Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"Good evening, ladies," the younger one greeted. "I see we all had the same idea of getting something to drink."

"Us and dozens of other people," said Julia. "Hence the long line."

The man chuckled. "Yes, the line," he said. "May I introduce my brother and myself? I am Lord Richard Radford, and this is my brother, His Grace, the Duke of Devonshire. This is his first time in London after many years."

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," Julia replied. "I am Miss Julia Huxley, and this is Lady Eleanor Balfour."

She curtsied, prompting Eleanor to do the same. However, it didn't quite go as she hoped. The tight bodice and overly long hem on her dress made her appear more like a fumbling fawn than the graceful swan she expected. As always, Julia dipped beautifully and raised her head like a regal woman. Eleanor could only inwardly sigh and straighten to her full height. She looked away, waiting for her friend to absorb some attention from her admirers before they could leave. That could take anything from two minutes to ten, but they had a play to watch.

"It is a pleasure meeting two such beautiful women," the duke said.

Eleanor almost rolled her eyes. He should just say he was pleased to meet Julia, but being an Englishman, it would be too impolite. Eleanor hated pretense in every shape and form. She wanted people to say precisely what they were thinking, so she always knew where she stood with them.

"Lady Eleanor," the duke said. "I hope you do not mind, but I overheard your calculation. You said three minutes to get to the front, yes?"

Surprised by the question, she turned to him. "Yes, Your Grace."

"You were right," he said. "I took out my pocket watch and timed it. To be precise, it was three minutes and ten seconds, but you did allow for an extra minute for indecisive people."

"Oh, I didn't notice," she said. She was taken aback that he had kept track of the time. "Well then, you should get your beverages. Four people have walked ahead of you."

They likely thought the men were too busy talking to bother if they went ahead, and they were probably correct. Men tended to forget all else when talking to Julia. Eleanor wasn't jealous, but it was sometimes tedious, especially when she just wished to enjoy her friend's companionship.

"We don't mind," Lord Richard replied.

His focus was solely on Julia and was expected. However, his older brother was still looking at Eleanor. She was tempted to touch her face just in case she had something there, but Julia would have said something by now.

"My brother is right," the duke added, his dark blue gaze unwavering. "We do not mind."

Her heart released a mild flutter. No one had ever held her gaze this long and with interest in their eyes. Granted that she rarely paid anyone much attention, but these were certainly foreign waters for her. Eleanor didn't know how to react. An older, handsome, and distinguished man was looking at her—she didn't know how to respond. She glanced at Julia, who appeared at ease with Lord Richard's attention. Eleanor doubted anything could frazzle her friend.

"I take it that you often come here to watch plays, Lady Eleanor," the duke said, drawing her attention.

"I watch many plays, but not necessarily from here," she replied. "Erm, do you enjoy watching plays?"

It seemed the most logical thing to ask after he inquired about her frequency of play-watching. However, she sounded uncertain about her own questions, and Eleanor was confident he had noticed that.

"I enjoy plays," the duke replied. "This one, in particular, has been one of the best so far. It's also one of my favorite Shakespearean plays."

"Indeed? It's also one of my favorites," she revealed.

"Do you have a favorite character?" he asked.

Eleanor didn't respond. Instead, she looked around the duke's tall, broad frame when she spotted her brother. Perhaps he had grown tired of waiting for them to return and decided to come look for them. He hadn't seen them yet, but he probably wouldn't be impressed to find her talking to a man he didn't know. Grant wanted her to get married, but he was also incredibly protective and refused to let a man near her unless he accepted the man's presence around her.

"Is something the matter, Lady Eleanor?" the duke asked.

"My brother is looking for us," she explained, briefly glancing at him.

Grant's eyes finally fell on her. They narrowed as they looked from her to Julia and finally the men. His eyes widened. Eleanor inwardly groaned and hoped her brother wouldn't read too much into the situation. He wasted no time striding toward them with a look of determination etched across his face. She was obviously unharmed, and Grant knew her well enough to trust she wouldn't do anything foolish.

"Has he seen you?" the duke asked.

Eleanor nodded. "He is on his way."

"Good," the duke replied. "I'd like to meet him."

"Hmm?" she said, earning her an amused smile.

She sounded like an idiot, but she couldn't help it. The duke wanted to meet her brother despite not knowing her at all, or perhaps he simply liked meeting new people. Somehow, she doubted the latter option. Eleanor might not be well versed in social situations, but she was almost certain the duke wanted to meet her brother because of her. It was odd, and Eleanor didn't know what to make of it.

"Where is he?" the duke asked as he turned around.

She didn't need to say a word because Grant reached them and took a protective stance beside Eleanor.

"Grant," she said. "I didn't know you needed refreshment. We would have brought some to you. Eventually."

"Hmm," Grant replied. "I see why getting refreshments took you and Miss Huxley so long."

"Erm, this is the Duke of Devonshire and his brother, Lord Richard Radford," she told him. "They were behind us in line."

"And yet they have no drinks in their hands," said Grant. "Your Grace, Lord Richard, I am Lord Egerton—Lady Eleanor's brother."

The duke offered his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Egerton," he said.

Grant shook it once and released it, his eyes shifting to Lord Richard, who was too busy staring at Julia to notice the attention moving to him. Her brother's body stiffened. He had been annoyed to see her chatting with men, but now, he was angry. That was unlike him.

Lord Richard seemed to feel Grant's gaze because he finally turned to him. "So, Lord Egerton, is it?" he said, giving his hand. "Good to meet you."

Grant hesitated enough to raise his eyebrows but eventually took Lord Richard's hand. "And you," he said stiffly.

He let go of Lord Richard's hand quickly and very briefly looked at Julia as though he wasn't pleased with her. Julia pulled her head back slightly and turned to Eleanor in question. Eleanor shifted her eyebrows up and down to show she also didn't know what was wrong with him.

"Allow me to get you a drink, Lord Egerton," the duke said. "I insist."

Grant couldn't refuse that. "Thank you," he said.

"Richard, get your own drink," the duke added.

Lord Richard rolled his eyes. "That isn't very brotherly of you," he complained. "You could just as easily get one for me."

"I think I have served my younger brother long enough," the duke replied. "Perhaps I should send you instead. What do you think, Lord Egerton? You're also an older brother unless your sister looks amazingly young for her age."

A hint of a smile played about Grant's lips. "I think the rules differ for older brothers and their younger sisters. However, younger brothers are definitely servants to their older siblings."

"I like you, Lord Egerton," the duke replied, chuckling. "Well, Richard, a drink for Lord Egerton and myself?"

Lord Richard pursed his lips. "I see I'm outnumbered," he said. "I could argue that I'm a grown man. Thus the rule doesn't apply to me, but I wouldn't want to bicker before such beautiful women."

Eleanor looked away and scoffed. People still insisted on referring to her just because Julia was beside her. She doubted they would have done the same if she was alone.

"Is something wrong, Eleanor?" Grant asked.

Eleanor turned to her brother to find everyone looking at her. She shifted uncomfortably. She hated being the center of attention, especially around people she barely knew.

"No," she replied. "Why would anything be wrong?"

"You made a little, erm, noise," Grant pointed out.

Eleanor's cheeks colored. She didn't realize she had scoffed that loudly. "No, nothing is wrong."

"On that note, I shall get those drinks," said Richard, thankfully taking the attention off her. "Anything in particular, Lord Egerton?"

"A champagne is fine—thank you," Grant replied. "I will be but a moment."

"You didn't ask me," the duke said.

Richard laughed. "I know you well enough."

He walked around them and joined the now short line for refreshments. There were only four people ahead of him. Eleanor hadn't noticed, but she wasn't surprised. Between interacting with two men and wondering about her brother's odd behavior, there wasn't much space left in her mind to watch her surroundings.

"You must be in London for the Season, Your Grace," Grant said. "I often come here, but I have not noticed you. There are not many dukes in England."

"This is my first time in London in years," he revealed. "So far, I'm pleased with my stay."

The duke looked at Eleanor as he said that. He did that a lot. He had another prettier woman to look at but primarily focused on Eleanor.

"Your champagne, Lord Egerton," said Lord Richard, appearing with three glasses between his hands.

Grant thanked him, taking the middle glass before looking away rather dismissively. He had just made it rather evident that he wasn't keen on Lord Richard, which was strange since the men didn't know each other. Grant was the friendly sort—he didn't dislike people almost immediately upon meeting them. One would think they already knew each other, but they had already established the opposite.

"Your champagne must be warm now, Lady Eleanor," the duke commented. "Shall I get you another one?"

Eleanor looked down at her drink. It was considerably warmer than moments ago, but he had just asked her instead of Julia. He had also just sent his brother to get his drink, but now he had offered to get her a new drink. She glanced at Julia, wondering if she had somehow become less attractive. No, she was still gorgeous and currently the center of Grant and Lord Richard's attention. They were talking about an upcoming ball and that they knew the host.

"Lady Eleanor?"

Eleanor snapped her attention back to him. "No, I'm fine, Your Grace."

He smiled, causing his eyes to wrinkle at the edges. "Are you just saying that because you do not wish to be bothersome? It would be no bother at all to get you another."

"Oh, I suppose I wouldn't mind a cooler one," she said.

His grin widened as he took her glass. "I won't be a minute."

Eleanor found herself turning to look at him as he walked away. He had a lovely physique that heavily hinted at an active lifestyle. No one could have shoulders that wide and a waist that narrow without some effort. The duke looked better than men younger than him, and Eleanor quite liked the gray running through his dark hair. It suited him well. His subtle charm was undoubtedly what flustered her the most. The duke wasn't outwardly flirtatious, but the way he looked at her intently, kept his attention on her with ease, and smiled with his eyes...it was difficult not to respond to that.

Shaking her head, she looked away and scolded herself for paying any man too much attention. It was just a matter of time before the duke shifted his attention. Perhaps he was merely using her to get closer to Julia. It wouldn't be the first time it had happened. However, he would have some competition because Julia had two men vying for her attention.

"I take it daisies are your favorite flower, Miss Huxley," Lord Richard remarked. "It's all over your reticule and the comb in your hair."

"Lilies," Grant corrected. "Miss Huxley prefers lilies."

"Lilies?" Richard replied. "Pretty and elegant, just like you are."

Julia chuckled while Grant scowled. Richard was obviously interested in Julia, but Grant's annoyance with him didn't make sense. It was also strange for Grant to almost ignore Eleanor and solely focus on Julia.

"Your champagne, Lady Eleanor," the duke said moments later.

She jumped slightly, not expecting his sudden appearance. "Thank you, Your Grace," she replied, taking her beverage from him. "You're too kind."

She sipped the effervescent concoction, enjoying how the bubbles tickled her nose. Smiling, she wriggled her nose and looked up to find the duke staring. He was still looking at her.

"What do you think of the play thus far?" the duke asked.

Eleanor heard her brother groan. She looked at him and scowled in response. He had undoubtedly heard the duke's question and felt she was going to give her usual in-depth summary of the play.

"I think the play is one of the best productions I have seen in a long time," she replied, turning back to the duke. "Someone clearly knows how to create a setting that puts one in the story. I particularly like how lush the Athenian forest appeared. They also chose the perfect actors for their roles. I disliked who I should have hated and felt sorry for the couples. Oberon is rather manipulative, isn't he? Not to mention Hermia's father agreeing to the duke's ultimatum for his own daughter. Death or the convent merely because she refuses to marry someone?"

"I agree," the duke replied. "It was rather harsh and not fatherly at all."

"Precisely!" Eleanor cried. "Everything was caused by people trying to control others—the duke and his subjects, a father with his daughter, and Oberon with his wife. Puck was just mischievous and wanted to cause trouble. Why turn someone's head into an ass?"

"Why indeed," the duke said.

Feeling encouraged, Eleanor continued with her opinion and offered a slightly more constructed overview of the play. The duke remained interested, nodding along and throwing in comments here and there to show he was listening.

"There is still more to see, so I wouldn't want to spoil the rest for you," she finished.

Grant chuckled. "What my sister means to say is that she enjoyed the play," he said.

Eleanor pursed her lips. She knew she could be rather long-winded with her explanations, but the duke had asked for her opinion.

"I know what Lady Eleanor meant, Lord Egerton," the duke replied. "I appreciate her thorough explanation. I asked a question, and she answered it perfectly. I couldn't have asked for more."

Eleanor grinned—she couldn't help it. The duke said he had appreciated her explanation—no one had ever said that before. And it looked like he meant it. That made her feel all warm and giggly on the inside. She looked away and pretended to adjust her hair as she worked to control her foolish smile. She couldn't do it.

"If my brother said it, he meant it," Lord Richard piped in. "He's a highly educated man who graduated from Oxford, unlike the other men who go to university and do not take anything seriously. He is currently writing his own literary masterpiece."

"There's no need to talk about all that," Nathaniel said, rubbing the back of his neck.

It was rather sweet that he seemed embarrassed about everyone knowing he was a brilliant man.

"Why not?" said Lord Richard. "A man has every right to be proud of his brother's accomplishments."

The duke just shook his head. He didn't like being praised, which was bizarre for a man in his position. Men with status, money, and a title often believed they were superior to others, but the duke appeared humble. Eleanor was decidedly intrigued. She wanted to ask what he was writing about, but the bell sounded for everyone to return to their seats for the second half of the play.

"We should return to our box," said Grant. "Gentlemen, it was a pleasure meeting you. Please enjoy the rest of the play. Ladies?"

Eleanor reluctantly walked away, casting one last look at the duke. Her breath hitched. He was still looking at her. She quickly looked away and continued walking, although the temptation to look again was almost more than she could bear.

Eleanor barely paid attention to the rest of the play. Her thoughts kept drifting to the duke. He had been so different from anyone she had ever met. Perhaps the play had not been the only good thing about leaving the house.