Page 29 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
Looking at her brother, Elizabeth schooled her features into one of contentment. “I am not frowning.”
“Yes, you are.” Her brother leaned forward just a little. “Is there something the matter?”
Elizabeth let out a slow breath, wondering if she ought to tell her brother the truth. Recognizing that he had been honest with her about Lady Annette – though she had needed to encourage him into speaking with her about it – she chose to be honest with him. “I have been wondering about telling the Duke the truth as regards the letters I have been writing to him.”
Lord Dennington’s eyebrows lifted. “Is that so?”
She nodded.
“And why might that be?”
“Because I do not want anything between us,” Elizabeth answered, quietly. “I have become rather fond of the Duke of late, Dennington, and would prefer that he knew the truth. Besides, it is not as though he is writing to you any longer, is it?”
“I understand that is because he needs no further advice,” came the reply, “because he has chosen not to pursue any young lady for the time being. Though, I suspect, that is not the way he truly feels.”
Elizabeth frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that I think he is drawn to you,” he answered, speaking quite plainly now. “Though mayhap he is not certain as to his feelings and even less so over what he ought to do about it all, but I have seen how he looks at you, Elizabeth. And now, it seems, you feel the same way about him!”
A smile wrapped around Elizabeth’s features, her spirits lifting high. “That is good of you to say, Dennington, but the truth is that I do not know what I ought to do with all that I feel either! What I do not want is to keep back the truth from him.”
“Then you wish to tell him? Or do you want me to do so?”
Elizabeth shook her head, refusing to let her brother take the responsibility for something that she had done. “No, Dennington. When the time comes, I shall speak with the Duke though I do not think it will be this evening. Tonight is about whatever happened yesterday afternoon!” Having already told her brother about what had happened, Elizabeth let out a small sigh. “Whatever it is, I confess I am both a little intrigued and also a trifle confused!”
“All will be made clear.” Her brother sat forward as the carriage began to slow. “I already understand a good deal of what the Duke has endured but it will be good for you to hearwhat he has to say. Besides, it will be a sumptuous dinner, I am quite sure.”
Elizabeth chuckled softly. “It would be like you to think of your stomach!” She had no time to say anything more given that the carriage pulled up to the front door of the house, with the door opening and the footman coming down to assist them both from the carriage. She was led into the Duke’s drawing room, her brother beside her and her heart pounding furiously as she entered.
The Duke of Nottingham’s face was bright with warm, welcoming smiles as he came towards her, his hands out either side. “Might I take the opportunity to welcome you both to my townhouse. I am very glad that you were both able to join me for dinner, particularly given how belated the invitation was.” He winced. “In hindsight, I ought to have arranged this a good deal earlier.”
“Nonsense. We are glad to have been able to join you now.” Lord Dennington slapped the Duke on the shoulder and then made his way directly towards the table in the corner, the one which held the brandy. “My sister has informed me that you had a difficult time yesterday.”
“I did indeed.” The Duke’s voice took on a slightly more serious one. “But let us go to sit for dinner and I shall share all.” The gong sounded before Elizabeth had even had opportunity to sit down and with a smile, the Duke offered her his arm.
“I thank you.” Taking his arm sent butterflies into her stomach, though the grin on her brother’s face made her eyes narrow quickly. With a chuckle, Lord Dennington followed after them and together, the three walked to the dining room, ready for the splendid meal to begin.
***
“The lady I saw yesterday, the one that I confess I hid from, caused me a great deal of trouble some years ago.”
Elizabeth set her cup of tea down in the saucer, listening intently as the Duke began. Their dinner had passed without any talk about the Duke’s past nor the lady he had seen yesterday and Elizabeth had to admit to a slight frustration in that. She had very much enjoyed the dinner, however, and being in the Duke’s company again had brought her a good deal of happiness.
“This is the lady that Elizabeth told me about,” her brother interrupted, as he handed the Duke a whiskey from the decanter in the corner of the room. “The one that you were most upset to see again.”
The Duke ran one hand over his face, scowling lightly. “I must have appeared to be quite ridiculous, running from her the way that I did.”
“Not in the least.” Elizabeth smiled gently as the Duke looked at her steadily. “You said that you feared you showed weakness but I promise you, you did not. It was quite clear to me that you greatly feared this lady’s presence, though I do not know why that might be.”
A heavy breath escaped the Duke’s lips. “I will explain all to you. The lady in that carriage is the Marchioness of Ludlow.”
“Ludlow?” Elizabeth searched her memory for any hint of recognition but none came. “I do not think I am acquainted with her.”
“No, you would not be. Her husband is something of a recluse – unwell, some say, whereas others state that he simply prefers his own company. Lady Ludlow has made it quite clear to all and sundry that she is greatly displeased with this situation though the gentleman was, I believe, very much the same when they were engaged so it should not have come as a surprise to her.”
“Are you acquainted with her, Dennington?” When her brother nodded, Elizabeth caught the sharp glint that flashed in his eyes. Clearly, the lady had not made a good impression upon her brother either.
“Lady Ludlow is determined to enjoy society,” he said, with a scowl. “She is inclined toward no-one but herself and, unfortunately, made it quite clear that she is not in the least bit desirous of her husband’s company.”
