“How many are there? Your sisters?”
“Two. I am the last. They are wonderful, we are all very close. What about you, any siblings?”
“No. It’s just I. Although, I have a very good friend. We’ve known each other since we were four, and we are so close that he’s practically family now. You know, the brother I never had.” Nicholas smiled as a memory of childhood pranks they perpetrated together flashed through his mind. He continued to move, taking notes of the nice books on these shelves. Notable authors like Jane Austen, Henry Fielding, Sir Walter Scott, Maria Edgeworth. He had to confess, Lord Fortham had good taste.
“That sounds nice, does he like books?”
Nicholas chuckled at this. If Benjamin ever read a book, he would lose consciousness- except the book had to do with business news or secrets on how to woo young, clueless maidens.
“Benjamin? No. We are almost nothing alike, but he is a good man and a good friend. Mother says he makes a good son too. I guess that is all that matters, is it not?”
“Indeed. It is.”
He finally decided on a book, ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen. He plucked it out of the book shelf and turned to find a sofa. As he reached one, he saw that his fair lady was already seated. He took the sofa nearest to her, positioned so that he faced her, slightly.
One look at the book she held in her hand had him smiling.
“That’s a good book,”he commented as he sat.
She looked up at him, her lips slightly parted in an unasked question, and he instantly got drawn to them for the umpteenth time that evening. Shaking his head as he gave himself a mental shake, he spoke,“Belinda, it’s such an interesting read. One of Maria’s gold.”
“Am I to take that to mean that you have read the book, My Lord?”
“Ahh, you may for in fact, I have. A long time ago, but I still remember its details clearly. It is something I happen to have a knack for. A photographic memory, you may call it. You have never read it?”
Her mouth opened and closed several times as though she was looking for the right words to say. He found even that endearing. Bullocks! But something must be wrong with him. She finally answered with a small smile on her face.
“I have. I find it a good read too; I must have finished these pages a thousand times. There is only so much time until I have to leave; I didn’t want to start a book I would not be able to finish, or allowed to borrow.”
It sounded reasonable, and it was the same reason he had made his own choice. So he nodded, thoughtfully.
“That makes sense. I have read this book too.”He lifted the copy and waved it to her. ”However, one never gets tired of reading the literary excellence that Jane always exhibited in her books. Many times, I think of writing, but I get discouraged when I think of how greatly my book will pale in comparison to these great pieces.” He watched as a chuckle escaped her lips despite her attempt to catch it with her hands, and he smiled.
“You find that amusing?”
“Aye. For some reason, I beg to believe that you are being awfully modest. You strike me as a very intelligent man, My Lord. If your book will pale in comparison, I reckon the only thing they would have on you is years of experience. Practise does make one perfect, My Lord.”
Awed, he looked at her, marvelling at her wise words and apt deduction. True, he hadn’t had such conversation with many women, but all the ones he had tried to do so with, had yawned, proclaiming the topic boring even before they began, and here was this lady, surprising him in the most pleasant of ways.
“The name is Nicholas.” He was getting tired of being referred to as “My Lord” and seeing as she did not recognise his face, he would rather not give himself away by telling her his full name. If he did, she may remember his father and make the connection to figure out who he was. Something told him things would change if that happened. He didn’t want that. He was rather enjoying this cosy setting. This little space with her, in such proximity made everything feel familiar, feel better.
She looked quite taken aback like she had not been expecting him to make such revelation.
“Oh, Nicholas. Well, in that case, I guess I should say it is a pleasure making your acquaintance, Sir Nicholas.”
“Trust me, the pleasure is mine, and I do hope this is where you tell me your name, milady. Although, I am quite certain that it is going to be a lovely name, to suit its equally lovely owner.” When he saw her flush again, he felt as though he had just won a wager racking up to a thousand pounds.
“Eleanor. The name is Eleanor, My Lord.”
Eleanor… it sounded like a name an angel would answer to.
“Oh. None of that. To fulfil the purpose for which I disclosed my name in the first instant, you must drop these formalities. I insist for I find that I do not care for them.”
“Well, in that case, Nicholas it is.”
A big grin settled on his lips at his victory. He arose then and walked closer to her. As he stood right in front of her, he bowed, his hand held out so she would give him hers. He was simply observing propriety, he told himself. Yet, he knew no greater lie had ever been spoken.
He saw amusement flicker in her eyes, then understanding. Slowly, she raised her right hand and slipped it into his. It felt soft, delicate, just as he had thought it would. Holding her gaze, he pressed his lips to it, and gifted it with a lingering kiss. A surreal sense of satisfaction filled his blood, and his body thrummed with pleasure when he saw her take a sharp breath he had only caught because he had been watching so closely. So carefully.
“Thank you, Eleanor.” He withdrew his lips, and she quickly retrieved her hand. He watched as she immediately locked it with with the other, and he knew he had affected her so. A knowing smile lifted the corners of his cheeks, and he wondered if she would ponder on what he found amusing. Good, it would give her something to think about, along with that thrilling sensation he felt when his lips touched her skin, later when she was alone – and he willed that she thought about him. To think that her hands were covered and it had felt that way. He could only imagine what it would feel like, kissing her bare skin. A vivid image flashed though his mind’s eye, and he suddenly felt hot. It was time to return to his seat. With this proximity and how she affected his body, he doubted he could remain a gentleman much longer. What sorcery was this? Never had he met any woman who affected him so, in such a short time.
With these thoughts warring in his mind, he rose and turned around to walked back to his chair. It wasn’t until he was seated that he spoke again.
“Eleanor…”The name tasted exotic on his lips, and he knew he had been right. “It is such a lovely name. I do not think anything else would have been better suited.”
“You seem vast in the art of flattery. How does a man like you get off being modest about his capabilities?”
She was ever ready, he noted. Her retorts came quick and swift, never compromising her wit. Just for the sake of teasing her, he feigned ignorance.“I am not entirely certain I know what you speak of. Modesty? Capabilities?”
She huffed, and while many would have thought it improper, he thought it endearing, especially when her nostrils blew open, and her eyes narrowed. She dropped the book into her lap and shifted in her chair so that she could be closer to him.
“Pretence does not become you. While you contemplate becoming an author or not, I pray thee to do only just that and not entertain thoughts of the theatre. Having you on that stage, trying to act anything atall, would be such horror, I declare!”
The laughter that hadbegun building up in his belly travelled all the way to his chest until it became birthed through his lips. His ribs protested as the sound of his genuine amusement filled the library. By the time he recovered, a huge smile flirted with her lips. It warmed his heart to know she had taken his amusement well.
“I am beginning to wonder if perhaps you were right and I am a jokester,” she mumbled.
“Indeed. I was in the right when I told you so. Now
that you have forbidden me from pursuing my life’s dream, would you be so kind to tell me what these capabilities you speak of are?”
“Why not? They are none other than your writing skills which I’m sure are quite commendable.” Stunned by this, he too sat up.
“You sound so certain. Pray, tell me, what is the basis of this unwavering belief in me?”
“Oh, it is quite simple, you see. Every lover of books has in one point or the other attempted to put something down. It is a pull that cannot be ignored or fought against. For book lovers who have read lots of republications, it comes easier. When a man is quick on his wit as you are, it is even so much better. You are well read, Nicholas. I reckon you have so much books you have tried your hands on already, and they did not come out terribly. Do not fish for compliments, I prefer to call a spade exactly what it is.”
Speechless, that was what he was. She was so perceptive, and the way her violet orbs twinkled as she spoke, bless holy Mary! The pull on his heart was getting stronger as the minutes passed.
“You seem to have it all figured out. I find myself at a loss for words to say.”
The smile that flirted with her lips became a full grin. He had no doubt she was immensely proud of herself. This was confirmed when she smugly said,“Yes, I am quite perceptive. Any published works? I have never heard of any author with the name Nicholas, but you may as well be using an alias.”
He chuckled at the accusation in her voice. “I assure you, Eleanor, while you might have been right about the former, you are quite off the mark on this one. True, I have written a handful of books, but I am yet to publish a single one. I’m afraid I do not have that much faith in myself. I have several manuscripts stacked up in my office, and they have only been seen by two eyes, asides mine.”
She settled into a pout, and he wondered if she was sad for him. If she was, how would that make him feel? Could there be any emotion he had not felt yet since encountering her? She pulled him out of his thoughts again.
“I do think you should take the leap. Who knows? It may end up being such a sensation. Everyone needs to have enormous faith in their selves, my sister would say; if you can’t have that much, then you can start from a little.”
He thought about those words for few seconds before tucking them to the back of his mind. He would surely ruminate on them later.
“Enough about me, seeing as we have whiled away so much time already, perhaps we should simply discuss these books we both have chosen?”
She looked at the book in her lap as if only just remembering it and smiled as she picked it up.
“An excellent suggestion! You love your Jane, and I love my Maria. Let ussee what we think about both women. You first, Persuasion. May I have a look at that?
He had been holding his book in his hand all this while so he simply stretched his arms, so that she only had to reach out to take it. She took the cue and did just that. As she took the book from his hand, her thumb brushed over his, and he almost jerked, startled by the bolt of electricity that friedhis nerves. It apparently had been a mutual thing, for the moment he looked up to check if she too had felt that, their eyes locked, and they remained that way, unaware of days rolling by.
Her violet orbs that had shone brightly suddenly appeared hazed over. When his breeches felt tighter, he reckoned his eyes must be just as hooded too. Realising that if this went on, things would become so much more uncomfortable, he tore his gaze away.
Clearing his throat, he broke the quiet spell. “What about it?”
She needed more time to recover for a moment passed before she replied. “Uhn? Oh yes… Why is this a book you would choose over again?”
“Hmmm. A soft nut to crack!” he said, feeling grateful for the light subject as he re-settled into his seat.
“It is said to be her best piece, as it displays a manner of maturity that was absent in her other books such as Pride and Prejudice, and the likes. It has also received such a great welcome since its release and sometimes it saddens me that she is not here to receive all of these accolades herself. Did you know that there weren’t any drafts from the eighteenth century? She started the book in the nineteenth century, and I assume that is the allure it has. It is so relatable to our modern society. I believe that is why it is so much easier to understand the trials Anne and Wentworth faced. What about you? Is this a book you would say you enjoyed reading?”
She took her time to examine the book, flipping through the pages softly with those delicate fingers. He wondered what they looked like beneath those gloves. Long? Slender? Capable of so many things?
“In the end. Love wins, doesn’t it? For me, that is all that matters. I find Anne a worthy heroine. A young lady like myself could learn a thing or two from her. Despite listening to her father’s and Lady Russell’s voices of reasoning, she waited for Wentworth all that while, whether she knew it or not. That kind of love is so profound, and I was glad to learn that he never stopped loving her, either.” There was a pause, and she frowned slightly.
“Do you think Wentworth would have had his fortune changed if she had agreed to go through with the marriage, anyway?”
“Hmmm…”It was really something to think of, and he did not want to give an answer she would consider wrong. Deciding to go with his sincere thoughts, he replied, “We never will be able to tell for certain. It is fiction, after all. However, I do think that if she had agreed to marry him, he may not have gone into the navy to build a name and fortune for himself. He may have engaged in some other venture, but not the navy. Somehow, it was a good thing she turned him down all those years before; it all ended up good, in the end.”
“It did, didn’t it? Yes. I would say so too. And to think he who was refused because of his status, was the one who saved her family from financial crises!”
“An amazing thing, I reckon. Absolutely amazing. It only goes to prove how quickly the tides change. In due time, the servant can become a master too.”
“Indeed. Indeed,” she replied bobbing her head in agreement.
After that, they discussed “Belinda” whose tale was much more humorous, then they moved on to “Dear Jane” which they could not come to an agreement on.
“I beg to disagree, Nicholas. If she had not fallen in love with Brighton, I am certain that Sir Guy would have made her very happy. All through the war, he remained faithful and wrote her letters. The least she could have done was to wait for him!” she cried.
“You seem to forget Sir Guy was only interested in her fortune from the onset. He only fell genuinely in love with her when upon his return, he found her besotted by Brighton. She made a good choice, if you ask me.” She huffed at that, and it took him a great deal to keep from laughing.
He basked in all the warm fuzzy feelings simply being there, sharing that moment with her gave him. He also immensely enjoyed every second of watching her laugh out loud without a thought of propriety, knowing he was the reason for that. He could not remember the last time he had experienced such pleasure, conversing with a lady. He knew that this was a moment that would plague him forever, and he wondered, if there was a way he could get himself out of the arrangement his parents had already made for him and seek Eleanor’s heart and hand instead. After all, it was common knowledge that one never met their fantasy woman more than once. Only one of such people was created for each person.
Chapter 10
Victoria Birmingham was immensely enjoying the first ball of the season. It was all so spectacular that she couldn’t help wondering how she ever managed to survive a whole year until the next season. Her mood shot up a notch higher as she sighted the Duke and Duchess of Yorkshire, her would be future in-laws. Beaming, she turned to her husband, then completely disregarding the people they were presently discussing with, she tugged him gently to gain his full attention.
Immediately, he turned to her, more of a reflex than a conscious effort.
A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 7