Page 40 of Wedded to the Loveless Duke
She pursed her lips, unsure whether to agree or not.
“I meant no harm by it, Eleanor.” He took her hand in his. “Please, forget that I said anything at all.”
“Shall I ask the question again so that you may answer better?”
He nodded his head with a smile. “If you please.”
“Very well. Is helping me into a carriage truly a pleasure or a duty?”
“A pleasure.” He squeezed her hand gently. “It is always a pleasure to do small things to show you that I genuinely care. Is that better?”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “That is difficult to say. Your first answer might have sounded more honest.”
Phillip threw his head back and laughed. “Dearest, both answers are genuine and honest, though the second answer might be more proper a statement.”
“Do you mean it? I am rather difficult to please at times.”
“I do not believe so. You are merely misunderstood by most. I adore you for your idiosyncrasies.”
“Even though I am stubborn sometimes and take a long time to come around to other ways of thinking?”
“Even then, my love.” He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “It makes you unique, and I adore that about you.”
Eleanor shifted in her seat and stared down at their entwined hands on her lap. “I feel as though I am a frustration and a burden,” she admitted softly.
“You are neither. I admit that it has been difficult, but much of that is on account of my own actions. I do not blame you for that, nor will I ever do.”
“But you are trying so hard to show me that you are not the man I believed you to be after the wedding, and my hurt, anger and fears have made that difficult.” She lowered her head, her cheeks warming. “I have been the opposite of a biddable wife.”
“If I had wanted a biddable wife, Eleanor, I would have married someone else. I wished to have you.”
“Why? You could have had anyone.”
“Because of our first meeting,” he whispered, tipping her chin up to meet her eyes. “I spent a lifetime trying to avoid nobility and women of their ilk, but then there you were, one of them in name and nothing at all like them in every other regard. A breath of fresh air when I needed it most. Of course I wanted you.”
She bit her lip and looked away. “I hope I can believe that someday.”
“You will in time. I am certain of it because it is the truth, and I know you care deeply about having the truth, Eleanor. Will you trust me on it for now?”
Taking a deep breath, she considered what he was asking of her. He had done so much to prove himself to her. She could give him this small token of trust and faith. If he could prove himself worthy of that trust, she would trust him in every regard. “You promise me that you will not make me regret it?”
“I promise that I will do everything in my power not to.”
“Then I will trust you on it for now.”
“Thank you. Now then, I hear the lowing of cows and shouting. I do believe we have arrived at the nearest market square.”
“So quickly?”
“It may not appear to be much given its quaint state and location, but the modiste and jeweler here do honest work. Their talents are admittedly wasted here on the small-town clients they attract, but they do splendid work during the months the ladies visit the countryside.” He pulled the curtain aside to give her a clear view of the square.
People bustled from stall to stall, bargaining with one another and showing their companions various items before returning to their haggling. Boys and girls darted about between the people and the stalls playing tag with one another. Eleanor spotted agoose chasing indignantly after a young boy for some unknown offense.
“It is certainly smaller than the markets I was used to in London.”
“I hope you will not hold that against me.” Phillip climbed out after the carriage stopped and offered her a hand down. “Since thetondoes rather like this area of the countryside near my estate for throwing the Season’s grandest events, I do believe the modiste has a few items already prepared.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Did you ask him to do so?”
