Page 31 of The Duke's Forbidden Bride
“You may learn if it pleases you,” the Duke answered immediately as if braced for her resistance. As if he knew exactly why she didn’t drink. “It tastes rather different from whatever you had in the last three years. This wine is from a vineyard in France. I can assure you that the one at St. Euphemia’s is not.”
How did he know her worries before she did?
“A vineyard in France,” she mused, sniffing the wine and taking a hesitant sip. “You would know directly. Most likely, you have visited and overseen the staff and barked your orders and?—”
“I have,” he confirmed. “Because I own the vineyard.”
That silenced her for a moment as the first course was served. It was their first meal as newlyweds, and Eleanor could not help assessing how much had changed, even though she kept her thoughts tucked away behind a composed mask just as the Duke did.
“And do you own the residence where Charlotte is staying? I am assuming it is the Montagu estate, where your aunt lives.”
“You assume wrong,” he replied, his eyes too warm for how sharply he looked at her.
“Then where is she staying?”
“That is not for you to know.”
Her fork clattered to the table. “What?”
“I believe you heard me clearly enough.”
“I promised to write to her,” she protested. “I wish to know if my friend is comfortable and well-settled. I want to know if she is safe.”
“And you think me incapable of ensuring that before we returned to Everdawn?”
“No, but?—”
“Then that is that, Duchess.”
She stared at him in bewilderment. How could he shut her out so quickly? How could he deny her a simple answer about her friend’s location?Whywould he?
“I wish to know where she is,” she bit out. “She is your sister, yes, but she is also my friend.”
“Whatever you wish to write to her can be passed through me,” he declared. “I will see it delivered with care.”
“And I truly cannot know?”
“No.” His eyes tightened as he continued eating, as though her questions were merely an annoyance. But his jaw was too tight in between bites, his silence too heavy. “Do not question me further, for I will not tell you.”
“Why—”
“It is not necessary for you to know,” he sighed. “Do not probe me incessantly. It has been a long few days. All you need to know is that Charlotte is fine.”
Eleanor scoffed, taking a bite of the meat on her plate. She tried to chew angrily but stopped when the rich flavors burst on her tongue.
Heavens, it had been so long since she had something this delicious, aside from her first-ever dinner at Everdawn Hall.
The Duke merely watched her, and she hated that he would know she was enjoying the food.
After washing it down with more wine, Eleanor spoke up, “I understand, but I also have a right to know where my friend is and how she is doing, especially after what’s transpired. You would not have known there was a threat, were it not for me.”
That was the wrong thing to say. She realized it before she saw his face shutter.
The Duke set down his cutlery with more force than necessary. He fell into a tense, thick silence as he reached for his wine glass and took a long sip. When he lowered his glass to the table, a droplet caught at the corner of his mouth, staining his lips.
And despite her frustration, Eleanor was drawn to it—drawn to thoughts she should not be having, for they involved licking that droplet off his mouth. She shoved the notion away.
“Do not remind me of that again,” he uttered.
