanor?”

She tilted her head at his inquiry.

“It is now, thanks to you.”

Derek blinked a few times. Surely he didn’t hear what he thought he just heard.

“I’m going to need you to elaborate on that, Eleanor. I’ve had a rough few days, and I’m not sure I follow.”

A small smile formed on her perfectly plump lips. “I saw you and my sister last night.”

Derek dipped his head in understanding. “I’m sorry if we woke you. I realize now that we were just under your window.”

Eleanor’s eyes dropped to her lap. “It’s fine. Thank you for bringing her back. I can’t imagine the turmoil this family would have gone through if she was able to follow her young heart and run away with Bryon.”

Derek groaned as the look of devastation in the young girl’s eyes as she yelled her insults at him came back to him. “Yes, she is young and foolish. She would have regretted it in the morning or soon after, I’m sure.”

Eleanor sighed. “I spoke with her last night. She’s young, but perhaps not foolish. She knows what she wants, and she just wants to experience the world. I see her as hopeful, and I’m jealous of her in that respect.”

Derek considered the woman in front of him. Once again she was an enigma. Someone who was put together so well and had theworld at her fingertips yet held back. It was as if she didn’t know what she was truly capable of.

Eleanor shook her head. “But that is not the only reason why I came to see you this morning.”

Derek leaned his forearms on his desk. “What else can I help you with? Beatrice planning on running away to hide away in a library?”

Eleanor let out a quiet chuckle. “Not that I heard of, but I wouldn’t put it past her.”

Derek became lost in her smile. She looked so tired and overwhelmed, but the small curve in her lips lit her eyes and softened her look. He felt an increasing need to reach over this desk and pull her into his lap and coddle her. Someone so beautiful shouldn’t look so sad; she should always be smiling.

Derek stretched out his fingers before balling them into fists. Whatever feeling this was, he needed to disperse it quickly.

Eleanor cleared her throat. She was sitting straight in her chair, the air around her stilled, and Derek immediately knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. He’s been in enough business meetings to know when someone was about to change the parameters of a deal.

“I was thinking. When I accept Simon’s offer of marriage, I will take Sarah, Beatrice, and my mother with me.”

Derek sat back. “What?”

Eleanor tried to force a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Your Grace, when you inherited the dukedom, I’m sure you weren’t considering the efforts needed to take on four women. I don’t blame you; we are a handful,” she said trying to make light of the situation, but all Derek could feel was the rumblings of anger starting to build within his gut.

“I admit I was ill-equipped for the matter at hand, but I am a quick learner, and if last night is any indication, I think I rather prove my capabilities in protecting this family.”

Eleanor’s eyes rounded. She leaned forward and put a delicate hand on the desk. “Oh, Your Grace, I did not mean to offend you. I just see your struggle, and I know…” She paused to consider her words.

Derek could see the toll this conversation was taking on her, and blast it, it was making him want to take care of her again.

“It’s just I know what it’s like when your life doesn’t turn out the way you want it to. I can help you escape that fate, and I can help my sisters escape that as well. And my mother,” she smiled, “well, we’ll throw her in there as a part of a packaged deal.” She winked, but her humor didn’t reach its intended mark.

There were so many questions Derek wanted to ask her regarding what she just offered him. What did she mean about not getting what you want? Or about protecting her sisters froma similar fate? Regardless of those inquiries, there was only one question he needed answered this moment.

“If the Viscount asks you to marry him, will you accept?” His voice came out gruff. His heart was pounding; something was telling him that he wasn’t just concerned about where the girls would end up.

Eleanor paused and after expelling a breath she nodded her head. “Yes.”

The anger that was bubbling low before rose to bile in his throat. He swallowed it down. “I see.”

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