by Fanny Finch
“Oh dear. It has been a long while since I enjoyed such wonderful conversation with another woman. You see…”
The woman hesitated for a moment before she went on decisively.
“My father was a duke. After he died, my elder brother took over his title. Alas, because my husband bears no title, the women of the ton refuse to associate with me. Apparently, I am not qualified to be included in their circles anymore.”
It sounded just like society to discriminate against a woman for such things as their marriage status, the status of her husband and the death of her husband.
“Well, I was accused of sending my husband off to his death and avoided like a plague,” Eleanor said bitterly.
She went on. “I do understand, to an extent, what you have had to suffer. I wonder how these women reason many a time.”
They finally reached the bench and took their seats.
“I would blame society for teaching some people that they are superior, simply because of the things they own, that another lacks,” the woman said.
“Certainly. But one must learn to separate themselves from society and work on becoming a better human. To unlearn and relearn, that cannot be so difficult to do, can it?”
“No, it is not. But the feeling of superiority feeds their egos, and hinders them from coming to terms with the truth.”
The woman settled on the bench. “The truth that deep down, they feel lesser. Hence, the need to put people down, to bring themselves up.”
Eleanor decided in that instant that she liked this woman. She was sensible, kind, and clearly unlike the women of the ton.
“I could not have put it in a better way, Mrs. Wentworth.”
“Oh please, call me Rachel. We are friends now, are we not? Though I am yet to know your name.”
“Eleanor. Eleanor Ashford.”
“A lovely name for a lovely woman. Are there any titles I should know of?”
Her eyes twinkled in easiness as she asked, causing Eleanor to smile, making it impossible for her to deny.
“I happen to be the Countess of Grenshire. My husband was Earl. Since we had no children, his cousin is his heir.”
She sighed. “However, George is only a boy of ten summers and his mother wishes that I remain as countess, until he is old enough to manage Grenshire’s affairs as its new earl.”
Again, as she finished, she wondered why she had divulged so much to this woman.
Rachel simply nodded, taking in all her words. There was a brief pause as the moment lingered. Finally, she broke the silence.
“I can tell that he loved you greatly, and he was a man who did not slack in his affairs. There was no way he could have known he would go so soon, yet, he had given you as much protection as he could in the time that he had.”
Eleanor knew no man would ever be able to love her as wholly and purely as Benjamin had loved her.
They would have had many happy years together, but fate had decided to be cruel to her.
How could she ever consider giving her heart to another, when she was certain fate was simply waiting with a smile on its face, for the ripe time to snatch that happiness away from her once more?
“Eleanor?”
She startled out of her thoughts to find Rachel peering at her, concern written all over her features. Apparently, she had become lost in her own world again.
“I apologize, Rachel. I have a habit of getting lost in my thoughts. Too many voices in there. When I make the mistake of listening in, I find that I cannot bring myself to stop.”
“There is nothing to apologize for, Eleanor. We all have one thing or the other that worries us. For some there are more, for others there are less.”
She smiled. “You should meet my brother. He gets lost often and always needs someone to bring him back. I cannot fault him. His shoulders are laden with many responsibilities.”
“As the shoulders of a ruler often are.”
“Indeed. As they often are. I forget you too are a ruler. Quite admirable.
Rachel’s eyes suddenly lit up, her lips curving in a smile.
“Oh! See who has come to take us home. My dearest brother. You shall get to meet him, I am glad. I have no doubt my husband has requested this favour from him.”
She turned towards Eleanor. “Did I tell you they are the best of friends? Sometimes I wonder how different my life would have been if my brother had not made such a great choice for a friend.”
Eleanor gave into her curiosity and turned to look at the brother whom she had heard so many wonderful things about.
She narrowed her eyes as she searched the crowd. Then, she saw him.
The man from the market.
He walked like he had walked that day. Strides purposeful, his shoulders tall, his head proud. He continued to draw closer, and Eleanor realized that he was indeed walking in their direction.
He finally came to a stop in front of them, and as Rachel rose to greet him, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place.
This was the duke, Rachel’s brother and those eyes…
Now she knew why they had seemed familiar that night at the ball. He was the gentleman behind the mask.
Chapter 12
“Brother! You look so happy to be here!”
No, he didn’t, and Rachel knew that without a doubt. His face was set in hard lines as though he would rather be anywhere else but there.
However, as soon as Rachel said those words, his lips curved into that peculiar smile.
Indeed, the gentleman at the market, at the ball and Rachel’s brother were one and the same person.
This was truly surprising. Eleanor’s eyes widened in wonder. Who would have thought?
“Where are my niece and nephew?” he asked, his cool baritone voice carrying through the air. It washed over Eleanor like cool waves of water.
Rachel stepped aside to afford him view of Brighton and Louisa where they were, playing with the other children.
As soon as he saw them, his eyes lit up and his smile grew wider. He called their names.
Immediately, the children’s ears perked up and they turned to see him. Their delight was incomparable. Almost instantly, they abandoned their game and shot up. Then, they were running into his arms.
“Be careful not to soil your uncle’s clothes with your dirty hands,” Rachel cried but it was too late. They already had those hands wrapped around his neck. The duke himself, seemed not the least bit bothered.
He looked quite joyous to have his sister’s children in his arms, holding on to him as though he was the most important thing in the world.
They must have said something funny, for he gave into hearty laughter, throwing his head back as the beautiful sound left him.
It was so lovely to the ears, that it stunned Eleanor. The greatest musician would probably be overcome with envy if he heard the melody that one man gave in the name of laughter.
He recovered soon enough and Eleanor felt a sense of loss, as though she missed hearing and watching him laugh.
He said something to the kids which they nodded eagerly to. Then, he lowered to drop them on their feet.
As he rose, she could spot marks of dirt on his coat, his collar and his cravat, but he did not seem to care.
This warmed her heart. After that day at the market, it was easy to see that the duke had a soft heart for children. It said more about the man he was.
It was in that moment that Rachel finally decided to make the introductions. Hooking her arm around her brother’s, she drew him closer to where Eleanor was.
“Come, brother. I made a new friend today. She is such a delight. I would like for you to meet her.”
It was when they came to a stop that the duke finally looked at her, really looked at her.
She saw the look in his eyes go from curiosity to recognition and, finally, amusement.
Eleanor rose then, aware that it would be better to meet this man formally, on her feet. She saw the question in his eyes, and she re
sponded with a nod. Again, they had made silent communication.
Eleanor did not know what to make of it, but it made her stomach flutter. Surely, he knew now that she was the woman at the ball.
She wondered if he had been aware of this, at the ball, or if he had simply been as clueless as she had been.
Rachel, oblivious of what was happening, spoke again. “Brother, this is Lady Eleanor Ashford, Countess of Grenshire. Eleanor, my brother. His Grace, the Duke of Finchester, Charles Duncan.”
Eleanor sunk into a curtsy, and as she rose, she spoke. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace. Your sister has filled my ears with praises of you.”
His brow rose just before he bowed slightly.
“I do believe the pleasure is mine, my lady. Further, I must beg you not to pay heed to my sister. She is known to be biased in her judgement where family is concerned.”
When he smiled, Eleanor could not keep herself from smiling in return.
“I do have cause to believe that your sister speaks honest words.”
“I would rather you judge my person for yourself, my lady. With no expectations, lest you be disappointed.”
“Modesty does not become you, Your Grace.”
He grinned at this.
“I was right after all. Very little passes you by. It truly is nice to meet you again, my lady. It is also nice to finally learn your name, and see your face, Lady Grenshire, Countess of Grenshire.”
Those eyes spoke of something more, she knew this. And the way those words had been said, they made her body hum.
A heat suddenly began to make way from her insides, up her throat, until it crept steadily to her cheeks.
“As it is nice to finally learn yours, Lord Finchester.”
Rachel looked back and forth, confused.
“You two have met before?” she asked. It was Charles who answered, his eyes not leaving Eleanor’s.
“I do believe we have. Twice, in fact. Sadly, I was not able to learn the lady’s name both times. The first, she had had on a widow’s veil and the second, an angel’s mask.”
Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise as she turned to look at Eleanor for confirmation. Eleanor broke her eye contact with Charles to look at her.
“I had fancied wearing my mourning clothes when I first returned to London. I have now abandoned them.”
“As well you should,” Rachel said, as though she found the thought of her still wearing her widow’s clothes ridiculous.
“It has been three years, my lady. I hope you do not consider this too forward of me, but you are no longer obligated to wear that dreary robe.”
Eleanor smiled, willing herself not to feel mortified. She knew it was not Rachel’s intention to embarrass her. Those words had been spoken from a place of genuine concern.
“I am aware of that, Madam. And no, I do not think it too forward of you. They are in the past now. I have ordered to be rid of them.”
“Good. Yours is too lovely a face to be kept hidden. So, you and my brother have met. What a world. Now, I see what you mean by sometimes it does seem too small a world. Who would have thought?”
Indeed, who would have?
Again, Rachel spoke, apparently not needing a response. “I shall prepare the children to leave. I know that you have come to take me home, dear brother.”
“Thomas is occupied with an urgent matter. He sends his apologies.”
She waved it away with her hand. “As always. It is alright. I shall get the children.”
She turned away then, to do just that, leaving Eleanor and Charles relatively alone.
The air suddenly grew tense with a startling awareness. Eleanor fought hard to ignore it.
“I see you have made fast friends with my sister,” he began.
“She is a wonderful soul. Her company is the best I have had in a while with an absolute stranger.”
“She often affects people in that manner. She is truly a happy soul.”
“Yes, she is.”
“Are you here with your brother?”
“Yes. I thought it would be a good day to spend in the park, enjoy the sun and fresh air. I also thought the outing would be nice for Olivia.”
He raised his brow in question and she answered. “The girl from the market.”
“Oh. True! That reminds me… how does she fare?”
“Very well. You may see for yourself.”
She easily found Olivia in the crowd and pointed at her. “There, the girl in the peach dress, holding the flowers in her hands.”
He followed her hand and when he found her, his eyes widened in pleasant surprise.
“How remarkable this is! I would never be able to recognize her on my own. Goodness, she looks so different, happy, fatter, and lovelier.”
He looked back at her, then. “You have done a wonderful job. I am happy to know that you kept to your word. You have a kind heart indeed.”
Her heart jumped and it slightly annoyed her. Why was her body always acting untoward every time this man was near?
“I only did what I reckoned to be right, my lord. You would have done the same.”
“Modesty does not become you either, my lady.”
His voice held a light tease, his eyes twinkled. She chuckled, aware that she would not win this.
Rachel joined them again.
“My apologies, that took longer than I had expected. We are ready to leave now.”
She turned to Eleanor and slightly bowed her head.
“I had a wonderful time with you, my lady. I look forward to meeting you again.”
“As do I,” Eleanor responded in all sincerity.
They said their goodbyes, but just as they turned to go, Charles stopped and looked at her.
“My sister was right yet again. Such beauty should not be kept hidden. Fare well, Lady Grenshire.”
Again, her heart jumped and her stomach churned. Before she could find the words to respond with, they were well on their way.
She watched them until they left in their coaches, all the while pondering once more what it was about this man that made him different from every other. That made him affect her so.
The more she remained in his presence, the stronger this affection grew.
This man… He awakened feelings in her that had been buried for far too long.
Chapter 13
After Charles had seen his sister safely home, he turned around his carriage and headed for the gentleman’s club.
He often went there for a friendly game of cards and a night of drinks with acquaintances. He arrived in no time and quickly spotted his circle of friends at their favourite table.
As they saw him approach, they began their greetings.
“All hail His Grace, the Duke of Finchester.”
As he reached them, he proceeded to take his seat. “Isn’t it too early to already be drunken with wine?” he teased as he settled in his seat.
“It is never too early to be merry, dear friend,” Lord James Wilson, Viscount of Verhampton, replied.
“Yes, hear hear, Lord Verhampton is right. It is never too early to be merry,” Lord Nathaniel Hanley, Earl of Westwell, agreed.
Ignoring them, Charles began to greet each man at the table. They were four in all. Thomas was absent.
“I take it Thomas was never here?”
“No, not tonight. He must have run home to his loving wife and children. Married lots,” Lord Burrough spoke, before bringing his cup to his lips for a gulp of his wine.
Everyone at the table laughed, Charles included.
Nothing kept Thomas away from his family for too long. Charles was happy that his best friend and sister had found such profound love in each other.
“From what I remember, I am the only unmarried man present here at this table.”
“The only lucky one too,” Lord Gregory Wiles, Marquess of Deighton, the last of the men spoke, finally joining in on the conversation.
One of the serving boys finally ca
me with Charles’s bottle of wine. He poured wine into his glass and took a drink before responding to his friends.
“Marriage is not that terrible, my friends. You all have beautiful wives who are besotted with you.”