Page 59 of The Duke's Forbidden Bride
“Spencer…”
His mouth was an inch away from her cheek when he murmured, “You disarm me, Duchess, enough that I do not think I would have the restraint to turn you away.”
A small noise tumbled past her lips, and he drew back, amused.
“If you keep teasing me, I will play your game right back, but I believe I will win each time. But do continue these games if you wish to.”
With that, Spencer turned around and strode into his chamber. Eleanor walked into her own… and found no connecting door.
She could swear she heard laughter as she tapped the walls for hidden compartments.
Their first event was a musicale hosted by the Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury in one of London’s most luxurious residences.
Salisbury Manor was nestled in Farlington Square, and after being surrounded by nothing but the country and Everdawn Village for a while, a part of Eleanor felt settled upon seeing the cluster of townhouses and the queue of carriages. The other part of her burned with bitterness. This should have been the society she had always been a part of.Hadbeen, once.
Lord Belgrave would pay for what he had done to her.
Beside her, Spencer was tense.
“Are you quite all right?” she asked, reaching for him.
But he drew back, grimacing as he nodded. “I do not care much for these parties,” he muttered, before climbing out of the carriage and offering his hand.
As Frances prepared her for the evening, Eleanor had not been able to get his confession out of her mind. That he was disarmed by her. That he would welcome her attempt at seduction.
She hurriedly pushed those thoughts away, focusing on the steps leading up to Salisbury Manor. She felt eyes on her as severalconversations buzzed around her, stopping when they stepped inside, only to resume in whispers she could not catch.
Spencer did, though, and he tensed again.
What made him so resentful toward Society? Why had he been absent from Charlotte’s life? And, most importantly, why had he never spoken about his twin sister?
When they entered the glittering entrance hall, the guests greeted them with polite, formal smiles. However, Lord Salisbury’s smile was guarded, his grip tight as he shook Spencer’s hand.
“Your Graces.” He inclined his head in greeting. “How lovely of you both to come out and join us tonight. It is most unusual you are not already residing at your townhouse.”
“We have been honeymooning,” Spencer said smoothly. “Everdawn Hall seemed most appropriate.”
“Indeed. But from what I’ve heard, Her Grace has been eager to return to London’s social scene.”
Lord Salisbury’s tone was light, almost friendly, but Eleanor was on guard, wondering who ran in the same circles as her former fiancé, who would report back to him, who was watching her now.
The back of her neck prickled. She fought the urge to look back, knowing that she would not find Lord Belgrave there.
“I am most eager,” she responded quickly, before Spencer could say something that reflected the impatience in his eyes. “Hence why my husband has humored my request to attend such a lavish musicale. Lady Salisbury, you must give me the names of the musicians you have hired for tonight when you get the chance. But for now, I must beg my husband for a dance.”
“Do enjoy your night, Your Graces,” Lady Salisbury said with a smile that was neither too wide nor tight.
Stiffly, Spencer led Eleanor through the entrance hall and into the grand drawing room, where other guests mingled, holding glasses of wine and champagne.
The reception was already in full swing by the time they entered, and Eleanor’s heart lurched, her nerves spiking as she searched the sea of faces for Lord Belgrave.
When she did not find him, she still could not relax.
Spencer leaned into her, his lips so close to her skin that she flushed.
“Ease yourself back in,” he murmured. “Do not rush your interactions just to save face. You are strong; you can weather this. Remember who you are. You were a lady of thetonbefore you were a wrongly accused prisoner in that convent. This isyour life, Eleanor. You are a duchess, so lift your chin and know that you are one of the most important women in this room.”
Surprised by his encouragement—by the words she had not known she needed to hear or expected him to say—Eleanor forced herself to do as he asked. She lifted her chin and regarded the guests coolly. She thought of her mother.
