AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What have you done?” Eleanor choked out, unable to catch her breath. She was so revolted by the smell of the freshly- slain pheasants, and it took all her self-control to keep her feet planted firmly to the floor. For, at this moment, Eleanor wanted nothing more than to race from the drawing room and hide in her bedchambers.
“I told you, my dear,” Henry replied, moving his hands to his hips, and puffing out his chest proudly, “I’ve brought you a present.”
“Your Grace, those birds are lovely,” Rosalin chimed in. “I’m sure Eleanor appreciates the gift.”
“Yes,” the Dowager Duchess agreed, nodding her head smartly. “Cook can prepare a delectable dinner tonight, and then we can take the feathers to the milliner. I’ve heard that pheasant feathers are of the latest fashion and ladies all over thetonare wearing them in their hats.”
“I’ve heard that, too,” Rosalin added.
Eleanor swung from one smiling face to the next, and her heart dropped in despair. She could tell that Henry was trying, and she didn’t want to make waves, but she needed to speak her mind. “I don’t eat meat, Henry. And I don’t wear feathers.”
Henry looked at her as though she had just thrown cold water in his face. “I…” he stammered. “I completely forgot. I… Jerome!” He shouted at the top of his voice. The valet appeared at once in the doorway.
“Your Grace?” Jerome asked, his monotone voice low.
“Please, take these birds away at once. I forgot my wife’s aversion to them and…” He stopped talking while he undid the length of rope that was carrying the birds from his belt loop. He handed it to Jerome and the servant walked out the door with it at once.
Eleanor felt her unease drain away almost instantly, and she looked at Henry with hopeful eyes. “Thank you, Henry. You didn’t have to get rid of the birds just for me.”
“Of course, I did,” he stated promptly. “You’re my wife and if something brings you displeasure, I should do my best to remedy the situation.”
The Dowager Duchess snorted, and Eleanor spun around to look at the woman. She was eyeing Henry critically and she said in a disapproving tone, “So you mean to say that you’re going to give up hunting because your wife despises the sport?”
“I…” Once more, Henry seemed at a loss for words. “I… well, you see… I rather like hunting and I don’t think I need to give it up entirely.”
The Dowager Duchess chuckled derisively. “Hunting is a good sport for the gentlemen. You are an excellent shot, Henry. Your father always said so. You shouldn’t have to give up something you love.”
Eleanor found herself torn between looking at her husband’s distressed face and gazing at his grandmother’s patronizing expression. Amid all this, Rosalin sat quietly sipping her tea. Eleanor was sure Rosalin was cataloguing this entire interaction and it would be reported accordingly to anyone who would be willing to listen just as soon as she could leave the property. Eleanor hung her head in woe. There was no way she was going to please her husband, satisfy his grandmother, and make sure more rumors about her behavior did not matriculate throughout thetonif she put her foot down and demanded that Henry give up his sport.
“Of course not,” Eleanor said in a placating voice. “Henry should do as he pleases.” She knew it was the height of impropriety to leave the room at this point, but Eleanor couldn’t stop herself. She wanted to seek asylum in the sanctity of her bedchambers. Above all else, she wanted to curl up next to Sir Whiskers and Lady Lovely Paws and let thoughts of this messy marriage she had gotten herself into blissfully slip from her mind.
