Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

E leanor settled into a routine with Phillip much quicker than she'd expected. Weeks passed without any intrusion from her father. She attended a few balls with her husband as the Season began to swing into full gear, and they entertained at their estate as the renovations were all finished.

This morning, Eleanor found Phillip in his study looking over the plans for the aviary and conservatory. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his broad back. "Looking over plans?"

"Would you like to help?" He sounded hesitant, but he put the offer out anyway.

She couldn't blame him for being uncertain. After all, she'd all but bitten his head off the last time he'd suggested she take part in planning the renovations for their home. "I know nothing about architectural plans, Phillip."

Phillip pulled out of her grasp and guided her to the table, wrapping an arm around her waist possessively. "Well, perhaps not, but I will explain what I am thinking, and you can offer your input. No knowledge of architecture is needed."

"Very well." She leaned into his side and stared down at the drawings he was working through. "Do you do drafting, Phillip?"

"It was one of the things I did in my first job. I apprenticed with an architect thinking I might someday wish to build houses. Instead, I went into finance."

"Oh. Did you enjoy it?"

"I did."

"Then why did you not persist? These look very well drawn."

He kissed her temple. "My father persuaded me that Finance and Shipping were more lucrative for a young man who was insistent upon making his own fortune and way in the world. Enough of the reminiscing, though. Here." He pulled the drawings closer to them. "I was thinking we might put in a greenhouse section to hide the hunting birds' roosts. It would give us the chance to plant things that might not grow here otherwise. What do you think?"

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. It would be very beautiful for walking in with visitors or together."

He smiled at her. "Indeed. I think I shall enjoy the second much more than the first, though… Oh! I have just remembered, I was going to find you earlier to tell you about an invite we have received."

"Another one?"

"We cannot very well turn it down. The King is throwing a masquerade ball for all of the nobility, and it would be an affront if we fail to attend."

Eleanor pursed her lips. "Yes, I suppose you are right. Well, despite His Majesty's idiosyncrasies, he has always thrown lovely balls."

"Indeed. I thought we might go to the market to look for a gown or a modiste to make you one, and while we are out, I thought we might also stop by the jeweler's to get you something specifically for this occasion."

Eleanor bit her lip and stared down at the plans, running her fingers over the dried lines of ink. "I hardly need another trinket or set of jewelry, Phillip. I am certain I already have something suitable."

He kissed her shoulder and leaned closer to murmur in her ear. "Nonetheless, my love, it would please me if you would wear something I had bought you."

"Then I shall wear the diamonds you bought me. They are lovely and will go with anything."

"Something we purchased together, then." He kissed his way up her neck to her temple. "Will you deny me that pleasure, Eleanor?"

Her breath hitched in her throat, and she found there was little she wanted to deny him at that moment. "The money…"

"With the debts paid, I am no longer counting every penny, and I still have a sizable income from my own companies. Are you afraid I cannot afford to keep you in style?"

She laughed. "No, I am not. Nor was I ever! I care little for being kept in high style, Phillip. In fact, I do not need diamonds and other pricey baubles."

"Then, what is it you need?" He turned her to face him and rested his large hands on her waist, his hazel eyes serious.

"I…" Heat coursed through her, and she looked away, unsure how to respond. "Love and affection, I suppose. Respect and freedom too."

"You have them all, dearest," Phillip murmured. "But gifts are one way I show my love and affection. Will you not allow me to shower you with both?"

"You promise that you will not unless we can afford it? Just because I grew up a duke's daughter does not mean I expect to be given the latest wardrobe, more jewels than I could possibly wear and every expensive trinket money can buy. I know the value of frugality in household management as well as in personal accouterments."

"I know that well. You have my promise that I will be equally wise, Eleanor. Trust me to watch over what is my duty to handle with care, my love. I wish for some societal expectations to be adhered to, and one of them is that I will not have my wife worrying about our finances when I am perfectly capable of that. If we ever are unable to afford something, you will know forthwith, my dear. Besides, this way, I can ensure you will be financially secure should anything ever happen to me. You will have more than enough jewels to make ends meet even if my successor is most unkind."

Eleanor smiled up at him. Even if she did have somewhat forward notions of what she should be allowed to do, she wouldn't object to his handling the finances in their marriage. After all, she had been raised to be a lady of a household, and while that entailed working with a budget and wisdom in spending, it did not entail keeping accounts and calculating the budget. That was a task she would gladly leave to Phillip. "Very well, then. When do you wish we go?"

"Why not go now? We can purchase something from one of the street carts hawking food. Perhaps fresh fruits or dried meats." Phillip beamed, excited by the idea. "Then, we shall stop by the modiste to see what he has for our selection. I sent him a few sketches and one of your old gowns to use for a pattern. Then, I thought we might see the jeweler next door."

He really was most at ease when he was with her, she realized. Thoe moments they shared in her father's library or elsewhere on his estate had been more true to who he was than what she had seen of him outside her father's house or during the first days of their marriage.

"I know of no other man who would be quite so excited about going out shopping with his wife," she joked. "But I am glad you are."

"Perhaps I merely like seeing my wife trying on the things I have chosen for her." Phillip pressed his nose to the crook of her neck with a smile. "I am but a man after all, Eleanor. What man would not feel some thrill at seeing his woman wearing the things he has bought her?"

Eleanor stifled a laugh and gave a mock huff of protest. "I thought you more refined and modern than that, Your Grace."

"On the surface, perhaps." He lifted his head and cast her a sly smile. "Beneath the surface, however, is an entirely different matter."

"Beneath the surface, there is much more than just a man bent on domineering over his wife." She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. "You are a complicated man, Phillip Lewis, for which I am very glad. I cannot imagine what would have become of me if my father had chosen another man to marry me off to."

Phillip's smile shifted to an expression of pain and regret. "If I had been a better man, I would have refused the deal your father made me."

Eleanor cupped his stubbled cheek in her hand. "Phillip, I am glad you were not a better man."

He stared down at her, his expression shifting to something inscrutable. "Do you mean it?"

"I do. At first, I hated you for what you had done, but now I understand that it was better you than another man. You understand me, while others never did. If I had to be wed, I would have preferred you to the alternative."

He chuckled and closed his eyes. "You know how to make a man feel as though he is minuscule sometimes, Eleanor. I would have your heart and your devotion, not just your appreciation that I am better than the alternative."

Eleanor leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips to his in a chaste, gentle kiss. "You are slowly stealing both, Phillip, though I admit I thought the task an impossibility."

He kissed her back gently. "I am glad to hear it. Come, then. If we dally longer, we shall not leave this study any time soon."

"Would that be so dreadful?"

"I can carry on our conversation and come to know you better in the carriage just as easily as I can here." He stroked her cheek with a soft smile. "I cannot, however, take you shopping here."

"I see. Are you truly that eager to go shopping?"

He chuckled and drew her into his arms, smoothing a hand over her hair. "I am eager to spend time with you and see your eyes light up like they did when I brought you things you loved, like Bella or the diamond necklace. Shall we go, then?"

"I think we should." Her breath caught as she looked up at him and found in his eyes a mix of desire and fondness that made her heart squeeze. "You know, Phillip, I think a conversation about an heir would not be so terrible."

He smiled at her and guided her towards the door. "Another time. If you are merely bringing it up to appease me, you need not do so. I told you, I am not the least bit concerned about producing an heir before we are both ready."

Sighing, she took his arm and let him guide her out of the study to the front door. There, Phillip went out to the stables and fetched a groom to prepare the carriage. Then, he returned to her and pulled her down to sit beside him on the front steps.

"I was not bringing it up to appease you, Phillip." Eleanor leaned into his side with a sigh, enjoying the warm sunshine and breeze.

"Then we shall discuss it another time. For today, let it just be us with no concerns about societal expectations or your father's attempts to meddle."

Her thoughts drifted, and she let herself relax beside Phillip, enjoying the moment of stillness and peace between them. A happy yap from the stables brought her back to her surroundings. Bella came bounding across the yard to join them, jumping into Phillip's lap and licking his cheek with enthusiasm.

Phillip laughed. "Off, Bella."

The little dog whined but obeyed, wagging her tail as she hopped down and sat at his feet patiently. Phillip took pity on the little creature and started petting her floppy ears with a smile.

Eleanor shook her head. "She is such a traitor! I have taken care of her for years, but the moment she met you, she switched loyalties."

Phillip captured Bella's furry face in his hands and kissed her wet nose. "That is merely because she recognizes the hand that now feeds her as her master. She still loves you, my dear, I promise."

As if to emphasize his point, the moment Phillip told Bella she could, she left her sitting position and jumped into Eleanor's lap to demand more attention. Eleanor hugged the wiggling dog and petted her with a smile. "I suppose she does."

The carriage rolled up, and Eleanor stood up, picking up Bella and carrying her to the boy who had followed the carriage out and was searching for the little dog.

"Thank you kindly, Your Grace," the stable boy said, bowing before he took Bella.

Phillip extended a hand to his wife. "Your carriage awaits, my dearest. Allow me?"

Eleanor took his hand with a smile and let him help her in. "Thank you, Your Grace."

He climbed in and sat beside her with an answering smile. "It is always my pleasure."

She blushed and stared at her lap. "A pleasure or a duty?"

He shut the carriage door and drew the curtain before leaning in close to murmur in her ear. "A pleasure, my dear. Any time I can hold you or touch you, however briefly, is a pleasure, I assure you."

"You should not say such things in public."

"I lowered my voice," he protested. "And besides, should a man not take pleasure in being near his wife?"

She pursed her lips, unsure whether to agree or not.

"I meant no harm by it, Eleanor." He took her hand in his. "Please, forget that I said anything at all."

"Shall I ask the question again so that you may answer better?"

He nodded his head with a smile. "If you please."

"Very well. Is helping me into a carriage truly a pleasure or a duty?"

"A pleasure." He squeezed her hand gently. "It is always a pleasure to do small things to show you that I genuinely care. Is that better?"

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "That is difficult to say. Your first answer might have sounded more honest."

Phillip threw his head back and laughed. "Dearest, both answers are genuine and honest, though the second answer might be more proper a statement."

"Do you mean it? I am rather difficult to please at times."

"I do not believe so. You are merely misunderstood by most. I adore you for your idiosyncrasies."

"Even though I am stubborn sometimes and take a long time to come around to other ways of thinking?"

"Even then, my love." He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. "It makes you unique, and I adore that about you."

Eleanor shifted in her seat and stared down at their entwined hands on her lap. "I feel as though I am a frustration and a burden," she admitted softly.

"You are neither. I admit that it has been difficult, but much of that is on account of my own actions. I do not blame you for that, nor will I ever do."

"But you are trying so hard to show me that you are not the man I believed you to be after the wedding, and my hurt, anger and fears have made that difficult." She lowered her head, her cheeks warming. "I have been the opposite of a biddable wife."

"If I had wanted a biddable wife, Eleanor, I would have married someone else. I wished to have you."

"Why? You could have had anyone."

"Because of our first meeting," he whispered, tipping her chin up to meet her eyes. "I spent a lifetime trying to avoid nobility and women of their ilk, but then there you were, one of them in name and nothing at all like them in every other regard. A breath of fresh air when I needed it most. Of course I wanted you."

She bit her lip and looked away. "I hope I can believe that someday."

"You will in time. I am certain of it because it is the truth, and I know you care deeply about having the truth, Eleanor. Will you trust me on it for now?"

Taking a deep breath, she considered what he was asking of her. He had done so much to prove himself to her. She could give him this small token of trust and faith. If he could prove himself worthy of that trust, she would trust him in every regard. "You promise me that you will not make me regret it?"

"I promise that I will do everything in my power not to."

"Then I will trust you on it for now."

"Thank you. Now then, I hear the lowing of cows and shouting. I do believe we have arrived at the nearest market square."

"So quickly?"

"It may not appear to be much given its quaint state and location, but the modiste and jeweler here do honest work. Their talents are admittedly wasted here on the small-town clients they attract, but they do splendid work during the months the ladies visit the countryside." He pulled the curtain aside to give her a clear view of the square.

People bustled from stall to stall, bargaining with one another and showing their companions various items before returning to their haggling. Boys and girls darted about between the people and the stalls playing tag with one another. Eleanor spotted a goose chasing indignantly after a young boy for some unknown offense.

"It is certainly smaller than the markets I was used to in London."

"I hope you will not hold that against me." Phillip climbed out after the carriage stopped and offered her a hand down. "Since the ton does rather like this area of the countryside near my estate for throwing the Season's grandest events, I do believe the modiste has a few items already prepared."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "Did you ask him to do so?"

This time, it was Phillip who blushed and looked away. "Perhaps."

"Rather presumptuous of you! How did you know I would agree to go shopping with you today?"

"I had no idea whether you would or not, but I was dearly hoping, and I acted accordingly. You will not hold it against me, will you, Eleanor?"

She sighed and kissed his cheek before looping her hand through his arm. "I suppose not. Shall we go see the dresses you asked the modiste to prepare, then?"

Phillip returned to his usual confident, poised self. "I would like that. I am eager to see what he has prepared and how it will look on you."

The man really did know what to say at all the right times. Eleanor wasn't frivolous, but she did enjoy dress shopping and searching for ribbons or other accessories at just the right price to consider them a quality bargain. That Phillip wanted to do it with her even though it was usually a woman's pastime left her feeling strangely warm and giddy inside. He wouldn't do it for just anyone. No, he was doing it for her because she was his and he cared about her.

"What are you thinking about now? I can practically hear the wheels turning, dearest."

"I am thinking that I am fortunate to have for a husband a man who is willing to sacrifice his masculine ego to go shopping with me."

Phillip laughed. "I care little what anyone else thinks. Your father let it drop in passing conversation that you adore shopping for gowns even if you only buy a truly nice gown here and there, and I made note of it for this sort of occasion. My father used to help my mother select her clothing for such events, and it was an experience they both enjoyed a great deal, so I always intended to try to do the same at least once with my bride."

"Did you love your parents a great deal?"

"Most dearly, though my father and I no longer saw eye-to-eye after I refused to take over the estate to make my own way. I think he always resented me a little for forcing him to give it to my uncle." Phillip pulled her to a stop in front of a door with a neatly painted spool of thread and needle on a wooden sign above it. He knocked on the door.

A slight, elderly man with a carefully tailored waistcoat and smoking jacket answered. His lips curled into a welcoming smile when he saw who it was. "Your Grace, come. I have closed the shop for the day, and my Betsy is at hand to assist Her Grace. The dresses are all ready for her approval and selection."

Phillip guided Eleanor inside with a hand at the small of her back. The dress selection process immediately began in a whirlwind of changing from one dress to the next and modeling each for the Duke. By the time it was done, Eleanor wasn't certain she had the energy to try on the jewelry too. Phillip agreed to bring her back for that when they would come to fetch her dress in a few days. She'd never been happier to see the estate than she was at that moment after a long day of shopping.

Their carriage rolled quietly in the gloaming, and their house was still a ways away across the hills, so she leaned into Phillip and closed her eyes, yawning in exhaustion. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. She quickly drifted off to sleep, tucked against his side and content to trust that he would wake her when they arrived.