Page 71 of Her Duke in Shining Armor
“It’s nothing, my apologies for worrying you. Let’s get you back home to change.”
* * *
Marry me.
Those were the words Aaron had wanted to say under the boughs of the large chestnut tree but did not. Eleanor was distressed and the protective instinct inside Aaron had flared to life.
He had wanted to take her away from the pain, shelter her in the warmth of his arms and wipe away all the sorrow he could feel in her deep blue eyes. If Aaron had his way, Brisdane would be meeting him at dawn in Putney Heath but he would not step on Eleanor’s toes.
She had to fight this battle on her own and he respected that. What he did not like was what she might find on the way. If it was as ugly as she expected, the fallout would be horrendous.
“Let’s get you home then,” Aaron added as they continued walking. He ached to reach out and hold her hand but forced himself to keep a respectable distance between them, only for propriety sake.
The walk was not easy as a hundred things came to Aaron’s mind to say but none of them passed his lips. He reflected on what Sarah, Maria’s mother, had said about Eleanor’s mother and felt the same rage from before bubble in his stomach. What right had any man to harm a woman, much less the woman he called his wife?
Men like those are fit for hanging,Aaron decided.
They approached the drive to his home and Aaron assisted her up the steps. He could see she was both fatigued and stressed. A footman opened the door and Aaron thanked him over his shoulder.
Directing Eleanor to the room where she had left her dress, he closed the door behind her and rang for another servant to arrange cool drinks and sandwiches for a light meal. Changing himself, Aaron did not know which of the Eleanors he liked best. The strong, decisive Eleanor or the calm, honest, and vulnerable Eleanor. He did know that he hated—absolutelydespised—seeing her in pain.
Aaron knew that Eleanor was going to be on a mission the moment she went back home and if he had any sense of judgment of Brisdane, there would not be much for her to find. The man came off as a wily one, smart and crafty. Aaron suspected he cleaned up his tracks and even laying false clues that might lead to another suspect if, in fact, he had killed his wife.
“Thank you,” Eleanor said at the doorway.
His head darted up and he smiled at Eleanor, clad in her light summer-blue dress. Her hair was in a simple knot at the base of her neck and her coat was thrown over her arm.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Yes.”
He swallowed, “Drink something first, please, for my peace of mind.”
She did not look sure but sat anyway and placed the coat beside her. Taking the glass of juice, she sipped it and smiled, “I think I might have to report you to Lady Darcy for stealing her fruit concoction.”
“If she had not willingly given it to my cook, I would not stop you,” Aaron said before sighing. “Eleanor…I will not abuse your intelligence as I know you might have thought of these already but I must say it. You might not find much with your search and the little you might find might not lead you anywhere. Your father, if he is culpable, is not a man who leaves loose ends that might come back and hang him.”
Eleanor’s head was down and her eyes were on the perspiring glass. Her forefinger swiped up and a bead of crystal water was resting on her skin, “I know.” Her tone was hollow. “But I have to try.”
“And I will do everything I can to help you,” Aaron promised. “You just need to ask.”
And even if you don’t, I will help you anyway. Julius has many contacts I can use.
Aaron knew it would be foolhardy to use known detectives like Harding to probe a matter as delicate as this. No, word would get out and then he’d been in the crosshairs of not only Wyndrake—who he still thought had something to do with Julius’ near killing—and Brisdane, two mammoths in the peerage.
Eleanor sat her half-full glass down, and picked up her coat, “You risked a lot today for me…I cannot tell you how grateful I am and I do not know how I can repay you.”
The Duke was on his feet instantly, “Being safe is how you can repay me.”
She reached out and laced his finger with hers as a parting gesture. As she walked away, Aaron spoke over her head, “Hiddleston, please accompany Lady Eleanor home.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the footman bowed and hurried after the lady.
Aaron would have followed her himself but he suddenly had a mission to complete. He turned and ordered, “Prepare my carriage.”
* * *
As Eleanor neared her home, she felt dread leaden every step she took. She did not know how to see her home in the same light anymore. The place she had lived in for almost eight years had gained the title of the sanctuary to her. It was where she felt safe, comfortable, taken care of and happy. Now, it was felt alien and worrying to her.
