Sarah's Duke: and Ellie's Gentleman (The heir and the spare, book 1) (20 page)

“Oh, father, thank you. I would much prefer to stay home. Meet people from the country even. I have no wish to marry a gentleman who wants to spend all year in London with people who do not care about anything other than their hair.”

Robert coughed and spluttered, lifting his napkin up to cover his mouth.

Ellie glared at him. It was becoming quite a habit of hers.

“Is something wrong Robert?”

He coughed and cleared his throat, smiling at her in a way set to melt her into a puddle. He was so handsome when he smiled.

“I completely agree with you. I’m just surprised that you feel that way. Most young ladies I have met love London and all of its distractions.”

Ellie huffed and took another sip of wine; letting it slide into her empty belly, warming her instantly.

“Well, I’m not like every other young lady. I want to marry a country gentleman who wants to take me on walks, and sit with me in fields.”

She stopped for a moment and looked at Robert directly. He didn’t smile, just continued to watch her.

“Someone who won’t have a fit of hysterics when they see the way I ride my horse.”

Robert coloured red at that moment and looked at her father. Then the two gentlemen burst out laughing.

The servants brought in the first course and Ellie picked up her soup spoon. She was not impressed.

“Why do I feel like I am at the centre of a joke that I do not understand?”

She sipped the chicken broth from her spoon and tried to look at her father and Robert in equal portions. Robert was just so much better looking.

“You don’t ride in a ladylike fashion cousin.”

Eustacia spoke again, her voice low and disapproving. Ellie clenched her teeth, knowing that her cousin was right. Riding side saddle made it almost impossible to push a horse past a walk but she managed well enough.

Her father clucked, silencing the nasty words.

“I took Robert riding today my dear and we saw you riding Black-Birth across the fields. I’m afraid Robert was quite worried for you.”

Ellie’s eyes flew to the gentleman opposite her. She couldn’t believe he had said anything to her father. Robert’s eyes dropped to the table as he concentrated on his soup.

“Really?” She asked the question, hoping that he would raise his head and look at her.

Eventually, he did.

“Yes, I have never seen a young lady ride like that. I was afraid you would hurt yourself.”

Ellie felt the pleasure of those words spread across her, then the disappointment.

“You didn’t think I was capable?”

Robert looked at her father then back at her, his eyes guarded. The silent communication between them made her uneasy.

“I had no idea any lady could ride side saddle with any speed. Your balance is exceptional.”

Ellie relaxed in her chair.

“So you don’t see my horse riding skills as being a problem for other country gentlemen?”

Robert paled but nodded.

“As long as they know how capable you are, they shouldn’t.”

Ellie smiled and finished her soup. It was a wonderful feeling for this gentleman to approve of her. It was the first step to her winning him.

The rest of the night passed well enough. Robert drank a mere two glasses of wine during dinner, ate slowly but with a good appetite, then retired to the study with her father for a spirit.

Ellie chose to go straight to bed. It was better than listening to her cousin drone on. She also had the added bonus of being able to lie in her bed and think of all the things Robert had said to flatter her during the evening.

Not only had he defended her to her cousin, he had also been impressed with her horse riding skills. Life was looking grander every moment.

Three

Ellie slept remarkably well, once again. The fact that her father had changed his mind about London made the sleep even more restful. She could stay here as long as she wanted.

Once bathed and dresses, she wandered downstairs to find that Robert and her father had gone on another tour of the estate.

She blushed and excused herself when the butler informed her of it. If she hadn’t taken so long to look pretty and get down stairs, she may have been able to go with them.

She had a light luncheon on her own as her cousin was still abed, and found herself in the library reading a book.

A loud ruckus near the front steps caught her attention and she walked into the hallway to watch her father being supported by Robert and hobbling.

“Oh father! Whatever have you done?” Ellie raced along the hall to her father’s side.

Her father merely laughed and growled at her.

“I twisted my ankle. Stop fussing. I’ve had a big enough lecture from Robert.”

Robert frowned at her father.

“Well, you know how many pot holes are in those fields, whatever were you doing walking through one!”

Her father just grumbled and after struggling free, hopped to a chair.

“Jennings, call the doctor for an opinion and get me to my room. I’m sure by dinner I will be much better.”

He turned his steady green gaze on her.

“Ellie, my dear, how has your day been?”

She smiled. Her father was the very best parent she could hope for.

“It has been good thank you father. I was hoping to go for a walk shortly.”

Robert removed his jacket and shook his head at her.

“It’s raining quite heavily now I’m afraid.”

Ellie sighed, she didn’t feel like doing much else today.

“Perhaps you could play a game of chess with her, Robert.”

Ellie heard her father’s suggestion and smiled. He had always been proud that she could play chess as well as any of his friends.

Robert smiled.

“I wouldn’t have though you could play, Ellie.”

She lifted her eye brows at him.

“My father needed an opponent for many years when I was younger. It is set up in the library Robert if you would care to join me?”

She watched his reaction and saw a fleeting panic before he nodded.

“Of course. Allow me to see your father settled first.”

Her father hmmphed and called to two of the younger footmen.

“You go and enjoy yourself and I will see you at dinner.”

Ellie stood side by side with Robert as her father was helped up the stairs to his bedroom.

Ellie waited, hands clasped behind her back.

Robert turned to her and indicated down the hall.

“Lead the way Miss Ellie.”

Ellie blushed and turned. Why was she not able to control her face better around this man?

She walked slowly so that her cheeks would calm down, then made her way straight over to the chess board.

“I’m always white, if that is all right Robert?”

He smiled and nodded his head.

“I am always black, so I believe that is perfect.”

Ellie hid her smile as she sat down into the chair and Robert sat opposite her. She moved her first piece and watched his clever eyes begin to make many moves ahead. A real chess player.

“Which mount did they give you to ride today?”

A ghost of a smile flitted across Robert’s lovely wide mouth before he moved his piece and looked up.

“A lovely, docile gelding.”

She nodded, how typical.

“You should have taken Storm Cloud. He would have enjoyed a walk.”

Robert’s grey eyes lit up at the mention of the stallion. He appreciated a beautiful horse just as she did.

“I did not think a stallion like that one would want to
walk.”

Ellie giggled at his tone and moved another piece. Robert frowned but moved his piece just as quickly.

“He doesn’t generally, but he does enjoy being out of the barn. I’m sure you could handle a gentle gallop.”

Robert looked at her wide eyes and burst out laughing. Ellie couldn’t help the accompanying laugh that bubbled up from her throat. He had such a wonderfully relaxed way of being.

Ellie moved her pawn, captured Robert’s castle and watched him frown once again.

“You are quite aggressive young lady.”

Ellie flushed.
Hardly.

“My father has taught me to put all of my effort into an endeavour if I wish for it. And in this circumstance, I wish to beat you.”

Robert laughed again and moved his pawn to capture another of her pawns.

“At this rate, you just may. But I won’t give up without a fight.”

Ellie smiled and concentrated harder.

“Oh, I wouldn’t expect it of you Robert.”

His dark eyebrows rose for a moment but he dropped his head and too concentrated on their playing.

It was a quick, intense game that Ellie won by the skin of her teeth.

As she took the black king into her sweating palm, victory filled her.

“That was so enjoyable!” She squealed at him.

Robert groaned and slid back in his chair away from her.

“For you maybe. It has been many years since I have lost a game of chess.”

Rolling the chess piece in her hand, Ellie stood up to leave the room. It would be dinner time soon, she must dress.

“Perhaps we could play again?”

Robert stood up and bowed to her, putting out his hand for the chess piece.

Ellie looked at his hand for a moment before she reached out and placed it in his warm palm. Her fingertips grazed the skin of his palm and he gasped before he curled his fingers around the king.

Robert cleared his throat his throat and nodded.

“Yes, I would like that.”

With feet that felt like they were floating on a cloud, Ellie ascended the stairs and made her way to her room. Which gown would be best for tonight?

*****

Robert was late to dinner because he had taken too long to tie his cravat. After sending his valet off early, he had changed his mind and tried a more elaborate design.

He felt ridiculous.

Once they were all seated, he took a long sip of wine. Today’s chess game had been stimulating and fun. It had frightened him. He had been certain he had no wish to remarry and now he found himself wondering what life would be like with Ellie by his side.

There was only one thing he could do, and that was to stay as far away from Ellie as possible.

Robert took another sip of his wine and watched his friend’s daughter beneath hooded eyes. She was far too beautiful. The bright green eyes that were intelligent but kind. Her full pink lips that were just so tempting. The very thought made him want to run from William’s estate with his tail tucked between his legs. 

He couldn’t believe how nervous he was just sitting in close proximity to her. He had no reason to feel as though he had done something wrong, yet he did.

Robert dropped one hand down to his thigh and wiped the sweat from his palm as subtly as possible.

William cleared his throat and looked at his daughter.

“Ellie, would you mind showing Robert around the grounds again tomorrow? I have business to attend to and with this ankle, it is probably best that I do not walk on it.”

Robert’s heart leapt into his throat. Unable to sit idly by while his plans to stay far away from Ellie went up in smoke, he tried to derail William’s suggestion.

“I can make amuse myself, William. Please don’t trouble your daughter.”

Robert felt his neck burn with the words he forced through his lips. He was sure Ellie was giving him a look that could melt ice. He didn’t know for certain, he wouldn’t look her way to see.

“I’m sure Ellie won’t mind.”

William smiled at him and turned back to his daughter.

Robert forced himself to look across the table at Ellie. Her cheeks were flushed rosy and she now looked far too beautiful.

“I wouldn’t mind at all, father.”

Robert had to stop this immediately. His breathing was becoming irregular. Panic was setting in. He couldn’t spend any more time alone with this enchanting young lady.

He turned to the nasty woman beside him, a last resort.

“Mrs. Nelson may want to spend the day with Ellie.”

The sour widow screwed up her face even more.
He really
did not like this woman.

“I have plans tomorrow to visit with an old friend.”

Robert’s heart beat began racing faster, inevitability settling into his stomach. He needed to keep trying.

“She will need a chaperone William. It is too much bother.”

William smiled, took a drink of his wine and waved his hand in an offhanded manner.

“Don’t be silly, Robert. Ellie has an impeccable reputation within our town and you are an old family friend. She will be fine with you.”

Robert risked a glance at the young lady in question and she smiled coyly at him. Little minx. Why was she happy about this?

He forced himself to say what was necessary.

“I would be honoured.”

How was he going to distance himself from her if they were in each other’s company all day?

“Are there errands you need to run? Shall I escort you into Hampton perhaps?”

Ellie frowned, her green eyes clouding over.

“I do need a few things, however I thought you would like to see the estate.”

He waved his hand in the air, feeling more in control now. If he could content her with a trip to town he was sure he could keep his wayward feelings hidden under control.

“Your father showed me much of the estate today. I would enjoy seeing the local village.”

Elli picked up her bread roll and pulled it apart slowly. Her eyes met his but she looked disappointed.

“You don’t mind coming to the dress makers with me?”

Robert forced a smile to his face, he couldn’t think of anything worse. But if he had to spend a day with the only female to inspire him in over five years, then he would do anything to keep her busy.

“Not at all. You can do what you need to do and I can look around the village.”

Ellie’s face dropped and she concentrated on her soup.

Robert took a sip of wine, elated. He may have been backed into a corner but he had found the perfect solution. Ellie would be lost in a dress shop all day and he would be able to wander around like he always did. How could anything go wrong?