Chapter 19

"Should I have applied a little perfume?" Julia asked, smelling herself. "I didn't use any today because the soap was fragrant."

Eleanor leaned closer and sniffed her friend. "You smell divine as always," she said. "We also spent the day washing our hair yesterday, so that adds to our pleasing scent."

"Girls, sniffing each other is improper," Mrs. Huxley mildly chided.

"We do not do it in the presence of others, Mama," Julia assured. "We're not that uncouth, although we have done other things that you might not like, but if you really thought about it, you would find them amusing."

Mrs. Huxley paused in the hallway, bringing them to a stop. "Like what?" she asked, looking concerned. "What have you been up to?"

"Whistling at men until they turn around," said Julia, laughing. "I love their look of confusion as they try to find the source."

"But we pretend to not know where the sound is coming from and look around the area in confusion," Eleanor added, also chuckling. "We usually say it must be a bird."

"Or what about that one garden party where we helped that young gentleman gain more female admirers?" said Julia. "We stayed by his side for nearly an hour and made him feel marvelous."

"He was the one with the mole on his chin, wasn't he?" Eleanor asked. "The mole with three black hairs sticking out of it."

Julia nodded. "The very same. We later sang his praises to our companions, and they promptly surrounded him. He soon courted one of those women and fell in love. We attended his marriage last year."

"Albert Black!" Eleanor cried. "That's his name. He should have thanked us for getting him a wife. He might have still been alone today."

Eleanor always gravitated toward the downtrodden. When she first noticed Albert that day, he appeared so sad, standing alone while others were in groups playing Pall Mall. She and Julia promptly joined his team and complimented him within an inch of his life until his chest was so puffed up that he could barely see the ball. Eleanor saw it as a good deed that balanced their silly little pranks.

"I do not mind when you help others, but the whistling bit is unacceptable," said Mrs. Huxley. "Your father would wonder what I was teaching you."

"We have only told you because you're more open-minded, Mama," said Julia, hugging her mother's plump waist. "Just as you'll be more open-minded about the duke possibly coming to woo Eleanor. You will not interfere, will you? The duke is a lovely man. Frankly, I do not understand why Lord Egerton and Lady Brumley are against him. Many young women have married older men. Most are not as handsome, wealthy, or generously titled as the duke."

"I do not wish to interfere in a family matter," Mrs. Huxley began. "However, this is my home, and I can invite whomever I please. So, do what you feel is right, dear."

She took Eleanor's hands and gave her a wink, making her smile. It suddenly occurred to Eleanor that the butler had said the men were there to call on the young women—meaning her and Julia. That meant the duke had to know she was there and expected to see her. Her earlier fears and dread dissipated instantly and were replaced with anticipation and a smile.

"Thank you, Mrs. Huxley," said Eleanor.

Mrs. Huxley squeezed her hands and released them. "That is settled," she said. "We should go to our guests before they wonder if we're coming at all or if we're rude people who keep visitors waiting."

They all hurried toward the drawing room but paused outside and caught their breaths. Once composed, Mrs. Huxley led the way inside, and Eleanor immediately searched for the duke. Her heart leaped when she found him sitting near the large arched windows. He looked wonderfully handsome in his dark blue attire that complemented his deep blue eyes. The duke didn't notice them at first because he was talking to his brother, but Eleanor watched how he stilled before raising his eyes to meet hers. She felt a pull toward him as though he had tied a piece of string around her and was slowly pulling her in.

"Your Grace, Lord Richard," said Mrs. Huxley. "Welcome. It is a pleasure to have you here."

The men stood up and bowed before her despite having a higher rank. It made Mrs. Huxley giggle in response as she curtsied before them.

"Thank you for agreeing to see us, Mrs. Huxley," said Lord Richard. "We decided to take up residence at one of our estates nearby and discovered that Miss Huxley and Lady Eleanor were here. I told my brother that we must come and call on them."

"We're honored," Mrs. Huxley replied. "Please, sit, sit," she insisted before motioning to Eleanor and Julia to take the settee beside them.

Julia subtly pushed Eleanor closer to where the duke sat, making her stumble slightly. The duke quickly grabbed her hand and steadied her, but nothing could be done about the warmth of his palm touching her and shooting sparks through her arm and toward her heart.

"Are you steady?" he asked, sounding concerned. "Did you hurt your foot or ankle?"

Eleanor shook her head and pulled her tingling hand away. "I'm fine," she squeaked.

Julia emitted a little guffaw, which she quickly smothered with her hand and a cough. Eleanor shot her an unimpressed look as she lowered her body to the seat.

"How long have you been here?" Julia asked. "We usually hear of people staying in the area."

"We arrived a few days ago," Lord Richard replied. "We wanted to settle in before moving around the area. You are our first choice since coming here."

"How lovely to hear," said Mrs. Huxley. "I hope you'll stay long enough to enjoy some refreshments. The servants will bring a tea tray soon."

Lord Richard chuckled. "We hoped you would say that. My brother and I greatly enjoyed our interactions with Miss Huxley and Lady Eleanor. London is rather boring without them."

"Oh, well!" Mrs. Huxley exclaimed, thoroughly charmed and pleased. "How nice of you to say."

Eleanor stole a glance at the duke. He didn't talk as much as his brother, but she didn't mind. Whatever he said was meaningful and interesting, so his bouts of silence were not a problem.

"I do not recall putting those vases of flowers there," Mrs. Huxley commented, sounding confused.

Everyone turned to where she was looking just before the duke made a little noise. They looked at him as he stood up.

"I entirely forgot that we brought you bouquets," he said. "We had the florist purchase crystal vases in a simple style to place the flowers inside so you wouldn't have to worry about looking for one."

He approached the table, followed by his brother, who hurried past him to lift two vases.

"These are for Miss Huxley and Mrs. Huxley," said Lord Richard. "I felt pink would complement Miss Huxley's lovely complexion, and white was a classic color for an elegant woman like you, Mrs. Huxley."

The women blushed and graciously accepted their bouquets with much gratitude. The duke was the last to bring a multi-colored bouquet, and Eleanor immediately fell in love with it. They were precisely the kind of flowers she would purchase for herself. It was odd that he had somehow known this. Most men bought what they believed all women liked, but Eleanor always preferred wildflowers or many different flowers and colors.

"I personally chose these," he said. "I thought they matched your disposition best."

"These are beautiful, Your Grace," she replied, touched by his generosity. "I love them. Thank you."

She sniffed the blooms and found that some were delightfully fragrant. However, she had to admit he smelled the best. His perfume wasn't cloying but fresh with a hint of earthiness that complemented his manliness. Julia tended to prefer dandies, but Eleanor liked someone masculine and intelligent. The duke fitted that description well. She raised her eyes to his, finding him already looking at her and smiling, showing the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Her belly fluttered, and she quickly lowered her eyes again, burying her face in the blooms.

"Allow us to return them to the table," said Lord Richard. "They'll get in the way if we keep them with us."

The men took the bouquets, placed them on the table, and returned to their seats. The brief moment gave Eleanor time to calm down and compose herself. She didn't want to appear like a nervous little girl who couldn't handle attention from an older man.

A maid brought the tea tray and served everyone their tea before curtsying and hurrying away. Mrs. Huxley provided conversation about the weather, but Eleanor didn't pay close attention. She had never sat beside the duke before. Both their interactions occurred while standing, so this was a nice change.

"The seasons seem to change so quickly," Mrs. Huxley commented. "It was just spring, and now, it's summer. Before we know it, the hunting season will be upon us. I must admit I'm not fond of hunting. I have always loved animals, so I'm not comfortable hunting them for anything but food. We do not eat foxes, so it just seems cruel to kill them."

"Many farmers would say that the foxes attack and eat their chickens and such," the duke pointed out. "Quite a few tenants on my estate have complained about foxes. Culling them lessens a farmer's yearly loss. I disagree that killing them should be a sport, but foxes are rather cunning and have taken to sneaking into farms instead of sourcing food from forests."

"Wouldn't some people argue that people are taking over their habitat and leaving them desperate?" Eleanor asked. "People are turning more areas into farmlands, and the remaining forests are primarily owned by the royal family and other aristocrats. Not only do they hunt for sport, but they keep the less fortunate from hunting for food. Punishment is rather harsh for those caught hunting in these forests."

Eleanor grew silent when everyone merely stared at her. Mrs. Huxley and Julia were accustomed to her outspoken ways, so they didn't appear surprised. However, she might have said too much for their guests. She had been outspoken in the duke's presence before, but perhaps there was such a thing as too much of something. Every man had their limit.

"You are perfectly correct, Lady Eleanor," he finally said. "It's refreshing to hear someone share their opinion without the need to please others."

"Lady Eleanor has always been straightforward," said Mrs. Huxley. "I always value her opinion, whether about fashion or the world. I fancy artwork from the Orient quite a bit, and she was able to tell me the dynasty, what the painting was about, and how to incorporate everything into one of the parlors. She has a glorious eye for color and such."

"And if you wish to know about food and what wines and champagnes pair best with a meal, you can ask her," Julia added. "Eleanor's palate is the most sensitive I have ever known. Once, I didn't notice that the flavor of our plum jam had changed. Eleanor was adamant it wasn't all plum but likely another fruit added. We later found out the housekeeper added other fruit to the jam."

Eleanor blushed. It was like they wanted to reveal all her good traits in one sitting to impress the duke, but it was more embarrassing. She didn't want the duke to think she needed others to compliment her and make her seem extraordinary.

"I knew you were exemplary, Lady Eleanor," the duke said. "I just didn't know how talented and knowledgeable you are until now."

She smiled a little self-consciously. "Mrs. Huxley and Julia have exaggerated a little," she said.

It was odd how she was more comfortable with people criticizing her than receiving compliments. Somewhere along the way, while growing up, she must have altered her mindset. It was just like the human heart to readily accept bad moments and words over good ones.

"I doubt it's an exaggeration," the duke told her. "They are some of the people who know you best, so I imagine they know what they're talking about."

"I'm sure you would also have many marvelous things to say about Miss Huxley," said Lord Richard. "I am most interested to hear what you have to say about her."

"Oh, there isn't much to say," said Julia, chuckling as she blushed prettily. "You have likely seen all my traits worth mentioning."

"I sincerely doubt that, Miss Huxley," Lord Richard argued. He turned to Mrs. Huxley. "You have raised a wonderful daughter, madam. I have yet to meet another woman who comes close to her loveliness."

"Oh!" Mrs. Huxley exclaimed. "You are quite the charmer, Lord Richard. It seems I have done something right since my daughter has had two gentleman callers just a few days apart."

Eleanor knew she spoke of Grant, but the duke and Lord Richard appeared a little confused.

"While seeing Miss Huxley again has been a treat," the duke began, "I must point out that I have come to see Lady Eleanor."

Eleanor's eyes widened. She didn't expect him to be so forthcoming about his visit to the house. She couldn't help but feel pleased.

Mrs. Huxley laughed. "Oh, that much is evident, Your Grace," she said. "I was referring to Lord Egerton. He was here a few days ago to see my Julia."

"Indeed?" Lord Richard said, raising an eyebrow.

Eleanor jerked a little away when the duke unexpectedly leaned closer with a little smile. He obviously didn't know the effect he had on her.

"Our dear hostess should not have said that," he whispered. "My brother will now see Lord Egerton as competition and attempt to charm Miss Huxley so thoroughly that she'll never look at another man."

Eleanor grinned. "He can certainly try, but my brother is quite the Casanova. Lord Richard has a challenge on his hands."

The duke gave a little shrug. "I can only speak for my brother. I suggest you watch and see what he does."

Eleanor was confident of her brother's abilities, but as she observed Lord Richard, she had to admit he was rather good.

"Do you sing as well as you talk, Miss Huxley?" he asked Julia. "You have such a lovely voice that I can only imagine how lovely it must be to hear you sing."

"I think I have a passable voice, my lord," Julia said. "It's neither wonderful nor terrible, but I prefer not to sing for strangers."

Lord Richard placed a hand on his chest as though affronted. "Do you still consider me a stranger?" he said. "Because I feel I have known you for a long time. Do you not feel the same?"

"I'm afraid not, my lord," Julia said apologetically. "I'm afraid I never grow too familiar with men. My mother taught me well."

Lord Richard turned to Mrs. Huxley. "Is this true?"

She nodded. "A woman should only be familiar with the closest male members of her family and her husband. No other man."

"Then tell me how a man can become her husband," said Lord Richard. "I need all the help I can get."

Julia gasped, and Mrs. Huxley's mouth dropped open before she quickly recovered and chuckled. The duke glanced at Eleanor as though to say, "I told you so," earning himself a grin. He certainly did tell her so, but Grant carried his own charms. It was simply a situation of letting the best man win.