Page 84 of The Duke's Ultimatum

She shrugged. Oh well, she didn’t do it for any reason other than moving on from a silly girlhood crush. She stared into her own eyes. She was glad the Duke was her first; she felt taken care of for her first time.

My love.

She watched as the blush crept over her cheeks as she remembered his husky voice saying that. She dropped her eyes. She could no longer look into her own eyes when she thought of her time with the Duke. It felt scandalous.

Eleanor’s door opened, and her maid came through. “Lady Eleanor, breakfast is served. Would you like to come downstairs, or shall I bring you a plate?”

Eleanor smiled. “I’ll be downstairs, Mary, thank you.”

“If I may say, you look well rested, My Lady.”

Eleanor stood and let the thrill rush through her. She enjoyed having the reason for her restfulness be a secret only she knew. Well, she and the Duke. Warmth spread through her core at the thought of the Duke. It gave her pause at first, but she shrugged it off as being so happy over her mental state. It had nothing to do with the man himself, no sir.

She made her way downstairs and into the breakfast room. Her mother, Sarah, and Beatrice were already seated.

“Good morning, all!” Eleanor breezed in and took a seat at the table. Sarah and Charlotte looked up from their plates with curious looks. Beatrice had her face turned downwards, no doubt reading.

“Sleep well, sister?” Sarah asked.

Eleanor took a sip of tea and nodded her head. “The best I have in weeks.”

Charlotte leaned forward to place the back of her hand on Eleanor’s cheek and frowned. “You don’t feel warm. Mrs. Mac!” Charlotte called the head housekeeper.

Eleanor swatted away her hand. “Oh, Mama! I’m fine,” she chuckled. She turned towards the doorway that Mrs. Mac had just come to. “You can return to what you were doing, Mrs. Mac. My mother didn’t need to call you.”

“What did you do differently last night?” Charlotte asked, looking at her daughter suspiciously.

Eleanor felt the blood drain from her face. “What do you mean?” Her heart thudded. Surely her mother was not aware of her late night escapades with the Duke. Eleanor picked up her teacup to take a sip, hoping to appear normal and not skittish.

Charlotte shrugged. “I mean, you must have done something differently last night, or yesterday, that exhausted you so that you got the rest you needed. Perhaps if you do that every night, you’ll sleep well each night.”

Eleanor sputtered out her tea. Droplets rained down on the table and poor Sarah who was sitting across from her.

“Ew! You got some on me, Eleanor!” Sarah whined as she blotted the tea that dribbled down the front of her dress. “Why did you do that?”

Eleanor began to cough as she tried to swallow what tea was left in her mouth.

“I am so sorry, Sarah. It was a bit hotter than I expected.” Eleanor used her napkin to wipe her mouth and the spots on the table.

“Really, Eleanor, you should pay better attention. Now I’ll have to change.”

“It was an accident, Sarah. Let her be,” Charlotte tutted. “Let’s not ruin her good mood. After all, today is a big day. We’re going to the modiste to pick out a new dress for her to wear.” Charlotte turned to Eleanor. “Are you excited, my dear?”

Eleanor nodded her head. “I am actually. The closer we get, the more excited I am for this new chapter of mine to start.” Eleanor took a breath and sat back. She was surprised there was a glimmer of truth to what she said. A smile broke free on her face. She was right to proposition the Duke; it truly was what she needed to prepare for the next phase in her life.

All was right in her world.

Until he walked in.

The air changed before she even saw him. Her nerves went on high alert. She sat up in the chair; her body was ready. For what? Eleanor couldn’t say. But even before his form appeared in the doorway, Eleanor’s whole demeanor changed.

Even just the sound of his footsteps was enough to turn her skin hot and cause her heart to race. When he sat at the head of the table, Eleanor felt the ground fall from beneath her.

He didn’t look as well rested as she felt. Curious thoughts tumbled through her head, and she couldn’t keep them straight.Why does he look so ragged? Did he not like last night? Did I do something wrong?

Eleanor’s eyes sought Graynor’s out, hoping to be able to read the secrets they held.

“Good morning, Your Grace. Did you sleep well?” Charlotte’s voice held some concern.

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