Bonnet was a bit suspicious but agreed that he could join them. He took a seat across from her and motioned to the paper in her hand.
“What is it that had you so enthralled?”
If he did not know her better, Storm would have sworn his sister blushed. Tucking the paper in her pocket she waved her hand in the air.
“Nothing of major importance. Just the menu for the week. It can wait. I had no realized the time. The Pinecrest woman will be here soon. I should make sure our lovely sisters are ready to go.”
With that his sister hurried from the room and Storm leaned back in his chair awaiting the arrival of the ever so charming Pinecrest sisters and wondering how it was Eleanor managed such shopping excursions with her sister while keeping their lack of fortune hidden.
Eleanor took a deep breath and followed her sister into the manor. Although she had been here so many times, this was the first since Lord Wake… since Storm had learned her deepest secret. He had been so kind to her last night, yet she still wondered how he would react to her now that they were around others. As Felicity and Peaches rushed off, Eleanor found herself alone in the foyer. And then… and then she felt his gaze on her. It was so startling, the sudden awareness she had of him. She did not have to turn to know he was watching her from the drawing room. It made her feel uneasy and thrilled at the same time.
For the past few weeks she had pushed back her attraction to him, but now that they had become friendly, now that he really seemed to understand her, it was impossible not to be even more aware of how painful it would be to have to say farewell to him once her sister married. As a governess she would no longer be able to call on his sister, or see him. Pushing those thoughts away, however, she turned to face him and obeyed his silent motion to join him.
As she approached him, she felt herself very aware of how drab her wardrobe was. It had never bother her before. The sacrifices she had made for her family. For Felicity. She never missed the fancy dresses, he lovely hair decorations, the jewelry. Never. Until this moment. Until she faced this wonderful man who may have taken a notice of her if she had not needed to sacrifice so much. Especially when he looked so blasted handsome. Offering him a weak smile she made sure they were alone and found her voice.
“I just want to thank you again, for listening to me last night. It was comforting to finally be able to speak to someone about my situation. You were very kind to listen.”
Storm, having risen from his chair when she entered, quickly crossed to her, took her hand and squeezed it gently before releasing it.
“You are no longer alone Eleanor. I assure you, I have strong enough shoulders to help you carry that burden. Please let me help. I have acted so poorly since we have met. I would like to make up for it.”
“Storm the other night when you took care of me, it was the nicest thing that someone has done for me in a long time.”
“Well, my dear Eleanor, I have decided what I would like as my reward.”
Raising her brow, she waited for him to continue. With a smile, he leaned closer.
“A dance, I think. At tonight’s ball. It was you, after all, that advised me that one dance with me could change a woman’s fate.”
An embarrassed smile came to her lips.
“I feel as if that reward benefits me far more than you.”
He scoffed at that.
“Nonsense.”
“If you are sure that is what you want.”
“More than you could imagine, Eleanor.”
For one moment the world around her seemed to disappear and all she could feel was Storm’s eyes on her. Feeling a blush rise to her cheeks she wondered how on earth she would make it through a dance in his arms without swooning.
“You really are a very kind man, Storm. I am sorry… I am sorry that I acted poorly to you.”
His gaze met hers and she could swear a bolt of lightning flashed through them.
“All that matters is that we see each other now, Eleanor.”
Something in the air seemed to change around them. Storm had not expected his brief attraction to her the previous evening to rise again, but the moment her figure appeared in the doorway a desire for her stirred in him again. His sudden awareness of her could not be ignored. She was in an unflattering gown, as always, but Storm could remember her lush her body felt when he had held her the previous evening. The fact that her charms were hidden from him now only made him more curious to see her in a dress that was meant for her. A dress that would accentuate the woman who wore it. He would see her in such a way that evening, but for right now, all he could do was imagine just how lovely her breast would look in a low-cut gown. If her bosom would be ample or subtle. Right now, his imagination found both prospects enticing.
She was biting her lower lip again, a sign that she was nervous. He was glad he made her nervous. Perhaps she was as aware of him now as he was of her. Then softly, she whispered,
“What will we tell the other? About our sudden tolerance of each other.”
With a laugh, Storm moved closer and barely resisted the urge to reach out and caress her cheek. Leaning as close as he dared he lowered his voice and responded.
“Let us just leave them wondering.”
Eleanor look at him curiously, but just as quickly as the air seemed to disappear around them, it was broken by a shout that the coach had arrived. Startled, Eleanor looked toward the doorway and then back at him. Before she could say anything, he offered her his arm.
“I believe I am your escort this afternoon.”
Eyes wide she stared at him.
“Pardon?”
“As penance for leaving the ball last night I am escorting you on your lovely outing this afternoon.”
Placing her hand on his arm she shook his head.
“You are going to be terribly bored.”
“That is exactly what Bonnet told me.”
As they made their way to the hallway she leaned in and laughed.
“That is why I like her so much. Great minds think alike.”
Before he could respond, Willow appeared on the steps and raised a brow.
“You two look suspicious. Are you keeping secrets?”
Storm loved his sister but Willow had to know everything going on at all times.
“It is none of your business.”
She squinted angrily at him.
“Very well. I will figure it out on my own.”
With that she places a kiss on his cheek and headed back to her room. Eleanor smiled after her and without much though turned back to Storm with a laugh.
“You and your brothers are going to have a great deal of trouble when she hits the ballrooms.”
He followed her out the door dreading that she was right.
Storm was truly ashamed of himself. Walking down Bond Street, seeing the bustle of the streets the ladies walking by, it was so apparent how much Eleanor had sacrificed for her family. All this time he had thought she cared so little about the memory of her parents when all this time she was actually giving up everything just to protect her sister and her brother. What made it worse is that he had this unstoppable urge to punch the living daylight out of Marcus for forcing all of this on his sister. Even if she said it was not his fault, what man would let his sister take on this kind of burden? Her brother should be the one sacrificing fine outfits and suffering through balls in unsuitable shoes.
“Oh Elly, Look!”
Storm’s attention was diverted by Felicity’s exclamation. Looking at the young lady, he could hardly believe had had ever considered her for a wife. She was clearly far too innocent to manage being the head of his family. Not to mention, if she was too daft to see what was going on with her own family, there was no way he could hold a worthwhile conversation with her about anything.
“Oh, they look just like Mama’s. Oh, Elly if such jewels are coming back into style we should start wearing things mama left behind.”
Storm could see the tears in Eleanor’s eyes
. He looked towards the rest of his group and could not image why no one else seemed to notice. They were all looking at the set of jewelry in the window, which Storm noticed the elder Pinecrest completely avoiding. Then, just as ignorant as he had been about everything, Storm realized that the jewels in the window looked like their mothers because they were. Eleanor must have sold them off.
“Yes, dear, well I think we left them back at Crayton Manor. I did not want to bring everything to London with us. Jewelry will only take away from your natural beauty anyway love.”
Then, without a glance back, Eleanor hurried forward and to the modiste shop. It was, after all, the place they had come to shop. The rest of the party followed, but Storm heard Felicity’s final comment.
“Oh, why would she ever leave such things behind? They would have looked so beautiful.”
Luckily, once the girls saw the sights of silk and satins, their minds roamed to gowns and balls. Bonnet ushered them all to the back room for fittings and Storm found himself alone with Eleanor once again. She was looking at the silk through tired eyes now. The season had already started taking its toll on her. The air around them felt like it had been vanished into a void again, and Storm wondered if that would always happen now. Storm wanted to comfort her, but he had no idea what the right words were. To his surprise, she was the one that broke the silence.
“I want you to know, Storm, that I did love the dress you sent me. I have never worn it only because I could not afford to remember the feeling of such beautiful material against my skin. It would be a constant reminder of all the things I cannot have. Things I will never have again.”
And then there were tears in her eyes and she looked to him so heartbroken all Storm could think was how she much she had given up and how deserving of happiness she was. Tonight, he hoped that his attention to her would be noticed. That she would be notice.
“Eleanor, I am going to do my best to make sure you will have it all again.”
She laughed at that.
“As I have said, it is not your responsibility to save me. Nor, honestly, is there much left of me to save.”
“Eleanor…”
“Storm, please, I just want to get through today.”
Then, as if on cue, Bonnet interrupted.
“Eleanor, I know it is too late for you to get a new dress, but we can just have Lilah adjust mine to fit you. You deserve a treat. There are plenty of other dresses I can wear.”
Storm saw the moment of wistfulness come to Eleanor’s eyes and knew she wanted to accept Bonnet’s offer. It was his chance. Right now, he knew he could not give her much, but he could give her one lovely evening. He finally had a plan to get the world to notice the Eleanor he could finally see.
“You know you have to do as she says. No one can say no to Bonnet.”
“It is just one dress Eleanor. I really think it would be nice to have us all dressed up together. Lady Garrington’s balls are always such a spectacular event. Besides, Storm told me you owed him a dance tonight which will sure to catch everyone notice. Storm has hardly danced at all during the past few balls.”
His sister looked at him pointedly, but Storm ignored her. His eyes were on Eleanor. Looking desperately to him, he whispered.
“It is your choice, Eleanor. I will dance with you no matter what gown you wear.”
And with that last sentence, Eleanor’s fate was sealed. He never lied to her. He would dance with her even if she showed up to the ball in her worst gown. That was the truth. But it was also true, that the mere act of him dancing with her would draw attention. Gossip would be unavoidable, but is she was not wearing a decent gown, it would also be cruel. And, the truth be told, she wanted to have at least have one night she enjoyed. Plus, deep in her heart where she dared not dwell, she wanted to see how Storm would react to seeing her in a lovely gown. A gown that would show him the woman she could have been if only her father had not ruined her chance.
“Are you sure Bonnet? I do not want to steal your gown.”
Her friend smiled.
“It is not stealing. I am offering it. I know you are not a woman who likes attention, but unfortunately my brother tends to draw it.”
Eleanor could feel Storm’s eyes on her again. It would be a dangerous thing, remembering what it felt like to have such fine things again. In a few weeks, once her sister was wed, Eleanor would have an easier time if she did not remember. But, this would probably be one of the last chances she would have to dance around a ballroom. To dance with Storm. And Lord, the temptation of that was rather hard to fight.
“Well, I… I have a dress at home that I could wear.”
Bonnet waved her hand in the air.
“Oh, you can wear that to the next ball. I am sure Storm will want to dance at that one as well. Now come, our sisters are wearing me out. If I have to have another conversation about which shade of pink is the prettiest I may lose my mind.”
Eleanor laughed and found her gaze suddenly trapped in Storm’s. Before she could speak to him though, Bonnet started to rush her to the back room.
“We will still be here for a bit, dear brother. Now would be a perfect time to get to those errands you said you needed to take care of.”
Eleanor heard Storm grumble that he would be back to collect them late, when Bonnet called after him.
“The dress is blue, just in case you were curious.”
And it was. The most beautiful shade of blue that Eleanor had ever seen. Unable to stop herself she reached out to it and shook her head.
“Oh Bonnet, it is the most beautiful shade. I… are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely. It will look lovely on you. And it is my brothers favorite color.”
Eleanor look to Bonnet who shrugged innocently.
“You two finally seem to have made some sort of peace with each other, I thought perhaps I would try to ensure it stays that way.
Eleanor shook her head.
“You are meddling, Bonnet. And you are not even trying to disguise it.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about. Now go put it one so it can be fitted. We have a very busy afternoon ahead of us.”
Impulsively hugging the woman, Eleanor felt tears come to her eyes.
“Thank you so much, Bonnet. I do not deserve such kindness.”
The woman, startled by the sudden affections blushed and shook her head.
“You deserve it far more than anyone knows.”
And with that Bonnet drew herself back into an argument about the best shade of pink and Eleanor found herself slipping into a gown wondering if she maybe would be saved from a life as a governess. She would not hold out the hope of actually attracting Storm’s attention, but she had watched him the past week, leading wallflowers to the dance floor and seeing how those women suddenly had suitors around them. Perhaps the same would hold true for her. Maybe once she danced with Storm a gentleman would notice her. At this point, all she could do was hope. Hope for one amazing night.
Chapter Fifteen
Eleanor found herself seated next to Bonnet on the blanket. She debated how inappropriate it would be to try to sneak in a nap. Something told her it would be impossible for her to nap with the Westbrook’s about. Blade and Coach were fighting with what Eleanor expected was actual swords. Peaches and Felicity had been supplied with sketch books, both sharing the love of art, and Aria was sitting as lovely as ever allowing them to sketch her portrait. Willow and Hunter departed happily on horses to take a ride, and Chance, well much to her amusement, Chance was with Storm.
Storm had removed his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. Eleanor could not help but notice that in his relaxed state he looked even more devilishly handsome than he normally did. A brief pain reached her heart, when once again, she realized how much she wanted him in her life forever. He had been so very kind to her since that night he had taken care of her injured feet, and it was as if she was finally able to truly see how amazing he was.
“Are th
ey boxing??”
Bonnet laughed.
“Indeed. You sound surprised.”
Eleanor just stared bewildered.
“We argued once about it is all and Storm advised me that his brother was far too young to be a pugilist.”
“It seems you must have changed his mind. I think you would be surprised at the influence you have had on him, Eleanor.”
Blushing she looked to the woman and, not for the first time, wondered how no one had noticed how wonderful she was.
“I think you are exaggerating.”
The woman raised a brow.
“I assure you I am not. Can… will you promise me something though?
A bit surprised at sudden seriousness of her friend’s tone, she nodded.
“Anything.”
“Promise me that when you dance with him tonight, you show him exactly how stunning you are. I… I cannot think of another woman I would rather call a sister than you. Outside of my own of course.”
Eleanor’s knew her eyes must have been as wide as tea saucers. Stammering on her words, she shook her head.
“Oh Bonnet, that is so sweet of you to say, but really your brother would never consider such a thing. Not with me. You must not have expectations.”
The woman shook her head.
“Just promise me, just for tonight even, that you will leave everything behind you and be yourself when you are with him. Please.”
Unable to do otherwise, Eleanor nodded.
“I will do my best, Bonnet. That is all I can promise.”
Then, turning back to her sewing, Bonnet smiled.
“Thank you. So, may I ask why it is that you and my brother have finally made amends?”
Eleanor met her friend’s eyes.
“I cannot tell you why really, only that we have.”
Bonnet frowned.
“That is not an acceptable answer.”
Laughing Eleanor looked at her friend.
“Well, let us just say that we have cleared up some incorrect assumptions we made about the other and now have a better understanding of each other.”
The Duke's Desire Page 14