“Indeed it is. The children wish for a small ceremony.”
“Small is relative when you’re a duke.” I didn’t envy Rex’s grander title. Mine had enough responsibility with it.
“There are certain expectations, even though we would like to keep it intimate. If we don’t invite the Queen, she will be most insulted. My only hope is she turns down the invitation.” Eleanor shrugged and reached for the glass of wine that sat on the nearby table and finished it off.
“Yes, that would definitely complicate things.” I walked over to her side, and taking her hand, I placed a kiss above the back of it. She blushed an appealing pink and fluttered her lashes. The sight stoked my ego before I could tamp it down. She was still attracted to me. If I did suggest a ménage, she might be more open to it.Mightbeing the operative word. “You are very resourceful, thus I have faith you will persevere.”
Our hands still linked, she widened her eyes, those striking irises turning a darker hue. Her gaze dropped to my mouth, her chest moving more rapidly. With a nervous laugh, she removed her hand. “Please have a seat. Would you care for a brandy?”
“Yes, thank you.” I settled into a comfortable wing-backed chair. Twisting my hip, I knocked over a book of poetry from the side table. The slender volume fell to the floor. I bent over and picked it up. A playbill from the Kensington Music Conservatory was acting as a bookmark, and I fingered the vellum.
“Here is your brandy.” Eleanor handed me a glass, her entire body going rigid. She stared at the piece of paper as if it would bite her before she seemed to catch herself. “I was considering attending one of the performances.”
Frowning, I took the glass, my hand brushing hers. “Beg pardon?”
“The playbill. It is from the conservatory. It is my understanding some of the world’s best musicians study there.” She perched on the edge of her seat, her figure rigid andunbending. Something had made her uncomfortable. “Of course you would know that since you are on the board.”
The uncharacteristic nervousness she showed made me mistrustful. Rex had mentioned she wasn’t herself of late. He suspected there might be another man in her life. I thought it was simpler than that. They needed to talk and not assume things about each other.
“I am.” I sipped at the brandy, welcoming the bite of the liquor on my throat. “Olivia is always after me to sponsor some cause or another. Since I like music, it seemed a worthy endeavor.”
Her smile faltered, and she pressed her lips together before seeming to rally herself. “I have heard the most talented get accepted and it is difficult to get an audition.”
“It is a very popular school for young talent.”
“Young talent?” she repeated with a brittle laugh, “of course.”
I cursed my insensitive remark. As a woman of a certain age, she might be sensitive about the subject. Although I wasn’t sure why. She was a vibrant woman with unlimited appeal. “None of them hold a candle to your skills with the violin.”
She tilted her head, skepticism marking her brow. Misgiving rested in her direct stare. “Is something amiss because you are acting out of character?”
“No, nothing is amiss. Can’t a gentleman simply compliment a lady without ulterior motives?” I asked.
Eleanor glanced at me with caution. “Yes, he can. However, it is not something you have done since...” She lowered her lashes before raising them again. “Since, well, since you were courting me.”
I offered a sheepish smile. “Then it was a grave mistake on my part.”
“Which part? Courting me or not complimenting me?”
“Both.” I was becoming more and more nervous under her scrutiny. My conversation with Rex continued to haunt me. I was convinced she could see right through me. She was the one woman who could turn me into knots without even trying.
“May I ask why you thought to offer me such a nice compliment after all these years?” A slight tremor in her hand gave away her discomfort with our conversation. Yet I sensed her line of questioning was leading somewhere.
Was Rex right? Was Eleanor either having an affair or considering an affair with me? I had been half in jest over the entire ménage conversation, which unfortunately turned serious. I was still peeved at him for his unfair characterization of me. “Are you offended?”
“No, I am flattered. Thank you.” Her gaze drifted down and settled on my mouth once again. She licked her lips before she seemed to catch herself. “You always had a charming way of turning a phrase.”
“Have you ever thought about how things would have been different if you had accepted my proposal?” I asked, unsure why I was torturing myself with such a banal question. The restlessness I had been experiencing made me reckless. My conversation with Rex had taken hold of my mind, and if I was smart, I would find an excuse to leave. I stayed rooted in my seat, my gaze drifting to where the thin silk of her white shirtwaist revealed the distinct outline of her nipples.
“When I made my decision, I was torn. It pains me to admit it, but my father thought you brought out the worst in me.” A small smile played over her lips, her lashes still hiding her eyes from view. “I disagreed.”
“Are you saying you might have picked me if it wasn’t for your father?” This was the first time I heard of this, and I was eager for her answer.
Panic brightened her eyes, and she shook her head. “Forget I said anything. If Rex found out, he would be hurt that it was my father and not me who ultimately chose him.”
“You have my word.” I took another sip, my thoughts racing. She hadn’t confirmed or denied my question. It was better all-around she hadn’t. The past was the past. Except the knowledge I might have been her first choice filled my chest with warmth.
“You are a good friend, and my father’s characterization of you was insulting.” She smoothed the skirt over her knees and played with the stem of her glass. “While he misjudged you, he was right about me. I, well, I went a little wild on that night, and not only betrayed Rex, but Mary as well. If you recall, you were supposed to meet her that night.”
