Page 41 of Her Duke in Shining Armor
They took the corridor to the ground-floor library where Julius used his good arm to close the door behind them. The dusky room had stuffed shelves and wingback chairs but Julius eased himself onto the small chaise lounge.
“So, what is this I hear about me being set up?”
Aaron grimaced, “And it could be all my fault. I refused Wyndrake’s proposition about Eleanor and to rub salt into his wounded pride, I made a jab at his St. Giles’ situation. I am not completely sure but I overhead two lords talking about it. I contracted an investigator to track down the truth. Wilcox, until I have clear information, I want you and Lady Darcy to hide. I have a few townhomes that I can—”
“No,” Julius replied. “I applaud you for thinking so proactively but I am not going to be scared into hiding because the big bad wolf cannot take a jibe.”
Aaron frowned, “Wilcox, this is your life…both of your lives, in fact.”
“And I am strong enough to survive it,” he replied. “For me and my beloved. Whoever harmed me caught me by surprise. Believe me, they will not be getting the upper hand on me again.”
“Julius—”
“Aaron, please,” he said, “I will be perfectly fine…but what is this I just heard? When did you move from Lady Eleanor to just Eleanor?”
“From Vauxhall and in my head,” Aaron replied. “And I might just have fallen in love with her.”
* * *
Her blue eyes were down on her plate while Lady Darcy was in the kitchen. With her gone and the Duke out with Mr. Wilcox, Eleanor was reconsidering what she had come to ask Darcy to do, which was to guide her into approaching the Duke. But now…she wondered if she could do it herself.
As the ever-practical person, she would have preferred a manual for this harrowing portion of life, but given how she felt about him, she felt it best to test the waters without someone holding her hand.
It is going to be terrifying…if just thinking about him makes my heart race, what will I do if he shatters it?
She had not anticipated the Duke of Oberton daring to hold her hand but she had found the anticipation inside her exhilarating. Resting her hand in his had been a simple request but to follow through on it had been difficult. The results, though, had been amazing, not from the touch itself but from overcoming her fear and hesitation. If that had been so simple, what stronger emotion could he evoke in her?
“My Lady?” Miss Malcolm's voice was hushed. “You’ve been unusually quiet, is something bothering you?”
Shaking her head, Eleanor replied, “No…I am just contemplating a lot of things. I think it is time for us to leave. As soon as Darcy comes back, I will be making our excuses.”
Her chaperone seemed to understand that she wanted to give Lady Darcy and her fiancé to their privacy—and that was exactly what Eleanor wanted her to believe. She was actually nervous about being near Aaron, knowing the power he had over her now. His voice was in her ear, his eyes were painted on the canvas of her mind and she still felt his touch.
Lady Darcy came in with a loaded tray of cinnamon cake slices. It smelled heavenly but Eleanor felt she had to leave. At the same time, as drawn by the wonderful aroma, the two men entered.
She felt awkward but stood, “Darcy, this evening was wonderful but sadly, I have to leave.”
A small line crossed her forehead, but she nodded, “I’ll wrap a slice of cake for you.”
Politely, Eleanor turned to Mr. Wilcox, “How are you?”
“Recovering,” he replied. “My arm is still a bit numb and pains a little but as Oberton said, it’s a necessary evil of my profession.”
Darcy came in with the wrapped cake just as Miss Malcolm came in with her coat and bonnet. She dressed quickly and accepted the treat while studiously not looking over at the Duke.
Her hug to Darcy was caring and her curtesy to the Duke of Oberton and Mr. Wilcox was cordial. She was almost at the door when the Duke called out to her.
“You dropped something, Lady Eleanor.”
Turning she was about to ask what it was when she saw the small opal earring in his palm. Her hand darted to her left ear where she touched the empty place and her lips parted in surprise. “Oh my.”
She reached out and took the tiny orb from him while noting the level of warmth in his eyes, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” he said while standing away. “Will you let me walk you out?”
With a small incline of her head, she turned and walked away, very attuned to how close the Duke was to her. Each step strangely felt hard to take and when they did get down the long walk and to the carriage, she felt the urge to turn around and go back.
The Duke reached over and opened the door and helped Miss Malcolm in before her. Just like before, when he helped her in, and before he let her go, his grip tightened. It made her chest ache.
