Chapter Sixteen

L ord Rex, Duke of Smythington

I could tell Flynn was annoyed with me for asking Olivia to stay, but I desperately wanted her insight. My discussion with Eleanor in the breakfast room had been jarring. In hindsight, I hadn't handled it well. I had been so caught up in wanting to connect to the Ambassador, that I had pushed Eleanor and her needs aside in lieu of a strangers. It was no wonder she was unhappy with me.

Shame washed over me in waves. Like my youngest son, I had a bad habit of focusing on a specific task to the detriment of everything else. I didn't do it intentionally, but that was no excuse. She claimed she was happy, yet the chilliness in her countenance after our discussion belied that claim. While she had been a gracious hostess to the ambassador and his wife, she remained reserved around me.

"Eleanor is like many women who dedicate their lives to their husbands and children. Her life revolves around her family. She plans her schedule around your schedule and will cut an outing short to be home when you come home, except you rarely come home at a decent hour." Handing the cigar back to Flynn, Olivia spoke with passion. She had never been one to shy away from blunt words and lacked artifice. "It is disrespectful to her."

I was ashamed to say that I never considered it from that viewpoint. Perhaps I had been obtuse or simply hadn't wished to acknowledge it. "Forgive my ignorance, but this has been a recent thing with her, before she seemed content with the status quo."

" Seemed implies you assume and that you don't know for sure," Flynn said. He had been after me for ages to really talk to Eleanor. He had no problem communicating with my wife because they shared a love of music and dancing. What did Eleanor and I have in common other than our children?

"A perfect point to make, and I will go a step farther by pointing out the obvious. Your wife is in the ballroom while you have been in the card room all night." She turned her head to look at me, her eyebrows lifted. "If you want to get to the bottom of her dilemma, simply spend more time with her. Rediscover her, and for the love of God, don't try to fix her issues. She isn't a broken teacup. She's a woman with wants and desires. If you truly want to know what Eleanor's passions are, you need only listen to her music."

Every word Olivia spoke echoed Eleanor's explanation.

"She is very talented on the violin and the piano." I knew she liked to play, and she usually locked herself in the music room at night, the strains of her violin drifting throughout the house. She found great joy in playing. Like many ladies, she was well-versed in music, decorum, and had a fair hand at painting. I was very proud of her accomplishments.

"Did you know she once wanted to attend the National Training School of Music?" Olivia asked.

"It has long since closed so that's a moot point." Flynn frowned down at the orange tip of his cigar, the sweet smoke drifting on the breeze. He'd been introspective of late and often fell into long silences, which was unlike him. Flynn had an opinion on every subject and wasn't afraid of chiming in. I ran a hand to the back of my neck and rubbed the tight tendons. It seemed everyone was having a hard time of late.

"No, I didn't know that. She never told me." Instead, Eleanor accused me of being unable to understand. She hadn't truly tried. Or maybe I simply hadn't listened. My temples began to throb. Confronting Eleanor might appear on the surface to be a cut-and-dry endeavor, but I had to take care and not try to resolve her issues for her. That in itself would prove difficult. I was a man tasked with coming up with solutions to complex problems therefore not trying to resolve an issue was foreign to me.

"The National Training School of Music might have closed its doors, but the Kensington Music Conservatory still thrives." Olivia reached over, took my cigar from my fingers, and lifted it to her lips. The action looked natural to her. I wouldn't doubt it if she partook in tobacco quite often. She was a woman well ahead of her time. I admired her, but truth be told, I was a bit intimidated by her.

"The conservatory has guest musicians all the time. I would gladly pull some strings and get her a position." Flynn nodded at his own idea.

Like me, he had been thrust into a position requiring him to make quick decisions. Most in society assumed that others ran my estates and financial interests, and they did. However, I was aware of everything that went on in the duchy.

"That is a wonderful idea," I said. It was acceptable for women to work in charitable organizations, and they often had projects such as works for young women and children. My wife's love of music would make her an ideal candidate for something as auspicious as the conservatory board. "Can you do that forthwith?"

"That is a terrible idea." Olivia glared at Flynn once more, clearly exasperated. "I am about to tell you something in the strictest confidence."

I shared a curious glance with Flynn. Olivia often spoke in dramatic terms when she was about to impart some gossip.

"Eleanor went to open auditions at the conservatory and is waiting to find out if she will be accepted. She wanted to do it on her own merits. If you really want to support her, you will do nothing."

Stunned, I rolled the revelation around in my mind. Eleanor had auditioned for a spot at the conservatory and she hadn't said a word. Had we grown that far apart that she no longer felt the need to confide in me? "You do realize that will be torture?"

"Yes, I do, and I wouldn't have said anything had Flynn not assumed he needed to fix her problems to placate his own ego," Olivia said.

Flynn grunted at the insult. "Be that as it may, I believe the bylaws have limited the age for all students."

"You are on the board." Olivia stared up at him and tapped her nail on her chin. "Make them change the bylaws."

"I am one member out of ten. I don't have much influence over the conservatory," Flynn said.

"You're an earl. You have more influence than most." Olivia elbowed me, holding up the cigar. "As for Rex, I will finish this. You find your wife and dance with her. Spending time with her will do more to heal the rift between you than a dozen jewels."

Part of me wanted to encourage Flynn to do as Olivia suggested and use his influence to change the rules no matter what. Except Eleanor had indicated she wanted to succeed without my help. I was torn with no easy way out.

With a nod, I entered the house through the cardroom, a renewed determination to my step, and exited to the ballroom. It was a treat for the local gentry to be invited to Smythington House, and I was waylaid by many. My goal was my wife, who seemed to disappear every time I was close to catching up with her. Olivia's words still rang in my mind and while I was eager to talk to Eleanor, I was also peeved at her for not being open with me.

At last, I saw her on the edge of the dance floor, and I excused myself rather quickly from the parson. A portly gentleman was bowing to her, a new dance about to begin. I stepped in front of her just in time, breathless from my actions.

Eleanor narrowed her eyes at me, confusion in their depths. It was unusual for me to dance, as I preferred the quiet of the cardroom. People tended not to bother me while playing. The ballroom afforded me little privacy. Everyone wanted to be friends with me, not because of me personally, but because of my title.

"Beg pardon, old chap. Might I steal my wife away for a dance?"

"Of course, your grace," the man said, patting his sweating brow.

I slipped my hand into Eleanor's and went to the orchestra dais to request a waltz.

The conductor nodded, and the strains of the waltz began to play. I bowed to her. "Shall we?"

"Yes, please." With a nod, she placed her hand in mine and allowed me to slip my arm around her waist. She turned her face up, the animosity she wore of late gone. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Pretty words whirled around in my mind. I chose honesty instead. "I have been neglecting you shamefully, and I am sorry. I let Parliament take precedence over you and that is wrong. You are my wife. I love you."

Her features softened, eyes glistening with emotion. "I love you too."

The dance floor became more and more crowded with married couples. While younger people did dance, the waltz was still considered taboo in certain circles. It was my favorite dance, and she was my favorite dance partner. "I know you told me you don't want me to fix your problem, and I understand now."

Her jaw tightened a bit, and she looked over my shoulder before meeting my gaze once more. "I'm glad you finally came to that conclusion."

I could feel the flush rising to my cheeks, but I needed to be honest with her. "Olivia actually explained it very bluntly to Flynn and me."

"What exactly did she tell you?" Suspicion narrowed her eyes, and I had to tread carefully.

"That I needed to listen to you, so here I am, ready to listen." I wanted to encourage her and prayed she'd trust me with her innermost secrets. If I disclosed our entire conversation, then it would put her on the defensive.

"If I tell you something, I want your solemn vow you will listen and not try to influence the outcome."

"Let us go somewhere quiet and talk." I kept my expression serene and nodded, twirling her to the edge of the dance floor. Once on the sidelines, I kept my grip on her hand and exited through the servants' entrance. The music became muted, the utilitarian hallway dimly lit by a gas lamp. It was close quarters, and I pressed her against the wall, my lips finding the sensitive spot on her neck.

She draped her arms around my neck, her hips pressed into mine. "I thought we were about to talk?"

"I thought we were too." I lifted my head and met her sultry regard. I couldn't resist kissing her tempting mouth. She angled her head, pressing her lips tighter to mine.

Whispers sounded from behind us before someone cleared their throat.

I met her amused regard and, taking her hand, exited through a different door. My brain carried a fog of passion, and I was disoriented. "I am all turned around."

We landed in the hallway and moved to her personal sitting room across the hall.

Moonlight streamed inside, the strains of music from the ball serenading us. I drew her into my arms once more, pleased when she slipped her hands up my lapel and linked them behind my neck. We were standing next to the grand piano, and I lifted her onto the shiny surface. Our eyes locked as I pushed her skirts over her knees, the musky scent of her need drifting between us. My lips finding hers, I slid my hand between her legs. She dipped her tongue into my mouth in response, the need between us rising. Her curls were damp with her essence, and I swirled my finger over her inflamed nub. Tongues dueling, I continued my seduction, my cock swelling with need for her. I hadn't felt this much of a frantic desire to bed her since we first married.

She clutched at my shoulders, moaning deep in her throat. "I need you, Rex."

"Soon, but not quite yet." I wanted her to reach the zenith of pleasure before I sank into her tight heat. I pulled her bodice down with my free hand until her nipples popped out. My time with Flynn had opened my eyes to more than simple intercourse. Eleanor and I had been virgins on our wedding night, neither one knowing what we were missing until Flynn showed us.

Mouth parted, she licked her lips, her color high. I moved my fingers over her with more speed, pleased by the increased strength of her breath. Her fingers curled into my shoulders, tiny moans emanating from her throat. I spread kisses along her collarbone and trailed my mouth to her breasts. Her nipples were tight, and I swirled my tongue over the puckered flesh before I drew one into my mouth. She cried out, her legs jerking, chest pushed out. With a shudder, she dropped her head, panting.

Pleased to have brought her pleasure, I pulled her to the edge of the piano. Freeing my cock, I slid into her wet heat. She wrapped her legs around my waist, her mouth finding the underside of my chin. My hands gripping her hips, I pumped into her sheath. I wanted to lose myself and spunk, yet I refrained. I slipped my hand between us, teasing her nub once more. She gripped my hips tighter with her legs, our bodies moving in a frantic rhythm.

"Eleanor?" I asked on an airy laugh. "How are you faring?"

"Faster, please, I..." She gasped, her inner muscles tightening on my cock. "Oh my!"

I stared at her for a long moment, waiting for her quick breathing to calm. She had pretended to find fulfillment in the past, and I wanted her truly satisfied before I ended this encounter. "Did you reach gratification?"

She licked her lips, her irises retracted, and her pupils a velvety black. "Indeed, very gratified."

"You will tell me if you haven't, won't you?" I had to find out for my own peace of mind.

"Yes, I am well gratified." She cupped my jaw. "Very gratified. Let go, my love."

I angled my head and caught her mouth in a loving kiss as I allowed the sensations to wash over me. My hands gripping her bottom, the pleasure shot through me. So many years wasted, and I wanted to make up for them all.

Legs weak from standing, I slumped over her. Our gazes locked, her sultry grin inviting. She lay back on the piano, and I followed her lead. Contentment washed over me as I slid my elbows onto the surface of the instrument to hold my weight, my head dropping next to hers. The scent of sweet roses and earthy woman enveloped me as I tried to catch my breath.

"I think we need to have much more of these types of conversations." She threaded her fingers into my hair, playing with the strands.

I laughed at her quip, my love for her growing deeper daily. "Indeed. You said you wished to tell me something." Although I was certain I knew what she was about to disclose, I pretended ignorance. This was her story to tell.

A long moment passed, the music in the background lulling me into sleep. I resisted the urge. I stood upright and righted my clothing, handing my handkerchief to her to clean herself after our rousing play.

In a breathy voice, she said, "I auditioned for a spot at the Kensington Music Conservatory."

"You mentioned that the ladies' guild was supporting the organization." Hence, an explanation for the mysterious letter she had received the morning Anne told us Nigel was asking for her hand. I had been suspicious that she was having an affair with the waiter from the Stratham. My cheeks heated and not from our activity. What a jealous fool I had been. "Indeed, and what pray tell does that entail?"

"If I am accepted, I will be taking classes at the conservatory among other gifted musicians." Her entire face lit up, yet there was an underlying uncertainty in her smile.

"I've always known you were a very talented musician, and you enjoy playing. I never knew the extent of your passion. Why didn't you say anything?" I lifted my head and met her regard. She had laid down the ground rules about me assisting her, and I had to tread carefully lest I step on her proverbial toes.

She bit her lip before exhaling. "Because other things were more important."

I traced a finger over the frown lines between her eyes. While I had been blind to her frustration, in my defense, she hid it well. Or I simply wasn't home enough to notice. A common theme in my road to self-discovery. "Nothing is more important than your happiness."

A wavering smile tilted her mouth. Doubt still rested in her gaze. "Even though I applied, there is no guarantee I will get in. Flynn said they only accept young people. What if they don't want me?"

"To quote Olivia, Flynn is a prat." I caressed her soft cheek, my forehead coming to rest against hers. Several different answers popped into my head, but I kissed her instead. She wanted my support, and I would give it to her in any way I could. I could see that this meant the world to her, and I had to believe she'd succeed. Her happiness depended on it. "Then we will pass that hurdle when it comes."