Page 32 of Wedded to the Loveless Duke
“What plans have you made for the ballroom and aviary? Are we renovating them?”
“That is what you wish to discuss?” He smiled. “There is nothing else you wish to know when you could ask anything at all?”
“Would you answer every question I have?”
“If I could do so, then yes. As for the renovations, I plan to redo some of the drapes and décor in the ballroom. As for the aviary, I plan to redo it entirely. Would you like to help me with it when I am ready to begin the planning?”
“I doubt I would be of much assistance.”
“Surely you did some of this sort of planning for your father’s estate, dearest.” Phillip kissed her cheek. “I am certain you would be most helpful in redecorating and choosing design aspects.”
The blush crept over Eleanor’s neck and chest now. “You give me far too much credit! I rarely had to do any of that sort of work.”
“Nevertheless, the offer is there, if you wish to accept.” He pulled away. “Surely there is something else you would like to know, though?”
Eleanor was silent for a long moment, then she murmured, “Was it ever lonely for you growing up? You were an only child, were you not?”
Phillip considered her question for a brief moment and then sighed. “It did become lonely. I always felt the pressure to live up to others’ expectations and achieve as much as I could because I was an only child. I had only a few friends, and my parents were always busy. Too busy for me as a child. When I grew older, my father’s main concern became raising me to be his heir. In the end, I disappointed him.”
“You cannot have disappointed him, Phillip.” She shifted and cupped his cheek in her hand with a smile. “You took on the estate in the end, and you are doing a wonderful job with it, all things considered.”
“I am glad you believe so.”
Eleanor leaned into him with a sigh.
Phillip pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “What is it you are thinking of now?”
“Did you mean the things you said to me when we spoke at my father’s house?”
He fell silent, thinking of all they had said to one another. “I meant every word.”
“Even your assurances that the right man would never clip my wings?”
“Even that.”
“Can such a man exist?”
“You mean to ask is it possible you have found such a man in me.”
Eleanor shifted to look up at him. “If you prefer…”
Phillip stroked her cheek with his thumb, a sad smile curling the corners of his mouth. “Part of what drew me to you was your fire and your spunk, Eleanor. I meant my assurance that the right man would never clip your wings, and I intend to be that right man if you will let me.”
She leaned into him again, resting her cheek on his shoulder. “I want to believe you.”
“Why do you not, then?”
“I have never known a man like that.”
“You know one now,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around her waist. “You will see that in time.”
They rode the rest of the way to the lake in silence, she leaning against him and he holding her close. When they reached the lake, Phillip jumped off Griffin and helped her down before tethering the horse in the shade of the oaks where there was plenty of grass. Then, he pulled the picnic basket off the horse’s back and took her hand, leading her to the lake. “Come! Do you see how clear it is today?”
Eleanor smiled broadly. “It sparkles like the diamonds on my necklace.”
“Indeed it does.”
He guided her to the small wharf that led to the rowboat and checked that the boat was still in good order. Upon seeing that it was, he helped her in and then handed her the picnic basket before carefully stepping in and settling in at the oars. She watched the shoreline slowly disappear in contemplative silence as he rowed them to the center of the lake. He gave her the space to think for the time being. He’d revealed a good bit of his intentions towards her, and for a woman who had resisted the idea of marriage her whole life, it must be overwhelming.
