Chapter 20

Conversation flowed for well over an hour before Mrs. Huxley had the idea to go riding. Eleanor was surprised because the older woman wasn't fond of horse riding, but she liked the idea.

"It's a lovely day outside," Mrs. Huxley explained. "We wouldn't want to waste it by sitting inside all day. Do you not agree, gentlemen?"

"Certainly, madam," the duke replied. "We have our own horses, so we need not bother you."

"Even if you didn't, we have more than enough horses here," Mrs. Huxley told him. "The stables are a bit of a communal place for horse owners in the area. My husband allows others to keep their horses with us because we have an outstanding stable hand who is something of a horse soothsayer. Their horses come here to be trained for a reasonable fee."

"They do not mind others riding their horses?" Lord Richard asked.

"Not at all," Mrs. Huxley answered. "We're all accomplished riders in my family, and I'm confident you are, too. They would rather have their horses taken out and ridden than kept in an enclosed space for much of the day."

The duke nodded. "That is understandable."

"Then, do you mind giving us a moment to change into suitable attire?" said Mrs. Huxley. "Please, continue to enjoy the refreshments."

The men stood up when they did, and Mrs. Huxley quickly ushered them out of the room.

"Which riding habit should I wear?" Julia asked.

"The lilac one," said Eleanor. "The color looks sublime on you."

"I agree, dear," Mrs. Huxley said. "I think I'll wear the dark blue with gold buttons. It makes me look majestic on a horse. What are you wearing, dear?" she asked Eleanor.

"My dark green riding habit with gold finishes," Eleanor told them.

"Ooh, that is a lovely choice," Julia agreed. "You look ravishing in green and gold. Shall we meet on the landing in twenty minutes or so? We should inspect each other before we join the men."

They all agreed and departed for their rooms. Ashley moved quickly, helping Eleanor remove her dress and change it for the green riding habit. She even managed to redo Eleanor's hair and replace the silver pins with gold ones.

"A little rouge for the cheeks, my lady?" Ashley asked.

Eleanor shook her head. "Riding will make my face pink soon enough. Would you peek outside the door and see if Julia and her mother are there yet?"

Ashley nodded and hurried to the door, partially stepping outside. "I see Mrs. Huxley, my lady. I do not see Miss Huxley yet."

"Thank you," said Eleanor. "Please make a perfume cloud. I want the one with the floral and citrus notes. It's a warm day, so anything too strong will give me a headache."

Rather than apply perfume directly to her skin, she sometimes preferred to walk into a cloud of perfume, so it fell on her hair and clothing. Ashley fiddled with the perfume bottles on the table until she found the right one and sprayed it into the air. Eleanor quickly walked into it, closed her eyes, and blocked her nose for a few seconds before running for a bit around the room to get rid of the excess and warm up whatever had landed on her skin. Finally, she did a twirl and looked expectantly at her lady's maid.

Ashley smiled. "You look radiant and lovely, my lady," she said. "The duke will be most impressed."

She didn't want the duke to think she had gone above and beyond for him, although she did want him to look at her and find her beautiful. His opinion mattered to her, which worried her. Eleanor tended to ignore what men said about her for her own peace of mind, but the duke was different. He affected her in ways she had never before experienced. Everything was very new with him, and she was caught between wanting to see where things could lead and pulling back because her brother and aunt would complain bitterly.

Eleanor looked down at herself. "It's not too much, is it?"

"Not for you," Ashley said. "You carry yourself well, my lady. Everything looks wonderful on you."

"Even a sack?"

Ashley nodded solemnly. "Even a sack. You need only let down your hair and smile. No one will even notice the sack."

"I doubt it, but thank you for the compliment," she said. "I shall return in an hour or more."

She left her room and joined Mrs. Huxley on the landing. Moments later, Julia appeared, and they went downstairs to meet the men. They found the duke and his brother standing and talking by the window. The brothers turned to them, their eyes falling on the woman they were interested in. Eleanor briefly noted Lord Richard's smiling gaze on Julia, but her attention was stolen by the look of sheer appreciation on the duke's face. Eleanor grew warm and tucked her hair behind her ears. Her hand trembled slightly, so she quickly put it down and hid them both behind her back. She wasn't really someone who grew nervous, not in many years, so this was a tad overwhelming. Someone needed to say or do something so she could breathe.

"Undeniably stunning," said Lord Richard. "What do you say, brother?"

"Spectacular," the duke replied, not taking his eyes off Eleanor.

"Thank you, gentlemen," said Mrs. Huxley. "Shall we head out? The horses should be ready."

Eleanor realized that Mrs. Huxley must have sent a servant to the stables at some point. She was always ahead of everything. Everyone left through the backdoor and discussed what path to take. The unanimous decision was the one that led around the nearby church and forest. It was the most scenic and clear path around the area. Eleanor settled astride the horse while Julia, always the perfect lady, sat sidesaddle. Lord Richard and the duke did give her a second glance, but they didn't seem to mind. She smiled. These were men worth knowing.

"Do not mind me back here," Mrs. Huxley said. "I prefer to ride slower and enjoy nature."

Eleanor and the duke pulled ahead of the others, but not so far that they lost sight of the others. She preferred to be in front to maintain an unobstructed view before her, and she could only guess that he wished to keep her pace for conversation. He had come to see her, after all.

"I've never been around this side of the area," he commented. "It's prettier."

"It is, isn't it? There's more color. I think Mrs. Huxley drops wildflower seeds whenever she comes this way. There are flowers everywhere."

"I see that," said the duke, looking around. "I think I'll come by more often when I'm in the area. Do you plan to stay here much longer?"

Eleanor sighed inwardly. She couldn't, not without displeasing her brother. "No," she said. "I will probably leave in a few days. I have been here for quite a while—several weeks."

"Yes, I realized that when I no longer saw you at social events," the duke told her. "At first, I assumed you were not invited to them or chose to refuse the invitation. My brother later informed me you were here with Miss Huxley."

He had looked for her! Eleanor subtly glanced at him and wondered if he had come to the area because she was there or if he had always intended to do so. If his trip was inspired by her, then...well, it was a nice thought. It meant he was serious about her. A man didn't go to this much trouble without a reason. Men were goal-oriented—that was what Mrs. Huxley often said. They didn't do things without having a desired end in mind.

"Do you plan to return to London soon?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied. "Likely when you do. Will Miss Huxley accompany you? My brother would be disappointed if she didn't."

"We haven't discussed it, but she might return with me," said Eleanor. "Julia likes London. She finds it exciting. So even if her parents choose to stay behind, she'll likely go ahead."

"You and Miss Huxley have been friends for many years," the duke said. "One can see it by the visible close bond you share."

Eleanor looked behind her and smiled at her friend. Julia was deep in conversation about whatever she and Lord Richard were talking about.

"We have been friends for over a decade," Eleanor revealed. "I didn't think we could become good friends at first. We were far too different and still are. Some people often say that opposites attract, but if you're opposite in every way, how do you intend to find things in common? What would you speak about? The friendship will grow dull quickly. Fortunately, we were able to find common ground and grow our friendship."

She sincerely loved Julia like a sister and only wanted what was best for her. Whether that was Grant or Lord Richard remained to be seen. Eleanor didn't know whether her friend was fortunate or unfortunate for having two men pursuing her. It had to be a little stressful, especially when she would have to refuse one of them.

"It's easier when you have much in common," the duke agreed. "Do you think my brother and Miss Huxley have anything in common?"

"I do not know your brother well, but they seem to get along well," Eleanor replied. "That is always a good start. Lord Richard is also effortlessly charming, which is always a good trait to have."

"Miss Huxley does appear receptive to his advances, but I noticed she isn't encouraging them," the duke said. "Is that normal? Forgive me if my question is too probing. I know my brother will ask for my opinion later, and who better to provide answers than you?"

He made two good points there. Julia was receptive, and Eleanor would know what was typical for her friend. She just didn't know if she should reveal the reason for Julia's lack of enthusiasm. The duke already knew his brother had competition, but he didn't know that Julia's heart might have already turned toward Grant.

"There is no need to answer if you feel uncomfortable," the duke insisted.

"I do not feel uncomfortable at all," she assured him. "I'm just wondering how truthful I should be."

"As truthful as possible," he said.

Eleanor gnawed on her lower lip for a moment. "Well, I think Julia is infatuated with my brother. I have never seen her show this much attention to any man. Lord Richard probably doesn't stand a chance, but I do not wish to dash his hopes just yet."

The duke sighed. "I was a little afraid of that. I'm confident of his ability to charm women, but it's a different matter if her heart already belongs to someone else."

"I am not confident about that yet," said Eleanor. "They need to spend more time together."

"Still, I should probably prepare my brother for possible disappointment," said the duke. "Perhaps at dinner this evening. The sooner, the better. Mind you, that might encourage him to try harder. He is not one to quit merely because the odds are against him."

"That is an admirable quality to have," she said.

She wanted to ask if he had it and, if he did, if he would be willing to come against her family for the chance to court her openly. The more time she spent with him, the more she liked what she learned about him. A sigh escaped her before she could stop it.

"Is something wrong?" the duke asked.

Yes, something was wrong, but she wasn't prepared to tell him about it just yet. Not until she was certain of his intentions.

"No," Eleanor lied. "There is nothing at all wrong."