Sarah's Duke: and Ellie's Gentleman (The heir and the spare, book 1) (21 page)

Four

Robert took one step out the front door and stopped in shock. An open carriage waited for them. A small confined space in which he and Ellie would most definitely have to talk.  Escape would not be an option.
Hell.

“Good morning, Robert. What lovely weather we have been blessed with.”

His heart kicked in his chest at the sound of her voice and he turned, bracing himself for a vision of loveliness. She looked even better than he feared.

“Good morning, Ellie. Yes, it is a little chilly but the sky is clear.”

He steeled himself for her touch and offered her his arm.

She took it and together they walked down the steps to the waiting carriage. A coachman opened the door for her and she stepped straight in.

Robert stopped for a moment to catch his breath, what was wrong with him? He clenched his jaw and hauled himself into the carriage, seating himself down opposite her.

“Mrs. Nelson isn’t joining us?” He raised his eyes brows in question and she laughed. The sound musical and extremely soothing on his soul.
Damn.

“Mrs. Nelson decided she wanted to visit her friend today and papa didn’t think it was necessary. Seeing as you are such a good family friend.”

She smiled cheekily at him and the edge of his lips kicked up.

“That is true, after all. I am old enough to be your father.”

Robert swallowed. The words were true, but that didn’t make them any less difficult to say.

“Oh yes Robert, you are ancient.”

Her face lit up into the most beautiful smile Robert had ever seen, on anyone, ever. His heart skipped a beat. What was she doing to him?
Damn, again. Keep her talking.

“What are you shopping for today?”

She smiled and fiddled with her gloves. The cold air caused her nose and cheeks to be pink and the beautiful coat and gloves made him wish for warmer weather, where her figure would be more on display.

“Everything really. If I no longer have to go to London, I want clothes that suit my home.”

Robert swallowed the lump in his throat, trying not to focus on her skin that glowed with good health, her elegant hands, the turn of her cheek.

“You may still marry a London gentleman. Then you will have to spend most of the year in town.”

Ellie looked up and her brown eyes pierced his. She didn’t look away when she said, “I plan to marry a country gentleman. A man who will let me ride my horses and take me for walks, not traipse around London like a dandy.”

Robert looked away, unable to hold her stare. Was she really telling him that she wanted
him
? Was she playing a game with an old widower?

The carriage was slowing down already. Where had that time gone?

The driver pulled their carriage right up to the front of the dressmaker and the coach man jumped down and opened the door.

Robert jumped straight out and waited to help Ellie out also.

She placed her gloveless hand in his and his intake of breath whistled through his teeth. Her skin was so smooth, when had she taken her gloves off?

“This way, young lady.”

He guided her into the shop and stood at the back as she went forward to greet the shop keeper.

“I will wander about your village Miss Sommers and come back a little later.”

He turned to walk out of the shop when she called him back.

“No Mister Blakely, please. I need your opinion.”

He stopped himself from groaning aloud as he turned around and walked further into the shop.

“How can I be of assistance Miss Sommers? I am an old man and know little of fashions.”

He grimaced at his own word choice. He wasn’t an old man, but he needed to keep reminding them both of their considerable age difference.

Not to mention the fact he had decided never to remarry. Why did he keep forgetting that fact?

“But you are a man, Sir.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him and gazed up with her innocent brown eyes.

He clenched his teeth and half bowed at her to hide it.

“I am at your service, Miss Sommers.”

Ellie smiled and disappeared into another room with the dressmaker.

Robert waited, then stood up. After a while he turned to pacing up and down for what seemed like forever. Whatever could they be doing?

The dress maker came bustling out.

“Please, sit down Sir.”

Robert sat, his ankle crossed over his knee.

His jaw fell open when Ellie walked out in a ball dress of pale pink. She picked it up and stepped up onto the round step in front of the mirrors.

“I’m not sure about the colour. Robert?”

He slammed his mouth shut when she turned to look at him, her eyebrows raised in question.

“No, the colour is lovely.” He cleared his throat. Was that his voice?

“I’m worried about the neckline also.”

Ellie flushed a lovely shade of pink to match her dress and Robert shifted in his chair. Hunger was growing inside of him and he knew it would be hard to hide in his face. He looked down at his nails to disguise it.

“You aren’t a new debutante, Miss Sommers. You can get away with a slightly lower neck line.”

He risked a look up to see her face smiling in approval.

The next hours were a torment of the worst kind.

Time after time he had to watch Ellie prance around beautiful dresses, gloves, even look at stockings and pelisses. She asked him for his opinion on colours, textures, even on appropriate neck lines.

He was sweating by the time she had finished. She had followed every piece of advice he had given her, even ordered in a special version of purple fabric because he had said he liked it. He had never felt more special.

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Essex.”

Ellie kissed the elderly dress maker on the cheek and held her gloves in her hand, not putting them on.

Robert looked at the white gloves.

“Do you want to put them on, and we can perhaps go for a short walk before heading home.”

Ellie smiled and tucked them into a pocket in her day dress.

“No, I have recently learnt the pleasure of not wearing gloves.”

She waited for him and he offered her his hand. His naked, glove less hand.
Hell.

Heat infused his whole arm, clenching his teeth against the need to pull her closer. He wanted to caress her cheeks, kiss her soft pink lips. He shook his head, where were these feeling coming from? These strange desires?

“What would you like to see Robert?” Ellie looked at him with her wide, clear brown eyes and he wanted to beg her to stay with him forever.

Embarrassed by his own feelings, he looked away.

“Anywhere you like Ellie. Perhaps a tour of the village? I have no need of anything in particular.”

They walked through the small village, smiling as they went.

Ellie showed him the general store and the tea shop. They even had a butcher and a baker. It was a charming little town. Ellie pointed at shop windows and told stories of her childhood and Robert found himself laughing and enjoying himself.

He grimaced when they rounded the last corner and began walking back. He didn’t know whether to thank Ellie for making his holiday so enjoyable or curse her for reminding him that life could be wonderful. 

He looked out at the hills towards his home. He would return there within a week. His empty home and his plain, responsible existence.

“You look upset Robert? Have I done something to offend you?”

He shook his head, sad for himself and angry that he had made her feel this way.

“Not at all, young lady. Just thinking about home.”

She smiled at him.

“Is your home very beautiful?”

Robert shrugged, he rarely saw it as anything more than a building.

“I have been told it is. But as I live there alone, it is rarely enjoyed as it should be.”

He felt the tension in Ellie and pulled her slightly closer.

She finally spoke after a quick inhaled breath.

“Have you thought about remarrying?”

Robert laughed, how would he handle this? The true answer was yes, many times, until he remembered why he had made his decision.

“No, I won’t remarry. Losing my wife and child hurt too much. I can’t do that again.”

Ellie gasped, tightening her grip on his arm.

“Oh my, that sounds horrible.”

He smiled, squeezing the hand on him.

“It’s life, but don’t feel sorry for me. I’m happy now.”

They walked a little further and he turned to her when they reached the carriage. He must be honest, he felt he owed her that.

“Thank you for today Ellie. I had forgotten how lovely it is to have someone’s company. Especially someone who caters to me…” His voice faltered as he realised how much he was revealing. That was not clever.

Her green eyes shimmered as she looked up at him and a small smile picked up the ends of her mouth.

Robert’s heart rate increased. He had over stepped the line.

“It doesn’t have to end Robert, does it?”

Something resembling a horse shoe wedged itself into Robert’s chest, squeezing around his heart. She couldn’t possibly mean what she way saying.

“You have been lovely to indulge this old man Ellie, but I know you must find someone worthy of you.”

She snatched her hand out of his grasp so quickly that Robert almost fell sideways.

“If you don’t like me Robert just say so. I do not wish for these ridiculous excuses.”

His mouth gaped open. She couldn’t possibly think that?

“Ellie, of course I like you. You are easy to converse with, you make me laugh and you are extremely beautiful.”

She turned pleading eyes on him. “Then why do you say such things?”

He sighed. How could he make her understand? He was petrified but sad at the same time.

“Young lady, I will be honest. You make me yearn for another life but I do not deserve it, or you.”

Lightning flashed in her eyes as she tilted up her head and looked him straight in the eye.

“I think I am the best judge of what is good for me and what I need. Thank you Sir.”

She turned and climbed into the carriage without his help.

Robert stood still, unable to believe their conversation. He was shocked. Had she just told him that she wanted to continue their friendship and he had told her he didn’t deserve her?
Was he a fool?

No, it was best for both of them.

The carriage ride home was silent. Ellie would not look at him and no matter how hard he tried, Robert could not think of anything to say that would undo the damage he had just done.

When they arrived home, Robert excused himself and hid in William’s library. He even requested luncheon to be served for him so that he did not have to face Ellie once again.

He usually spent every day in his own library at home, reading about ancient Greek Mythology or doing research on the stock exchange. He had many varied interests, most of which could be visited within the confines of this one room.

Robert rarely socialised and did not miss it - silly people with their silly concerns. Occasionally he did get lonesome, but those moments were few and far between.

Something startled Robert from his book. Looking up, turned his head towards the door, unable to determine what it was. Had a servant knocked on his door? He waited, no. It wasn’t a servant.

What had pulled him out of the riveting read of India travels?

A feminine laugh sounded.

He was standing and pushing open the door before he had chosen to move. That was the one thing Robert had missed, the sound of other people about the house. His house was ghost-like in its quietness.

Another laugh, louder this time vibrated through the air and Robert shivered; fingers dancing up his spine.

He stepped into the door way of the afternoon sitting room to find Ellie seated on a chair. Holding his breath, Robert prayed she would not see him.

She was embroidering by the low fire, her posture relaxed and confident. She sewed intently and occasionally looked down. Robert moved slightly and caught sight of a tiny black kitten playing by her feet.

She laughed again, the sound hitting him right over the breast bone.

Ellie was so alive. Robert hadn’t felt alive in a long time. Her laugh, her smile, even her temper were tempting in their passion. She really did make him want to crawl over and beg for a small piece of her. That shocked him.

She leaned over and picked up a string and held it above the kitten, giggling when the tiny fluff ball jumped and pawed at it.

Robert backed away unseen, a tear pricking his eye. He wiped it away quickly, unable to believe he had found someone like her.