The Duke's Desire

by Elizabeth Elliot

  Bonnet touched his arm and she met his gaze.

  “What are you going to do?”

  He looked softly at his sister knowing he was about to seal his fate.

  “I am keeping my promise to you Bonnet.”

  Bonnet studied him for a long time.

  “Are you sure? I know… I know that I have been pressuring you but….”

  Placing a soft kiss on his sister’s cheek he smiled.

  “You have wanted this since they arrived.”

  His sister blushed.

  “I want the best for you Storm. Do not do this if you are not sure.”

  “I am sure Bonnet. Do not wait up. And calm Miss Pinecrest down. Tell her everything will work out and try to get those two to get some rest.”

  “I will do my best.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Storm climbed the steps of the Pinecrest residence struggling between controlling his anger and looking forward to finally doing something that would help Eleanor. The butler admitted him at once, but Storm could see that the night’s events had even the servants in an upset. He was led into the drawing room but the butler was obviously debating what to do.

  “Your grace, Lord Crayton is not home at the moment, but I believe Miss Pinecrest is here.”

  “Lord Crayton is out? Do you know where he went?”

  “No, your grace, he did not say. He left in a bit of a hurry. Would you like me to send Miss Pinecrest in?”

  Storm could only contain his anger long enough to give the butler a nod and the old man left the room very hastily. It seemed impossible that Marcus would leave his family in such a state without trying to resolve the issue. Storm could not imagine leaving his house with his sisters future at risk. But his anger with Marcus was completely forgotten when Eleanor entered the room.

  Storm expected her to be crying. Lord knew that she had every right to be. But, to his surprise, she seemed angry. Very angry.

  “Oh Storm. I cannot believe how selfish they are both being!”

  She started to pace, until at last she faced him again.

  “After all the sacrifice, after all the sleepless nights and all the tears, she has the nerve to be ungrateful. To get angry that we suffered for her! At this point I do not even care if she marries the blasted Lord Tomlin!”

  And then, she did cry. It hit her so quickly he did not even have time to collect her into his arms. She collapsed onto the floor and buried her face into her hands. Storm instantly moved to her, slid down the wall beside her, and wrapped her in his arms. Placing a soft kiss against her locks, he tucked her against him.

  “I am here now Eleanor. I promise I can fix this.”

  They were nestled on the floor, but neither of them seemed to care. Moving slightly to meet his gaze she shook her head.

  “Storm, I do not think even you can fix this.”

  Storm wiped a tear from her cheek, settling himself against the wall and drawing her close to him. She gave him a weak smile, and he knew that he had made the right decision coming here. It was time someone saved Miss Eleanor Pinecrest, and he would be damned if anyone else would be the one to do it.

  “I am not even sure where she is right now.”

  Storm brushed a lose strand of hair from her cheek.

  “She is with Peaches and Bonnet.”

  This seemed to settle her slightly.

  “And I suspect that shortly she will be with Alex Larford.”

  Eleanor looked to him in disbelief.

  “I told you I was here to fix things.”

  She remained silent, still disbelieving that things could possibly be fixed. Then Storm took a breath and tried to find the right words to say to her.

  “Eleanor, I know that things between us started out terribly, but I want you to know that for these last few weeks, your friendship has become one of the most important of my life. You infuriate me at times, and you are opinionated and stubborn but you are also… you are also so much more than that.”

  She turned away from him, blushing slightly, but he could tell she was not sure what to make of his speech. He was not deterred. Even when she was a mess and her eyes were swollen with tears Storm still thought she was remarkable.

  “You are so full of love, and kindness and devotion. Eleanor, I am so sorry that I did not see that in you from the first moment we met.”

  “Storm, why are you saying all of this to me?”

  “Because Eleanor, I you need to know all of this. And because, when we kissed each other in Lady Garrisons garden something between us changed. And each time we have kissed since that night, it has changed me. I could not imagine a day without you in it. So, I suppose really what I need to know is if you feel that way as well.”

  He stopped speaking, but Eleanor did not speak. The silence was almost unbearable, until, finally, she met his gaze.

  “I am not sure this is the best time to speak about this with everything going on with Felicity right now…”

  He reached out and took her hand.

  “That is exactly why we need to talk about it. Please Eleanor, these last few days have been so confusing, but I just need to know what you are feeling.”

  Eleanor laughed.

  “What I am feeling? Well I feel as if my life is falling apart, that my sister is being completely selfish and that my brother abandoned me at the worst possible moment. That is how I am feeling.”

  Grabbing both her hands he forced her eyes to meet his.

  “About us, Eleanor, how do you feel about us?”

  She looked at him and shook her head.

  “I feel confused Storm.”

  It was his turn to smile. Softly touching her cheek, he whispered.

  “I want to marry you, Eleanor.”

  There were many moments in her life in which Eleanor remembered feeling completely shocked, but nothing topped this. She honestly thought that Storm Westbrook, one of London’s most eligible bachelors, had just asked to marry her. After everything that happened this evening, this was too much to handle.

  “Pardon?”

  It was all she could manage. Had he really just proposed to her while sitting on the floor of her drawing room? On the worst evening of her life? As far as she knew happily ever after never started with a proposal like this.

  “I know this feels overwhelming. Trust me, I had not expected this moment to come so quickly, but the situation with your family has changed and it seemed fate has its own plan.”

  Eleanor met his gaze. Had he just said something about fate?

  “Storm you cannot possible want to marry me.”

  He laughed at that and touched her cheek. Eleanor closed her eyes at his caress. She had thought of nothing but his kiss all afternoon. Something about him just made her want to stay in his arms forever. And now he was actually asking her too.

  “I do Eleanor. When the season started, I was determined to find some young biddable woman to marry, but that is not what I need. Nor is it what I want. You taught me that Eleanor. What I want Eleanor, what I need, is you.”

  She shook her head in disbelief.

  “Storm you could have any woman in London.”

  His hand cupped her chin, his arm wrapping around her waist.

  “I want you.”

  “You do not love me. Your family marries for love.”

  He hesitated then, because they never lied to each other.

  “Eleanor, I care deeply for you. Over these last few days I have come to see that you have every trait I want in a wife. Although I will not lie and profess my love for you right now, I have hope that after some time we can learn to love one another. Marry me Eleanor. I will save your family; your sister can marry Alex Larford, and your brother can purchase his commission in the military. You will never have to worry about any of it again.”

  Eleanor wanted to agree to marry him more than anything in the world, but she really did not want him marrying her just because of what happened to her family tonight. She could never forgive hers
elf.

  “Storm, I cannot marry you. You deserve so much better.”

  Again, he just held her gaze and before she could speak again, his lips lowered to hers. This kiss felt different than the ones before. Eleanor just kept thinking about how much more comfortable it was. She had truly believed she would never be able to kiss him again and now that his lips were pressed to hers, she melted into it. After all the years she spent denying herself of simple pleasures, Eleanor realized she could never deny herself this man’s kiss. She wanted to be his wife more than she had ever wanted anything. It was terrifying. She already was in her heart. When Storm kissed her, everything in the world felt right. It was impossible to deny herself a lifetime of his kiss.

  “Eleanor, this is what I want.”

  The words were whispered softly against her lips but the lingered in the air between them as their eyes locked. If Eleanor thought it was impossible to deny herself his kiss, she suddenly realized that it would be even more difficult to ever say no to him when his eyes were filled with those storm clouds.

  “Are you sure Storm? Are you sure you will be happy enough, with just me?”

  A smile slowly came to his lips.

  “For Lord’s sake, Eleanor Pinecrest, I cannot believe you are going to make me beg for this.”

  “I just want to be sure you are doing this for you, and not to save me.”

  “I will confess something to you, but after I do you must agree to marry me so that we can get off this blasted floor and get on with our life together.”

  Eleanor laughed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his terms.

  “This afternoon… when we were kissing… I knew I was going to marry you.”

  Eyes wide she looked at him with doubt.

  “And quite frankly, I had no intention of leaving. I was very determined to drag you to the chaise and kiss you senseless for the rest of the afternoon.”

  “Then why did you leave?”

  With a laugh he shook his head and cupped her face, his thumb slowly caressing her cheek.

  “Because I was afraid that if we got caught you would think I was marrying you out of duty or honor and not because I want to. And now, here I am, proposing and you still think it is from some sort of duty or honor. I should have just stayed. We would have had a much better afternoon if I had.”

  Eleanor smiled. It was probably the widest smile of her life, because, despite everything she knew he was not lying. He had decided to marry her that afternoon and that really was the reason he stopped kissing her. And he really was mad that he had given up an afternoon of her kisses for no reason. Her smile turned into a laugh and her laugh turned into happiness. Maybe, just maybe, Eleanor thought, he would fix everything.

  “Yes.”

  He looked at her hopefully.

  “Yes?”

  “Yes Storm. It would be an honor to be your wife.”

  Storm kissed her then. Not with the passion they had previously know. It was sweet and sincere and Eleanor could not help but feel that this was his way of thanking her. Their lips lingered for a moment before they parted. Meeting his gaze, she raised her brow.

  “I cannot believe you proposed to me on the floor.”

  She could see he instantly went to argue and laughed. Knowing then that she had been teasing him, Storm rose and offered her his hand.

  “I should go find your brother.”

  Eleanor took his hand and shook her head.

  “No. He proved today that he could care less what becomes of his sisters.”

  She could see that he wanted to protest but apparently, he resisted the urge.

  “Then we should tell my family.”

  “Can we wait until tomorrow? I do not wish to face Felicity right now.”

  Touching her cheek softly, Storm ran his finger across her lower lip.

  “If that is what you wish.”

  Nodding she sighed. She was so tired. What she really wanted was a good night’s sleep.

  “Do you want me to go so you can rest?”

  Eleanor wanted to rest but she knew, once again, that she was not ready to let him go. Wishing she could just lay in his arms all night Eleanor motioned to the chaise.

  “Would you mind just sitting here for a few more minutes? I do need rest, but we have a lot to discuss.”

  Storm nodded his agreement and took a seat next to her on the chaise. The chaise, she noted, that only moments ago he stated he had wanted to kiss her senseless on. With a frown she noted that he was sitting remarkably far away from her. Moving closer, she rested her hand against his until he held it.

  “Do you think your family will be upset with us?”

  Storm laughed at that.

  “My family has wanted this since they moment they met you.”

  Eleanor blushed, sure that it was untrue.

  It took every piece of his concentration not to ravish her. When she agreed to marry him, Storm realized that he could finally breathe again. He had not known how important she had become to him until he thought he would lose her. But she was his now. They were going to be husband and wife and Storm realized that he was now alone with her. And the chance of them being interrupted was very slim. And then she slipped her hand into his and he lost nearly all his willpower to refrain from claiming her right there on the chaise. Good God waiting three weeks to share her bed would be torture.

  “Bonnet probably has the whole wedding planned already.”

  Eleanor laughed at that, her fingers squeezing his. She truly had the most enchanting laugh he had ever heard. And now he would hear it for the rest of his life. Storm made the mistake of meeting her gaze. Slowly she started to nibble her lower lip and he knew that if he stayed he would not be able to resist kissing her. And right now, knowing she was his, he had little reason to stop. Unable to resist, he brought his hand to her cheek.

  “I am not sure it is wise for me to be here alone with you right now.”

  Eleanor looked at him confused.

  “Why not?”

  “For the same reason I made you put a chair under your door knob.”

  She laughed at that.

  “I am not nervous, you know. About being alone with you. I trust you.”

  Storm gently squeezed her hand.

  “Thank you, for having such faith on me, however, I am not so sure that I trust myself when I am alone with you.”

  Her eyes looked at him in disbelief. Truly. Even after all the affection he had bestowed on her, she still could not believe that he found her desirable. It irked him. Eleanor should never feel as if she was not a woman worthy of a man’s desire. For goodness sake, half the men of the ton had been at her feet during the past few balls.

  “Eleanor, one day, somehow, I am going to convince you that you are the most beautiful woman in any room you walk into.”

  Her eyes met his to see if he was teasing. Again, she blushed, and softly whispered.

  “That is kind of you to say, but you cannot be blind to the fact that your choice of bride will lead to much gossip. I am not beautiful, Storm. Not in the way my sister is. Or yours. No one even noticed me until you danced with me. People will not believe that you are marrying of your own free will.”

  She looked down. The truth of her own words hurt her. Storm hated it. He hated the thought of anything making her unhappy now. Sliding his hand to cup her chin he forced her gaze to his.

  “As long as you know the truth I do not care about everyone else. Eleanor, I know our choice to marry will surprise some, but not as many as you may think. I have been rather attentive to you. No matter what anyone believes however, I know that our future is with each other. We are partners now. No matter what problems we have to face, we can do it together.”

  Tears came back to her eyes and she feverishly blinked them away.

  “Thank you, Storm. I promise I will try to be the wife you deserve. You, above all others, know that I am terribly flawed, but I will improve.”

  Unable to stop himself he pressed
the lightest of kisses against her lips.

  “I want you, Eleanor. Exactly as you are.”

  He could see in her eyes that she still had some doubts, but Storm knew it did not matter. He had the rest of his life to convince her. The rest of his life with Eleanor Pinecrest. Storm smiled and kissed her again.

  “I promise you, Eleanor, you will never want for anything. Nor will you ever feel alone again.”

  His lovely fiancé blushed and touched his cheek.

  “I cannot believe how lucky I am to have met you.”

  Laughing, he pulled her closer.

  “I bet you would have never imagined you would be saying that at the start of the season.”

  With a smile, she shook her head.

  “I would have sooner imagined myself challenging you to pistols at dawn than believe I would end up becoming your wife.”

  She moved closer to him then and Storm realized that he would not be able to resist at least stealing a few more kisses from her before he left. Eleanor felt so warm in his arms. So perfect. As he released her hand, he collected her into his arms and gently caressed her cheek. With a sigh she shook her head.

  “I thought I was kissing you good-bye this afternoon.”

  “Pardon?”

  With a weak smile she met his gaze.

  “I knew Alex was going to ask for Felicity’s hand. That tomorrow I would start seeking out a position as a governess and…. And well, after that I knew that I would have to say farewell to you. It would not be right for you to be so familiar with a governess. I… I just wanted to kiss you one more time before everything changed.”

  Storm could not believe how fragile she seemed now. Eleanor was such a strong woman, but with him, she could always be vulnerable. The faith she had in him was humbling. Unable to stop himself, Storm pulled her against him and brushed his lips against hers.

  “I would never have let you say goodbye, Eleanor.”

  Then, he deepened the kiss and let the world around them start to slip away. She was his now. His. And although he knew that he would control their passions, he refused to ignore them completely. Tonight, he would kiss her just enough for her to forget about her family, to forget about the last few years of sacrifice, to forget anything but him. Everything would change in the morning, but for just now, for just an hour, all he wanted was to be in her arms, and for her to be in his.