A complicated situation, seeing as Agnes was finally going to be married. A thought crossed her mind, and her eyes widened in panic. What if Agnes was ruined? If she had lost her innocence, that would be a more difficult problem to solve. How would they ever tell Nicholas that his wife had given her body to another? Oh dear! The humiliation it would cause! Her head suddenly began to hurt, and she remembered that she had not gotten any rest all day. Why? Why would Agnes choose to bring this predicament upon her? She had thought she had done a fine job raising them up to be ladies. Nevertheless, now was not the time to give in to hysteria. She had to think. Somehow, she couldn’t see Agnes being so foolish as to give up her virtue to a man who was not yet her husband. If it happened that she was right with her trust in her child, then she had one less problem off her hand. The rest would be easy enough to handle. She only had to take Alan out of the picture for good and keep her daughter focussed on her marriage to the future Duke of Yorkshire. A man of wealth, title, and intelligence. A man of equal social standing, a man worthy of her.
As she turned to go back into the house, a plan began to hatch in her head. Bit by bit, she fixed in every loophole to form the perfect, non-fallible plan, and a smile slowly began to settle on her lips. At dinner, she was extremely nice to her first daughter. It would not do for her to suspect anything was wrong. If her plans were to succeed, both guards had to be down. Then, like a vulture, she would strike down on her prey. Oh! Planning the wedding was fun, but this? It was exhilarating!
Chapter 21
After holding herself kidnapped in her chambers for over a week, only stepping down for dinner and sometimes breakfast, Eleanor awoke one morning with a resolve. She could not keep hiding herself away while life passed her by. It wasn’t just ridiculous, it was amusing. She was here, wallowing in sadness and misery while Nicholas went about, readying himself to marry her sister in less than two months. It was enough! She had nursed her wounds, had shed tears, had felt like her world was breaking in two, now she had to take the bull by the horn and take charge of her own life. There was also the fact that she had to be happy for Agnes. Now that the preparations were heavily underway, the least she could do to show her support was to join in the celebration, give her input, especially since her sisters had been so supportive lately. Every day, they would visit her chambers for at least thirty minutes and make small talk about everything and nothing. No one knew what ailed her. The illness lies had sailed long ago. She only told them she wasn’t quite feeling like engaging in social activities so soon after her recovery. Thankfully, they had been quite satisfied with that, and she had come to look forward to their daily visits. So, how could she repay them this way? She wasn’t so cruel. Agnes did not deserve any of this. She had not asked for both her and Nicholas to meet at the library on that rather unfaithful day. Neither had she and Nicholas. They had just been dealt a wicked hand by fate, and now, she had to deal with it.
Someday, she would get over this hurt. Someday, she would be able to spend an hour of the day without having a single thought of him. Someday, when she saw the sapphire sparkle on Agnes’s finger, her heart wouldn’t hurt. Above and beyond, she knew this day would never come if she did not give herself a good chance at recovery. Isolation was not the answer. She had mourned the loss of a love that never was. Now, she had to go on with life.
She stood in front of the vanity, regarding herself in the mirror. She had called the maids in earlier to help her prepare for the day’s outing. Her family did not yet know of her intentions to join them. It was going to be a surprise, and she hoped that they would be pleased by it. It was obvious that she had lost a few pounds. A very minute number, she was certain, yet it was evident when one who really knew her looked at her. Thankfully, that would be attributed to her ill health, not the barrage of thoughts that had refused to delude her in the days since Nicholas’s proposal.
She had chosen a peach gown for today’s outing. Something young, warm, bright, happy. Positive feelings. Perhaps in this dress, with the sun over her head and the fresh air in her lungs, she would feel so much better. It was a high-waisted dress with a raised back. She wore a short-fitted single-breasted jacket over it, and where the sleeve of the jacket ended, her gloves began. She looked good, and as much as she would like to have her hair flow in the wind, she kept it tucked in a straw bonnet, unwilling to give her mother something to complain about today. She looked nice, even if she did say so herself. Pleased with her appearance, she turned to Rachel and held out her hands. The girl quickly understood and handed a cream coloured reticule to her.
“Would you be wanting a parasol, My Lady?”
Eleanor thought about it. A parasol may be terribly over fashioned for a trip to the market. However, if the sun proved to be too stubborn, she would love to have her face protected.
“I suppose a less fanciful one would do. Ahh. Yes, I’ll have the cream, netted one with lace trimmings.” Again, Rachel went to fetch it, and with one last look in the mirror, she concluded that she was good to go. She left the chambers with her maids on her tail. It was just as well that she had left in that time for her sisters and mother were already leaving. Just as Isabelle was about to climb into the carriage, she raised her voice and called out, “Wait for me. I am here.” They all stopped and turned to look at her, the astonishment on their faces as clear as the morning skies. Then slowly, she saw their lips settle into a smile. She too, gave into the smile that tugged at her lips, unable to resist the pull. No one said anything as she picked up her skirts and hurried her steps. When she got to them, her mother chimed, “Well, it’s about time. I have been thinking how long before I had …”
“Not today, Mother,” she cut in, her smile growing. She would not let her mood be ruined today. It turned out that Victoria had only wanted to tease, for she chuckled at Eleanor’s calm reprimand, causing everyone else to do the same.
“We are glad you decided to join us today, Eleanor.” It was Isabelle whose hair was flowing in a fiery flame behind her. Eleanor suddenly wished she had been bold enough to drop her bonnet. Then, it was no secret that only Isabelle got away with things like this.
“As glad as I am. I feel so much better, and I thought it would be a great thing to join my sister in preparations for her wedding.” She looked at Agnes who had a smile on her face that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She wondered if she had said something wrong, but the thoughts got squashed when Agnes suddenly winked at her, and said, “Now, you get to partake in the suffering that Mother has been making us go through.”
“Oh hush! Do not spill such nonsense from your lips. When you arrive at your wedding and behold its wonder, it will be nothing but gratitude that you will feel towards me, and do not think I will not make you bite your words. Now, come on, Eleanor, go on in. Time is no friend of ours, and we have a lot of shopping to do today.”
Obeying her mother’s voice, she offered her hand to Edward so that he could help her onto the carriage. As she sat, Rachel handed her parasol over to her, and she adjusted the moment it was in her hands. She was followed by Isabelle, then Agnes, and finally, her mother. As soon as the servants they were taking along with them filled the other carriage, her mother knocked against theirs three times, and they began to move.
As the horses rolled the wheels of the carriage and took them further to their destination, they settled into comfortable silence with only one or two remarks every now and then. She wondered which market they would go to for their shopping but decided to keep quiet. She would find out soon enough, and she did. As they passed Bond Street and began to near commotion, it was quite easy to guess that they were going to Burlington Arcade. That told her two things; one, they would be shopping for jewelleries, and two, she would not be needing her parasol.
They soon arrived, and they all came down from their respective carriages. She could not believe they were shopping for jewelleries when they already had enough to last them till at the very least, the end of the year, without repeat. As if read
ing her thoughts, Victoria spoke as they started for the shops which she patronised the most whenever they were in London.
“Indeed, we all have sufficient jewelleries, but I fear they may not be properly suited for a royal wedding.”
Eleanor was laughing before she could stop herself. Her mother was incredulous. A royal wedding? “Mother, we have a dukedom not a kingdom. We do not rule the whole of England, you know. We do not qualify as royals.”
“Nonsense!” came her mother’s sharp retort. “We are nobility, are we not? Then we are as good as royals. We may not be in any way related to the royal family, but we are what we are, and that is it. A man must perceive himself to be of great standing if he must be great.”
Eleanor said nothing, knowing that she would never win this argument. She knew without doubt that her mother would not agree with those thoughts if it were any person below her standing, saying so. She was only grateful that no one of implication had heard for her words could easily be interpreted as treason. The moment they stepped into the pavilion, those thoughts vanished away, her attention captured by the beautiful pieces on display in glass windows. Anyone who knew Eleanor would know that beyond books, her next love was jewellery. Not that she was one to wear so much of it, but she greatly admired it, just as she admired every piece of art.
Indeed, she had been right. This outing was a practical decision on her part. She was in high spirits already. Their entire entourage fit themselves into Hublort’s, and as soon as they stepped in, Victoria announced that they were free to feed their eyes and make their choices. Not needing any more permission, she wandered off, stopping to stare for long at any jewel that caught her attention. She continued to do so, oblivious of the fact that she was going far away from her crowd. As she took her third turn, she came face to face with a bracelet that stole her breath away.
She leaned in to take a closer look. It looked like it had been made with a gold band, but studded around it were pear-cut amethyst. It was so beautiful that it glittered in the light. Instantly, she was charmed. There was just something about the piece that drew her in. Until now, she had been content with feeding her eyes, but that had changed. She wanted to own this piece. Unconscious of her movement, she moved her hand to her wrist, and as she circled it, she began to imagine what it would look like on her bare wrist. The more she looked at the jewellery, the more she wanted it, and shortly, she made her decision to get it. As she righted herself on her feet, a voice sounded behind her, giving her a jolt.
“It’s a beautiful piece indeed.”
Her hand immediately flew to her heart which had threatened to fall off its position in her chest. Not that she had been scared, she had simply been startled. She had not known she had company, had felt no one behind her. Yet, that voice had sounded so close, and so familiar. Slowly, she turned around, and as her suspicions became confirmed, her eyes widened in panic, and she immediately began to sought escape exits.
The man smiled but kept his eyes on the jewel behind her. “It’s simplicity in its finest form. Elegant, exquisite, charming. It had caught my eyes too.”
What was he doing here? Was he stalking her? She almost slapped herself as that thought crossed her mind. His fiancée was here, of course, he was meeting her. This rendezvous might have been agreed upon without her knowledge. Why would she think he had been stalking her? What reason did he have to, after making his choice clear? Quite noble of him to have kissed her like that and propose to her sister, making her feel like a fool. And had he not wanted her to read books about pirates? Like he was any better. As these memories came back, anger did with them, and she chided herself for even thinking about running. How long would she continue to do that? If anyone had to run, it was him. Yet, here he was, trying to make small talk. Steeling her spine, she finally spoke.
“You could purchase it for the Duchess. I will have to advise against getting it for your fiancée for I am afraid she does not fancy amethysts.” She looked at him but avoided his gaze. She still could not trust herself to look into those eyes. Best that she did not, lest she lost her resolve again.
“Strange isn’t it? That neither of them came to mind as I happened upon it. The moment I laid my eyes upon its charm, only one person instantly came to mind. How much of a coincidence is it that my mind was right, seeing as she too has taken a liking to it.”
Eleanor drew in a sharp breath, and made a silly mistake before she could stop herself. She held his eyes and became frozen by the sincerity in them. Her breath seized as she suddenly began to feel warmer than she had been. How could this be? How did he always manage to do this to her?
“You shouldn’t say those words to me, My Lord. You are to be married to my sister. You chose her. Even after kissing me with no permission and no apologies.” She kept her voice as low as she could, aware that anyone may happen upon them, and these were words that should never be heard by another soul. His head dropped, and when he raised it, he looked torn, remorseful, and her heart almost went out to him. However, she caught herself just in time, this time around. He was always sincere, wasn’t he? His eyes said one thing, and his actions and words said another. She was done being a fool.
“You have every right to be cross with me, Eleanor, but believe me when I tell you that I am awfully sorry. My hands are tied. If I had a say in this matter, things would be the other way around; you must believe this.” He made a move to step closer to her, but she stopped him with a hand in the air.
“Stop. Do not come any closer. It matters not if you are sorry or if things could be different. They are not; this is what we have and what we must live with. You are promised to my sister. Whatever we shared must be forgotten, please, I beg of you. This is inappropriate and would lead to a scandal if discovered. I pray thee, from now onwards, stay away from me. I do not want to be with you alone. Ever.” As she finished, she congratulated herself for managing to keep her voice firm.
This time around, she walked away with her head held high. She easily found her family, and a short while later, Nicholas joined them. Apparently, his presence was only a mere coincidence, and no rendezvous had been previously planned. Still, it did not stop her from feeling out of sorts. She had lived a good life. She could not help wondering why someone had it out for her, for that was what it was. If not, why was it that every time she felt that her injury was finally beginning to close up, she had to run into him and return to the beginning? It was certainly unfair, and she feared she would lose her mind, for she knew, there was only a little more she could take.
Chapter 22
Nicholas knew he was breaching every unspoken rule in the book that no one had to write. It did not have to be announced that one did not go after the sister of his intended. It did not have to be shouted, that one did not entertain immoral thoughts about said sister. These were unspoken rules that no one in his sane mind dared break, yet, Nicholas had broken both rules, and then some more. He was insane; he wouldn’t argue with that. It was a fact, a proven one for that matter. If not, why else would he be hanging outside on this chilly evening, with his arse in the air for anyone to see, as he climbed up the window to Eleanor’s room?
He would lie that he had not given this a proper thought, but it would be just that – a lie, for he had given it deep, long, hard thoughts, and yet, he had decided to do it anyway. Oh if Benjamin could see him at this moment – his friend would have a good laugh, and the rest of his life would be too short a time to live it down. Yet, he cared very little about that. Ever since that day she bumped into him, that day when he had come to offer his proposal, getting over the betrayed look in her eyes had been an impossible feat. Not a half hour had passed since then that he had not thought of her. Not a single night’s sleep had been successful without those eyes haunting him. He was inclined to believe that Benjamin had been right, and they indeed had witch blood, for only a spell could explain this madness. But if that was so, how come Agnes did not bewitch him like she did?
A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 15