Page 26 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
As her mother whined, she and her sisters shared looks. Her chest tightened when she looked at Agnes. Still, she kept a cheeky smile on her face, betraying nothing. It was Isabelle who spoke for them.
“Mother, while you were a Baron’s daughter, did you ever consider a career in the theatres?”
Unable to help themselves, especially with her mother’s horrified look, they dissolved into a fit of giggles.
“Now they joke at my expense? I see you forget who has authority here. For that, no outing for the next four days. You shall attend every ball I deem necessary for you to accept in the next two weeks, and you must dance with every man I fill on your dance cards.” They quickly became sober as she spoke, her voice cool and low, like a woman should always have them. As she finished, she dropped the shirt she had been designing and rose.
Then holding all their stares, she smiled sweetly.
“Now, who is laughing?” Ever the drama queen, she broke into laughter of her own and carried on that way until she stepped into the hallways, taking her ladies with her. As soon as the doors closed behind them, the three girls enjoyed another fit of laughter.
“I declare; she never ceases to amaze me!” Agnes exclaimed as they recovered.
“She is a woman of many colours, indeed. A different hue, every day. How delightful!” Isabelle joined in.
“Huh. You know Mother, she is going to actually make us do all of those things. Perhaps, we should not have upset her so.” Eleanor wanted to be the voice of reasoning. Partaking in more than two dances per ball did not appeal to her in any way.
“Oh, nonsense! These moments are rare. We must cherish them and welcome any punishments that follow. Deep down, she loves us in her own special way.”
They all nodded, and soon, they were discussing something else. After a while, Agnes rose and came over to her. Eleanor’s fleetingly forgotten trepidation returned as she looked up at her sister. She should be shamed, mocked for her evil deed for she was wicked and deserved every bit of that. Her guilt intensified when Agnes put forward a beautifully embroidered silk scarf, the colour of peach blooms.
“This has been ready for a while now. I assumed you were busy with your books and did not want to disturb you. Here, have it. It was made with you in mind.”
Her face was masked with happiness and gratitude as she accepted the gift. When a tear dropped, it was assumed to be that of joy. Deep within, her heart sank.
“This is so lovely, Agnes. As much as I love and appreciate this gift, I cannot help wondering to what do I owe this goodness?”
“Nothing, in truth. It was just something I began unconsciously, and as it started to take form, I thought it would be a lovely, befitting present for my little pumpkin.”
Despite herself, Eleanor laughed as she threw her arms around her sister in a warm embrace.
“I keep reminding you that only father is allowed to call me little pumpkin. Notwithstanding, today, I shall let it go.”
As Agnes embraced her in return, Eleanor got lost in thoughts. Her sister genuinely loved her. All she had to do was prove her love in return and stay away from Nicholas, for good. He was a danger, not only to her heart anymore but to her relationship with her sister, and her virtue.
“In a bid to establish fairness, I expect to have my scarf gifted to me in remarkable time.”
At Isabelle’s words, they all laughed again, and Eleanor hoped with all her heart that this love they shared would never change.
Just as they settled down to continue their work, the door barged open, and their mother floated in. The happiness on her face was palpable, and Eleanor instantly had a feeling that the news to come would break her heart completely. She was right.
“Agnes, you must hurry and go change! Nicholas and his mother are here! They are ready to make an official proposal!”
Betrayed, even when she shouldn’t feel so, Eleanor murmured an excuse no one heard and slipped out of the drawing room. Distraught, she paid no heed to her movement. She only wanted to reach her chambers and lock herself in again. In their safety, she could cry her eyes out. She continued to walk in a blind haze until she hit something solid. Arms instinctively came around her, and she knew she must have run into someone. Believing it was one of the servants, she lifted her head to offer her apologies and locked gazes with a pair of thunderclouds.
She froze, everything stopped, then with a powerful force, it all came rushing back to her. Without considering any thought, she pulled herself away and took to her heels. As she ran up the stairs, she heard Elizabeth ask, “What was that all about? Oh dear, I do hope she is fine.”
She caught his reply just before she completed her ascent. “I do too.”
As soon as she locked her doors behind her, she fell into a heap on the floor and cried her eyes out.
Why? Why did love have to hurt so much? Why did fate have to be so cruel?
Chapter 18
This was it, Agnes thought to herself as she came down the steps. Her fate was going to be sealed today. Notwithstanding her insistence that the dress she had been in was suitable enough to receive their visitors, her mother had her escorted to her chamber, through the servant hallways. Now, she was in her opinion, a terribly elaborate gown for a morning visit. The corset she had been forced into was a trifle tighter this time around. It almost made it impossible to breathe. Hopefully, Nicholas would not suggest a walk, and after this proposal was done with, she would be permitted to return to her bed.
Mustering a light smile, she took the last two steps and headed for the large drawing room. This one was strictly for guests.
