Page 45 of The Duke's Forbidden Bride
“I believe a business venture toasted by His Grace is destined for greatness,” Lord Heswall boomed, lifting his champagne flute. “And if my new business does well, then I will be a happy man.”
“I, for one, already have my eye on one of the canes you showed me sketches of,” another man spoke up. “I think my cousin will like it. She says that her knee does not hurt, but I believe it does.”
“Perhaps she can be my first customer,” Lord Heswall joked, grinning.
“Maybe Her Grace can be.”
That came from Lord Milborne’s young cousin, who stood off to the side with a small group of women. Her face was pale, her features pinched, and Spencer narrowed his eyes at her.
He spotted Eleanor nearby, not missing the way her shoulders stiffened.
“After all, I heard that she limps at times due to aching knees. Strange, I thought that hay is a thick enough cushion.”
Spencer’s hand curled into a fist. The woman had the gall to hint at the rumors about his wife.
“He accused me of compromising myself with one of his stablehands…”
But Eleanor merely sipped her champagne before answering gracefully, “It sounds as though you know from experience, Miss… Ah, do forgive me. I have forgotten your name. Since I became a duchess, I have met so many people that it’s hard to remember everyone.”
Someone across the room coughed to stifle a laugh. Spencer suppressed his own smile.
The young girl’s face contorted with shock, before she narrowed her eyes at Eleanor.
But disgraced or not, Eleanor was the Duchess of Everdawn now, and the Baron’s cousin was risking her status by trying to humiliate her further.
“My name is MissOlivia,” she sniffed. “You would do well to remember that you are not much better than us, Your Grace. It does a lady well to remember her roots, after all.”
“Ah, but Her Grace is the daughter of an earl. Is that not right?” Lord Milborne interjected, clearly aware that she could get them both into trouble.
Spencer himself was two seconds away from snapping, but he did not want to cause a scene on such a happy occasion. And perhaps part of him was curious to see Eleanor defend herself.
“That is right,” she said, not taking her eyes off Olivia. “It was quite a climb to become a duchess.”
“And yet your reward for such a climb is more of an advantage to us all,” Lord Milborne offered, before his cousin could open her mouth. His response caught Spencer’s attention. “I only regret that His Grace found you first.” He lowered his voice. “Had I been in the Caribbean when you were, I would have shown you a real party, but not one that is… as socially accepted as the soiree you met at.”
Spencer’s ire flared further, but Eleanor merely raised an eyebrow. “I assure you that the soiree was most sufficient, Lord Milborne,” she said politely, her smile lingering. “Now, I’m a happily married woman.”
Spencer’s jaw ticked as he noticed the way the Baron kept staring at her.
“I can tell by that smile of yours, Your Grace,” Lord Milborne complimented. “It brightens the whole room.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” she responded softly.
“I do hope His Grace appreciates the beauty he has married.” His tone was teasing now.
Spencer’s patience was wearing thin. He stepped forward and placed a hand on the small of Eleanor’s back. Her spinestiffened, but he kept his eyes on Lord Milborne, daring him to continue.
The Baron was smarter than his cousin, however, and he gave a small nod as if conceding defeat. He mumbled something about speaking with another lord in the dining room.
Not long after, the gong sounded for dinner, and the guests started filing out of the room.
Eleanor went to move in the same direction, but Spencer blocked her path discreetly. Her hard stare met his.
“Did you miss male attention, wife?” he asked coldly.
She curled her lip, looking insulted. “I missed kindness, not attention.” Stepping back, she shook her head. “You would do well to recall why I appreciate kindness from a man, why I will not take such sentiments for granted.” She sighed, fixing him with a cool look. “I shall see you at the dinner table,husband.”
Without waiting for his response, she stalked out of the drawing room, leaving him behind, taken aback by her anger. He followed several paces behind her and joined her at the table right as the first course was served.
