Eleanor And The Duke (Berkshire Brides Book 1)

Read Eleanor And The Duke (Berkshire Brides Book 1) for Free Online Page A

Book: Read Eleanor And The Duke (Berkshire Brides Book 1) for Free Online
Authors: Margo Maguire
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Regency, 19th century, Intrigue, guardian, 1800's, Second-Chance Love
stunning, each in her own way.
    But none could compare to his Eleanor. As he stood beside Stillwater, he admired everything about her, from her grace and poise, to the deep connection she shared with Stillwater’s daughters.
    He was about to step in and retrieve her hands from Parris when Reverend Gedding approached him. “My dear Beckworth!” Gedding exclaimed happily, shaking Andrew’s hand warmly. “It’s been some years—”
    “Please, it is Beck to you, Robert! ’Tis good to see you.” Andrew said, returning the fond greeting. Reluctantly, he turned his attention from Eleanor and Joshua Parris.
    He and Robert had known each other years ago, before he’d come into the title and rank his father had held before him. “Last I heard you were on your way to Oxford.”
    “And you to Cambridge,” Gedding replied with a nod.
    Andrew turned to include Stillwater in their conversation. “Robert and I were at school together.”
    Reverend Gedding laughed. “Where many an adventure was had.”
    “I sense a few stories here,” Lord Stillwater said.
    “Ah, yes, there are many,” Gedding replied with a grin.
    The Stillwater sisters and other neighbors were introduced to him, and Andrew noted that Eleanor stayed as far from him as possible, while she remained close to Parris. It irked him, though he understood her purpose in doing it. She could not have been more obvious in demonstrating how distant she felt from him.
    And how close to Parris.
    He started moving toward her, deciding her tactic was going to fail. He did not care how brightly she beamed at Parris, or whether she allowed the man to kiss her hand. The kiss Andrew had shared with her in the conservatory must be branded on her lips, for he still felt it on his.
    She ignored him and spoke to Parris. “How long has it been since we’ve seen each other, Joshua?”
    “Since I went away to school,” he said. “Right after you promised to marry me.”
    Andrew nearly choked. This was the last thing he’d expected. Marry him? Marry Parris? Bloody hell.
    When she bestowed a tentative smile upon Parris, Andrew felt the urge to grab Eleanor and declare to all that she belonged to him and to no one else.
    But he held back when he heard her say quietly, and in an entirely different tone, “I appreciated your letters very much.”
    Parris’s pleasant expression sobered. “I wish I could have done more for you when your mother passed away.”
    Gesu, they were talking about their childhood. During which time they’d obviously developed a close tie.
    “Well, of course you couldn’t,” she replied quietly, turning to glance up at Beck. “Duke, may I present my very dear friend Mr. Joshua Parris, of Long Willow House. He and his sisters live only a mile south of Primrose Manor.”
    Andrew greeted the man with a civility he did not particularly feel.

    Eleanor held her breath for a moment, aware that Beckworth could make a clever quip about being Eleanor’s second jilted fiancé, but he said nothing. She did notice, however, that his jaw was clenched tight, in spite of his pleasant reunion with Reverend Gedding.
    He had decided not to like Joshua.
    Which was neither here nor there. If he believed there was something between her and Joshua, perhaps he would just go away.
    But Beckworth greeted Joshua cordially, as though he did not comprehend how close she’d been to him – how close she might still be. Perhaps he had not heard Joshua mention her promise to marry him.
    Eleanor decided she would correct his misapprehension, as soon as possible. She was going to show the duke how very little she needed him, and how very happy she was to reunite with her old friend.
    “Um . . . Joshua and I-I . . .”
    Beck quirked his brow just so, bringing to mind a particularly playful moment Eleanor had shared with him aboard his yacht. She shivered with an aching awareness of all she had left behind when she’d fled to Italy.
    Everything she’d thought they had together –

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