To Dodge a Duke (Entangled Nobility Book 2)

by Naomi Boom

  “Where else would you find us at this time of day, my dear?” Lord Gammon asked as he smiled at his wife.

  Eleanor could only shake her head. Lady Gammon’s attempt at matchmaking was transparent, at best.

  Lady Gammon went to her husband’s side and whispered something in his ear. He grinned and pointedly looked to Logan. “Opal desires to take a stroll. Would you two care to join us?”

  Logan turned his gaze on Eleanor and quirked his brow. “Well, my lady?”

  “I would love to…” She paused midsentence and tried to make it seem as though a random thought popped into her mind. “Oh! I just remembered I must hurry home for something.” She turned to Lady Gammon and thanked her for her hospitality. Then, she departed the room.

  She hurried down the hall, her feet making the softest of whispers on the fine damask rugs. She could feel him draw nearer, the anticipation building within her to the point she almost whirled around to check his location. The foyer lay just beyond the next hall, and an indubitable knowledge encompassed her. She would never reach it in time, not before he caught her. She rounded a corner, and the entryway, preceded by a lengthy hall, came into view.

  “Now what could possibly be so important at home?”

  She groaned as he seized her elbow and nestled her hand in the crook of his arm. Eleanor shot him a glare. He must know she sought to avoid him, yet he acted oblivious. “A gentleman does not ask what matters a lady must tend to.”

  “Or you have nothing pressing at home and seek to avoid me.” He smirked, his eyes narrowing on her cheeks as they heated.

  He was much too astute. She would see him tomorrow, assuming she wished to, but more importantly, she needed to avoid spending so much time with him. His personality appealed to her more than she cared to admit, not to mention those dark green eyes, which pulled her in and made her forget herself.

  She would not forget herself now, however. She scoffed at his oh-so-accurate statement. “Don’t be absurd. I am to ride with you tomorrow, remember?”

  The promise of freedom lay just down the hall, away from him and from the unwanted emotions he stirred within her. She increased her pace to a brisk walk, shoving aside all unbidden thoughts of her emotions in the process. “You know,” she said with a smug smile, “I decided something about our bet. Should I win, I believe I will require your absolute silence whenever I ask for it.”

  “And when I disobey? I hope my punishment gives you some pleasure.”

  His sensuous look caused Eleanor to gulp as she, once more, increased her pace. Logan kept up with her, his long legs eating the distance with ease while her shorter ones struggled. No longer did her feet tread in silence. Instead the two raised a din to echo through the halls.

  The hall ended as they reached the foyer. She was so near to the door. Only five more steps and she would reach her freedom. “There will be no pleasure between us. Ever.” She kept her gaze planted on the ground, focused on the remaining distance to the door.

  “Why don’t we put that ridiculous notion to rest right now?” He dropped her hand, instead reaching out to her shoulder and whirling her to him.

  “Wha—” Her question was cut off by the assault. All of her person spun into him, all but her foot, which caught on the damask rug. She cried out as pain lanced her ankle. Her slippered foot wrenched out of the rug, and she fell into Logan with a thud. He grunted at the impact, grabbing hold of her as he too fell. A loud crash of glass breaking resounded through the house as they came to rest on the floor.

  As Eleanor lay on Logan once again, her mind was filled by a dull haze of pain from her ankle and the exhilarating feeling of being close to him once more. Her pulse raced, and her stomach tensed in an unusual manner that was not exactly painful, but mortifying, nonetheless.

  She lifted her head and took in the scene before her. A small mahogany table lay upended with the remains of blue and white pottery strewn out before it. She laid her head back on Logan’s chest. Could this day get any worse?

  In mere moments, several servants appeared, along with Lord and Lady Gammon. “Oh dear,” Lady Gammon murmured with a gleeful gleam to her gaze as she took in their appearance. She stepped forward and offered her hand to Eleanor. Eleanor grasped Lady Gammon’s hand, putting weight on her foot but fell back when a searing pain shot up her leg. Her worst fears were confirmed. She had suffered an injury.

  “Ooomph.” Logan groaned as she fell into him once more. As Eleanor continued to lie on him, he asked, “Are you going to move?”

  Eleanor shifted and managed to thrust her elbow into his ribs. She grinned when he emitted a muffled curse. A gentleman shouldn’t be allowed to behave so barbarically and not receive some form of retribution in return.

  Lady Gammon turned to give directions to the servants. “Send for the doctor. It appears Miss Ashford has hurt her ankle.” She then directed another one to prepare a bedchamber for Eleanor’s use. As she turned back to Logan and Eleanor, she placed her hand on her hip in annoyance and said, “Logan, stop lying around, and carry Miss Ashford to the Blue Room.”

  Logan glared up at Lady Gammon. “Who says I am not injured, as well?”

  Lady Gammon made a dismissive gesture and laughed. “You would not look quite so pleased with yourself if you were injured.”

  Eleanor’s eyes met Logan’s, which was a mistake, as they were mere inches from her own. She ducked her head down and breathed in the scent of him. She really needed distance from this man.

  Logan disentangled himself from Eleanor, before lifting her in his arms. “Shall we, my dear?”

  She shook her head. “This is all so very unnecessary.”

  “Be that as it may, you have no choice but to do as bidden.” He strode out of the foyer and down the hall, carrying her away from freedom as Lady Gammon followed behind them.

  She had been so close to the front door when it was painfully ripped from her grasp. “I am more than capable of riding in a carriage with a hurt leg.” Everyone ignored her, and she was soon deposited in a large bed in the Blue Room.

  “Exactly how did you end up on the floor?” Lady Gammon asked as she propped a pristine white pillow under Eleanor’s head.

  “Such is the natural conclusion when one is manhandled,” Eleanor said with her eyes planted on Logan.

  Sheer joy erupted within her when Logan’s head reared up with a shocked look in his eyes. “Are you implying I manhandled you?”

  “I do not imply anything. Why imply when I can state that you, Logan, manhandled me?”

  Lady Gammon laughed. “She has you there. Now, then…” She coughed. “Logan, would you please excuse us? The doctor should arrive shortly.”

  Logan swept a low bow to the ladies and retreated, pulling the door shut with a gentle click. Several minutes of silence passed as the two ladies waited for the doctor.

  The doctor arrived with an air of grandeur, bowing low and then depositing his satchel on a side table. He removed her stocking and conducted his examination. Eleanor had a minor sprained ankle, and he suggested she stay in bed until the swelling went down to avoid complications.

  “I think it safe to say you will spend the night here,” Lady Gammon said to Eleanor once the doctor departed.

  “I suspected as much.” Her heart sank. “I am sure I will be better by morning.”

  “Hopefully.” Lady Gammon blanched. “Not that I want you to leave. You are more than welcome to stay indefinitely, you know.”

  Eleanor nodded and smiled. “Of course.” Granted, she did not quite believe Lady Gammon, but the sentiment was thoughtful nonetheless. “Thank you for your hospitality, and please forgive me for the vase. I am sure it was quite dear.”

  “Oh shush, you do not need to thank me for acting as any good hostess would. As for the vase, I could never hold you responsible for its demise when it was Logan’s graceless actions that engineered its untimely finish.”

  Eleanor relaxed a little against the soft pillows that propped her up. Guilt gna
wed at her stomach whenever she thought of the broken vase, and she was happy to see Lady Gammon unfazed by the whole ordeal. As for Logan being held accountable, well that was another matter. “I cannot imagine what good it would do to hold Logan responsible. It is not as if he could afford to replace such a priceless heirloom.”

  Lady Gammon’s delighted laugh filled the room. “I would never be so crass as to make a guest pay for something broken in accident, but if I did, Logan would certainly be able to afford it.” She turned to depart and stopped at the doorway. Traces of laughter lingered in her voice as she said, “I will leave you to rest. I already sent a message to your family, but if there is anything else you require, please let me know.”

  The door closed without a sound, and Eleanor was left with one major question. Just how wealthy was Logan? Common sense suggested Lady Gammon exaggerated the size of Logan’s pocket book. Landed gentry tended to be comfortably situated, not rich.

  No matter how much wealth he possessed, she would not be swayed. She was still resolved to marry a member of the peerage, not a baronet who did her bodily harm. After his behavior this afternoon, she would have to be unhinged to think him a catch. Aside from the sparks that had flown from crashing into him, his actions had been quite intolerable.

  ****

  “The doctor has seen her, Your Grace.”

  Logan turned from the window as Opal entered the library. “And?”

  “And she has a swollen ankle and will be unable to travel tonight.”

  A pang of guilt hit him at her words. He should have been more careful with her, not throwing her about like a piece of baggage. He did not dislike the fact that she would spend the night here. He grinned at the thought. Of course, he would do nothing improper, but he could advance his suit.

  A dying fire smoldered in the hearth and cast a soft glow in the room. The day had been chilly for spring, and a fire was necessary to ward away that chill. Opal sat in one of the well-padded chairs and leaned her head back to look at him. “Are you sure you didn’t plan this? Otherwise, how on earth did you break my vase? Reuben tells me the thing had been in the family for generations.”

  “Did someone say my name?” Reuben asked as he entered the library.

  Opal smiled up at him and imparted the news of Eleanor’s injury. “I see,” he said as he took a seat in a chair next to his wife. “Is that why Logan has such a disturbing smile on his face?”

  Logan immediately counseled his features, and Opal laughed. He glowered and said, “I wish to invite you both to a house party of sorts. I cannot call it a true house party, because the only people that will attend are myself, Miss Ashford, her chaperone, and you two. Oh, and the duke, of course.”

  Opal’s dark eyes grew round, and she straightened. “How will you and the duke attend the same gathering?”

  “Something will have to delay the duke’s arrival.” He waved his hand and smiled. “I will figure that part out later, but the party is in two weeks.”

  Reuben pulled out his snuff box and took a pinch before he regarded Logan with a somber expression. “You know we will support you, but I still don’t like her. Everything I hear about her indicates she is a—” He coughed and looked guiltily at his wife. “Well, you know. She is not nice.”

  “The reports I received said the same thing,” Logan said, not bothered by her reputation. He understood Ellie had done some undesirable things, but he had a feeling about her. With the proper encouragement, she very well could surprise everyone by being likeable.

  “Wait…” Opal stared at him wide-eyed and asked, “You had her investigated?”

  “Of course I did,” he said as he crossed to a bookshelf. “I will not marry any woman without knowing everything about her.”

  “And the report didn’t change your mind?” an astounded Reuben asked.

  “No.” Logan exhaled and scowled. He selected a book and tucked it under his arm. “When I was young, everyone treated me as if I could do no wrong. When I entered society, I acted badly, treating everyone as if they were beneath me. I am sure Miss Ashford suffers from the same misguided notions I did, except she also has a ruthless mother to sway her.”

  The fire crackled, and Opal leaned her head back against the chair. “I hope you’re right. I heard she fought with the vicar’s daughter at my soiree. That does not do much to recommend her.”

  “From what I heard, the vicar’s daughter started the fight.” Logan scowled and stepped to the doorway. “You don’t have to believe me, but I see good in her. If she were humbled, even a little, she would be a completely different person.”

  “Oh?” Reuben asked as his mouth dipped down in a frown.

  Logan stopped before he left the room. He looked over his shoulder at them and raised his brow. “Yes, and I believe her falling for a baronet would be just the thing. Her worldview would change if she believed she were to marry landed gentry.”

  He hurried down the hall before he could hear any more of their negative words. Reuben and Opal meant well, but they did not understand what brewed between Ellie and himself. In fact, he wasn’t sure if he understood, either. All he knew was, on the balcony the previous night, she had spoken with such a vulnerable look on her face, and he had believed her. She had made some poor decisions, but she regretted them.

  He rounded a corner and caught sight of the door to her room. His steps were purposeful. He would see her and remind himself once more why he wanted her. As he reached her door, he paused and studied the handle.

  If he were honest with himself, he might not have liked Ellie if she had met him as the duke. She would have been yet another cloying female, desperate to gain the title of duchess. The fact that she did not know his title allowed her to drop her guard around him and show her personality, one that he could only assume no one else saw. Yes, he liked the lady, barbs and all.

  There was something special about her, aside from her beauty. Her sapphire eyes bespoke honesty and intelligence—two qualities rare in ladies of his acquaintance—and those moments when she allowed her true self to shine forth were like rain to parched soil. While he understood she might be duplicitous if she knew who he was, he also understood all her mercenary actions were to gain a mate, and that he could forgive.

  He turned the knob and opened the door. Of course, he really needed to stop falling when she stumbled against him. It was not very ducal. Next time, he would catch her rather than allow either to tumble to the ground.

  His breath caught at the sight of her. The afternoon sun streamed through the window and lit up the blue room. She reclined on her periwinkle bed with pillows piled behind her and a book in hand. As he entered, she marked her place and smiled at him.

  He could get used to such a welcoming smile. “Ellie.” Logan sat in a chair next to the bed and performed a haphazard bow. “Your knight in shining armor arrives, bearing all manner of entertainment for you.”

  She raised an eyebrow at the novel he held in his hands. “I see one thing, not ‘all manner’ as you so optimistically stated.”

  She fought so hard to dissuade him. He shook his head and smiled at her. “You discounted me. I happen to be quite skilled at entertaining ladies, in more ways than one. I shall demonstrate if you like.”

  “That is quite all right. Leave the book on the night table, and kindly depart.”

  Instead of heeding her wishes, Logan settled further into his chair. The blasted thing creaked, and he shifted forward again. Once more, it creaked. He would have to get the thing replaced.

  “What are you doing?”

  He looked up and appreciated the spirited look on her face. Even in distemper, she entertained him. He propped his foot up on his knee and said, “You really need to learn to control yourself. This time when you threw yourself at me you ended up here. What will happen the next time?”

  She had the audacity to roll her eyes at him and laugh. “Oh, do be quiet.” She tilted her head to the side. “You know, I believe you owe me an apology.”
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br />   “Well, Ellie, let me apologize then. I am deeply sorry for the harm that has befallen you.” Her eyes widened when he said her name again, and he almost chuckled out loud. She was so enjoyable to tease.

  “And for manhandling me?” she asked and waited with arms crossed over her delectable bosom.

  “I am afraid I cannot apologize for that. Your terms for our bet mandate silence when you will it. I had to show you I do not require words to convey my meanings, and I would do it again given the chance.”

  “What meaning did you attempt to convey? That you wished to injure me?”

  He leaned forward, and the chair creaked once more. He ignored the sound as his eyes settled on her plump lips. “You know very well that I wished to kiss you.”

  She uncrossed her arms and gave a half-hearted sigh as she settled into the pillows further. “I suppose I shall have to change my terms then. You are terrible at conveying your intentions without words.” When he nodded in agreement, she laughed. She closed her eyes and said, “Since you are here, please make yourself useful and tell me of your home.”

  Logan enjoyed the uninterrupted view of her as she reclined on the bed. He launched into a description of his childhood home, Briarthorn, telling her of the main house, which was actually a small castle used in ancient battles against the Scottish. He spoke of the small cold river that ran through his property and the lake located near the castle. Trees abounded on the estate, and he assured her how much she would enjoy living there in the future. Lastly, he spoke of the small town, Corningwall, which was roughly the same size as the little town located near to them now. He finished his description by adding, “I will be sure to add weeping willows by the river so you can always have your perfect little spot.” While he enjoyed the sound of that, he was surprised to see she had fallen asleep without hearing his little promise to her.

  He sat at her bedside for a few additional moments and savored the lovely view. She looked angelic in sleep. Invitingly perfect. He soon rose, pressed a soft kiss to her hand, and departed the room. He would return later in the evening to check on her once more.