NOT JUST A WALLFLOWER by CAROLE MORTIMER

Author:CAROLE MORTIMER [MORTIMER, CAROLE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ROMANCE - HISTORICAL
Publisher: HARLEQUIN
Published: 2013-11-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

‘Why are you so surprised by my decision, Eleanor?’ Justin asked as Ellie could only stare wide-eyed and open-mouthed across the bedchamber at him in the wake of his announcement. ‘After all, you are responsible for alerting me to the fact that Dr Franklyn made yet another visit to my grandmother this morning.’

That might be so, but she certainly had not thought it would result in his decision to move into Royston House!

No doubt the dowager duchess was beside herself with pleasure at this unexpected turn of events, but it was equally as unthinkable to Ellie that she would have to suffer this disturbing man’s presence every hour of every day ‘for the foreseeable future’!

She moistened suddenly dry lips. ‘Well, yes, I did do that, of course. But I did not mean it to—I had not expected—’

‘You did not envisage it would result in your now having to suffer my living here?’ Royston guessed drily.

No, she most certainly had not! Nor did there seem any point in her denying that was her response, when she had moments ago gawked at the duke like a dumbstruck schoolgirl, no doubt with a look of horror upon her face. ‘Will the dowager duchess not think it...strange that you have capitulated now, when you have always resisted her pleadings in the past?’

The duke’s mouth quirked. ‘My grandmother does not plead, Eleanor, she suggests or instructs. And, no, I do not see why she should find my decision in the least strange.’

Ellie nibbled her lower lip. ‘Surely she will realise, eventually, that someone—notably myself—must have informed you of Dr Franklyn’s visit earlier today?’

‘Not unless you or I were to tell her of it.’ He arched golden brows. ‘Do you intend telling her?’

‘No, of course I do not.’ She frowned her agitation in the face of his infuriating calm. ‘I just—your grandmother will be too pleased by your decision at the moment to question it, but once she does—what reason will you give her for this change of heart?’

He looked down the length of his arrogant nose. ‘Why should I give her any reason? This is, after all, the official London home of the Duke of Royston. That I have not chosen to live in it for some years does not mean I was not at liberty to do so at any time I chose.’

Ellie was aware of that. But she was also aware that the dowager duchess was a woman of astuteness as well as intelligence, and once that dear lady had opportunity to think, to fully consider Royston’s sudden unexpected change of heart, she would most assuredly question as to why it should have occurred now, of all times.

Ellie had dashed off that note to Royston this morning for the simple reason he had asked her to do so should such a thing occur, but she had not, as he so easily guessed and obviously found so amusing, expected to now have him thrust into her own life on a daily basis.

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