The Duke's Desire

by Elizabeth Elliot

  He walked the short distance to the drawing room and joined the women.

  “Are the gardens prepared? I promised Miss Felicity a tour of our rose garden.”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful. Your home is lovely. Peaches said that there is a small pond in the middle of the rose garden. It sounds so divine.”

  Storm turned his attention to Felicity and put on a smile that could melt any woman’s heart. He has spent many evenings perfecting his smile. Miss Felicity was not immune to its effect.

  “Well then I have perfect timing. It has been awhile since I have visited it myself, and never with such fine company.”

  Felicity blushed again and looked to her sister.

  “Oh, Elly this is the best day. When we had the garden do you remember how you used to love smelling the roses.”

  For one moment, Storm saw something resembling regret in the woman’s eyes, and then it was gone. He raised a brow.

  “What happened to your garden?”

  Looking away, Eleanor took another sip of her tea.

  “Nothing of interest.”

  But her sister was already on her feet.

  “Oh, Elly said it reminded her of when papa used to be alive and refused to have it cared for. Papa loved the garden so.”

  Storm looked to the woman and pondered this. It seemed an odd reason to let a garden go. He was not sure that he liked the fact that she did not value the memory of her father, and yet, he has already seen how devoted she was to her sister. Last night he had seen the pain she felt from her father’s loss as well. He had thought it was one of the few things they had in common. Staring at the elder Pinecrest for a moment too long, he noticed again that she was in worn clothing. There was something wrong with the Pinecrest family and, for some reason; the puzzle was on the top of his list of things to solve. But it would have to wait as there were activities to tend to. Offering his arm to the delightful blonde he motioned to the rest.

  “Shall we?”

  Bonnet frowned.

  “Wait, there are not enough males to make up this party.”

  Sticking her head inside, she called for Webster.

  “Yes?”

  “Are Hunter and Blade about?”

  The man smiled.

  “Indeed.”

  “Will you tell them that the Pinecrest sisters are here.”

  With a nod the man exited. Storm rolled his eyes.

  “You do not give our brothers credit if you believe that they will appear here simply because...”

  He did not get to finish as both his brothers entered the room. Apparently, they had not been far. Bonnet cast him a knowing smile and introductions were made since Blade had not been at the musicale the evening before.

  Eleanor wondered if all the Westbrook men were so good looking. Hunter was rather rugged looking, as if he was more of a country gentleman than elite member of London society, but Blade… well he was rather difficult to describe. Tall, overly muscular, and wickedly handsome, Eleanor found it hard to decide which of the men were more attractive. One was a rugged country gentleman, the other a pirate. It was a difficult choice.

  “What a delight to see you again.”

  Eleanor laughed sweetly as Hunter took her hand to his lips. Bonnet looked toward the two latest arrivals.

  “We were going to go to the pond. Perhaps you care to take a stroll.”

  Hunter instantly put her hand on his sleeve as if it were the most natural thing in the world and turned toward the door.

  “I could think of nothing I would enjoy more.”

  Storm again offered his arm to her sister who looked slightly puzzled, but placed her fingers onto his sleeve. Peaches pouted.

  “We are still a man short.”

  Blade smiled.

  “I believe I can handle escorting both my lovely sisters.”

  From behind them a voice laughed.

  “Of that, there is no need.”

  In a rush of delight, Eleanor watched as Peaches flung forward and into the arms of the man at the door.

  “Oh Coach, I thought you were arriving later tonight.”

  “I missed my family and headed to London a bit earlier than planned.”

  The man tweaked her nose and then dropped a kiss on Bonnets cheek.

  “Now, do introduce me to your newest friends.”

  As Felicity was introduced to the last male of the clan Eleanor found herself . Each perfect in his own way. And then, they were off, to the pond, in which her bonnet was currently sitting.

  “I assume you are going to tell me that it was an accident.”

  Through clenched teeth, Eleanor looked to the blasted man. Storm raised a brow.

  “Of course, it was. I wish you would stop thinking so ill of me. What would I gain by having you dislike me even further? I assure you, I have better things to do with my time than to ruin your bonnets.”

  With a scowl, Eleanor lifted her skirts and headed toward the pond. He may have ruined it, but she would not dare allow him the satisfaction of watching it sink to the bottom. Before she reached the water, however, his hands came to her shoulders.

  “You are not going to go get the blasted thing. You will ruin your gown.”

  Glaring, she turned to face him, her temper rising.

  “Unhand me, your grace. I will not give you the satisfaction of laughing at me when you look at the pond knowing my bonnet lies on the bottom of it. I am going to retrieve it.”

  “You are so stubborn, Miss Pinecrest. I cannot imagine how your family can stand it.”

  He had not let her go and she lifted her arms to push him away. In doing so, however, she lost her footing and slipped, falling backwards and into the pond with a loud splash. Drenched, she looked to the duke who looked both mortified and filled with mirth at the same time.

  He offered her his hand and she had no choice but to reluctantly reach for it. But, mischief caught her, and without thinking, she pulled him in after her. It was not until she saw him completely soaked through that she began to laugh. It was a laugh that came straight from her heart and she could barely breathe.

  “That, Miss Pinecrest, was not very lady like at all.”

  Eleanor smiled.

  “It was simply an accident, your grace.”

  He glared at her.

  “Liar.”

  “Scoundrel.”

  Luckily, at that moment, her sister came to her and sighed.

  “Oh, Elly, are you okay?”

  Smiling at her sister, Eleanor nodded. She hated when Felicity worried.

  “I am fine. I do think we should head home however.”

  Bonnet smiled.

  “Of course not. Dinner is not far off and I believe your brother has just arrived.”

  Eleanor cringed. The last thing she needed was a lecture from Marcus about her conduct in front of the Duke of Wakefield.

  “I have to at least return home to change out of this wet gown.”

  “Nonsense. We are very close to the same constitution. I am sure one of my gowns will fit.”

  “We only live a few minutes away. I can send for something.”

  Eleanor could see that Bonnet did not want her to send for her own things but for some reason agreed to allow it. Gratefully, she took a blanket that Hunter had quickly fetched and wrapped it around her. Bonnet motioned toward the house.

  “While we wait for your gown I can have a bath drawn. You will need to warm up so you do not catch a chill.”

  Knowing that she had already escaped having to borrow a dress Eleanor decided it was best to give into this demand of her new friend. It would be nice to rid herself of the pond smell. As they hurried back toward the house, Eleanor noted that the duke had stormed off to change his own clothing. With a smile, Eleanor hooked her arm through Bonnet’s and plotted her revenge.

  Chapter Six

  She was up to something. Storm could see it in her eyes. Not that he cared, really. He could handle whatever it was. When she had first entered the ro
om with Bonnet, he could not help but be a bit smug about the fact that she could not escape dining with them. It clearly annoyed her to be in the same room with him, but he knew that Bonnet had insisted. She still was under the belief that he was the cause of her second bonnet meeting its dreadful fate. Wait until the new one arrived, with a dress attached. That ought to put her in her place.

  Still, when he caught the twinkle in her eye, he knew something was going on. Trying to ignore her, Storm returned his attention to the bubbling blonde in front of him. It had become very clear to him over the afternoon, that Felicity Pinecrest may not be the most suitable bride for him. Although she was quite sweet, he could not help but look at her as anything other than an innocent lady whom was far too young for him. Not that he was worried over her age. The fact that she was just seventeen was not what mattered. It was the fact that she was such a naive woman. Surely there were others of marriageable age that would not seem quite so fluttery. But tonight, she would receive his undivided attention for it would irk her sister tremendously. For some reason irking Miss Eleanor Pinecrest was his new favorite pastime. Inwardly, he sighed, he would be bored out of his mind. Not to mention that he had to come up with another perspective bride.

  “Lord Crayton, what a pleasure to have you here.”

  As Marcus entered the room, Storm noticed that both his sisters ran to his side and politely kissed him on the cheek. After having met him at the musicale, Storm was convinced that the man merely needed a little guidance on how to manage his place in the ton and was glad to note that Blade was already befriending the gentleman. He was very proud at how welcoming his family always seemed to be.

  “Thank you for your generous offer to have us for dinner.”

  “It is our pleasure. Storm has had so many birthdays now that it is nice to have others here to share in the entertainments.”

  Storm managed to send his eldest sister a glare. They all spoke for a few more minutes before the man excused himself to have a private word with the elder of the two sisters. As Felicity rejoined him and Peaches, Storm saw the worried expression on her face.

  “Oh, I do hope he does not scold her. She does not take to his lectures well.”

  From the corner of his eye, he watched the earl speak politely with his sister, whose smile seemed to falter only once. To his surprise, Hunter, who had excused himself for a brief time, re-entered the room and went to the woman's side without hesitation. As he had not known they were speaking privately, he joined the conversation smiling brightly at the woman. Eleanor returned the expression and the three remained as they were. For some reason, it irked Storm that his brother had saved the woman from getting scolded.

  “Oh, your brother is a dear to interrupt. Eleanor would not hesitate to raise her voice to Marcus if they were arguing and that would just get him angrier. He wants so much for us to make a good impression this season. No doubt he wishes to marry us both off to give himself some peace.”

  Peaches responded to the statement and Storm excused himself to join Bonnet, who had been trying to get his attention for the last three minutes.

  “Well it is about time you responded.”

  “What did you wish to say?”

  His sister glared.

  “I called you over to warn you not to dote on Miss Pinecrest. You know just as well as I do that the girl is far too young for you and I would hate for her brother to think you were courting her when you are not.”

  Storm raised his brow.

  “I believe I told you that I would not allow you to choose my wife.”

  “I am not choosing your wife. I am choosing who cannot be your wife.”

  At that, Peaches and Felicity broke into a giggle and Bonnet rolled her eyes.

  “Honestly, you cannot marry such a giggling woman. You would not last a day with her.”

  He wanted to disagree, of course, but Bonnet was right. As attractive as Felicity Pinecrest was he would not marry such a woman. He supposed he would just have to find someone else.

  “What do you think about Hunter and Eleanor? He seems to like her,” his sister continued.

  Indeed, Hunter did. Storm had noticed that his brother had been at her side the whole day. With a shrug, he whispered.

  “I will forbid it. That woman will not ruin my brother’s life.”

  Bonnet glared.

  “She is wonderful, you just do not like that she challenges you.”

  “She is not suitable. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I need a drink.”

  Dinner with the Westbrooks turned out to be one of the most amusing events that Eleanor had ever attended. The family was full of energy and when she ignored the presence of the eldest male, she often found the company charming. In fact, she found herself smiling very often. Bonnet, who Eleanor noted, was quite a proficient hostess, had brought Marcus into conversation with Storm, and once her brother was distracted Eleanor found Hunter drawing her own attention away. It was still startling to her that such a charming man existed in the world and she felt surprisingly comfortable in his presence. He had flirted shamelessly most of the day although Eleanor knew not to take him seriously. But, it would not hurt her to return his attentions, if only to annoy his elder brother.

  “Aside from having to tolerate my brother, are you enjoying London?”

  Eleanor smiled.

  “I am, although I do sometimes miss the solitude the country offers. I have not yet adjusted to the noise of the city it seems.”

  Hunter smiled.

  “I understand. I return during the season to assist my brother, but if it were my choice, I would never leave my home in Newmarket.”

  Meeting his gaze, Eleanor could see a bit of sadness in them.

  “Because you enjoy the country, or because there is someone’s company you would rather be keeping?”

  Good gracious, the man actually blushed. Blushed!

  “Now, Miss Westbrook, how is it that you have known me for such a short time and have discovered my darkest secret, and my family, who know me best of all, have never once asked me that question?”

  Eleanor found herself blushing.

  “I am very observant is all.”

  Reaching out, he took her hand.

  “Can it remain our secret?”

  “Of course, but I must say she is a very lucky woman.”

  Her new friend flinched slightly and Eleanor realized that perhaps things were not as simple as she would believe. She could not imagine a woman existed who could resist his charms.

  “I am afraid she does not yet know of my affection for her.”

  “Ah, that makes more sense”

  He raised a brow. Good Lord, had she said that out loud?

  “Pardon?”

  With a slight blush, Eleanor sighed.

  “I was just thinking that I could not imagine a woman resisting you.”

  Hunter chucked.

  “That is kind of you to say. I am flattered that you think so highly of me after such a short time.”

  Eleanor smiled. It was much easier to talk to him now, somehow. He had been flirting with her all day, and she was flattered, but she would not have enjoyed it if she believed he had any attentions toward her. As much as she enjoyed his company, she would be just as uncomfortable marrying a man whose brother she was far more attracted to as she was with the thought of being attracted to her sister’s husband. Talking to him, knowing his intentions, it made it all nice a tidy again.

  “So, why have you not made her aware of your affections?”

  It was not lost on her that Hunter took a moment before speaking, and in that moment, he was looking toward his brother.

  “She is not… she is not a typical woman. I could not imagine her enjoying a life here in London, and until my brother marries and sires an heir, I cannot pursue her. It would not be fair to either of us if I end up inheriting a title I do not care to have.”

  Tilting her head, she followed his gaze to the man who somehow remained remarkably attra
ctive even though she was finding it much harder to tolerate his company.

  “Your brother looks rather healthy. I cannot imagine that he would not marry eventually.”

  Hunter sighed and drew her attention back to him.

  “My family… after the loss of our parents, we learned never to assume anything about the future. I will wait… I am not entirely sure the lady in question would be ready to accept my feelings right now anyway. I just… I just miss her company when I am here.”

  Eleanor reached out to him again and gently squeezed his hand.

  “Well, if it helps at all, I am sure she is missing your company as well.”

  That was twice now. Twice that they took each other’s hand. Right at the dinner table. And his brother had blushed. All his life Storm had never seen Hunter blush. What on earth could she have said that would have caused such a reaction. And worse than that, his brother made her blush as well. And it irked him. He did not like the attachment they were forming, but even more than that, he did not like that she was enjoying herself so much.

  “Oh, your grace, this has been such a lovely day. And meal.”

  Storm’s attention was drawn away by the words of the lovely but naïve young woman beside him.

  “I am very glad that you are enjoying it.”

  “Oh I am. Is venison stew your favorite? Eleanor always makes sure to have my favorite meal served on my birthday.”

  Looking to his plate Storm nodded absently.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Oh, well it is wonderful.”

  Storm refrained from rolling his eyes. He prayed that he did not have to tolerate a whole season discussing his meal choices. She seemed content to remain silent for a moment and Storms eyes darted back across the table and found themselves locked with the eyes of the eldest Pinecrest sister. He expected that she would divert her eyes, but instead, she remained staring curiously at him. Storm raised a brow and a slow smile came to the woman’s lips. Damn her smile, he thought. She was happy. Despite the terrible day that he had forced on her, she was happy. As was his brother. This was the second time he saw a glimmer of the carefree side of his brother that seemed to have disappeared entirely whenever he was in London. And it was because of her.