A Duke of Her Own(38)

Eleanor's mother cleared her throat and turned to Villiers."! will be blunt. I am not particularly pleased, given the circumstances."

"I have six illegitimate children," Villiers informed her, not kindly.

She visibly paled.

"Mother," Eleanor said,"! know this has been a terrific shock."

"My daughter is marrying a duke," the duchess said between clenched teeth. "True, he apparently has the morals of a squirrel, but that's my cross to bear."

"Actually, the children will be Eleanor's cross to bear," Villiers said all too cheerfully.

"I gather you have this particular boy with you for a purpose," the duchess said."! must suppose you are conveying him to an appropriate household in the country. Surely you need not have effected this errand in person?"

Eleanor intervened before Villiers could deliver a death blow by informing the duchess that he intended to raise the children under his own roof. "There's no reason to discuss such particulars now."

Her mother's eyes snapped to her. "Eleanor, you must forget that you ever heard this discussion. If your father were here, he would talk to the duke himself. But since he is ungrateful enough to be in Russia with your brother, I shall undertake that task myself. Duke, we shall discuss this tomorrow.

In private!"

"I live in anticipation," Villiers drawled.

His future mother-in-law gave him a look of extreme dislike, but she held her tongue. "Do join us!"

Lisette called from the floor.

"Are you suggesting that I sprawl about on the floor?" the duchess demanded.

At that moment the door opened and a thin boy in a brown velvet suit entered. He was dressed like any boy of the aristocracy, Eleanor thought, though he clearly wasn't one of them. There was something wild and proud in his face, as if he were more duke than the duke.

He walked forward and bent his head. "Bow," his father said, though not sharply. He bowed.

Anne and Lisette both looked up. "Sit next to me!" Lisette caroled, patting the floor. "I am having a terrible time catching this little ball."

The boy was like a miniature version of Villiers, from his cool gray eyes to his extreme self-possession. "May I present my son," Villiers said. "His name is Tobias."



The boy turned his head and looked at his father.

"He prefers to be called Juby," Villiers added.

It was the first time she had ever seen Villiers bested, and by someone less than half his weight.

Eleanor stepped forward and smiled.

"Lady Eleanor," Villiers said. "My future wife." There was just the slightest edge of irony in his tone.

Eleanor dropped a curtsy. The boy bowed his head again. He was fiercely beautiful in the way some young males are, as if their whole life were being lived through their eyes, and their large noses, and their ungainly limbs.

"Bow," his father said unemotionally.

He bowed.

"Lady Eleanor's mother, the Duchess of Montague."

This time Tobias bowed without being told, which made Eleanor feel better. If this wild boy interpreted her mother's murderous gaze properly, then perhaps she herself wasn't such an incompetent coward for having given in to her so many times in the last twenty-two years.

"On the floor are Lady Lisette and Mrs. Bouchon," Villiers continued. "Bow."

Tobias bowed. Lisette looked up again and patted the ground. Naturally, Tobias dropped instantly into the place she indicated.

"I shall retire until supper to compose myself," the duchess announced, her voice indicating that she was on the very edge of a swoon. She paused, clearly to allow Villiers and Eleanor to chorus their protests. Their eyes met.

"You must be exhausted by the long trip, Mother," Eleanor said.

"Though one certainly couldn't tell," Villiers put in. "You look as exquisite as ever, Duchess."

She automatically raised one shoulder in a coquettish gesture. "Oh, how can you say so!" she said, though without her usual vigor. "The dust! The dryness. We were easily half a day in the carriage."

"Only a woman of remarkable fortitude could look as fresh as you do after a journey," Villiers said.

"I'll walk you to the stairs, Mother," Eleanor said. "A footman will inform you the moment that the squire and his family arrive."

As they walked into the entrance hall they came face-to-face with an enormous gilded mirror.

Eleanor saw herself and stopped short.

"Just look at yourself!" her mother snapped. "What you've done to your eyes makes you look shameless." She clutched Eleanor's arm a little tighter. "I never thought I'd say such a thing, but I'm not certain you should marry Villiers, Eleanor."