Page 41 of Wedded to the Loveless Duke
This time, it was Phillip who blushed and looked away. “Perhaps.”
“Rather presumptuous of you! How did you know I would agree to go shopping with you today?”
“I had no idea whether you would or not, but I was dearly hoping, and I acted accordingly. You will not hold it against me, will you, Eleanor?”
She sighed and kissed his cheek before looping her hand through his arm. “I suppose not. Shall we go see the dresses you asked the modiste to prepare, then?”
Phillip returned to his usual confident, poised self. “I would like that. I am eager to see what he has prepared and how it will look on you.”
The man really did know what to say at all the right times. Eleanor wasn’t frivolous, but she did enjoy dress shopping and searching for ribbons or other accessories at just the right price to consider them a quality bargain. That Phillip wanted to do it with her even though it was usually a woman’s pastime left her feeling strangely warm and giddy inside. He wouldn’t do it for just anyone. No, he was doing it for her because she was his and he cared about her.
“What are you thinking about now? I can practically hear the wheels turning, dearest.”
“I am thinking that I am fortunate to have for a husband a man who is willing to sacrifice his masculine ego to go shopping with me.”
Phillip laughed. “I care little what anyone else thinks. Your father let it drop in passing conversation that you adore shopping for gowns even if you only buy a truly nice gown here and there, and I made note of it for this sort of occasion. My father used to help my mother select her clothing for such events, and it was an experience they both enjoyed a great deal, so I always intended to try to do the same at least once with my bride.”
“Did you love your parents a great deal?”
“Most dearly, though my father and I no longer saw eye-to-eye after I refused to take over the estate to make my own way. I think he always resented me a little for forcing him to give it to my uncle.” Phillip pulled her to a stop in front of a door with a neatly painted spool of thread and needle on a wooden sign above it. He knocked on the door.
A slight, elderly man with a carefully tailored waistcoat and smoking jacket answered. His lips curled into a welcoming smile when he saw who it was. “Your Grace, come. I have closed the shop for the day, and my Betsy is at hand to assist Her Grace. The dresses are all ready for her approval and selection.”
Phillip guided Eleanor inside with a hand at the small of her back. The dress selection process immediately began in a whirlwind of changing from one dress to the next and modeling each for the Duke. By the time it was done, Eleanor wasn’t certain she had the energy to try on the jewelry too. Phillip agreed to bring her back for that when they would come to fetch her dress in a few days. She’d never been happier to see the estate than she was at that moment after a long day of shopping.
Their carriage rolled quietly in the gloaming, and their house was still a ways away across the hills, so she leaned into Phillip and closed her eyes, yawning in exhaustion. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. She quickly drifted off to sleep, tucked against his side and content to trust that he would wake her when they arrived.
CHAPTER 15
The King’s ball took place a month after they had selected the dress and the jewelry for the occasion. Eleanor stood in front of the mirror while Isabel laced her into her stays and pulled them tight. There was a knock at the door.
“Who is it?”
“Your husband. I came to see how it all looks. May I enter?”
Eleanor blushed and glanced at Isabel.
“If His Grace desires to help instead, I will return when you are ready to put your hair back up, Your Grace.”
“Can he do that?” Eleanor whispered, afraid that Phillip might hear her through the heavy wooden door.
Isabel shrugged. “I am not paid to know such things, Your Grace. Besides, I have never worked in this position before. I have no notion what goes on between a man and his wife.”
“Oh.” Eleanor fiddled with the bow of laces tied around her middle and then grabbed her petticoat, putting it on and fastening it around her waist. “I have not yet put the dress on, Your Grace,” she finally called out to Phillip. “If you wish to assist me, you may enter.”
The door opened, and Phillip slipped inside her bedchamber. His gaze roamed over her frame before settling on her face. He graced her with an affectionate smile. “I would be delighted to help you. Are the fastenings very complicated, Isabel?”
“No, Your Grace. This one is not pinned. You only have to fasten the hooks and ties.”
“Wonderful. Then I think I can manage tolerably. When we are finished with all but her hair, I will fetch you to assist her with that. I am afraid my fingers are not well suited or trained for such a task.”
Isabel hid a smile and curtsied. “As you wish, Your Graces.”
“Thank you, Isabel. You may go,” Eleanor murmured.
Phillip picked up the lightweight green silk gown they’d selected together and trailed his fingers over the golden stars that had been embroidered on the skirts. “You look a vision in this gown,you know. I think I might not have said that when were in the shop.”
“You did.” Eleanor smiled and joined him by her bed to look at the gown. “Several times and with more than one dress, actually. But I am delighted that you love it when I wear it. Shall I put it on so that you may fasten it for me?”
