“And do mention the widows.” Lady Chelton set her hand on her friend’s shoulder.
“I do believe you just did. But I shall elaborate.”
Ellie listened intently, quick to add a tidbit here and there of what she had always done for the season.
It wasn’t until Lady Saunders glanced at the clock and jumped up that they all realized they’d conversed for far longer than appropriate.
“I do hope you’ll come again,” Ellie smiled at the ladies.
Lady Chelton smiled, which really made her very pretty. “We most definitely will.”
After they left, Ellie’s mood was much lighter than it had started. Still, she was determined to get to the truth of the matter regarding Dinah’s life at Hawthorne Park. As soon as she spoke to Mrs. Torbett, she planned to return to the nursery to see what more she could learn.
Chapter Fourteen
Darius opened theletter from his brother, anxious to read the response from Anthony. Skimming past the salutation and updates, he found what he sought. He sat down and read, relief filling him. As much as he hated to request a favor from his youngest brother, knowing he’d have to do something in return, he’d done so for Ellie. Now, he could tell her she could host her Twelfth Night ball.
He sat back, pleased that his brother would disguise himself as him for the masquerade. He’d criticized Anthony’s penchant for disguises for years and felt more than a little guilt for his personal judgments. Now, he was grateful that Anthony had ignored his censure.
Sitting forward again, he lifted the letter, intending to read it in its entirety, but his mind went to what costume to wear. He couldn’t dress as a Roman emperor or a Persian, as that would show too much of him. He could simply wear a domino, but the mask would need to cover his entire face. Anthony was a bit shorter and broader than him, so an animal costume like a bear would work best, but the idea of spending the entire night in such a costume if he was able to attend made him shudder. The domino with a full mask would work best, as the cape would hide Anthony’s frame and face, and if Darius was actually able to host with his wife, he wouldn’t be too uncomfortable.
Having made his decision, he moved his gaze back to the letter and read the full two pages. Anthony always did have much to say. He and Lissa were down in Kent and would be leaving soon, but had stops to make along the way. No exact date was given.
That did make him uncomfortable. He would have to write a letter explaining his costume in the event he could not be present. He would then bring Ellie into his confidence about the ruse so she could help Anthony pretend to be her husband and greet guests. He would simply tell her he had affairs that needed urgent attention, but didn’t want to ruin her ball.
He didn’t like the idea of Anthony posing as him, but it would make Ellie happy to host the ball, and so he would accept the consequences. Even as he thought of her as he’d last seen her, in her bed riding him hard and screaming out her ecstasy, he grinned. He’d never known such an enthusiastic lover. She was anxious to learn all there was to know about the art of lovemaking, and he was very pleased to show her.
Footsteps just outside his study had him slipping his brother’s letter into the top desk drawer. He’d just closed it when the door opened and Ellie breezed in, Mrs. Torbett hurrying behind her as usual.
“Oh, Darius. I didn’t know you were in here. I just wanted to write a quick note, and your study was closest. We can go to the parlor.” She gave him a warm smile.
“Actually, you are just the person I wished to speak to. Then I would be pleased if you used my desk for your note.” He rose and held his hand out to his chair.
Ellie turned to Mrs. Torbett. “I shall write it up and have a footman deliver it to you.”
“Very good, my lady.” Mrs. Torbett gave a quick nod before scurrying out of the room.
He hadn’t realized until just that moment how perfect his housekeeper was for his wife, who also moved about the house quickly.
Ellie strode forward and stood just a bit closer than was normal for a conversation, laying her hand on his chest. “What is it you’d like to discuss?”
That she often touched him, and others, reminded him of his mother, as she did so as well. He had to admit it was a trait he enjoyed, and he wished he could be as comfortable doing so, especially with his children.
“I have decided that a Twelfth Night ball is exactly what we need to truly begin the New Year properly.”
“Oh, Darius!” She flung her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. It wasn’t a simple kiss of appreciation, either, as nothing was simple about Ellie. She thrust her tongue into his mouth and pressed her body against him.
He wrapped his arms around her, very pleased that his decision had made her so happy.
When her pelvis began to rock against his own, he felt himself grow hard. They had yet to make love in his study, or specifically on his desk. Even at the thought of her lying on her back, her skirts thrown up, her bountiful bosom unsecured, his body turned them in that direction.
“Mother! Mother! Peter needs you!”
He broke the kiss at the sound of Maggie’s voice. “It’s Maggie. She’s downstairs.” His daughter had never come downstairs alone.
Ellie pulled away from his arms and spun toward the door. “Maggie! We’re in the study!”
He almost covered his ears at her yell before he followed her out the door. They’d just reached the parlor when Maggie burst out, “There you are! You must come upstairs. Peter fell.”
