Page 22 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
Chapter Eleven
“Your sister has been of a great aid to me these last two weeks,” Elizabeth read aloud, her heart squeezing with a sense of pleasure. “‘I understand that I am to be her chaperone at such occasions and though I believe I have done all that is expected of me, I have found her company and encouragement to be of a great benefit.’” Her smile grew, her heart softening as she continued to read the Duke’s words.‘I have taken your advice and done what I can to make myself appear a little more amiable to society without making any urgent advances towards anyone. In truth, I had no intention of pursuing any young lady given my previous failures but your advice was appreciated much the same. I presume that you spoke to your sister about my difficulties for she has offered much the same advice as yourself, as well as guiding me through one or two somewhat stilted conversations. I do value her insight a great deal and think very highly of her. The truth is, it feels at times as though I am not chaperoning her but she chaperoning me!’
Elizabeth laughed out loud at this, shaking her head to herself. She could well understand why the Duke might feel this way but she certainly did not think it. There was, she considered, more of a friendship growing between them than she had anticipated.
And an interest?
A frown pulled at her forehead as she thought, recognizing that the connection between the Duke and herself had grown somewhat these last few weeks. Ever since he had apologized for his anger towards her, he had changed significantly. She had seen that his dread of society was genuine, that he truly was greatly concerned over what they would not only say to him but sayofhim. The darting of his eyes, the frown on his foreheadand the heaviness in his frame all came from uncertainty and doubt… andstillshe did not know the truth about what had happened those years ago with his sister and society.
“And I do not need to know,” Elizabeth murmured, reminding herself firmly that the Duke’s business was entirely his own. Resuming the letter, she read it carefully, her eyebrows lifting in surprise.
‘I do not think that I require any further advice at this juncture, given that my determinations are now simply to improve myself upon society as best I can. Though, as your sister has reminded me, it is not my fault that they see me as they do! However, I am sure that I will soon have further questions for you for as regards what I ought to do when it comes to pursuing a young lady who has caught my interest. The truth is, I have taken note of some that I might wish to consider, though at this juncture, I am doing nothing of the sort.’
Elizabeth’s stomach cramped and she frowned at herself, confused as to why she felt such displeasure at the notion of the Duke pursuing another young lady in order to pursue courtship and eventually matrimony. She was meant to be doing the very same, was she not? She was also trying to find a gentleman so that she might marry and be contented, so why should it trouble her if the Duke himself was doing the very same thing?
Bending her head, she finished the letter, appreciating the Duke’s concern for her brother and his hope that Lord Dennington would be well enough to make his way into society again very soon. Elizabeth set it to one side and then considered, her brow furrowing, about all that the Duke had said.
“You are frowning, my dear sister. And such expressions are not appreciated by gentlemen of theton… or so I have heard.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes as her brother came into the room. “I do not much care as to whether or not society thinks a young lady ought to roll her eyes or not, brother.”
“But I care as to why you were frowning.” His eyes alighted on the letter. “Has the Duke displeased you in some way?”
She shook her head.
“Then why do you frown so?”
With a small sigh, Elizabeth gestured to the letter. “He does not think he requires any further advice.” She looked up at her brother, lifting her shoulders. “And the truth is, I think that these letters were soon to come to an end regardless, given that you have been stepping more and more into society.”
“Though I have been absent from it for a few days of late.”
Elizabeth gave him a smile. “But that is not because of your headaches or because of any sense of weakness now, is it?” She lifted her eyebrows as her brother flushed. “You are quite well, brother, and it is something other than that which keeps you from society, is it not?” Keeping her eyebrows high, she waited for Dennington to respond, seeing how the color in his face rose, how his gaze would not catch hers and how a gentle line pulled between his eyebrows. She had noticed his absence the last few days from society, had seen how he had pulled back from it all – even from her – and yet, at the very same time, had also noticed how there was no illness about him. He had not complained of a headache, had not been required to lie down in a darkened room, had not even made any mention of weakness! There had been something else troubling him, something else sitting heavily on his mind but as yet, he had not spoken of it to Elizabeth.
Eventually, Lord Dennington sighed heavily. “I am well aware that I ought to be doing more for you and not pushing you under the care of the Duke, especially when I am well enough to do such a thing myself.”
“Then what is it that troubles you?”
Her brother closed his eyes and let out a long breath before he spoke. “It is foolishness, Elizabeth, that is what it is.”
She leaned forward in her chair. “If you wish to tell me, then I might be able to offer you some advice.”
A slight quirk of his lips was her only answer.
A little concerned, Elizabeth lifted her shoulders. “You know that I would be glad to hear you whenever you have need to share with me, brother. But if there is something within you that you need to think on a little more, then I quite understand.”
His eyes opened. “Elizabeth, we came to London for my recovery and so that you might enter society. Those are the only two reasons for my presence here. There is nothing for me to think on.”
This made Elizabeth frown. “If something more has happened, then there is nothing wrong with that, Dennington.” She tilted her head, a sudden thought striking her. “Is it about Lady Annette?”
In one single moment, all of the color left Lord Dennington’s face, only to be quickly replaced with a scarlet sheen which ran up his chest, into his neck and face.
Elizabeth smiled.
“Dennington,” she said, with a laugh catching her words, “if it is about Lady Annette, then what troubles you so? If you have an interest in her company and in furthering your acquaintance, then why should you be so disturbed about that? She is a lovely young lady, I am sure, and...”
“And I am a gentleman who is plagued with this malady!” With frustration written on his face, Lord Dennington rose suddenly to his feet, beginning to stride up and down the room. “You have done nothing but care for me ever since I took on the title, Elizabeth. I have come to London to see if I can find improvement – and in that, I can say I have found some success– but what will happen when I return home? Am I to find myself in the same despair as before? Will I have the same malady as before?”
Elizabeth blinked quickly, a little surprised to hear her brother’s vehemence. “Dennington, are you suggesting that you cannot think of drawing close to a young lady simply because of these megrims?”
