Page 49 of Wedded to the Loveless Duke
William broke into a coughing fit and closed his eyes. “Go, my dear.”
Eleanor rose, a lump in her throat. “I love you,” she whispered. “Even when I was furious with you, some part of me still loved you. You are forgiven for everything, Father.”
“I love you too, my dearest. Your mother would be so very proud if she could see you now.”
She bit back a whimper, but when her father didn’t open his eyes or speak again, she left with her tears falling silently. Phillip took her in his arms and held her tight as soon as she stepped out ofWilliam’s chambers, whispering soothing words until her tears abated.
“He wishes us to return to our home and wait for word of his death there,” she told him when her sobs had finally ebbed.
Phillip stroked her hair with a sad smile. “He really does despise being fussed over, does he not?”
“Indeed.” She smiled weakly. “I wish he had just told me the truth. Do you think we will ever know everything?”
“I am certain we will. Your uncle knows the whole truth about the matter, or so your father had informed me. I have no doubt he will stop by to visit and tell you the whole truth when it is time. Now, come.” He drew her back down the hallway and then swept her up in his arms to carry her down the grand staircase. “We will fulfill his final wish.”
CHAPTER 18
The news of William’s passing came after two days of waiting. The butler entered the sitting room where Eleanor was embroidering a set of bed linens and bowed. “Your Grace, the Marquess of Winchester is here to see you.”
She rose and set aside her needlework, her stomach sinking. “Show him in.”
A few moments later, Edward stepped into the room, a grim look on his face. Tears filled Eleanor’s eyes, and she wrapped her arms around her middle. “Uncle Edward?”
“He is gone, Eleanor. I am sorry.”
Phillip entered the room then. He took one look at his wife’s face and rushed over to her, gathering her up in his arms as her knees gave out. She’d known it was coming, but some part of her had been praying it wouldn’t. Phillip rubbed her back and held hertight. “There now, love. Shhh… He is in a better place now, free from suffering. I know it hurts… I know.”
Eleanor clung to him, pressing her face against his chest and wishing her uncle wasn’t there to see her fall apart. When she finally stopped crying, Phillip guided her to the settee. He settled her down and sat beside her, taking her hands in his.
Edward took a seat across from them and gave her a sympathetic smile. She wiped her eyes with her handkerchief and tried to avoid his gaze, her embarrassment flaring. She hadn’t expected to fall apart given that she’d known the news would come eventually.
“He asked me to come when he was gone,” Edward explained. “He wanted me to explain what has been done, though the lawyer will come by in the next day or so to explain the will more thoroughly.”
Phillip squeezed her hands. “If you prefer that I deal with this so you may retire for some time to recoup, I will do so, dearest.”
Eleanor shook her head, sniffling. “No. He wanted me to know about these things, and he sent Uncle Edward to talk to me and you. I shall stay.”
“Are you certain you are ready for this, Eleanor?” Edward asked. “I can come back another time if you wish.”
“No. It will hurt no less later. What is it he wished you to tell me?”
“The whole truth.” Her uncle sat back in his seat. “Would you like to take some fresh air while we talk?”
She dabbed at returning tears and nodded. “I think that might be best.”
Phillip helped her to her feet and guided her towards the door that led out to the sitting room patio and the lawn beyond. She leaned into his side as they walked and glanced at Edward. He was smiling at them softly, and she remembered what her father had said about her uncle’s involvement in the matter.
“Did you arrange the first meeting with my husband as Father intimated you had?” she asked him quietly.
“I did. I believe my words to your father were that Richmond is a good man and a better friend, and that I did believe he might actually suit a certain headstrong, willful lady quite well once she had been given time to come round to the idea of being a married woman. Was I right?”
She blushed and glanced at Phillip. “I suppose you were. Why were you never around to visit, though? If you are good friends, I would have expected you to call.”
“Your father had informed me that you were quite upset with him. I thought it best I did not reveal my connection to His Graceuntil you had come round to the situation lest I suffer the same fate.”
She shook her head with a grimace. “I really do not know how to feel about your part in this.”
Phillip helped her down the stairs of the patio and to the lawn below as they walked. “I will forever be grateful to your uncle for approaching me, my love. I only regret what happened after.”
