Page 54 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Charlotte’s positive disposition helped alleviate some of Sarah’s worry as she sat up, letting a smile break free on her face. “I do hope so, Mama!”

“There. That’s that. Eleanor, how did you fare last night?”

Eleanor froze at her mother’s question. Phantom feelings of hot kisses on her neck and wandering hands with precision finger motions curled around her core, igniting sparks that had her cheeks reddening.

“Um, I…” Her throat ran dry. She took a sip of her tea, hoping to give her body a chance to cool down.

Eleanor winced. Warm tea would not help aid the rising temperature in her body.

“I saw you danced with several young men, including the Viscount again,” Charlotte said with a devilish grin on her face. “Could an official courtship be brewing between the two of you.”

The Viscount. Right.

Eleanor smiled. “Perhaps. He did ask if he could call on me.”

While Charlotte and Sarah fussed over the possibility of the Viscount courting Eleanor, Eleanor prayed her mother didn’t ask more of their encounter.

She danced with him after her run in with the Duke. At the time, her mind continuously replayed her encounter with the Duke, and she barely registered she was dancing with the Viscount. The fact that he even asked to call on her surprised her. She couldn’t have been the most interesting dance partner. Eleanor made a conscious note to apologize for that when she saw him.

“Do I hear we will have a suitor showing up at our door today?”

The Duke’s voice, full of bravado and charm, ran through Eleanor’s body like a breakaway carriage.

Her spine stiffened, and the world around her stopped as she watched the man who had plagued her for days saunter into the room without a care in the world.The pompous jerk.

Eleanor narrowed her eyes on him before refocusing on her sister. She would not give him the satisfaction of her attention. She was fuming at how he played with her, literally, then left her alone to piece herself back together. Only a degenerative sadist would do that to a young woman. At least, that is what she told herself.

“The Viscount of Hountshire has asked Eleanor if he may call on her. Isn’t it wonderful, Your Grace? We may have a wedding by the end of the season like we had hoped!” Charlotte clapped her hands in front of herself, sighing in happiness for her daughter.

Eleanor managed a small smile for her mother’s benefit. The idea of the Viscount courting her wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t the worst outcome for her. He was stable and kind; she could make it work. She could make anything work.

“Is that so?” Graynor looked over at Eleanor. She felt his eyes settle on her.

With a deep breath, she glanced over at him. The moment her eyes collided with his, she regretted it. Heat blossomed low in her core, and her breath stuttered.

She immediately dropped her eyes to the teacup she held in her lap. She took a sip once again, hoping to buy herself time to figure out how to handle the situation.

Eleanor was embarrassed, frustrated, torn, and angry with how their interaction ended last night, but whenever she saw him, no matter how angry she was at the man, all was forgotten, and her body took over.

“If this Viscount offers marriage, will you accept?” Graynor asked. Eleanor noted a hint of anger in his voice, but she seemed to be the only one who noticed.

“ThisViscount? You ask if I am entertaining several—that would be uncouth of me, Your Grace,” Eleanor snipped, raising her chin.

A smile crept onto Graynor’s face, frustrating Eleanor even more.

She placed her teacup on the table next to her. “If you’ll all excuse me, I have a sudden need for some fresh air.”

Charlotte looked over her daughter. “Are you well?”

Eleanor gave her mother a tight-lipped smile. “Yes, Mama. It’s just a bit stuffy in here all of a sudden,” she added with a pointed glance at the Duke.

Charlotte gave Eleanor one more motherly look before dipping her head. “All right, but don’t stay out too long. It looks like rain is moving in, and I’d hate for you to get sick during this time of the season.”

Eleanor stood and kissed her mother on the cheek. “Always looking out for us, Mama.”

Charlotte cooed over her daughter’s comment. “You girls are my life.”

Eleanor stood, turning to her sister. “Sarah. If you need someone to talk to, I’m always here.”

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