The Portrait of a Scarred Duke by Patricia Haverton
Chapter 31
Elinor hefted the heavy canvas over her shoulder, as she approached the estate. The mare she was riding slowed, as if the animal sensed and reacted to her own hesitation. Elinor bit her lip. She’d drawn the attention of a couple servants. There was the gardener, who’d stopped to look at her. And one of the stable boys, speaking with the footman.
I wonder if they recognize me, and if they do, I wonder if they know.
Had Seth informed his staff that she was never to set foot on the estate ever again?
She dismounted her horse and adjusted the painting, carefully secured in its wooden box. It felt heavy in her arms, not just because it was but because of the weight of the subject, of Seth and his burning green eyes. Elinor drew in a sharp, pained breath and forced her feet into motion. Her legs felt numb and wooden as she approached the familiar door, which swung open at her approach.
Elinor had expected one of the staff, but instead, she found herself facing the Earl of Wilton. This was the worst possible outcome. “Ah—My Lord,” Elinor said, stumbling over her greeting.
The lord smiled, looking as though he couldn’t have been more pleased to see her. Elinor’s heart thundered against her ribs. Had Seth decided to take her to court, after all? Did his friend, the Earl, have some ill intentions towards her?
“I wanted to give His Grace the portrait he’s owed,” Elinor said, holding the portrait before her.
I wanted so badly to give this to him myself, but if the painting might be the way to soothe the wounds of his broken heart, surely that will be true even if I’m not there beside him. Surely, he’ll be able to read my devotion in my brush strokes.
“You should do that, then,” Guillan said, sounding suddenly enthusiastic. “You’re quite fortunate, as we’ve only just returned from London. We’re set to leave again in a week.”
“Right. For the Season,” Elinor said. “It seems I couldn’t have come at a better time, then.”
Seth was supposed to find a wife during the Season. Her Grace had wanted this portrait before the Season began.
Elinor felt as though she might be sick, and for one fleeting moment, she seriously considered forcing the painting into the Earl’s arms and riding away from the estate as quickly as she could.
“I can see why he was so taken with you,” the Earl continued, his voice kind. “You’re a lovely young woman. And talented, or so I’ve heard.”
He was being rather nice, and Elinor couldn’t quite decide why. Was the Earl this pleasant to all of Seth’s visitors, even ones suspected of allying themselves with criminals? Even those related to criminals?
“Thank you, My Lord,” she replied, trying to conceal how bewildered she was.
He only smiled and waved her in. “I’ll take you to him.”
“Thank you, My Lord.”
The Earl bowed, his eyes shining. “I’m always happy to be at the service of beautiful maidens.”
Elinor smiled hesitantly. “You’re being far nicer to me than I think I deserve, My Lord.”
He’d been there, after all, when all her family’s crimes and secrets were revealed to them all.
Guillan smirked, like he had a secret which he was dying to share. “You’ve done nothing terrible to me. I don’t see why I shouldn’t behave civilly to the guest of my oldest friend.”
He led her up the staircase. Elinor followed, her face growing hotter as servants passed her with curious eyes. She wondered what reason Seth had given them for her sudden absence, if he’d given them a reason at all.
“My father was declared guilty?” Elinor asked.
Guillan’s eyes turned to her, and he looked as though he’d suddenly come to an unwelcome realization. “Yes. I’m sorry. Does that…upset you?”
Elinor bit her lip and shook her head. The Earl had slowed his pace and clasped his hands behind his back. He seemed to be trying to guide her, while giving her space to herself. It was unexpectedly thoughtful of a man whom Elinor had expected to be incurably rakish. “I don’t know. It all upsets me but I know that my uncle—no, I keep misspeaking. My father received the fate he deserved.”
“So he did. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be hurt by either his fate or his actions, however.”
“Thank you.”
The Earl nodded and opened a door. Elinor just barely glimpsed the interior, which boasted polished mahogany furniture, gilded portraits, and green curtains. “He’s in there.”
Elinor adjusted her grip on the portrait. “Am I to assume that you’ll be sending Letty to join us, or will you remain here?”
“Why would I do either of those things?”
“So there’s a chaperone,” Elinor said.
The Earl’s grin broadened. He winked. “Why, Miss Thorebourne, rakes don’t care about something as trivial as chaperones. Why don’t you go speak with our dear Duke before someone comes along and learns of your scandalous behavior?”
Elinor’s face reddened. He’d made it so easy for her to be alone with Seth. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He nodded. “Good luck with him.”
Elinor smiled and squared her shoulders. Then she entered the room. This was the antechamber. Did she dare go further?
The Earl closed the door behind her, so it was just Elinor and Seth, who was somewhere in the room.
“Seth?” she asked.
There was no answer. She adjusted the portrait again in her arms and wandered further in. His room was larger than she’d expected. Somehow, she could still be left speechless by the grandiose space. It was all green and gold, too. She wondered if Seth had ever decorated the room after his father died. Elinor would’ve expected Seth’s room to be blue and silver, rather than green and gold.
He appeared at once, emerging from an open doorway. Elinor’s breath caught in her throat. His appearance was so sudden that Elinor felt as if she couldn’t even think. Wordlessly, she held out the portrait. Seth stared at it for a long time.
“Good evening, Elinor.”
“Good evening.”
Elinor carefully lowered the portrait to the floor and let it lean against her calves. “I thought you might want what you paid for.”
I wanted so desperately to see you.
“Oh. Well. Let’s see it, then.” Seth spoke as though he secretly wanted to ask something else.
I suppose we’ll get to that.
Seth lifted the portrait and smiled at her. “Follow me.”
Elinor followed him into his bedroom. He placed it carefully on a nearby table and went to a nearby desk. Elinor watched him move with a strangely distant feeling. Her gaze wandered over his broad shoulders and his dark hair.
“We’re alone,” she said.
Seth retrieved a small penknife from his desk and nodded. “I’d noticed,” he said. “I—I suppose this is…I’m surprised at your boldness.”
“You can thank the Earl of Wilton for this. He deliberately left me without a chaperone.”
“Of course he did.”
Elinor felt as if they were both dancing around a subject which they were both too afraid to approach. She clasped her hands together as Seth wedged the knife between the pieces of wood, slowly prying apart the case and exposing the painting beneath. It only took Seth a couple of minutes. Then, he set the top piece of wood aside.
He breathed in sharply and audibly. Elinor watched his green eyes widen. “Elinor, this is…wonderful.”
“I think it’s my best work,” she said tentatively. “I enjoyed painting you, and I wanted you to have it. You did pay for the portrait, after all.”
“My mother did, actually.”
“Oh. Right,” Elinor replied.
Taking the portrait to Her Grace sounded nearly as intimidating as giving it to Seth.
“I thought you might make the scars less prevalent,” Seth said, “but you didn’t.”
“I wanted them to look like yours,” Elinor replied. “I tried to paint them as best as I could.”
“You succeeded. This is a beautiful piece.”
Seth traced a finger around his own jawline. His lips parted slightly, as he gazed at his own face.
“I’m glad you think so,” Elinor replied.
Seth’s eyes darted to her. “You put so much time into this, so much of your life. This is a testament to so many moments that you can never get back.”
“I wouldn’t want them back. I enjoyed those moments,” Elinor replied. “They meant that I got to be with you.”
Seth nodded slowly. “I feel the same way, truth be told.”
“Even if our love for one another ended so horribly?” Elinor asked softly.
Seth took a step towards her. “Did it end for you? Do you no longer love me?”
“No,” Elinor said. “I still love you. I always did. I can understand why you might not believe me after it all, and I—I forgive you for that. But I do love you.”
“And it hurts that we’re apart?” Seth whispered. “It feels like there’s an ache inside you that can’t be lessened no matter how hard you try. It feels as if your entire world has been thrown apart, and you can’t stop thinking of—of—”
“Of you,” Elinor finished, her eyes widening. “You put it so well.”
“I’ve thought a lot about it lately,” Seth said, clearing his throat. “Elinor, I am so happy you came tonight. I had planned on going to visit you. I wanted to tell you that I believe you. I’m sorry that I couldn’t tell you that before.”
“You shouldn’t be. You were thinking of the dukedom.”
“Yes, but you were right. Do you remember? You told me that you were a part of the dukedom, and I can’t remember what I said. But I know that I wasn’t…I didn’t respond kindly to you.”
Elinor smiled, feeling suddenly shy. “I suppose we were both wrong, then.”
“I’m fine with conceding to that,” Seth replied, “although I’d still argue that you were more in the right than I was. I was afraid when you needed my courage the most, and I will never forgive myself for that.”
“Forever is a long time to feel guilty over that,” Elinor said. “I want you to forgive yourself.”
Seth sighed. His green eyes softened with affection, and he raised his hand, gently letting his fingers touch her sleeve. Elinor straightened her back. His touch was like liquid heat, sinking through her clothes and down all the way to her bones.
“Is that all right?” Seth whispered.
“Yes. Please.”
Seth let his fingers trail up her arm and rest on his shoulder. Elinor’s breath hitched, and when Seth’s hand fell, she felt herself longing for his warmth again.
“I’m sorry for everything that’s happened,” Seth said.
“None of it was your fault.”
“I know,” Seth replied, “but I’m sorry that a woman as kind and lovely as you has endured so much. How are you getting along with your uncle now?”
“It’s strange,” Elinor admitted, “but given time, I think I can forgive him. We can be what we were before. Really, I should be thanking you for showing him the mercy you did.”
“I couldn’t take him from you,” Seth said quietly. “Besides, I wonder if I wouldn’t be willing to do something terrible if it would secure your happiness.”
“You wouldn’t. I would never put you in that position,” Elinor said. “Ever.”
“I know that now.”
They smiled at one another for a while longer, and for the first time since that terrible day, Elinor felt as though the world was steady again.
“It’s getting late,” Elinor said. “I should return to my uncle.”
“Of course. Thank you for bringing this to me.”
Elinor turned to leave. He believed her. Now, she felt as if she could start healing or start again, maybe. His eyes remained on her back, as she walked away.
“Elinor!” he exclaimed. “Wait, please.”
She halted at the door. “Yes?”
“Look at me,” Seth said. “Please.”
Slowly, Elinor turned around. Her blue eyes met Seth’s green gaze. He smiled. “I don’t want you to leave me ever again. I want you to marry me, Elinor. Will you?”
“Marry you?”
“I know I’ve made mistakes,” Seth continued. “I know that you deserve better. And if you’ll give me the chance, I promise that I’ll become the man you deserve.”
“Oh, Seth,” she whispered. “I—I don’t think anything would make me happier than for you to marry me.”
Seth’s eyes brightened. He looked at her as though she was something wondrous. In two quick steps, he was before her. Seth’s arms wrapped around her waist, and Elinor eagerly returned his embrace. Their lips crashed together, hot and eager, and Elinor felt herself melt into his arms. Seth was worth giving up everything for.
But she didn’t feel like she was relinquishing anything, not even the smallest scrap of her beloved freedom. No, she felt as though she’d finally come home.