Page 101 of The Duke's Ultimatum

“Eleanor?” Simon’s voice cut in. She turned her eyes and met his curious ones. He reached out a hand. “Are you well?”

Eleanor closed her eyes to shut all the chatter out, so she could focus on what the Duke said. Something has been nibbling at her consciousness all morning, and now, she felt as if she was finally connecting something.

She heard some shuffling and felt a hand, most likely Simon’s, take hers.

“It’s all right. She’s a bit nervous,” Simon said to a few nervous giggles in the church.

Eleanor shook her head from the murmurs.Think, Eleanor.

“I’m sorry, Eleanor. I cannot be your husband. You deserve more than what I can give you.”

Eleanor’s eyes flew open. He never once said he didn’t want her. He only said he could not give her what he thought she deserved. Oh, that blasted man always telling her what she needed and wanted. He was lucky he was not here.

Reality came crashing back down around her when Simon stepped into her line of sight. “Eleanor? We’re ready to get started.”

Eleanor blinked a few times. She turned her head to see her mother and she had walked the long aisle, and she was now,in fact, standing in front of handful of very influential and important society members. Member who were now all staring at her as if she had gone mad.

She looked back to Simon, who looked concerned but hopeful.

I can’t do this.

“Eleanor?”

“I can’t do this.” Her voice was just above a whisper as her mind and heart finally connected, making everything seem so crystal clear. The secret touches, the way he always seemed to be there, how angry he got when she flirted with other men. He wasn’t toying with her or proving a point; he wanted her as much as she did him. He just didn’t think he was right for her.

Simon laughed nervously as he raised a hand to the crowd to try alleviating their curiosity. “What was that darling?”

She looked up at him. “I can’t do this.” Her voice was clear and rang out into the congregation.

Simon had a look of complete devastation mixed with embarrassment when he took her by the elbow. “What do you mean you can’t do this?” His voice was coated in an eerie calm that caused Eleanor to take a step back.

With a slight tug, she was able to free her arm as she stepped back and repeated, “I can’t do this.” She picked up her skirts andtook several more steps backwards. “I’m sorry, Simon; I can’t marry you.”

She turned and took a few more steps before the doors at the back of the church were thrown open.

“Stop!” a voice bellowed from the back of the church.

Everybody in the church turned in surprise.

Derek came running in and stopped halfway down the aisle.

Eleanor’s breath caught in her throat as she took him in. His hair was a mess, his shirt untucked and disheveled. He looked nothing like a regal Duke and everything like the man she loved.

“You can’t marry him,” Derek said, still catching his breath.

Simon charged to where Eleanor stood. “I demand to know the meaning of this.”

Eleanor shook her head slowly in disbelief. “I… He…”

Simon grabbed her shoulders, turned her towards him, and gave her a little shake. “Why is he saying you can’t marry me? Is he the reason why you said you can’t do this?”

Gasps and murmurs erupted throughout the church.

Derek took another step. “You said you couldn’t marry him?” The hope in his voice started to piece Eleanor’s heart back together.

She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He was magnificently beautiful and so real that Eleanor felt herself falling all over again.

With another shake, her focus was brought back to Simon. He leaned towards her. “Did he ruin you?” His harsh whisper pushed against her ear.

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