“And I expected you to be a gentleman, Lord Wakefield. It appears as if we were both foolish in our assumptions.”
He chuckled then, a deep purr that was most unsettling. Lord, how could she still be attracted to him after the way he acted toward her that afternoon? She should simply not have to endure such nonsense.
“Tell me, is it as satisfying as you thought, seeing me in the suit you purchased for me? I do believe it is quite flattering personally.”
Eleanor prayed that he would simply believe her blush came from the heat and dared to meet his gaze. It proved to be most unwise, as she once again got lost in the tempest of dark clouds in them. Then, to her horror, she heard her thoughts tumbling from her lips.
“I do believe you have the most fascinating eyes in all of London, your grace.”
A slow smile appeared on his face.
“Why Miss Pinecrest, if I did not know you better I would say that sounded like a compliment.”
Eleanor prayed someone would approach them. There was little she could do otherwise.
“Pardon?”
“You comment about my eyes. What is it exactly that you find most fascinating about them?”
Eleanor glared at him. Why was he even speaking with her? Had he not made it perfectly clear that afternoon that he wanted her to avoid him?
“It is probably best that you just forget the comment all together.”
Laughing he leaned in far too close for her comfort.
“Not a chance in hell Miss Pinecrest.”
Eleanor knew that she should be offended by such language, but quite frankly, she rather enjoyed his bluntness. There was something a bit thrilling about how free he was when speaking with her. She would never be able to tolerate a man who consistently had to hold his tongue in front of her. Nor one that she would consistently have to hold her tongue with.
“Now,” he continued “you were about to explain to me about what made my eyes so fascinating.”
Eleanor smiled wickedly back at him.
“As entertaining as I am sure that would be, I recall being given strict orders to refrain from speaking with you at all, your grace.”
He laughed at her. Loudly. Eleanor noticed a few nearby onlookers glace over to them. With a glare she met his gaze.
“You better be more cautious, your grace. Someone may mistakenly believe you find me amusing.”
Drawing his hands behind his back, Storm rocked on his heals for a moment.
“You are right. That would be tragic. If word got out that I find you amusing the ton will be so eager for your company you would have no time left to spar with me.”
Eleanor was a bit surprised by his response. Surely, he had not forgotten all about their conversation earlier that day. She was about to question him when Lord Derrington returned.
“Here you are Miss Pinecrest.”
Eleanor took the glass of punch and smiled at him.
“Thank you so much, my lord. It was very kind of you to think of me.”
“It was my pleasure.”
With that he bowed a quick farewell and headed toward Felicity. Eleanor sighed happily for her sister and then tried not to think about what would become of her once her sister was married. Then, having forgotten he was there, Lord Wakefield’s voice was suddenly in her ear.
“May we speak privately for a moment?”
Trying to ignore the sensation of his breathe against her ear Eleanor motioned to the crowded ballroom.
“That is highly unlikely.”
Annoyed he looked toward the exit.
“Can you please meet me in the library in fifteen minutes? I will be waiting.”
Before she could respond Eleanor knew he was gone. She missed the heat that seemed to fill the air around him. Slowly looking at the crowds of dancers, Eleanor wondered if she could even make it halfway across the room in fifteen minutes.
Storm waited as patiently a he could for Miss Pinecrest. The time had come for a truce. He had been unjustly rude to her earlier that afternoon. It was true that he enjoyed sparring with her. She was very witty. And, to be honest, few people had the nerve to spar with him. He was rather certain Bonnet was the only one. Since they had met, however, all their sparring had been in good fun. He was sure of that. Until of course, he lashed out at her that afternoon.
Storm knew that she was responsible for his anger that day, but he also knew that she was completely unaware that she had mentioned a subject he was highly sensitive about. He owed her an apology and he did not want to wait another day to offer her one. Looking toward the brandy Storm debating having a drink. But as soon as he moved forward the door to the library opened and Miss Pinecrest entered the room.
“Please do not forbid me to see your family. I adore them all and I promise that I will never interfere…”
“Miss Pinecrest,” he interrupted “I asked you here so that I may apologize.”
Instantly she stopped speaking and blinked up at him. He found himself rather amused by her befuddled look. Moving closer she kept his gaze.
“Pardon?”
Motioning to a nearby chair he watched as she perched herself cautiously on the edge.
“Miss Pinecrest, we have had many disagreements since our meeting in the park, but I hope that you have also considered our differences to be more of a playful banter in their nature.”
He waited for her to offer her agreement. Finding her voice, she settled further into her chair.
“Indeed, your grace. Have never felt our arguments were hurtful until….”
“Until this afternoon,” he finished. She did not need to respond. They both knew the truth. Honesty was the one thing they had most in common. It was rather strange to think that he was most honest with her. Finally pouring himself a drink, Storm offered one to Miss Pinecrest who gratefully took it. She was an interesting woman indeed.
“I feel I owe you not only an apology, but also an explanation.”
She looked at him curiously. Then, with a soft smile she responded.
“If you are waiting for me to disagree with you, your grace, we will miss the rest of the ball.”
He laughed at that. Laugher seemed to be a much more common sound now that the Pinecrest women were in their lives. Since his parents died he never truly laughed. Storm often used his false laugh when it was expected, but rarely had anyone solicited a true laugh from him. For the first time, he wondered if there was more to Miss Pinecrest than he originally assumed.
“As part of my explanation I must reveal something about myself that not even my beloved family knows. I am entrusting this secret with you. There is no other way to justify my action toward you without being completely honest.”
Miss Pinecrest looked to him with surprise in her eyes.
“I give you my word that you may trust me with anything.”
The most incredible thing about that statement was how true it was. He simply trusted her. Clearing his throat, he began to pace.
“When I was at University, I took up fisticuffs. I was, to be frank, very proficient at it. So much so, in fact, when it came to resolving any disagreement I would always choose to use my fists, rather than my words.”
Eleanor knew it was the truth but she could barely believe it. She had not known him long, but it was clear that he was not a man prone to throwing punches to get his way. Eleanor felt him slip further into her heart now. Lord help her, this man was going to steal her heart if she was not careful.
“It is not something that I am proud of.”
This was clearly not easy for him to talk about. Eleanor knew that he had a great many things to be proud of, but the weight of the past was obviously a burden on him. It clouded the great many things that he had done with his life.
“My family, thankfully, never saw that side of me. I find it rather important to remain on the pedestal they all have me on. They need to know they can count on me always. But you, Miss Pinecrest, have managed to knock me off that pedestal a mere day after
meeting me. I thought it would anger me, but I actual find it a bit of a relief. As painful as the past may be, it is a bit less so when you can speak to someone about it.”
Eleanor wondered if he had been drinking before she arrived. He could not have meant to share so much with her.
“I was young once, Miss Pinecrest. I was young and immature and not that different than those foolish men stuttering at our sisters right now. I believed I was immune to anything but the joys in life and entitled to anything I wanted. It would have disappointed my parents to have seen me in such a way. My father was a great a man. I failed him in every way back then.”
Eleanor wanted to reach out to him. He looked so pained. She knew that Storm had felt that this was a burden he could never be rid of. He stopped pacing and took a seat across from her.
“So, as it often happens among young, foolish men, I chose the wrong battle to fight one night. I was drunk, in a foul mood and ready to fight. Unfortunately, my opponent did not believe in fighting fair. I learned very quickly that being heir to a duke did not actually make a person invincible. Truth be told, had I not had a wiser and stronger friend find me that evening, I believe I would have been beaten to death.”
Eleanor could not help it this time. Reaching over to him she took his hand and squeezed it to offer him some comfort. Softly she looked to him.
“That is why you did not want Chance to take up boxing.”
She did not need to hear his response. She felt like a fool.
“I am so sorry. You were right. I should have stayed out of the matter.”
He smiled weakly, and to her surprise, tucked a lock of her hair that had fallen against her cheek, behind her ear. Eleanor’s whole body quivered at his touch.
“You were right as well. He would have just taken up sword fighting behind my back.”
Oh, how charming he was right now. Eleanor could barely breathe. She knew that she had to help him. To relieve him of this burden somehow. But she could not possible think when she was touching him, so sadly, she settled back into her chair.
“If I may be frank, your grace, you are clearly not that man anymore. I think you should tell Chance what you just told me.”
He looked at her with doubtful eyes. She supposed it was her turn to confess.
“I know that being on that pedestal is important. But I also know how dangerous it can be. Your brother is far less likely to use his fists to get his way once he knows about your past. He can learn from your mistake. Your grace, you are a very good man. Being honest with your brother will only help him. Your family loves you. That will never change no matter what faults you may have. Believe me. You can fall from that pedestal and every single one of them would be there to catch you.”
Storm looked at her a bit bewildered. He had only meant to speak with her for a moment, but he was so comfortable around her. And so honest. It was refreshing. He knew instantly that she was right. Chance could learn boxing and know that it should be a way to burn off his energy and nothing else.
“Miss Pinecrest, you are far too wise for your age.”
She laughed at that. Storm was pleased.
“Well I have a past too, your grace.”
Looking at her closely Storm realized, for the first time, that he hardly knew a thing about her. She was constantly in his home and with his family, but she was a complete mystery.
“Anything you care to share?”
Smiling she shook her head.
“My secrets will have to wait. We have been missing from the ballroom for far too long.”
They both remained still. Smiling Storm rose and offered her his hand.
“Miss Pinecrest, you are aware that now I will be determined to unravel all of your secrets.”
Taking his hand, the woman headed toward the door.
“Now that will be most entertaining to watch.”
Chapter Nine
Eleanor did not want to think about Lord Wakefield getting married, but she certainly knew that he was never going to find a wife if he continued as he was. If he believed Felicity was a poor match none of the woman he was considering would suite either. She was torn about mentioning it to him. The last time she tried to interfere with his life it did not go well. Yet, even though they had not started off well, they had formed a truce of sorts, and he did say he valued her honesty. It would pain her to see him marry a woman that would not prove worthy of him or his family.
As the quadrille came to a close, she watched the eldest Westbrook return the lovely blonde he had taken to the floor to her mother. When he started making his way through the crowd to his family Eleanor found herself inching closer to the group. Felicity and Peaches seemed inseparable, even with Alex constantly at her sister’s feet, but Eleanor was beginning to suspect it was Peaches that clung desperately to her sister in order to distract at least some of the gentlemen at her skirts. As she approached her sister, Felicity smiled warmly.
“Oh Elly, this ball is divine, is it not?”
Eleanor tried to smile.
“I am surprised you are not dancing.”
Felicity seemed to glow.
“The waltz is next. I wanted to be well rested for Alex, um, Lord Derrington.”
Eleanor smiled and looked to Peaches. She was truly one of the most stunning young ladies in the room.
“Good Evening again, Miss Westbrook. Are you not dancing so that you may be well rested for your waltz as well?”
The woman blushed.
“I did want to give my poor feet at least one small break from the festivities.”
The duke joined them and Eleanor held back a giggle when suddenly the crowd around their sisters seemed to dissipate. Raising a brown, Peaches looked to her brother.
“Normally I would scold you for that, but I am actually glad to have a break from smiling.”
Eleanor knew that the duke had a dozen flaws, but she could not ignore the way her heart seemed to flutter whenever she saw him with his family. Love seemed to just float out of him when he was with his siblings. It was so utterly charming. Eleanor sighed and, without meaning to, gained the attention of an amused duke.
“Ah, Miss Pinecrest, how delightful it is to see you again.”
Eleanor raised her brow and her most charming fake smile.
“I was just about to say the same thing to you Lord Wakefield.”
He smirked, clearly equally as satisfied to fall back into their witty repartee.
“I find that hard to believe.”
Eleanor tilted her head and studied him. He looked particularly handsome this evening.
“Oh, but it is true. Our sisters were just discussing their waltz partners and I simply cannot stop thinking about which delightful woman gets to spend the lovely dance in your arms.”
He frowned as if trying to tell if she was making fun of him. Before he could respond, Marcus and Alex joined them. Eleanor looked at the two men who seemed to be grinning a bit too much. Then, as if on cue, the music sounded and before she realized it, both their sisters were whisked away. Eleanor looked toward Peaches and her brother and frowned. The duke noticed.
“Is something amiss?”
Eleanor met the man’s gaze with far more serious a tone than she had wanted.
“We need to do something about that.”
He looked at her curiously.
“About what?”
“My brother and your sister. They seem to be forming an attachment.”
The duke looked to where the couple were now dancing. Peaches with a charmingly real smile and Marcus with far too much intent in his eyes. Eleanor frowned deeper.
“Not that I have any desire to give my sister’s hand away, but truly you could not be upset to have her become your sister-in-law.”
Startled, Eleanor’s eyes were drawn back to the dukes. A storm seemed to be forming in them. She doubted she would ever get used to how bewitching his eyes were.
“Oh, of course not. It is just that….as much as I love my brothe
r, your sister deserves a much better man than him.”
Storm had come to value Eleanor’s opinion despite the fact that it rarely ever agreed with his own, but her statement seemed to go against everything he knew of her. She loved her siblings as much as he loved his. It was in her eyes every time they were near, or every time she spoke of them. It was the one thing about her that he found utterly enchanting. Somehow, her standing here and telling him that her brother was not good enough was out of her character.
“I know you find that odd. I do. It is out of my character to speak ill of my family, but trust me Lord Wakefield, he is not ready for a wife and I fear that whatever infatuation is forming between them, it will only lead to heartbreak. I do not wish that for either of them.”
He wanted to argue, but the desperate plea in her eyes had him concerned.
“Miss Pinecrest, can you not confide in me what is going on?”
Her eyes grew sad.
“Right now, please, you will just have to trust me. I will do my best to discourage his interest, but please, do not think that since our families have grown so close that his interest is that of a friend. Treat him as you would her other suitors.”
He frowned but inclined his head in agreement. Thinking back on the past few weeks he realized that he had allowed the duke time with his sisters that he would never have allowed other gentlemen. Clearly, she knew her brother better than he did, so on this he would simply have to but his faith in her.
They stood awkwardly for a moment and Storm watched as his companion seemed to have an inward argument with herself. Finally, with a sigh, she looked to the dancers and whispered.
“I do not wish to see you end up with someone unworthy of you, either, Lord Wakefield.”
Amused his eyes followed her gaze to where the lovely blonde he had just been dancing with now stood with her mother.
“Miss Winthrop is lovely young lady.”
He could actually feel her eyes roll.
“That may be true, your grace, but honestly, she suites you even less than my sister.”
The Duke's Desire Page 9